Biopharma News
Bayer Gets US Approval for $66-Billion Acquisition of Monsanto
Bayer received conditional approval from the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice to acquire Monsanto in a deal worth $66 billion.
GE and CCRM Partner with DiscGenics on New Cell Therapy
GE Healthcare and the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) will support scale-up efforts by DiscGenics for a new cell therapy intended to treat back pain.
Novartis Gains EC Approval for Infliximab Biosimilar
The European Commission has approved Zessly (infliximab), a biosimilar to Johnson & Johnson’s blockbuster Remicade (infliximab).
Novartis’ AveXis to Invest $55 Million in New Gene Therapy Manufacturing Facility
The gene therapy company is expected to invest $55 million in a new manufacturing facility that will produce therapies for rare neurological genetic diseases.
WuXi Biologics to Invest $60 Million in New Singapore Biomanufacturing Facility
WuXi Biologics will build a biologics manufacturing facility in Singapore that will use both fed-batch and continuous perfusion-based single-use bioreactors.
Vectalys, FlashCell Merge to Form Gene Therapy Company
The new company will develop proprietary RNA-based therapeutics and will provide broad lentiviral development and manufacturing expertise and support.
Gilead’s Kite Expands Cell Therapy Facilities in US, Europe
The company has leased and purchased facilities in the United States and Europe to expand its cell therapy pipeline.
FDA Approves First Preventive Treatment for Migraine
The agency approved Amgen and Novartis’ Aimovig (erenumab-aooe), the first FDA-approved preventive treatment for migraine in adults.
FDA Approves Pfizer’s Epoetin Alfa Biosimilar
The agency has approved Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx) by Pfizer’s Hospira, which is a biosimilar to Amgen’s anemia drug, Epogen/Procrit (epoetin alfa).
Novartis Acquires AveXis for $8.7 Billion
The acquisition is expected to strengthen Novartis’ gene therapy pipeline.
Catalent to Develop Biosimilars for Valerius Biopharma
Valerius Biopharma will use Catalent’s GPEx technology to produce cell lines for biosimilar drugs.
Lilly to Acquire ARMO BioSciences for $1.6 Billion
Eli Lilly will acquire ARMO BioSciences to strengthen Lilly's immuno-oncology program.
GlobalData Reports on Barriers Impeding Biosimilar Entry into US Market
Barriers impede biosimilar market entry into the United States despite the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act.
Precision Medicines Speed Development and Reduce Healthcare Costs
The use of more targeted therapies is expanding as the public gains access to low-cost genetic testing, and more advanced computer systems are offering data from healthcare systems.
Merck, Moderna Expand mRNA Cancer Vaccines Partnership
The companies expanded their partnership to develop and commercialize messenger RNA (mRNA) cancer vaccines to include shared-antigen mRNA cancer vaccines such as mRNA-5671.
J&J’s Janssen to Acquire BeneVir for $1 Billion
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Biotech will acquire biotechnology company BeneVir Biopharm to strengthen Janssen’s immunotherapy platform.
Takeda to Acquire Shire for $62 Billion
Takeda expands its global and therapy base with announced acquisition of Shire.
Novartis’ Sandoz Receives CRL for Biosimilar to Roche’s Rituximab
The company received a complete response letter from FDA in response to the biologics license application for a proposed rituximab biosimilar.
GlobalData Reports on Humira Biosimilars Uptake in EU
The data and analytics company reports on the anticipated uptake of Humira (adalimumab) biosimilars in the EU once they are launched in 2018.
Biogen, Ionis Expand $1-Billion Neurological Disease Alliance
The companies plan to advance programs for dementia and other neurological conditions.
Astellas Sells Research Facilities to Gilead’s Kite Pharma
As Astellas Pharma winds down its Agensys research operations, the company sells the Santa Monica, CA, facility to Gilead.
Pfizer Receives CRL for Biosimilar to Roche’s Herceptin
The company received a complete response letter from FDA in response to the biologics license application for a proposed trastuzumab biosimilar.
LNC Therapeutics Appoints New CEO and Advances Microbiome-Based Drug R&D
LNC Therapeutics has appointed a new CEO and is strengthening its R&D for gut microbiome-based drugs.
Sanofi to Divest European Generics Business in Deal Worth $2.4 Billion
Global investment firm Advent to acquire and invest in Sanofi’s European generics business, Zentiva, to boost its position in European market.
Merck KGaA to Sell Consumer Health Biz to Procter & Gamble for $4.2 Billion
The transaction is part of Merck KGaA’s strategy to actively shape its product portfolio and focus on innovation-driven business.
FDA Grants Roche Breakthrough Therapy Designation on Hemophilia Drug
The agency has granted breakthrough therapy designation to Roche’s hemophilia therapy for treating hemophilia A in patients without factor VIII inhibitors.
J&J, BMS Team Up on Cardiovascular Therapies
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen partners with Bristol-Myers Squibb to advance next-generation therapies for cardiovascular diseases.
Alexion to Acquire Wilson Therapeutics for $855 Million
According to Alexion, the acquisition will help rebuild its clinical pipeline.
Sanofi to Invest Roughly $430 Million in Canadian Vaccine Facility
The new facility, to be built in Toronto, Canada, will significantly increase capacity for pediatric and booster vaccines.
Amgen to Build Next-Generation Biomanufacturing Plant
The biopharmaceutical firm has chosen Rhode Island as the site of its next-generation biomanufacturing plant, which will offer flexibility, speed, and efficiency.
