Biopharma News
J&J Vows to Appeal $572-million Opioid Decision
A ruling in Oklahoma that Johnson & Johnson’s marketing efforts created a public nuisance may establish a precedent of other jurisdictions.
Crozet Biopharma to Partner with Public Health Vaccines for Nipah Virus Vaccine
The new vaccine will offer protection against the Nipah virus after a single dose.
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene to Divest Otezla to Amgen for $13.4 Billion
The transaction is part of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s proposed acquisition of Celgene.
Innovate UK Awards Thousands for Development of Cell Stabilization Technologies
Innovate UK has awarded a grant worth thousands to the Atelerix Consortium for the collaborative work with the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and Rexgenero on development of cell stabilization technology.
Industry Stresses Importance of Tackling Vaccine Hesitancy
ABPI has issued a statement of support in response to the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister’s recent order of urgent action to boost the numbers of children receiving vaccinations.
Biosimilar Teriparatide Launches Across Europe
A biosimilar to Eli Lilly’s Forsteo, biosimilar teriparatide, has been launched across Europe by Gedeon Richter following the patent expiration of the reference product.
Bayer to Sell Animal Health Biz to Elanco for $7.6 Billion
The divestiture is in line with Bayer’s strategy to focus on its life sciences business.
Pfizer Invests $500 Million into Its Gene Therapy Facility
Pfizer is investing $500 million for the construction of a state-of-the-art gene therapy manufacturing facility in Sanford, NC.
European Commission Extends Use of Dupixent to Include Adolescents
The European Commission has approved an extension of the use of Dupixent (dupilumab) within the EU to include patients aged 12 to 17 years old with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
GNA Biosolutions Closes Latest Financing Round Backed by US/EU Consortium
GNA Biosolutions has completed its latest round of Series C financing in which it raised US$13.5 million.
Amgen Wins Enbrel Patent Case, Sandoz to Appeal Ruling
A New Jersey court upheld the validity of patent claims for Amgen’s anti-inflammatory blockbuster biologic, Enbrel (etanercept).
Samsung Demonstrates Full-Scale ATF Perfusion at Songdo Facility
Using Alternating Tangential Flow in a 3000-L perfusion bioreactor, the company expects to reduce production time by up to 30%
GSK US Pharma Head Steps Down
Jack Bailey, president, US Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, will step down from his position at the end of 2019 and will be succeeded by a Merck KGaA executive.
PTC Therapeutics Acquires Biologics Facility from Bristol-Myers Squibb
The facility will support gene therapy production and continued development of PTC’s pipeline of investigational medicines.
Bayer Acquires BlueRock Therapeutics, Boosts Cell Therapy Stake
The acquisition will boost Bayer’s cell-therapy development programs, with an initial focus on neurology, cardiology, and immunology.
FDA Assessing Data Accuracy in Zolgensma Approval
The agency is keeping Zolgensma on the market as it evaluates the accuracy of data submitted with the product’s biologics license application.
Bayer Recalls Product Due to Mislabeling
Bayer is voluntarily recalling two lots of Kogenate FS antihemophilic factor (recombinant) 2000 IU vials because they contain the incorrect product.
Iontas, Teva Enter New Antibody Optimization Agreement
Iontas and Teva Pharmaceuticals have entered into an agreement for the application of technologies and know-how into the optimization of human antibodies to be used as biotherapeutics.
Cytena Establishes Subsidiary in Taiwan
Cytena Bioprocess Solutions, a new Cytena subsidiary in Taiwan, will provide bioprocess solutions for pharmaceutical companies and research institutes.
Abcam Acquires EdiGene’s Entire Live Cell Lines and Lysates Portfolio
Abcam has acquired the entire live cell line and lysates portfolio of gene-editing therapy developer, EdiGene.
Sartorius Stedim Biotech Launches Single-Use Vessel for ambr 250 Modular Bioreactor
Sartorius Stedim Biotech has unveiled a new single-use vessel for its ambr 250 modular benchtop automated mini bioreactor system that has been specifically designed for therapeutic cell lines.
Catalent Biologics Announces Long-Term Strategic Agreement to Develop Zolgensma
Catalent Biologics has entered into a long-term strategic agreement to develop and manufacture an AveXis gene therapy treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Zolgensma.
Gilead and Galapagos Announce Global R & D Collaboration
Gilead Sciences gains rights to clinical and preclinical programs in Galapagos’ portfolio through a 10-year global research and development collaboration.
Boehringer Ingelheim Acquires Immunotherapy Platform
Boehringer Ingelheim will combine assets from its cancer immunology portfolio with the KISIMA immunization platform from AMAL Therapeutics.
ADC Therapeutics Closes Series E Financing Expansion
Oncology drug discovery and development company, ADC Therapeutics, has closed its Series E financing expansion, in which it raised $103 million.
Amicus Partners with Catalent on Lysosomal Disease Gene Therapy Programs
Metabolic-disease biotech Amicus Therapeutics announced a manufacturing agreement with Catalent’s Paragon Gene Therapy unit for gene therapy manufacturing.
Amicus Therapeutics Enters Strategic Manufacturing Collaboration with Thermo
Amicus Therapeutics has entered into a strategic gene therapy development and manufacturing collaboration with Brammer Bio, which is a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Proposed Rule Designed to Open Biosimilar Competition
FDA proposes rule to help ensure availability of hormones and enzymes formerly classified as drugs, and to stimulate biosimilars competition.
Gilead, Carna Biosciences in R&D Collaboration
The companies will join forces to develop new immuno-oncology therapies in a deal worth up to $470 million.
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Draper to Develop Liver Tissue Model
The companies will work to develop a liver tissue model for screening the toxicity of drugs.