Today Stories

Ixaltis, the start-up specialized in developing treatments for urogenital disorders, and Xigen, a privately-owned biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the development of peptides for use against inflammation, have signed an option agreement for exclusive worldwide rights to one compound in urogenital diseases.   Following this agreement, Ixaltis will perform preclinical proof of concept (POC) for two of Xigen’s compounds - XG-102 and XG-104 - in animal models and human tissues. XG-102, an innovative JNK inhibitor, has been successfully tested in clinical trials for ocular diseases and is already licensed out for another promising indication. XG-104, a second JNK inhibitor, is an L/D-amino-acids peptide.   In the case of positive outcome in the POC program, the selected c…

Orexo AB (publ.) today announced that Orexo has signed an asset purchase agreement with Gesynta Pharma AB – a recently formed research company located in Stockholm, Sweden. Among the founders are highly reputed executives from the biotech industry and experienced researchers at the Karolinska Institute within the field of arachidonic acid pathways and inflammatory diseases. The lead candidate drug in the OX-MPI program, BI1029539, has been identified as a highly selective anti-inflammatory compound targeting microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES-1). Under the asset purchase agreement, Gesynta Pharma AB acquires the assets relating to the OX-MPI program and will progress the candidate drug into proof-of-concept clinical trials. Under the terms of the agreement Orexo will receive a tie…

The partnership will enable the automation of summary documents using Artificial Intelligence based software   Frankfurt, Germany, September 29th 2017: As at 14th September, 2017, the PharmaLex Group, a leading specialist provider of Development Consulting, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Management & Compliance Services as well as Pharmacovigilance, has entered into collaboration with Kiana Systems, a leading provider of data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence based in Saarbrücken, Germany.                 The partnership will utilize the respective expertise of both companies to develop bespoke Artificial Intelligence based software that will ultimately automate the creation of summary…

Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for Dupixent® (dupilumab), for use in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) who are candidates for systemic therapy.   Atopic dermatitis, a form of eczema, is a chronic inflammatory disease with symptoms often appearing as a rash on the skin.[i],[ii],[iii],[iv] Moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis is characterized by rashes often covering much of the body, and can include intense, persistent itching and skin dryness, cracking, redness, crusting, and oozing.[v],[vi] Itch is one of the most burdensome symptoms for patients and can be debilitating.7 In addition, people with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis experience impaire…

Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) and Simcere Pharmaceutical Group today announced the execution of an exclusive agreement to co-develop and commercialize four biosimilars in China. The collaboration includes undisclosed biosimilars in the areas of inflammation and oncology. Under the terms of the agreement, Amgen will remain responsible for the co-development, marketing approval applications and manufacturing of the biosimilars. Simcere will be responsible for distribution and commercialization in China, while Amgen will have a limited right to co-promote the products. The biosimilars included in the agreement are a part of Amgen's existing biosimilars portfolio. "We are pleased to enter this strategic collaboration with Simcere as we continue to enhance patient access through broader adoption of mo…

CareCentrix, the industry leader in post-acute care management for payors, announced today a strategic development alliance with Owned Outcomes, a thought leader in developing next generation precision analytics to power clinical decisions. The alliance will deliver actionable insights to optimize post-acute care networks and enable personalized data-driven decisions at the point of hospital discharge. Using machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), the organizations will leverage data to change post-acute care from being reactive to predictive, resulting in better care at a lower cost. "We are using advanced algorithms to transform how post-acute care is delivered," explained John Driscoll, Chief Executive Officer, CareCentrix. "With what we know through Big Data, we can tune ou…

eTheRNA Immunotherapies, a clinical-stage company developing mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies from its unique TriMix platform, announces it has been awarded a €1 million industrial R&D Projects Grant by Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO). The grant will be used by eTheRNA to further develop and optimize its state-of-the-art production process for generating the mRNA components of its TriMix platform, and for clinical trials of innovative and rationally designed mRNA cancer immunotherapies derived from this platform. The improved production process will enable the Company to further reduce its production time and cost of goods and generate more revenues from the production of GMP-grade mRNA for third parties.   The Company’s unique TriMix platform combines three…

