News

Merck Serono and Newron broaden CNS collaboration

Country
Switzerland

Newron Pharmaceuticals SpA has reached a licensing agreement with Merck Serono to investigate the potential of two Merck clinical-stage compounds for disorders of the central nervous system. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

Amgen lung cancer trial fails to meet primary endpoint

Country
United States

A Phase-3 study of motesanib, a small molecule antagonist of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, failed to meet its primary endpoint of improving the overall survival for patients with advanced, non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the sponsor said.

FDA approves new melanoma drug

Country
United States

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new monoclonal antibody, Yervoy (ipilimumab), to treat patients with late-stage melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. The antibody is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb Inc.

Paion reports higher revenue, narrower loss in 2010

Country
Germany

Paion AG more than doubled its revenue in 2010 as a result of milestone payments from three partners relating to progress in the development of desmoteplase for stroke; remimazolam for sedation and glial growth factor 2 (GGF2) for heart failure.

Evotec reports first annual profit in 18 years

Country
Germany

Evotec AG reported both operating and net profits for 2010, the first time in the company’s 18-year history, as it started to reap the rewards of a strategic shift towards drug discovery alliances with other companies instead of solo development.

GSK withdraws regulatory applications for dutasteride

Country
United Kingdom

GlaxoSmithKline Plc said it is withdrawing its regulatory applications for dutasteride (Avodart) which was being investigated to reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men at an increased risk of the disease.

Sanofi raises $7 billion to finance Genzyme acquisition

Country
France

Sanofi-Aventis SA has fixed the terms of its offering of $7 billion of US dollar-denominated notes which will finance its acquisition of Genzyme Corp. The French multinational is acquiring the US company for about $20.1 billion.

EMA launches clinical trial registry

Country
United Kingdom

The European Medicines Agency has launched an online registry which, for the first time, gives the public access to information on interventional clinical trials in the European Union that heretofore has only been available to the regulatory authorities in the member states.

Merck, Sanofi end their animal health venture

Country
France

Merck & Co Inc and Sanofi-Aventis SA have abruptly ended their agreement to create a joint animal health venture citing difficulties in getting approval from antitrust authorities in different jurisdictions in the world.