Concerned about the increasing uncertainty that exists about the patent-eligibility of biotech products that incorporate naturally occurring substances and methods of using those products in therapeutic, diagnostic or industrial processes, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) submitted an amicus brief in Natural Alternatives Inc. v. Creative Compounds LLC, which is on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeal for the Federal Circuit. Read More
Innovent Biologics Inc., of Hong Kong, completed a $150 million series E round of financing. The round was led by Capital Group Private Markets with its $90 million investment. Read More
Hesperos Inc., of Orlando, Fla., said it increased its human-on-a-chip drug testing capabilities by adding an in vitro, human-human neuromuscular model to its multi-organ microfluidic device systems. Abnormal function of the neuromuscular junction is associated with diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. Read More
HONG KONG – Fiscal year 2017 was good for most Chinese pharmaceutical companies, with mainland-listed pharma shares gaining 11 percent in value. Read More
LONDON – In a digital world where protein structures can be solved in seconds and a human genome sequenced for $1,000, chemistry is stuck in an analogue past and restraining progress all around. Read More
LOS ANGELES – At the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) annual meeting this week, Walter Koroshetz pointed out two causes of the opioid epidemic that are obvious in one sense. But ending the opioid epidemic will require figuring out a way to address the relationship between them. Read More
SUZHOU, China – It is no secret that the fortunes of China's biotech sector have never looked brighter. There is a list of reasons – recent regulatory reforms, unwavering government financial support, vast amounts of venture capital, legions of young doctorates and a huge untapped market. But without cross-border partnering, China's biotech industry would look dramatically different. Read More
Solid first-quarter earnings, positive phase III data on Soliris (eculizumab) successor ALXN-1210, and rosy revenue guidance sent shares of Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ALXN) climbing Thursday as the company pushed ahead with efforts to rebuild its pipeline. It reported earnings of $1.68 per share, beating analyst expectations of $1.50. Read More
DUBLIN – Shares in Adocia SA gained 27 percent Thursday on news of a diabetes deal in China with Tonghua Dongbao Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., under which it will pocket $50 million up front with up to $85 million more to come in potential development milestones, as well as double-digit sales royalties. The agreement covers Biochaperone Combo, its fixed-ratio combination of basal insulin (insulin glargine) and prandial insulin (insulin lispro), as well as its fast-acting insulin formulation Biochaperone Lispro, in China and several other countries. Lyon, France-based Adocia retains rights to the U.S., Europe and Japan. It will also receive research funding from its new partner. Read More
Privately held Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals Inc. reported Thursday that a confirmatory phase II study of its single candidate, NP-001, that enrolled 138 individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who had elevated levels of systemic inflammation failed to meet its primary and secondary endpoints: change from baseline in the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score and in pulmonary function as measured by slow vital capacity (SVC) readings. Read More
