The European Medicines Agency has recommended the approval of the first histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor for the treatment of multiple myeloma, a rare cancer of the white blood cells. The drug, Farydak (panobinostat), was developed by Novartis.
A little more than three months after acquiring GlaxoSmithKline Plc’s marketed oncology drugs, Novartis has outlined a strategy for exploiting these assets, as well as developing its wider oncology portfolio.
A new implantable deep brain stimulation device has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for patients with symptoms of both Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor, two discrete disorders for which there are no medical cures.
Acting on evidence that trans-unsaturated fatty acids are a risk for heart disease, the Food and Drug Administration has ordered manufacturers of processed foods to reformulate their products to remove these ingredients, also known as trans fats.
Kiadis Pharma NV said that its previously announced initial public offering on the Amsterdam and Brussels Euronext exchanges will consist of 2,272,727 shares to be priced at between €11 and €13.75 per share with a final price to be announced on 1 July..
Cosmo Pharmaceuticals SA, a specialty developer of gastro-intestinal products and a generic drug manufacturer, has announced plans to float a subsidiary on the Swiss Stock Exchange where it has a listing of its own. Terms of the offering are to be disclosed later.
Targovax AS of Norway and Oncos Therapeutics Oy of Finland have agreed to an all-share merger to create a Nordic oncology company with a combined portfolio of early-stage cancer vaccines poised to take advantage of new opportunities in immuno-oncology.
Bolstered by an initial public offering of its shares in 2014, the year-old Abzena Group Plc ended its first financial year with a cash balance of £15.8 million, up from £2.8 million a year earlier. Revenue growth was supported by the company’s immunology services.
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi), a developer of drugs for rare diseases, has terminated discussions with an undisclosed party in relation to a possible takeover proposal for the company. Sobi announced the end of discussions on 8 June.
Allergy Therapeutics Plc, a UK-based specialty pharmaceutical company, has paid €3.8 million in cash for Alerpharma SA of Spain in order to increase its presence on the Spanish market for allergy therapies where it already has a subsidiary.