Today Stories

Compugen Ltd. (NASDAQ: CGEN), a leader in predictive discovery and development of first-in-class therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy, today announced it entered into an exclusive license agreement with MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, to enable the development of bi-specific and multi-specific immuno-oncology antibody products. Under the terms of the agreement, Compugen will provide an exclusive license to MedImmune for the development of bi-specific and multi-specific antibody products derived from a Compugen pipeline program. MedImmune has the right to create multiple products under this license and will be solely responsible for all research, development and commercial activities under the agreement. Compugen will receive a $10 million upfr…

Biocept, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOC), a leading commercial provider of liquid biopsy tests designed to provide physicians with clinically actionable information to improve the outcomes of patients diagnosed with cancer, announces that it has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. to collaborate together commercially.  In the first phase of the collaboration, the parties plan to work together to validate Thermo Fisher's Oncomine™ next-generation sequencing (NGS) liquid biopsy panels in Biocept's CLIA-certified laboratory.  Once validation is complete in addition to other requirements, Thermo Fisher intends to designate Biocept as a "Center of Excellence" for oncology-focused liquid biopsy initiatives and jointly pursue various commercial…

TiGenix NV (Euronext Brussels and NASDAQ: TIG) (“TiGenix”) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) (“Takeda”) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved Alofisel (darvadstrocel), previously Cx601, for the treatment of complex perianal fistulae in adult patients with nonactive/mildly active luminal Crohn’s disease, when fistulae have shown an inadequate response to at least one conventional or biologic therapy. Darvadstrocel should be used after conditioning of fistula.2 This marks the first allogeneic stem cell therapy (originating from donor stem cells) to receive central marketing authorisation (MA) approval in Europe.   The European approval follows a positive opinion by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Hum…

VIFOR PHARMA GROUP has granted japanese company ZERIA pharmaceutical co., ltd. exclusive rights to develop and commercialise VELTASSA® in japan.   Under the terms of the agreement, Zeria will have the exclusive right to develop Veltassa® for the Japanese market and, once marketing authorisation has been granted, to commercialise it in Japan.   The collaboration with Zeria represents an important step in Vifor Pharma's promise to make Veltassa® available to patients worldwide. Having Veltassa® and Ferinject® commercialised through the same partner represents a substantive step for Vifor Pharma in its goal towards expanding its cardio-renal network and becoming the global leader in cardio-renal therapies.   "We are very pleased about strengthening our partnership with Ze…

Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX: CPH) and Cardiome Pharma Corp. (Nasdaq: CRME and TSX:COM), today announced their entry into a definitive arrangement agreement pursuant to which Cipher will acquire the Canadian business portfolio of Cardiome.  The proposed transaction will be completed pursuant to the acquisition by Cipher of all of the outstanding shares of Cardiome, following a restructuring of Cardiome pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act.  Pursuant to the arrangement, Cardiome shareholders will receive common shares, on a one-for-one ratio, of a newly created Canadian entity named Correvio Pharma Corp. that will apply for a substitution listing on the Nasdaq and TSX. Correvio will acquire and hold all of Cardiome's pre-transa…

United Neuroscience, Ltd., (UNS), today announced that it has entered a research collaboration agreement with the Ronald Melki laboratory at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) to investigate applications of the United Neuroscience Endobody technology platform in targeting pathogenic forms of alpha-synuclein protein. Under the agreement, United Neuroscience will contribute novel candidates targeting specific protein aggregates using the Endobody technology platform. Researchers in the CNRS laboratory will provide expertise in characterization of these candidates for key properties for their potential in generating therapeutics for Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies. "Our vision at United Neuroscience is to leverage the expertise of a select few research…

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced that it has acquired IntegenX Inc., which provides a rapid DNA platform for use in forensics and law enforcement applications. IntegenX products significantly enhance Thermo Fisher's existing HID portfolio and complement its leading human identification chemistries, as well as its qPCR and capillary electrophoresis systems. IntegenX solutions include the RapidHIT platforms, software analysis tools and related consumables that are highly compatible with Thermo Fisher's short tandem repeat (STR) chemistries for human identification. IntegenX currently provides support to prosecutors and law enforcement in 17 countries where its technology is used in government laboratories to generate forensic DNA profiles f…

