Seattle Genetics Inc. has landed yet another partner for its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology. Abbott will pay $8 million up front for rights to pair the technology with its internal oncology target. The deal is merely the latest in a string of partnership agreements that have provided a steady income for the company. Seattle Genetics' 11 collaborations have earned it $155 million in up-front payments, fees and milestone payments to date, and have racked up a total $3.2 billion in potential future payments. Read More
Privately held ImmusanT Inc. has become the newest entrant in the wide-open race to find a drug therapy for the inherited autoimmune disorder celiac disease. The company established operations this month in Cambridge, Mass., with the goal of developing an immunotherapeutic vaccine, companion diagnostic and monitoring tool for celiac disease, which is triggered by foods containing gluten – the main protein in wheat, rye and barley. Read More
Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp., of Calgary, Alberta, said it grossed $2 million by selling about 18.18 million units, consisting of one common share and a warrant for one-half of a common share, at 11 cents per unit. Each warrant can be exercised within three years at a price of 16 cents. Read More
Tesaro Inc., of Boston, announced that it signed an agreement with Amgen Inc., of Thousand Oaks, Calif., that grants Tesaro exclusive worldwide rights for the development, manufacture, commercialization and distribution of small-molecule inhibitors of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Tesaro said it plans to develop one or more compounds for oncology indications, including the treatment of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer whose tumors are ALK-positive. Read More
Cellerant Therapeutics Inc., of San Carlos, Calif., started a Phase I/II trial of CLT-008 in patients receiving intensive post-remission chemotherapy for high-risk leukemia or myelodysplasia. CLT-008 is an allogeneic cell-based therapy designed to provide hematopoietic support following high-dose chemotherapy or radiation exposure. Read More
Ahead of this week's PDUFA date for ipilimumab in second-line metastatic melanoma, the drug hit its endpoint in the first-line setting, as Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s 2009 buyout of Medarex Inc. for $2.4 billion just keeps looking better and better. Read More
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc. has added another piece to the expanding global market for Xiaflex (collagenase Clostridium histolyticum) with an agreement that gives Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp., of Tokyo, exclusive rights to commercialize Xiaflex for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture and Peyronie's disease in Japan. Read More
