Week of Apr. 2, 2012: Amgen, AstraZeneca Agree to Codevelop Monoclonal Antibodies; Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies Expands R&D Capabilities at its UK Site; and More

Amgen and AstraZeneca have agreed to jointly develop and commercialize five monoclonal antibodies from Amgen’s clinical-inflammation portfolio (AMG 139, AMG 157, AMG 181, AMG 557 and brodalumab (AMG 827)). Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will make a one-time $50-million upfront payment, and the companies will share both costs and profits. Based on current plans, approximately 65% of costs for the 2012–2014 period will be funded by AstraZeneca. Afterwards, the companies will split costs equally. Amgen will book sales globally and will retain a low single-digit royalty for brodalumab and a mid single-digit royalty for the rest of the portfolio, after which the companies will share profits equally. Read More

Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies has completed the first phase of a £3-million ($4.5 million) investment in new equipment and laboratories at its Billingham, United Kingdom, site. The investment includes a complete refurbishment of its microbial fermentation laboratory, which has been totally refitted, including eight new in-situ sterilizable 20-L Sartorius Stedim Biotech fermenters, and several Dasgip parallel benchtop high-throughput units. In addition, a new suite of R&D laboratories has been installed for process development work, with a corresponding increase in the company’s R&D workforce by 50 to more than 150 in the last 12 months. Read More

Takeda Pharmaceutical has announced that its Corporate Strategy & Planning Department and Finance & Accounting Department will jointly be reorganized to form two new departments, named the Corporate Strategy Department and the Corporate Finance & Controlling Department, effective Apr. 1, 2012, with its newly announced heads reporting to the president & CEO directly. Read More

Teva Canada has finalized an agreement under which the CMO Halo Pharmaceutical will acquire Teva’s Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, manufacturing facility. The transaction is subject to approval by the Competition Bureau, successful negotiation of manufacturing agreements between Teva Canada and Halo, and receipt of manufacturing permits from various authorities. The closing of this transaction is currently scheduled for June 30, 2012. Read More

Industry Briefs:

A roundup of additional company and people news from pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, their suppliers, and contract-service providers. Read More