Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd.’s $2.6 billion buyout of Santarus Inc. for $32 per share in cash provides entry into the primary care physician space, while bringing aboard more products – albeit a couple that are facing patent expirations fairly soon. Read More
Although 2013 is the third year for the BIO Convention in China – BIO China, as it’s more commonly known – it’s back to the basics this year as the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the China Center for Pharmaceutical International Exchange seek to strengthen ties between their members and to connect Western biopharmas with players in the emerging Chinese biotech market. Read More
The FDA released its briefing documents in advance of the Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee meeting Nov. 13. The committee will discuss the supplemental biologics license application (sBLA) for Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) injection, submitted by Genzyme Corp., a Sanofi SA company, for use in multiple sclerosis (MS). Read More
Shares of Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. jumped 17.4 percent Friday on news of an expanded alliance with Eisai Inc. for obesity drug Belviq (lorcaserin), a deal that brings $60 million up front and aims to advance the drug into new commercial markets and possibly new indications. Read More
By reactivating a gene that is normally active in embryonic and fetal tissues, but largely silent after birth, researchers have managed to improve the abilities of some adult tissues to grow and repair themselves after injury. Read More
• Oxygen Biotherapeutics Inc., of Morrisville, N.C., said it received approximately $6 million through the exercise of about 2.3 million warrants between Nov. 4 and Nov. 6. Read More
• Cardium Therapeutics Inc., of San Diego, said a case study in the peer-reviewed November 2013 issue of Ostomy Wound Management highlighted Excellagen’s capability of promoting rapid granulation and healing in chronic pressure ulcers in elderly long-term care facility residents. Read More
• Advaxis Inc., of Princeton, N.J., reported final 18-month survival data from Lm-LLO-E7-15, a Phase II study evaluating safety and efficacy of ADXS-HPV (ADXS11-001) with and without cisplatin in 110 patients with recurrent cervical cancer in two treatment arms of 55 patients each, with survival at 28 percent (31/110), updated from the preliminary 18-month survival rate of 22 percent (16/73) reported at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting earlier this year. Read More
• Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., of Jerusalem, and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America disclosed findings from a recent patient survey on quick-relief metered dose inhaler design. Read More
• Pfizer Inc., of New York, said top-line results from a Phase IIb/IV study of Rapamune (sirolimus) evaluating kidney transplant patients who transitioned from tacrolimus (TAC)-based therapy to Rapamune three months to five months after transplant showed that the primary endpoint was not achieved. Read More
Researchers from the Swedish Lund University have shown that in the autoimmune disorder Sjogren’s disease, many patients had autoantibodies years before they were diagnosed with the disorder. Read More
