Bio/Pharma News

Kythera announces that it entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Allergan for $2.1 billion.

The University of Pennsylvania announces that it will collaborate with WuXi AppTech to research and develop gene vectors derived from recombinant viruses.

At BIO 2015, CQDM and MaRS Innovation announced an investment in Encycle Therapeutics to research chemical properties needed to make peptide-like molecules orally bioavailable.

The exclusive manufacturing collaboration will establish production for adeno-associated virus gene-therapy treatments incorporating REGENXBIO’s NAV Technology.

Products on display include the newest addition to the Mobius line of single-use bioreactors; Cellvento CHO cell culture media for optimized production of specific cell lines; and new high-volume AFS water purification systems.

The Green Cross facility in Canada will produce intravenous immunoglobulin and albumin.

AmpliPhi announces that its new facility in Slovenia has received cGMP certification to manufacture bacteriophages for clinical trials.

The pediatric investigation plan provides a clinical development plan for Viaskin Peanut in pediatric population. DBV Technologies will now be able to submit a marketing authorization application in Europe following completion of the Viaskin Peanut Phase III trials.

Teva announces the exclusive launch of its generic equivalent of Actonel in the US.

Experts attending the European Psychiatry Association Congress in Vienna say that Adasuve has made an impact in the treatment of agitation in patients suffering from schizophrenia or biopolar I disorder.

Boehringer Ingelheim announces FDA approval of Stiolto Respimat inhaler for the treatment of COPD.

Visterra announces partnership with A*STAR to develop VIS513, a monoclonal antibody for the treatment of dengue fever.

Merus and Selexis will combine technology platforms to produce colorectal cancer combination therapy.

Medicago's new production facility will make plant-based vaccines and therapeutics.

The method patent covers the infusion of bendamustine hydrochloride for the treatment of certain blood cancers.

Emergent gives ProMetic long-term access to its Winnipeg facility.

Alexion will construct a biologics facility in Ireland that is its first outside the US.

AstraZeneca announces that it will invest $285 million in a new manufacturing facility in Sweden.

Raplixa fibrin sealant, the first approved spray-dried biologic, is a hemostatic agent that helps control bleeding from small blood vessels during surgery.

FDA concludes Orkambi demonstrates a clinical benefit over placebo, but questions the magnitude of the improvement.

Eli Lilly announces that it will establish a drug delivery and device center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Juno Therapeutics announces that it will expand its cellular therapies pipeline with the acquisition of Stage Cell Therapeutics for €52.5 million.

Pfizer acquires minority equity stake in AM-Pharma and secures option to acquire remaining equity.

With acquisition of Oncaspar portfolio for leukemia from Sigma-Tau Finanziaria, Baxter BioScience adds an oncology infrastructure and biologic.

Novartis announces that its lung cancer drug, Zykadia, gained European Union approval.

Johnson & Johnson announces partnership with NYU School of Medicine to launch a compassionate care committee for individual patient requests of investigational drugs.

The US Court of Appeals granted Amgen’s request to block Novartis’ Neupogen biosimilar, Zarxio, from the US market until the court resolves litigation between the two companies.

Alexion announces it will expand its rare disease pipeline with a definitive agreement to acquire Synageva.

Eleven of the leading US biosimilar developers have collaborated to form the Biosimilars Forum, a nonprofit organization formed to expand patient access to biosimilars.

The company voluntarily recalls select lots of Adrucil due to particulate matter.