e-Therapeutics plc is copper-bottoming its future, raising £40 million (US$62.66) in a share issue which, added to existing resources of £8 million, will fund the network pharmacology specialist until 2017. Read More

With the discovery of 24 new genes that are linked to myopia, or short-sightedness, most of the hereditary causes of this condition are now known, researchers contend. Read More

Medgenics Inc. reached the higher end of its ambitions in an issue of stocks and warrants, raising $30 million to provide funding for further clinical development of its Biopump protein drug implant technology. Read More

Matthias Wymann, the Swiss scientist who discovered the first phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, is co-founder of a new cancer drug discovery start-up, Piqur Therapeutics AG, which recently completed a seed financing round that will enable it take forward a pipeline of next-generation kinase inhibitors. Read More

Biogen Idec Inc.'s move to buy all rights from Elan Corp. plc to the blockbuster multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy Tysabri (natalizumab) didn't take long for analysts to applaud, though Wall Street traders spent time digesting the $3.25 billion deal, which includes contingent payments. Read More

• Flamel Technologies SA, of Lyon, France, completed a $15 million debt financing with Deerfield Management Co., a current Flamel shareholder. That financing will allow the company to continue its investment in research and development projects. Read More