Drug Discovery

Merck signs agreement to purchase Pandion Therapeutics

World’s leading biopharmaceutical firm Merck has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Pandion Therapeutics through a subsidiary, for a total equity value of about $1.85m.

UCB expands partnership with Microsoft to speed up drug development

Belgium-based biopharmaceutical firm UCB has expanded its collaboration with technology company Microsoft to accelerate discovery and development of drugs for people living with severe diseases in immunology and neurology.

GSK and CureVac sign collaboration deal for production of next-gen Covid-19 vaccines

GlaxoSmithKline has signed a €150m collaboration agreement with German global pharmaceutical company CureVac in a bid to jointly develop next-generation mRNA vaccines for Covid-19.

Existing drug offers targeted treatment for aggressive breast cancer

A new study claims palbociclib, an approved breast cancer drug, can treat an aggressive form of the cancer, bringing hope to thousands of afflicted women in the UK.

Merck discontinues Covid-19 vaccine candidates on grounds of poor performance

American pharma giant Merck has announced that it has discontinued the development of its SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19 vaccine candidates V590 and V591, after they performed poorly in phase 1 clinical trials.

In vitro study finds Pfizer, BioNTech’s vaccine could inhibit Covid-19 caused by UK strain

Pfizer and BioNTech have revealed results of an in vitro study that offers additional data on the capability of sera obtained from people who were immunised with their Covid-19 vaccine, BNT162b2, to neutralise the B.1.1.7 lineage (VOC 202012/01).

Gritstone advancing Covid-19 vaccine, plans to begin trials with NIAID support

Gritstone Oncology, a biotech firm developing vaccines, has announced that it is advancing the development of a second generation vaccine against Covid-19.

KSQ partners with Takeda to develop immuno-oncology therapies

KSQ Therapeutics has joined forces with Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical to research, develop, and commercialise novel immuno-oncology therapies.

Amneal to acquire substantially all of Kashiv Specialty Pharmaceuticals

Amneal Pharmaceuticals and Kashiv BioSciences announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC (“Amneal”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, will acquire a 98% interest in Kashiv Specialty Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Kashiv Specialty”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kashiv focused on the development of complex generics, innovative drug delivery platforms and novel 505(b)(2) drugs.