Today Stories

Ingelheim, Germany — 9 January 2024 — Boehringer Ingelheim has kicked off 2024 on a high note by announcing that the company is entering five new R&D partnerships to further enable and accelerate the company’s commitment to transform the lives of patients world-wide. Through these strategic partnerships, Boehringer is building on past years successes, including 2023 where the company entered into more than 100 new R&D partnerships.  The five partnerships just unveiled focus on addressing high unmet patient needs across three leading of Boehringer’s focus areas: Oncology, cardio-renal-metabolic and fibro-inflammatory diseases: The collaboration with Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co., Ltd. and Ribocure Pharmaceuticals AB (Ribo) will focus on the development of new mRNAi therapeutics f…

Bracknell, UK. 9th January 2024: PharmiWeb, the leading global life science news and jobs portal, is excited to announce it will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this month. To commemorate this significant milestone, PharmiWeb will be running a month-long celebration campaign throughout January, recognising the company’s achievements over the past 25 years, and expressing gratitude to the loyal clients and candidates who have played a crucial role in its success. Since its inception in 1999, PharmiWeb has been connecting life science professionals with the latest news, jobs, and events from across the industry, whilst helping life science recruiters locate the top talent they need to drive innovation. After launching as a job board, PharmiWeb has evolved into an industry-leading platfor…

Survey points to importance of strategic engagement with investors and effective asset development strategies to optimise funding Dublin, Ireland – 8 January 2024 – ICON plc, (NASDAQ: ICLR) a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation, today launched its “Optimising biotech funding” whitepaper. This provides an overview of the current state of play for biotech companies and the research and development (R&D) strategies they can adopt to attract and best utilise investment funding. A recent survey of over 130 biotech executives, published by ICON, shows that 60% of respondents expected to increase R&D spending, whilst only 2% planned to reduce funding. While respondents were confident in their outlook with regards to investment milestones and product su…

Most comprehensive and ethnically diverse genomic coverage on a high throughput microarray delivers multi-disease and pharmacogenomic research analysis across global populations CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Earlier this year, scientists unveiled the first draft of the pangenome, based on full genetic blueprints from 47 people around the world to create a more diverse representation of the human genome1. To more accurately account for this richer picture of human genomic variation, Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched the new Axiom™ PangenomiX Array*, its largest and most ethnically diverse array to date, offering optimal genetic coverage for population scale disease studies and pharmacogenomic research. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www…

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced LillyDirect™, a new digital healthcare experience for patients in the U.S. living with obesity, migraine and diabetes. LillyDirect offers disease management resources, including access to independent healthcare providers*, tailored support, and direct home delivery of select Lilly medicines through third-party pharmacy dispensing services. "A complex U.S. healthcare system adds to the burdens patients face when managing a chronic disease. With LillyDirect, our goal is to relieve some of those burdens by simplifying the patient experience to help improve outcomes," said David A. Ricks, Lilly's chair and CEO. "LillyDirect offers more choices in how and where people access healthcare, including a conv…

Calibre Scientific has acquired LineaLAB, SL, a distributor of analytical, bio and laboratory equipment based in Badalona (Barcelona), Spain. LineaLAB is Calibre Scientific’s fourth acquisition in Spain and further bolsters its presence in the Iberian Peninsula. 50.9% of the shares in LineaLAB, SL were sold by the family of the company's late founder and former managing director, Sebastián Estrades. Brand Group has sold its 49.1% stake in LineaLAB. Divestment serves to focus on Brand Group's core businesses. BARCELONA, Spain and FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany and LOS ANGELES, Jan. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calibre Scientific has acquired LineaLAB, SL, a provider of analytical, bio and laboratory equipment based in Badalona (Barcelona). LineaLAB is Calibre Scientific’s fourth acquisition i…

Ingelheim, Germany, Mölndal, Sweden and Kunshan, China — 3 January 2024 — Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co., Ltd. and Ribocure Pharmaceuticals AB (Ribo) today announced a collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim to develop novel treatments for nonalcoholic or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (NASH/MASH). The partnership brings together Ribo’s leading experience in the discovery and clinical development of small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics with Boehringer’s commitment to improving the lives of people living with cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases (CRM). More than 440 million people worldwide are estimated to live with NASH, an inflammatory liver disease that is caused by accumulation of fat in the liver. Over time, NASH causes scar tissue formation, which in…

