LONDON – The UK botulinum toxin specialist Syntaxin Ltd. is to be acquired by research partner and equity investor Ipsen SA in a deal that potentially is worth €158 million (US$205.8 million), with €28 million to be paid up front, and the remainder tied to development and commercialization milestones. Read More
With the migration of biotechs to the public markets during the second quarter of 2013, Cowen and Co. LLC theorized in its recent biotech quarterly report that merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the sector might be suppressed this year. Read More
SHANGHAI – Officials in China said a number of executives at Glaxosmithkline plc (GSK) are now officially under investigation "for suspicions of serious economic crimes" that potentially involve deals worth ¥3 billion (US$488 million). Read More
The brakes are on India's clinical trials industry as the country implements stiffer regulations in response to outcries that its citizens are being treated like human guinea pigs. Read More
Firststring Research Inc.'s roll-out of positive, top-line Phase II news in three studies at the International Gap Junction Conference in Charleston, S.C., this week marks the emergence of the company from a low-profile mode. Read More
Affimed Therapeutics AG secured a first deal for its bispecific tandem diabody (Tandab) technology, with Johnson & Johnson. The agreement is being executed indirectly, through the financing of a single-asset subsidiary of Affimed, called Amphivena Therapeutics Inc., which has in-licensed an Affimed program. Read More
• Anthera Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Haywood, Calif., said it filed a certificate of amendment to effect a 1-for-8 reverse stock split, effective 5 p.m. Monday. Read More
• Immunovaccine Inc., of Halifax, Nova Scotia, said Canada's NCIC Clinical Trials Group will sponsor and carry out a Phase II trial of its cancer vaccine, DPX-Survivac in ovarian cancer. Read More
• Merck & Co. Inc., of Whitehouse Station, N.J., presented results from a Phase Ib study of MK-8931 in Alzheimer's disease at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Boston, showing a dose-dependent decrease in beta amyloid levels in cerebral spinal fluid following administration of the drug in patients with mild to moderate disease. Read More
