Drug Discovery

Promethera acquires Swiss biopharmaceutical firm Baliopharm

Promethera Biosciences has acquired Baliopharm, a Swiss biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of targeted biological therapies for immune mediated inflammatory diseases and cancer.

AstraZeneca licenses Ionis’ NASH drug in $300m deal

AstraZeneca has licensed a fatty liver disease treatment IONIS-AZ6-2.5-LRx (AZD2693) from Ionis Pharmaceuticals in a deal that could fetch up to $300m for the California firm in milestone payments.

Novo Nordisk secures licence to EpiDestiny’s sickle cell disease program

Novo Nordisk has obtained an exclusive worldwide licence to EpiDestiny’s sickle cell disease (SCD) programme, EPI01.

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.