Roche invests in peptide technology
The Roche Group has announced plans to invest $25 million upfront for access to new peptide technology that locks peptides into their biologically active shape, mimicking the structures found in nature.
News
Genzyme rejects Sanofi offer
Genzyme Corp has rejected an unsolicited cash takeover bid from Sanofi-Aventis which values the company at $69 per share or $18.5 billion. The rejection was communicated in a letter to the Sanofi CEO Christopher Viehbacher.
Researchers identify genetic link to migraine
Investigators working for a Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute-funded study have found that patients with a particular DNA variant may experience a build-up of glutamate in nerve cell junctions of the brain, a process that is thought to lead to migraine attacks.
FDA approves Novartis blood pressure drug
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for high blood pressure from Novartis which combines the renin inhibitor, aliskiren, with the calcium channel blocker, amlodipine, in a single pill.
New drug development company set up in the Benelux
A new company has been set up in the Benelux to discover and develop small molecule drugs for treating bone and joint diseases. It combines assets from TiGenix NV of Belgium and Therosteon BV of the Netherlands.
CRT and Bayer to investigate new approach to gynaecological diseases
Cancer Research Technology of the UK has signed an agreement with Bayer Schering Pharma AG to evaluate new leptin antagonist peptides as potential treatments for gynaecological diseases, including cancer.
Legal setback for US stem cell research
US stem cell research involving human embryos received a setback after a US judge ruled that a 2009 Presidential order expanding funding for this research is illegal.
Roche to pay $100 million for US diagnostics company
The Roche Group has announced plans to acquire privately-owned BioImagene Inc of Sunnyvale, California for $100 million in order to bolster its position as a provider of personalised medicines. BioImagene develops digital pathology services.
Thymic epithelial cells reprogrammed into skin stem cells
European researchers have reported that stem cells from the thymus of a rat can be reprogrammed into skin stem cells without the need for genetic modification. The research was published in the journal Nature on 19 August 2010.
FDA grants priority review to belimumab
The US Food and Drug Administration has granted priority review status to belimumab, a potential treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus, according to the drug’s co-developers, GlaxoSmithKline Plc and Human Genome Sciences Inc.