When they are directed against the wrong targets, immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) antibodies are the drivers of many autoimmune disorders. But high-dose IgG antibodies are also used to resolve inflammation. Read More

The U.S. Government Accountability Office said in a Dec. 19 report that the estimated volume of pharmaceutical and biotechnology sales revenues rose from $534 billion in 2006 to $775 billion in 2015, and that roughly two-thirds of companies saw an increase in profit margins over the same term. GAO said the 25 largest firms had profit margins of between 15 and 2 percent, substantially greater than the 4 to 9 percent enjoyed by the 500 largest global companies in other industries. Read More

Glycotope GmbH, of Berlin, said it enrolled the first patient in its international GATTO study combining two of its immuno-oncology assets. Read More

Proteostasis Therapeutics Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., closed its public offering of 9.2 million shares of common stock, including 1.2 million shares issued to cover full overallotments, priced at $5 apiece. Read More

Antares Pharma Inc., of Ewing, N.J., said a written request for a type A meeting, along with a comprehensive briefing document, have been submitted to the FDA, in response to the complete response letter regarding the NDA for Xyosted, the company's drug for the treatment of testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism). Read More

BioWorld's offices were closed in observance of Christmas. Read More

In many ways it has been a challenging year for the biopharmaceutical industry and it is certain that company executives will be glad to close the curtains on a period that has made planning difficult. Read More

Given the state of Alzheimer's disease (AD) drug development, one might wonder whether those engaged in it also suffer from memory loss. Read More

Two months ahead of its PDUFA date, La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. has won FDA approval for a new vasopressor capable of increasing blood pressure in adults with septic or other distributive shock. Read More

Roche Holding AG is acquiring San Diego-based Ignyta Inc. for $1.7 billion with an offer of $27 per share in cash, a 74 percent increase over its closing price on Thursday. Read More

Despite a roiling political environment on both sides of the Atlantic and what Science called "epic estrangement" between the U.S. president and the scientific community, the biopharma industry produced dazzling clinical breakthroughs in 2017 while U.S. regulators logged record nods, including the first for gene therapy. Read More