Drug Discovery

ATUM, Just Biotherapeutics collaborate to speed up drug discovery

ATUM has signed a patent licensing agreement, which gives Just Biotherapeutics access to its Leap-In cell line development tools.

Merck to buy Viralytics to boost immuno-oncology pipeline

Merck has agreed to acquire Australian biotechnology firm Viralytics, which is focused on developing oncolytic immunotherapy treatments for cancers, for about A$502m ($394m).

Roche to buy oncology software provider Flatiron Health for $1.9bn

Swiss drugmaker Roche has agreed to acquire Flatiron Health, a US-based healthcare technology and services company, for $1.9bn.

Astellas Pharma acquires Universal Cells for $102m

Astellas Pharma has acquired Universal Cells for $102.5m in a move to utilize the latter’s technology to produce pluripotent stem cells that have the potential to lower immunological rejection in various therapeutic areas.

Bill Gates foundation awards grants to mRNA vaccine developer CureVac

CureVac, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing mRNA-based drugs, has been awarded two new grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Roivant, Poxel to develop and commercialise imeglimin in US, Europe and additional countries

Roivant Sciences and Poxel have signed a strategic development and license agreement for imeglimin, an investigational oral therapy which has been developed by Poxel for the potential treatment of type 2 diabetes, in the US, Europe and all other countries not covered by Poxel’s existing agreement in East and Southeast Asia.

Seattle Genetics, Pieris enter into $1.2bn immuno-oncology collaboration

Seattle Genetics and Pieris Pharmaceuticals partnered to develop multiple targeted bispecific immuno-oncology treatments for solid tumors and blood cancers.

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang Haichang Biotechnology to develop RX-0201 for hepatocellular carcinoma

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Zhejiang Haichang Biotechnology to develop RX-0201 (Archexin) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer.

CVC Capital launches new UK-based specialty pharmaceutical company

CVC Capital Partners has launched a new specialty pharmaceutical company in the UK following the completion of its $703m acquisition of a part of Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ global women’s health business.