Addex Pharmaceuticals Ltd said it is prepared to take a more opportunistic approach to out-licensing its allosteric modulator compounds- even if this means opening discussions with potential licensors for very early-stage programmes.
The antibody business of MorphoSys AG generated a substantial increase in sales and profits for the quarter and half year ended June 2010, giving it an unusual problem of how best to deploy its large cash holdings.
Merck Serono said that its new small molecule drug for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, which is an oral formulation of cladribine, has been granted priority review by the FDA, which means a decision can be expected in about six months.
A cannabis medicine developed by GW Pharmaceuticals Plc for the treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis has been approved by the Spanish regulator. This follows its approval in June, 2010, by the UK regulator, the MHRA.
The European Medicines Agency’s main scientific committee has recommended that Boehringer Ingelheim’s new combination pill for hypertension, Twynsta, be approved for marketing.
At a time of intense competition in the antibody field, venture capital-backed NovImmune SA of Switzerland has secured an exclusive licensing deal with Genentech Inc for a pre-clinical compound targeting two forms of the Interleukin-17 (IL-17) family of cytokines.
A potential treatment for heart disease that uses a natural process to drain fatty material from clogged arteries is being backed by a €40 million investment from the French government and venture capitalists.
Elan Corporation Plc expects to pay $203.5 million as part of a settlement with the US relating to its sales and promotions of the epilepsy drug, Zonegran (zonisamide), a charge that largely accounted for the company’s second quarter loss of $213.1 million.
The Roche chief executive, Severin Schwan, has confirmed the company expects to see mid-single-digit sales growth in 2010, even taking into account the possible loss of an indication for its lead cancer product, Avastin (bevacizumab).
The European Medicines Agency said it expects to complete its review of the safety of rosiglitazone-containing medicines, including Avandia, by September 2010. The review is looking at the risk of cardiovascular problems with the drugs.