AstraZeneca Plc has entered into a licensing and collaboration agreement with two leading Belgian research institutes to explore the potential of inhibiting the MALT1 protein in the treatment of auto-immune disorders and certain cancers.
The Roche group achieved an increase in group sales of 3% to CHF 46.8 billion in 2013 and a rise in its core operating profit of 4% to CHF 17.9 billion reflecting the strong performance of its biologic medicines for cancer, immunology and ophthalmology.
Novartis has increased its annual dividend by 7% and continued to take steps to improve productivity as group net sales rose by 2% to $57.9 billion in 2013 but operating income declined by 3% to $10.9 billion. Sales of pharmaceuticals were flat.
Cytos Biotechnology AG of Switzerland said an influenza vaccine that it is co-developing with Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research has met its primary endpoint for immunogenicity in a Phase 1 study in Asian volunteers.
Germany-based Medigene AG, which has a long history in oncology drug discovery, has acquired Trianta Immunotherapies GmbH of Munich, a spin-out with three T cell immunotherapy technologies. The value of the deal is €4 million plus milestones.
The European Medicines Agency’s main scientific committee has given a positive opinion to a new drug developed by GlaxoSmithKline Plc for people with Type 2 diabetes. The drug, albiglutide, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist.
Genmab A/S has raised DKK 998 million (€134 million) following the pricing of a previously-announced private share placement to support development of its therapeutic antibody portfolio. The company announced the results on 24 January.
IP Group Plc, which invests in intellectual property generated by universities primarily in the UK, has decided to raise new capital with a share issue. Funds from the issue will enable the company to expand its portfolio of life science investments.
Seventure Partners, an indirect subsidiary of the French financial conglomerate, Natixis SA, has launched a new fund called Health for Life Capital that will invest in companies focused on nutrition and the science relating to the human microbiome.
Roche has announced the failure of two studies in a large Phase 3 programme which is investigating the efficacy of bitopertin, a glycine reuptake inhibitor, in schizophrenia. The company said it will wait for data from the remaining studies before deciding its next steps.