Research & Development

Imbrium, TetraGenetics announce research collaboration and license option to develop biologic therapeutics for pain

Imbrium Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company and operating subsidiary of Purdue Pharma, and TetraGenetics, a biotech company developing novel therapeutics for pain indications and autoimmune diseases, announced a strategic research & development collaboration to utilize TetraGenetics’ antibody discovery technology platform (TetraExpress) in the discovery and development of non-opioid biologic therapies for the treatment of chronic pain.

Novartis to pursue transformational therapy to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease

Novartis announced that it is exercising its option to license the rights to develop and commercialize TQJ230, an investigational agent previously known as AKCEA-APO(a)-LRx, from Akcea Therapeutics, an affiliate of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, for targeted cardiovascular therapy.

Roche to acquire gene therapy company Spark Therapeutics for $4.3bn

Swiss drug maker Roche has agreed to acquire US-based gene therapy company Spark Therapeutics in an all-cash deal worth around $4.3bn.

Ipsen to buy rare-disease drug maker Clementia in $1.3bn deal

French pharma company Ipsen has agreed to acquire Canada-based Clementia Pharmaceuticals in an all-cash deal worth up to $1.3bn to boost its rare disease portfolio.

Urovant Sciences signs $100m debt financing deal with Hercules Capital

Urovant Sciences, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for urologic conditions, announced it has entered into a debt financing agreement with Hercules Capital for up to $100m.

AbbVie, Voyager sign $1.5bn gene therapy deal

AbbVie and Voyager Therapeutics will engage in the development of vectorized antibodies to treat Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies, under a deal worth over $1.5bn.

Morphic Therapeutic enters into integrin research and development collaboration with Janssen

Morphic Therapeutic, a biotechnology company developing oral integrin therapies, has entered into a research and development collaboration with Janssen Biotech, to discover and develop novel integrin therapeutics for patients with conditions not adequately addressed by current therapies.

Merck to buy late-stage immunotherapy firm Immune Design for $300m

Merck has signed an agreement to acquire late-stage immunotherapy firm, Immune Design, in a deal valued at around $300m.

Peloton Therapeutics secures $150m in Series E financing

Peloton Therapeutics, a drug discovery and development company advancing oral medicines for cancer and other serious conditions, has announced the closing of an oversubscribed $150 million Series E financing.