DxTerity announced today that it is collaborating with the City of Hope Medical Center on the clinical development of a blood test that could possibly predict whether cancer patients about to undergo radiation therapy are likely to benefit from the treatment, as well as identify those who are at risk for radiation toxicity. This research program is being funded in part by the National Cancer Institute. Radiation therapy or radiotherapy plays an important role in the fight against cancer with more than 60 percent of all patients receiving some form of radiation treatment.  Despite its excellent overall safety profile, approximately 10 percent of patients experience radiation toxicity, while some patients may not benefit from the treatment. To address this clinical need, DxTerity is de…

Cancer Horizons, the premier online portal exclusively for cancer patients, announced today that it has formed an alliance with Lexli International, Inc., noted developer of a leading line of aloe-based skin care products, to provide exclusively to those battling cancer a generous 4-oz. bottle of Lexli's aloe-based Hand & Body Lotion FREE of charge (shipping included), on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. For more information to order this item free of charge, go to www.cancerhorizons.com/free-product-giveway. The placement of Lexli's aloe-based Hand & Body Lotion into the Cancer Horizons distribution channel marks the launch of the Cancer Horizons Compassionate Cancer Patient Resources™ program, which envisions numerous product and service options being made…

Petra Pharma, a drug development company focused on novel enzyme targets, and Schrödinger, Inc., a privately-held company dedicated to revolutionizing drug discovery through advanced computational methods, today announced a multi-target research collaboration to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and metabolic diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will work together to leverage Petra's pipeline of unique enzyme targets and Schrödinger's computational drug discovery platform in the design of novel small molecules for the treatment of cancer and metabolic diseases. Schrödinger will receive preclinical, clinical and commercial-stage milestone payments, as well as equity in Petra. Additional details and financial terms of the collaboration were not disc…

UDG Healthcare plc has today announced the acquisition of MicroMass Communications, a US-based healthcare communications agency specialising in behavioural change. MicroMass designs solutions across all therapeutic areas that improve patient and health outcomes by changing patient and provider behaviour. These solutions are created bespoke to the needs of each of MicroMass’ pharmaceutical clients. As the role of patients in healthcare decision making expands, coupled with the ongoing shift to digital channels, demand from pharmaceutical companies for behavioural change and direct patient engagement capabilities is increasing. MicroMass generates the majority of its revenue from patient engagement and support programmes, with the remainder coming from HCP (healthcare professional) focused…

Nobilis Health Corp. (NYSE American: HLTH) ("Nobilis" or the "Company") today announced the acquisition of DeRosa Medical, P.C. ("DeRosa Medical"). DeRosa Medical is a primary care practice that specializes in health and wellness, medically supervised weight loss, and chronic health condition management.  DeRosa Medical has 10,000 active patients, and serves these patients with its nine primary care providers, comprised of physicians and nurse practitioners.  The practice has three locations in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area: Scottsdale, Chandler, and Glendale.  These locations complement Nobilis' existing surgical facilities in North Phoenix, Chandler and Scottsdale.  The acquisition of DeRosa Medical allows the Company to enhance its ability to serve patients…

 Genomic Health, Inc., the world's leading provider of genomic-based diagnostic tests (NASDAQ: GHDX) and Biocartis Group NV, an innovative molecular diagnostics company (Euronext Brussels: BCART), today announced an exclusive agreement to develop an IVD version of the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® test on Biocartis' Idylla(TM) platform that can be performed locally by laboratory partners and in hospitals around the world.  The Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test examines the activity of 21 genes in a patient's breast tumor tissue to provide personalized information for tailoring treatment based on the biology of their individual disease. As the only test proven to predict chemotherapy benefit, the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score test is included in all major…

