Boehringer Ingelheim has witnessed Vitae Pharmaceuticals attack the
same diabetes and obesity target as itself, only faster, and has
decided to splash out for a piece of the action.
Moody's Investors Service believes that things are set to get worse
for the US pharma industry and has revised is credit ratings
outlook from stable to negative.
Biogen Idec has announced it is seeking a buyer for the company and
has already received several expressions of interest - including a
reputed $23bn (€16.2bn) bid from billionaire corporate raider Carl
Icahn.
Two new techniques have been developed that could signal the end of
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification for sequencing
applications and dramatically increase the efficiency of sample
preparation.
Drug developers have a new target to aim at in the fight against
obesity after the discovery that a certain protein in the body
stimulates the formation of fat cells.
Boehringer Ingelheim has been forced to announce the planned
closure of a UK manufacturing site as a result of pricing pressures
that mean the firm is unable to produce unit dose vials (UDVs) at
the site cost-effectively.
Several big drug-makers are voluntarily recalling some of their
cough and cold products for under-two-year-olds in the US as a
precautionary measure against overdosing on the drugs.
Avecia Biologics has signed a development and manufacturing deal
with US firm BaroFold, making use of the company's protein
processing technology to produce its lead interferon-based multiple
sclerosis (MS) candidate.
Wyeth has begun first-in-man trials for an oral drug designed to
calm an irregular heart beat, triggering a milestone payment to its
partner on the project, Denmark-based Zealand Pharma.
Ablynx, a biopharma firm that specialises the potentially lucrative
sector of miniature antibodies, has announced it plans to launch on
the stock market this year.
Researchers have developed a new microfluidic device that enables
high-throughput (HT), cell-free protein synthesis for genomic and
proteomic functional analysis.
Kinaxo Biotechnologies is now offering a new proteomics service to
help drug developers decide which drug candidates to move through
the preclinical process.
US-based contract manufacturer AMRI has been busily embracing India
with the purchase and construction of infrastructure to cement
itself in this popular location, delegates heard at this year's
CPhI in Milan.
Two manufacturers launched their docetaxel products at CPhI last
week, each trying to stake their claim in the market in
anticipation of patent expiries on Sanofi-Aventis' Taxotere
(docetaxel) towards the end of the year.
As Speedel's fourth renin inhibitor enters clinical trials, this
award-winning new class of drugs has generally been well-received.
However, some have raised questions about their safety and
effectiveness. DrugResearcher.com...
NPS Pharmaceuticals has ended its collaboration with pharma giant
AstraZeneca, selling the rights to the partnership for $30m
(€21.2m) in order to fund development of its late-stage products.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) thinks that drugs based on boron, rather than
carbon, could side-step the issue of resistance in anti-bacterial
and anti-viral therapy - and is willing to bet billions on it.
Dutch chemicals and excipients distributor Univar has hooked up
with US manufacturer Innophos to provide the EU pharmaceutical
market with its entire portfolio of excipients, helping to fill the
gap left by the departure of Rhodia...
Rumours that Pfizer is looking into buying a large stake in
Sanofi-Aventis, which could be seen as a prelude to a full takeover
bid, has prompted a flurry of shareholder activity.
German researchers have shown 3D cell structures better resemble
tumour phenotypes than traditional cultures, suggesting they will
make better models for testing new anticancer agents.
Denmark-based Bavarian Nordic has received an advance payment of
$50m (€35.4m) from the US Government for meeting milestones in one
of its smallpox vaccine supply contracts.
UK-based TeraView has had its tablet imaging technology backed by
the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), following a study by the
regulatory agency.
Parexel has purchased a clinical research organisation (CRO) in
Taiwan as a means to exert its presence in this industry's budding
Asia-Pacific region.
The discoverer of embryonic stem cells (ES cells) and two other
scientists have won a Nobel Prize for their work to develop a
'magic wand' to modify the mouse genome.
Three more individuals have been sentenced following last month's
exposure of the largest counterfeit drugs conspiracy ever to be
encountered in the UK.
The European Fine Chemicals Group (EFCG) has called for stricter
regulation of pharmaceutical excipients in a bid to prevent
substandard and potentially dangerous products ending up in
medicinal drugs.
The UK government has set-aside £1bn (€1.45bn) to give early-stage
companies better support after a review of the UK's science and
innovation policies by Lord Sainsbury of Turville.
Denmark's Novo Nordisk, could be on the verge of selling off its
engineering division, if reports in the local business daily Borsen
are to be believed.
Pfizer has launched a new independent biotech centre and announced
five new senior appointments - not least a new head of R&D
- all geared towards reinvigorating the firm.
Amgen has announced the 'indefinite postponement' on plans for its
$1bn (€0.71bn) manufacturing facility in Cork, Ireland, following
further navel gazing by the company.
Researchers have, for the first time, unearthed a genetic variation
that makes women more likely to suffer from the most extreme form
of premenstrual tension or syndrome (PMT, PMS).
The excessive use of a popular influenza drug, and the
associated build up of its waste in the environment, is
heightening the risk of creating viruses in nature that are
resistance to the therapy.
Three of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies have signed a
landmark deal with the UK government that will see them use stem
cell technology to road-test the safety of new compounds.
Furious trading in shares of PDL BioPharma has taken place over the
past couple of days as investors jumped in with both pockets open
in the hope that a partner will soon be in the offing for the
ailing firm.
German pharma firm Bayer is currently discussing with Indian
company Biocon about a potential deal that would include the
co-development of new biologics with an outsourcing element,
according to Biocon.
