Pfizer Inc. has signed a collaboration agreement with Karo Bio AB, of Stockholm, Sweden, for the development of small-molecule modulators of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (ROR-gamma), an enticing newer target with relevance for autoimmune disease. Read More

LONDON – The venture capital investors in Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT) have thrown it a €2.5 million (US$3.2 million) lifeline in the hope that will enable the company to stay solvent long enough to close a deal for its gene therapy treatment for hemophilia B. Read More

Zealand Pharma A/S closed out 2011 with a €3 million (US$3.9 million) milestone from partner Helsinn Healthcare SA and could pocket several more such payments in the coming year if other partnered programs make progress. Read More

LONDON – The UK pharma and biotech industry is gearing up for the start of negotiations with Department of Health officials on a new value-based drug pricing scheme, which is due to replace the current cost-plus system that has been in force for more than 50 years. Read More

LONDON – The identification of a gene that plays an important role in the development of the pancreas will give a boost to efforts to create insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells for the treatment of Type I diabetes. Read More

Immunomedics Inc. and development partner UCB SA revised their development, collaboration and license agreement for the exclusive worldwide rights to develop, market and sell Immunomedics' epratuzumab for autoimmune disease indications. Read More

• TiGenix NV, of Leuven, Belgium, and its subsidiary Cellerix SA, of Tres Cantos, Spain, will receive about $3.8 million from the European Seventh Framework Programme to support the development of their Cx611 program of allogeneic expanded adipose-derived stem cells to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Read More