Agreement Expands Access to Labcorp's Diagnostics Capabilities and Services BURLINGTON, N.C., Nov. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services, announced today the completion of the previously announced transaction with Legacy Health to acquire select assets of Legacy's outreach laboratory business. Labcorp also now manages Legacy's inpatient hospital laboratories through a long-term agreement to provide staffing, leadership, scientific knowledge, analytics, supply chain services and laboratory support.  "This milestone will benefit communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington by expanding access to Labcorp's industry-leading laboratory services and diagnostic testing," said Rajat Mehta, Senior Vice President of Labcorp…

Gilead Will Have Exclusive Rights to Later Stage Development and Commercialization of Anti-IL18 Binding Protein Antibodies with Potential to Treat Various Tumor Types Gilead to Make $60 Million Upfront Payment and $30 Million in a Near Term Milestone Payment with a Total Deal Value of up to $848 Million FOSTER CITY, Calif. & HOLON, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced an agreement with Compugen Ltd. (Nasdaq: CGEN) (TASE: CGEN), a clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy company and a pioneer in computational target discovery, headquartered in Holon, Israel, to exclusively license its potential first-in-class, pre-clinical antibody program against IL-18 binding protein, including the COM503 drug candidate. Compugen utilizes its broadly applicable…

Healthcare intelligence organisation earns recognition as employer of choice and leading innovator in the clinical trial industry Dublin, Ireland – 18 December 2023 – ICON plc, (NASDAQ: ICLR) a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation (CRO), finishes the second half of 2023 with positive recognition as a top-rated employer and leader in clinical trial innovation.  In recognition of its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts and as an employer of choice, ICON ranked 88th in TIME’s list of the World’s Best Companies of 2023, the highest ranking CRO within the top 750 companies included. The award evaluates companies using standardised KPIs on sustainability, revenue and employee satisfaction. ICON was also included on both the Forbes World’s Best E…

Atomic AI’s ATOM-1 large language model (LLM) demonstrates state-of-the-art accuracy for predicting RNA structure and function Technology can be exploited to evaluate and optimize key features critical in developing RNA-based and RNA-targeting drug modalities ATOM-1 uniquely enabled by billion-scale chemical mapping datasets collected in-house by Atomic AI SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atomic AI, a biotechnology company fusing cutting-edge machine learning with state-of-the-art structural biology to unlock RNA drug discovery, announced that the Company has created the first large language model (LLM) leveraging chemical mapping data. In a preprint paper published on bioRxiv, Atomic AI describes its proprietary ATOM-1™ platform component, a foundation model that can accura…

Further establishes Pfizer as a leading oncology company poised to accelerate the next generation of breakthrough treatments for people with cancer To address U.S. Federal Trade Commission concerns, Pfizer has chosen to irrevocably donate the rights of royalties from sales of Bavencio® (avelumab) in the U.S. to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Seagen Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN), a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops and commercializes transformative cancer medicines. Pfizer completed its acquisition of all outstanding common stock of Seagen for $229 in cash per share, for a total enterprise value of approximately $43 billion. “Cancer remains a l…

RAHWAY, N.J.‐‐(3BL MEDIA)‐‐Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has earned the top spot on Newsweek’s annual list of America’s Most Responsible Companies, ranking No. 1 overall for the first time and establishing itself as an industry leader for the second consecutive year. Notably, Merck has also received the unique distinction of being the only company on the 2024 list to score 100/100 in corporate governance, which, in addition to disclosures and transparency, comprises economic performance, namely financial stability and innovation capacity. “We are honored to be recognized as America’s Most Responsible Company,” said Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck. “Operating responsibly is at the core of our vision and values and funda…

