Drug Discovery

Novartis to acquire US gene therapy firm AveXis for $8.7bn

Swiss drugmaker Novartis has agreed to acquire AveXis, a US-based clinical stage gene therapy company, for $8.7bn in an all-cash deal.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals to buy US firm Rebiotix

Switzerland-based Ferring Pharmaceuticals has agreed to acquire US clinical stage biotechnology firm Rebiotix for an undisclosed sum.

Eidos Therapeutics raises $64m for transthyretin amyloidosis therapy

Eidos Therapeutics has completed $64m in Series B funding to support phase 2 clinical trials of AG10, a best-in-class therapy for transthyretin amyloidosis, and ongoing preparation for phase 3 clinical trials.

Roche acquires Inception neuroscience program

Roche has acquired the Inception 5 program, which is focused on regenerative therapies for multiple sclerosis.

Pfizer to hold 25% ownership stake in Allogene Therapeutics

Pfizer has signed an asset contribution agreement with Allogene Therapeutics for its Allogeneic CAR T immuno-oncology portfolio.

Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Astellas collaborate on AWE platform technology

Actinium Pharmaceuticals has entered into a research and option agreement with Astellas Pharma to develop Actinium-225 Radio-Conjugates (ARCs) using its Actinium Warhead Enabling (AWE) platform technology.

Takeda mulls bid for biopharmaceutical firm Shire

Japanese drugmaker Takeda said it is considering a possible offer for the acquisition of Shire, Irish-headquartered global specialty biopharmaceutical company.

Chinese biotech company Adagene raises $50m in new funding round

Adagene, an antibody discovery and development company, has raised $50m in Series C financing, led by Sequoia China, and backed by New World TMT, AVIC Trust, King Star Capital, Gopher Asset Management and other investors.

Redx Pharma signs option and licence deal for anti-infective program with Deinove

Deinove has signed a license option agreement with the British compan yRedx Pharma to acquire its anti-infective program, Novel Bacterial Topoisomerase Inhibitor (NBTI), which targets Gram-negative infections.