Bristol Myers Squibb Co., of New York, will realize operating synergies and tax benefits in addition to gaining access to Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s GLP-1 franchise, executives said in a Monday morning conference call regarding the pharma giant's acquisition of San Diego-based Amylin and partnership agreement with AstraZeneca plc. Read More

After Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. announced the acquisition of Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. late Friday afternoon, it emerged that the deal is to be a 50-50 joint purchase with AstraZeneca plc, and that all Amylin's assets are to be placed in the Type II diabetes collaboration the two pharma companies established in January 2007. Read More

LONDON – Decreasing levels of a protein in the brain are linked to a reduced ability to form long-term memories in aging animals, a study in mice suggested. Read More

LONDON – Oxford Biomedica plc said that Sanofi SA is taking up its options on two gene therapy products for treating retinal disease, triggering a $3 million milestone and providing the impetus for a placing and open offer to raise up to £16 million (US$25 million). Read More

Albireo AB licensed its constipation drug elobixibat to Ferring Pharmaceuticals SA for an undisclosed up-front fee, plus milestones and tiered double-digit royalties. Terms were not disclosed, but Ferring, of Saint-Prex, Switzerland, said it was one of its biggest product investment deals. Read More

LONDON – The first biologic drug targeting a cell-surface sugar has entered the clinic, with the Phase I trial of Protaffin AG's interleukin-8 (IL-8) decoy PA401 getting under way in the UK. Read More

• Celtic Pharmaceutical Holdings LP, of London, reported Phase I/II data showing that Xerecept (corticorelin acetate) is safe and can reduce or eliminate the need for steroids in pediatric patients with cerebral tumors, thus reducing or eliminating steroid-associated side effects. Read More