Expects to close Seagen acquisition on December 14, 2023 Announces changes in the commercial organization to incorporate Seagen and improve focus, speed and execution Pfizer to host analyst and investor call at 8:30 am EST on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, to discuss the Seagen acquisition, new commercial organization, and provide full-year 2024 financial guidance NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announces that the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, expired December 11, 2023, with respect to Pfizer’s pending acquisition of Seagen Inc. (NASDAQ: SGEN). Pfizer and Seagen have now received all required regulatory approvals to complete the acquisition. Pfizer expects to close the acquisition of Seagen on December…

Building on expertise in RSV prevention, acquisition will accelerate ambition to deliver portfolio of protective interventions to address high unmet needs in infectious diseases AstraZeneca has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Icosavax, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICVX), a US-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing differentiated, high-potential vaccines using an innovative, protein virus-like particle (VLP) platform. The proposed acquisition will build on AstraZeneca’s expertise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), strengthening AstraZeneca’s Vaccines & Immune Therapies late-stage pipeline with Icosavax’s lead investigational vaccine candidate, IVX-A12. IVX-A12 is a potential first-in- class, Phase III-ready, combination protein VLP vaccine which ta…

First-ever approval of a CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy in the U.S. Approximately 16,000 patients 12 years of age and older with severe sickle cell disease may now be eligible for this one-time treatment Multiple authorized treatment centers activated BOSTON & ZUG, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 2023-- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) and CRISPR Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CRSP) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved CASGEVY™ (exagamglogene autotemcel [exa-cel]), a CRISPR/Cas9 genome-edited cell therapy, for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD) in patients 12 years and older with recurrent vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs). This approval means that for the first time, approximately 16,000 patients with SCD may be eligible…

Details strong pipeline including Sanofi’s record 12 blockbuster opportunities under clinical evaluation: 9 innovative medicines and vaccines with €2 to 5 billion peak sales potential, and 3 ‘pipeline-in-a-product’ assets with a potential of over €5 billion peak sales Strategic transformation through R&D features potential multi-indication assets such as amlitelimab, frexalimab and the oral TNFR1si intended to address unmet patient needs in markets with low penetration of advanced therapies Enhanced R&D focus aims to deliver a 50% increase in Phase 3 trials in 2024 and 2025 as well as 25 mid- to late-stage read-outs over the next 2 years Ambition to become an immunology powerhouse driven by recent and future launched pharma assets, generating over €10 billion in annual sales by 20…

A new research team at the BioMed X Institute will develop a novel strategy to selectively target autoreactive plasma cells in autoimmune disease. Heidelberg, November 7, 2023. BioMed X, an independent biomedical research institute, announced yesterday the launch of a Call for Application in immunology. This call aims to assemble a new research team to develop innovative strategies for neutralizing autoreactive plasma cells in the context of autoimmune disease. Current therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases primarily focus on broadly suppressing the immune response, with significant side effects. More importantly, none of these treatments address one of the root causes of the disease, the autoreactive plasma cells that produce antibodies targeting self-antigens. By exploring the…

BugBiome wins a business support package worth over £100,000, including one year of free lab space at Discovery Park and £50,000 investment from Discovery Park Ventures BioMavericks awarded the wildcard prize as voted for by the audience at the GIANT Health Healthcare Investment Show on 5th December Sandwich, UK, 6th December 2023 / Sciad Newswire / Discovery Park / BugBiome was announced as the winner of the Discovery Spark life science business support programme at the GIANT Health Healthcare Investment Show on 5th December. BugBiome will be awarded a business support package worth over £100,000, including one year of free lab space at Discovery Park and £50,000 investment from Discovery Park Ventures. Thirteen start-ups took part in the programme, including 3D Synthesis, Awen, Bing Bo…

Carmot Therapeutics’s R&D portfolio of clinical stage incretins has great potential to treat obesity, diabetes and potentially other diseases both as standalone medicines and in combination with Roche’s in-house assets Lead asset CT-388 is a Phase-2 ready dual GLP-1/GIP agonist with best-in-class potential for the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities Under the terms of the agreement, Roche will pay a purchase price of USD 2.7 billion upfront and additional milestone payments of up to USD 400 million Basel, 4 December 2023 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today the entry into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Carmot Therapeutics, Inc. (“Carmot”), a privately owned US company based in Berkeley, California. Carmot’s R&D portfolio includes clinical stage su…