Bio/Pharma News
J&J’s Janssen to Acquire BeneVir for $1 Billion
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Biotech will acquire biotechnology company BeneVir Biopharm to strengthen Janssen’s immunotherapy platform.
Takeda to Acquire Shire for $62 Billion
Takeda expands its global and therapy base with announced acquisition of Shire.
Novartis’ Sandoz Receives CRL for Biosimilar to Roche’s Rituximab
The company received a complete response letter from FDA in response to the biologics license application for a proposed rituximab biosimilar.
GlobalData Reports on Humira Biosimilars Uptake in EU
The data and analytics company reports on the anticipated uptake of Humira (adalimumab) biosimilars in the EU once they are launched in 2018.
Astellas Sells Research Facilities to Gilead’s Kite Pharma
As Astellas Pharma winds down its Agensys research operations, the company sells the Santa Monica, CA, facility to Gilead.
Biogen, Ionis Expand $1-Billion Neurological Disease Alliance
The companies plan to advance programs for dementia and other neurological conditions.
Pfizer Receives CRL for Biosimilar to Roche’s Herceptin
The company received a complete response letter from FDA in response to the biologics license application for a proposed trastuzumab biosimilar.
LNC Therapeutics Appoints New CEO and Advances Microbiome-Based Drug R&D
LNC Therapeutics has appointed a new CEO and is strengthening its R&D for gut microbiome-based drugs.
Merck KGaA to Sell Consumer Health Biz to Procter & Gamble for $4.2 Billion
The transaction is part of Merck KGaA’s strategy to actively shape its product portfolio and focus on innovation-driven business.
Sanofi to Divest European Generics Business in Deal Worth $2.4 Billion
Global investment firm Advent to acquire and invest in Sanofi’s European generics business, Zentiva, to boost its position in European market.
J&J, BMS Team Up on Cardiovascular Therapies
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen partners with Bristol-Myers Squibb to advance next-generation therapies for cardiovascular diseases.
FDA Grants Roche Breakthrough Therapy Designation on Hemophilia Drug
The agency has granted breakthrough therapy designation to Roche’s hemophilia therapy for treating hemophilia A in patients without factor VIII inhibitors.
Alexion to Acquire Wilson Therapeutics for $855 Million
According to Alexion, the acquisition will help rebuild its clinical pipeline.
Pfizer Relocates Global Headquarters
The New York City-based company will relocate to another building in the city.
Sanofi to Invest Roughly $430 Million in Canadian Vaccine Facility
The new facility, to be built in Toronto, Canada, will significantly increase capacity for pediatric and booster vaccines.
Amgen to Build Next-Generation Biomanufacturing Plant
The biopharmaceutical firm has chosen Rhode Island as the site of its next-generation biomanufacturing plant, which will offer flexibility, speed, and efficiency.
Roche Completes $1.9-Billion Acquisition of Flatiron Health
The acquisition is expected to accelerate progress towards personalized cancer healthcare.
Roche Acquires Regenerative Medicines Program
Roche has acquired a program to develop regenerative therapies for multiple sclerosis.
Lilly, Sigilon Partner on Encapsulated Cell Therapies for Diabetes
Under this global collaboration, the companies will develop encapsulated cell therapies for treating Type 1 diabetes.
FDA Issues CRLs to Celltrion for Two Biosimilars
Celltrion received complete response letters from FDA for its rituximab and trastuzumab biosimilars.
Boehringer Ingelheim and OSE in Immuno-Oncology Deal Worth $1.7 Billion
Boehringer Ingelheim and OSE Immunotherapeutics have entered a global immuno-oncology partnership to develop a checkpoint inhibitor for treating advanced solid tumors.
Reig Jofre and Leanbio Form Joint Venture to Develop Biosimilars
The companies have created Syna Therapeutics, a joint venture that will develop biosimilars and new molecules.
Mylan and Biocon Get Approvals for Biosimilar Insulin Glargine in Europe and Australia
The European approval marks the first approval for a biosimilar in that region resulting from the companies’ joint portfolio.
FDA Grants Priority Review to AstraZeneca’s Leukemia Biologic
The agency has accepted AstraZeneca’s biologics license application for an investigational leukemia drug candidate and granted it priority review.
Pfizer Transfers CAR-T Assets to Allogene
Pfizer transfers CAR-T assets to Allogene Therapeutics under a new alliance to further develop immuno-oncology therapeutics.
Celgene Completes Juno Acquisition
The acquisition strengthens Celgene’s position in the global cellular immunotherapy space.
Celgene, bluebird bio Partner on CAR-T Therapy
The companies will co-develop and co-promote a CAR T cell therapy in the United States.
Novartis Gets Positive EMA Opinion on Biosimilar to J&J’s Remicade
Novartis’ Sandoz is seeking approval of its biosimilar referencing Johnson & Johnson’s Remicade (infliximab) for all of Remicade’s indications across gastroenterology, rheumatology, and dermatology.
Amgen, Allergan Score Positive EMA Opinion on Biosimilar to Roche’s Herceptin
EMA has recommended approval of the biosimilar for the same indications as Roche’s Herceptin (trastuzumab).
Takeda Confirms Interest in Acquiring Shire
Takeda is considering approaching Shire with a possible offer.