Drug Discovery

Japan’s Takeda buys PvP Biologics in $330m deal

Japan Takeda Pharmaceutical has exercised its option to acquire PvP Biologics in a deal valued at around $330m.

Novartis, DNDi to jointly develop LXE408 for visceral leishmaniasis

Novartis has signed a collaboration and licence agreement with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) for the joint development of LXE408 as a new oral drug for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.

Genentech, Bicycle Therapeutics sign immuno-oncology therapies deal

Roche Group’s member Genentech has signed a novel immuno-oncology therapies deal with biotechnology firm Bicycle Therapeutics.

GSK, Clover collaborate to assess protein-based coronavirus vaccine candidate

British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has collaborated with Chinese firm Clover Biopharmaceuticals to assess coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine candidate with the pandemic adjuvant system.

Genetron Health, InnoCare collaborate to accelerate development and commercialisation of novel drugs for cancer treatment

Genetron Holding, a China-based precision oncology company that covers full-cycle cancer care, has announced a strategic partnership with Beijing InnoCare Pharma to provide clinical trial genomic testing and companion diagnostics development services for InnoCare’s biomarker-driven oncology drug development.

GSK signs cancer therapies deal with Immatics Biotechnologies

British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has entered into a deal with Immatics Biotechnologies for the development of novel adoptive cell therapies for multiple cancer indications.

Humanetics acquires manufacturing assets for radioprotectant drug

Humanetics announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with DSM Nutritional Products Ltd of Kaiseraugst Switzerland to acquire all of DSM’s assets related to the manufacture of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in BIO 300, a clinical stage drug being developed by Humanetics for oncology and biodefense applications.

ALX Oncology announces closing of $105m Series C financing

ALX Oncology, a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing therapies to block the CD47 checkpoint mechanism, today announced the closing of a $105 million Series C equity financing.

Ligand agrees to acquire core assets, partnered programmes and ion channel technologies from Icagen

Ligand Pharmaceuticals announces the signing of an agreement whereby Ligand will acquire the core assets of Icagen, Inc.’s North Carolina operations, including partnered programs, proprietary ion channel screening and assay platforms, x-ray fluorescence capabilities, custom screening technologies and novel unpartnered preclinical-stage molecules for $15 million in cash. Icagen will also be entitled to receive up to an additional $25 million of cash payments based on certain revenue achievements.