Novartis announced today the launch of two new Joint Working Projects with national Cancer Vanguard sites, which aim to identify ways to improve cancer patient care pathways and access to services. The projects will be based at The Christie in Greater Manchester and within the UCLH Cancer Collaborative region (north and east London), covering a catchment population of 6.9 million people. The two projects are part of Novartis’ ongoing commitment to combine resources, time, and expertise with the NHS, with the aim to significantly improve cancer patient outcomes. With one in two people born after 1960 expected to develop cancer at some point in their lifetime1, optimising working practices and addressing variations in care is essential to ensure the best outcomes for cancer patients. Centra…

H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck) and Prexton Therapeutics BV (Prexton) today announced signing of a definitive agreement in which Lundbeck will acquire Prexton. Under terms of the agreement, Lundbeck will pay EUR 100 million (approximately DKK 750 million) upfront and is furthermore required to later pay up to EUR 805 million (approximately DKK 6 billion) in development and sales milestones to the group of current owners. By acquiring Prexton, Lundbeck will obtain global rights of an attractive compound (foliglurax) which currently is in clinical phase II testing for symptomatic treatment of OFF-time reduction in Parkinson's disease and dyskinesia including Levodopa Induced Dyskinesia (LID). First data from the ongoing clinical phase II programme is expected to be available during the first hal…

Zecotek Photonics Inc. ("Zecotek" or the "Company") (TSX-V: ZMS, Frankfurt: W1I, OTCPK: ZMSPF), a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for healthcare, industrial and scientific markets, is pleased to announce that it has signed a marketing and distribution agreement with the Shanghai Fortune Techgroup Co. Ltd., a China-based authorized distributor of integrated circuits and related optoelectronic products, to generate sales of its patented LFS crystals to customers in China. "The Shanghai Fortune Techgroup is a well-established distributor of photonic technologies with customers in China and around the world, and we are very pleased that they will now include our patented LFS scintillation crystals on their product list," said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairma…

Athersys, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATHX) and HEALIOS K.K. ("Healios") announced today their intent to significantly expand their existing development and commercialization collaboration.  As part of this expansion, Healios is making an approximate $21 million equity investment at $1.76 per share, will deposit $10 million into escrow, and has entered into a letter of intent ("LOI") with Athersys to expand Healios' license to develop MultiStem® products for indications to include acute respiratory distress syndrome ("ARDS"), trauma in Japan and the use of MultiStem products in conjunction with organ bud technology and certain ophthalmological indications globally.  Healios will also obtain an exclusive option to a license to develop and commercialize MultiStem products for ischemic stroke…

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) (the "Company") and Integrated DNA Technologies ("IDT") announced today that Danaher has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire IDT, a privately-held provider of high-value consumables for genomics applications in molecular biology, qPCR, next generation sequencing, synthetic biology, gene editing and molecular diagnostics.  IDT's primary business is the manufacturing of high-quality, custom DNA and RNA oligonucleotides serving customers in the academic and biopharmaceutical research, biotechnology, agriculture, clinical diagnostics, and pharmaceutical development end markets. Founded in 1987 by Joseph Walder, MD, PhD, IDT has grown to become a leader in its served markets with more than 1,200 employees and over 100,000 customers worldwide. IDT…

Sanofi announced today the successful completion of its acquisition of Bioverativ Inc. ("Bioverativ") for $105 per share in cash. "The addition of Bioverativ provides us with a strong position in the large and growing hemophilia market and expands our presence in specialty care," said Olivier Brandicourt," Sanofi's Chief Executive Officer.  "Through a series of three strategic transactions-the addition of Bioverativ, our planned acquisition of Ablynx and our agreement for fitusiran-we are well on our way to creating a leading franchise in the field of rare blood disorders." The tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Bioverativ common stock expired as scheduled at one minute after 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. The minimum tender condition an…

Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) today announced that it has acquired EMcision, Limited, a privately held company located in the United Kingdom and Canada. The acquisition will expand the Boston Scientific Endoscopy portfolio to include the HabibTM EndoHPB probe, a novel endoscopic bipolar radiofrequency device, which coagulates tissue in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The Habib EndoHPB probe is used by physicians in the treatment and palliative care of patients living with pancreaticobiliary cancers. Patients with pancreaticobiliary cancers often develop jaundice as a result of tissue ingrowth that blocks ducts that enable bile to drain out of the GI tract. The Habib EndoHPB probe coagulates this tissue to help ensure that the fluids are able to drain, which can result in an improvement i…

AMRA, the international leader in body composition analysis, and Siemens Healthineers have announced a new agreement that will see AMRA’s cloud-based, body composition analysis integrated into Siemens Healthineers Digital Ecosystem. Designed to deliver pioneering innovation whilst helping healthcare professionals deliver economic efficiencies, the partnership will be showcased at the annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference and exhibition.   Siemens Healthineers enables healthcare providers worldwide to increase value by empowering them on their journey towards digitalizing healthcare. Its Digital Ecosystem provides an open and secured environment which effectively integrates knowledge from a global and diverse network of healthcare stakeholder…

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, and Hologic, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOLX), an innovative women's health company, announced today a global partnership agreement to offer care professionals integrated solutions comprising diagnostic imaging modalities, advanced informatics and services for screening, diagnosis and treatment of women across the world. The collaboration combines Hologic's innovative mammography technologies and Philips' leading portfolio of ultrasound, MRI, CT, and X-ray systems, advanced informatics and broad range of services, including maintenance, upgrade, training and operational performance management services. "No two women are alike, and we are teaming up with care providers and leading industry partners to support the delivery of a…

Recipharm, the contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), has signed a licensing agreement with Altus Formulation Inc., a Canadian drug development company, to allow its customers to access new drug delivery technologies and products. Under the terms of the agreement, Recipharm will co-develop new value added medicines for its customers utilising Altus’ patented INTELLITAB™ and FLEXITAB™ drug delivery technologies. INTELLITAB is a novel misuse and abuse deterrent technology that mitigates the dangers of over-exposure to opioids that can occur due to inadvertent or deliberate tampering with immediate release or extended release narcotics. INTELLITAB tablets are hardened to resist cutting, crushing and chewing, common methods to accelerate drug release, and spontaneou…

Sanofi announced today that the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act") has expired and that Sanofi has received clearance from the Federal Cartel Office of Germany (the "FCO") in accordance with the Act Against Restraints of Competition, applicable to Sanofi's proposed acquisition of Ablynx NV ("Ablynx"). On January 29, 2018, Sanofi and Ablynx announced they had entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Sanofi will launch public offers to acquire all of the outstanding ordinary shares (including shares represented by American Depositary Shares), warrants and convertible bonds of Ablynx (the "Offers"). As a result of the expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act and the clearance from the FCO, the condition to the…

Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALDX) (Aldeyra), a biotechnology company devoted to development of next-generation medicines to improve the lives of patients with inflammatory diseases, today announced that it has entered into a collaborative research agreement with Janssen Research & Development, LLC (Janssen), one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. The agreement was facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC. Aldeyra plans to collaborate with Janssen on the development of novel drugs designed to sequester pro-inflammatory aldehyde mediators, a new class of therapeutic targets. Aldeyra's aldehyde sequestration platform represents a novel therapeutic class, led by reproxalap, a first-in-class drug candidate that has demonstrated an…

PeriGen, the innovator of advanced perinatal systems, today announced a strategic reseller agreement with Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), through its wholly owned subsidiary, Qualcomm Life, Inc. PeriGen's  FDA-cleared software uses artificial intelligence to provide labor and delivery clinicians with real time analysis of dynamic patient data that has contributed to improved clinical and medical malpractice outcomes. The collaboration with PeriGen will allow Qualcomm Life to license and sell PeriWatch™ Vigilance™, a new early warning platform for obstetrics that automatically identifies patients whose conditions are worsening, facilitating more timely interventions. Vigilance augments currently installed fetal surveillance systems, providing a critical layer of patient safety w…