Viral Hepatitis Research and Development to Focus on Addressing Significant Unmet Needs in Chronic Hepatitis B    Janssen Sciences Ireland UC (Janssen), today announced a strategic decision to discontinue further development of the investigational hepatitis C treatment regimen JNJ-4178, a combination of three direct acting antivirals - AL-335, odalasvir and simeprevir. The ongoing phase II studies with JNJ-4178 will be completed as planned, but there will be no additional development thereafter. This decision was made in light of the increasing availability of a number of highly effective therapies addressing the medical need in hepatitis C. "Going forward, our hepatitis R&D efforts will focus on chronic hepatitis B, where a high unmet medical need still exists. O…

ERT, a global data and technology company that minimizes uncertainty and risk in clinical trials, today announced it has acquired Biomedical Systems, a well-recognized provider of reliable imaging, as well as cardiac safety and respiratory data collection solutions. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Coupled with its recent addition of imaging technology invented by the Cleveland Clinic, the acquisition of Biomedical Systems enables ERT to further expand its ability to reduce customer risk and uncertainty when imaging, cardiac safety and respiratory data collection are required. In particular, the acquisition positions ERT to better meet the significant demand for imaging in clinical trials, which is being driven from regulators’ increasing requests that imaging data b…

Phosplatin Therapeutics LLC, a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on oncology drug development, announced today it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Pfizer and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to evaluate PT-112, a novel small molecule inducer of apoptosis with evidence of downstream immunogenic cell death (ICD) properties, currently in Phase I development, in combination with avelumab*, a human anti-PD-L1 IgG1 monoclonal antibody. Avelumab has received accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma, and previously treated patients with locally advanced and metastatic urothelial carcinoma, and is under further clinical investigation across a range of tumor types under a global strategic allian…

Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), a leading global pharmaceutical company, and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe today announced that the Tribe now owns all Orange Book-listed patents for RESTASIS® (Cyclosporine Ophthalmic Emulsion) 0.05%, and that Allergan has been granted exclusive licenses in the patents related to the product. The Tribe, a recognized sovereign tribal government, is filing a motion to dismiss the ongoing inter partes review (IPR) of the RESTASIS® patents based on their sovereign immunity from IPR challenges.  The agreement with the Tribe has no impact on the pending abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) patent litigations regarding the RESTASIS® patent family which recently completed a five-day trial in Federal District Court in Marshall, Texas.  "The Saint Regis M…

Allergan plc, a leading global pharmaceutical company, today announced that Allergan USA, Inc. has filed lawsuits against Imprimis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Prescriber's Choice, Inc., and Sincerus Florida, LLC alleging that those companies are unlawfully manufacturing and selling unapproved new drugs and violating the Lanham Act and state law by engaging in false and misleading advertising and promotion of their unapproved new drugs.  The suits have been filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Commenting on the lawsuits, the Company issued the following statement: "Biopharmaceutical companies like Allergan have a duty to put the safety of their patients first. This commitment is the cornerstone of our manufacturing, marketing and advertising of…

Nexeon MedSystems ("Nexeon" or "the Company") (OTCQB: NXNN) announced today that it has exercised its option to acquire Nexeon Medsystems Belgium, SPRL ("NMB").  This Belgian-based company has been operating since 2013 developing neurostimulation products. NMB recently acquired Medi-Line, a Belgian medical device manufacturer with financing support provided by KBC and CBC Bank.  Medi-Line has expertise in active and non-active implants, and it has been profitable for its complete 25-year corporate history. For more information about the transaction, please review the Form 8-K. "We have focused our careers on building a company with a reputation for consistent and high quality delivery, a community-based team of talented employees, and well-executed long-term inter…

Servier and Institut Curie have decided to prolong their partnership in the fight against cancer by three years, extending its scope to include new research areas such as immuno-oncology, haematology and cardiology.   The main goals of this partnership are to identify new therapeutic combinations (the use of two complementary treatments to increase efficacy while reducing adverse effects), including molecules from Servier’s development portfolio, and to better characterise patients who might benefit from certain molecules (targeted therapies). The joint research programmes, covered by this partnership launched in 2005, have already resulted in the identification of several therapeutic targets, for example TTK/MPS1 kinase, an enzyme involved in the cell cycle. The deregulation of this…