Drug Discovery

IBM researchers find new method to simulate body’s immune response

IBM’s researchers have discovered how they can trigger the body’s immune response by using polymer-coated graphene sheets.

INC Research, inVentiv agree to merge in $4.6bn deal

INC Research has agreed to acquire US-based contract research organization (CRO) inVentiv Health in all stock deal worth nearly $4.6bn.

Vivet raises €37.5m to advance gene therapies for metabolic diseases

Vivet Therapeutics, which is focused on developing novel gene therapies for rare, inherited metabolic diseases, has raised €37.5m in a Series A financing round.

Poxel’s diabetes drug Imeglimin succeeds in phase 2b study in Japan

Poxel has announced positive top line results of a Phase 2b trial of Imeglimin for type 2 diabetes treatment in Japan.

Sosei to invest in UK biopharmaceutical firm MiNA Therapeutics

Sosei has agreed to make an investment in and acquire an exclusive option to potentially acquire MiNA Therapeutics, a private UK biopharmaceutical company.

AstraZeneca, Pieris form $2.1bn respiratory drug collaboration

AstraZeneca will develop new inhaled respiratory treatments based on Pieris Pharmaceuticals’ Anticalin platform through a collaboration that could generate more than $2bn for the US firm.

Shire licenses dry-eye treatment from Parion Sciences

Shire has secured exclusive global rights to develop Parion Sciences' Phase II-stage epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) inhibitor P-321 for the potential treatment of dry eye.

Takeda, Harrington to advance development of rare disease therapeutics

Takeda Pharmaceutical has entered into a multi-year partnership with Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio to advance the development of rare disease rherapeutics.

Gates Foundation leads $45.5m round for biotechnology firm Arsanis

Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm Arsanis has secured $45.5m in a Series D financing round led by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.