In order to go it alone with antibody drug conjugate (ADC) IMMU-132, Immunomedics Inc. would need to immediately raise $150 million to cover the phase III trial in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and another $125 million to build a sales force, which is one reason why the company signed a potential $2 billion deal with Seattle Genetics Inc. focused on the drug more specifically known as sacituzumab govitecan, said Jason Aryeh, vice chairman of the board and chairman of the transaction committee. Read More
In type I diabetes, most insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells are destroyed by an autoimmune reaction. But, researchers from Yale University have discovered, the beta cells do not take that attack without countering, and over the course of type I diabetes development, some pancreatic beta cells can develop resistance to autoimmune attack. Read More
Marathon Pharmaceuticals LLC sped Emflaza (deflazacort) through development to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients 5 and older, gaining FDA approval just six years after the company was formed. Read More
LONDON – Evotec AG is bolstering its coffers by €90.3 million (US$96.1 million) in a private placing of new shares with Novo A/S, and plans to invest the funds to further develop its induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) platform, pursue M&A opportunities and provide long-term support to its early stage drug discovery partnerships. Read More
Tracon Pharmaceuticals Inc. reported that adding its lead candidate, TRC105 (carotuximab), to Avastin (bevacizumab) didn't appear to help patients with recurrent glioblastoma enjoy any more time without a worsening of their condition than Avastin monotherapy does. Read More
HYDERABAD – India is registering healthy growth in pharma exports that are expected increase between 8 percent and 10 percent this year and the next, according to government estimates. It's powered by the country's strength as a generics manufacturing hub. Read More
Serum – the part of blood that is left over after red cells are removed – is a cornerstone of cell culture. Fetal bovine serum, with its mix of growth factors and nutrients, certainly enables cultured cells to grow. Read More
Santhera Pharmaceuticals AG, of Liestal, Switzerland, said it placed CHF60 million (US$59.7 million) senior unsecured convertible bonds due 2022. Read More
Catalyst Biosciences Inc., of South San Francisco, disclosed a reverse stock split of its shares of common stock at a ratio of 1-for-15, effective Friday. Shares will begin trading on a split-adjusted basis on Monday, and the number of shares of Catalyst's common stock outstanding will decrease from about 13 million pre-split shares to about 868,000 post-split shares. Read More
Cellceutix Corp., of Beverly, Mass., has initiated its main clinical site for a phase IIa trial of the p53 activator Kevetrin (thioureidobutyronitrile) in the treatment of platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer. Read More
