PolyTherics Ltd has become the latest company to announce a collaboration in the antibody-drug conjugate field – a technology that is attracting growing numbers of companies that are developing treatments for cancer.
Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH of Germany has raised €34 million from its existing investors in a Series D financing round, enabling it to conclude development of a therapeutic cancer vaccine intended as a first-line treatment for patients with renal cell carcinoma in combination with the current standard of care, Sutent (sunitinib).
AstraZeneca Plc’s biologics arm, MedImmune, has enlarged its presence in the field of antibody-drug conjugates with the acquisition of Spirogen Ltd, a London-based ADC company for up to $440 million, providing certain milestone targets are met.
The Roche group has announced plans to invest CHF 800 million (€568 million) to increase production capacity for its biologic medicines over the next five years including meeting demand for Kadcyla, an antibody-drug conjugate for breast cancer.
Heptares Therapeutics Ltd is set to receive an undisclosed milestone from MorphoSys AG for delivering a stabilised form of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) against a target selected by the German company. This is the first step towards developing antibodies targeting the protein complex.
Scientists at the University of Leicester in the UK have reported that a drug compound successfully halted the progression of prion disease in mice. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, builds on earlier work in neurodegeneration.
The US Food and Drug Administration has agreed to give Alkermes Plc’s candidate drug for the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder a ‘fast track’ designation which means the company can have more frequent interactions with the regulator.
The market for initial public offerings for biotechnology companies in the US is likely to remain open for some time as investors position themselves to take advantage of the demand for new medical therapies.
Hutchison MediPharma Ltd (HMP), the R&D unit of Hutchison China MediTech Ltd, has secured a licensing agreement for an early-stage oncology compound with Eli Lilly and Company – its third deal for a molecule in its six-compound clinical portfolio. The deal was announced on 9 October.
The Dutch biotech company, Pharming Group NV, has raised €12 million in a private share placement, sweetened with warrants, with existing and new institutional investors. The proceeds will support the manufacture of Ruconest, which is awaiting FDA approval.