Adeline Siew, PhD

Astellas and Ambrx have entered into a collaboration to discover and develop novel antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for an undisclosed number of targets in oncology. ADCs enable targeted delivery of drugs to the target tissue.

Teva and Lonza have announced that their joint venture will continue to develop, manufacture and market affordable, efficacious and safe biosimilars.

Shire has announced plans to acquire dry eye specialist SARcode Bioscience with the aim of expanding its ophthalmics portfolio. Under the terms of the agreement, Shire will pay $160 million upfront and SARcode shareholders will receive additional undisclosed payments upon achievement of certain clinical, regulatory and/or commercial milestones.

Ilaris (canakinumab), a selective, fully human, monoclonal antibody that inhibits interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), has been approved in the EU for symptomatic pain relief in patients suffering from gouty arthritis whose condition cannot be managed with current treatments.

Roche and BioLamina have entered into a research and development agreement to jointly develop new cell culture systems for various applications, including stem cell research. The collaboration will assess laminin-based in-vitro cell culture matrices that can offer physiological microenvironments for living cells.

Belgium drug developer Ablynx and UK-based Spirogen have entered into a research collaboration to discover and develop novel anticancer drug conjugates combining Spirogen's proprietary cytotoxic drugs, pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs), and the company,s associated linker technology, with nanobodies generated using Ablynx's proprietary technology platform.

The EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended Sanofi's six-in-one pediatric vaccine for marketing authorization.

Merck's investigational integrin inhibitor cilengitide did not meet its primary endpoint in the CENTRIC Phase III trial evaluating if the agent could prolong overall survival when added to the current standard chemoradiotherapy regimen (temozolomide and radiotherapy).

Merck has agreed in principle to pay $688 million to settle two federal securities class-action lawsuits involving the company's anticholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zocor, thereby avoiding trial.

Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that Bivigam [immune globulin intravenous (human), 10% liquid] is now available in the pharmaceutical distribution channel for use by physicians, pharmacists and hospitals throughout the US. Bivigam is a sugar-free, glycine stabilized intravenous immune globulin that has been approved by the FDA in December 2012 for the treatment of patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency (PI).

Shire announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with the US government to resolve the previously disclosed civil investigation into its sales and marketing practices in the US relating to the company?s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs, Adderall XR and Vyvanse as well as the ADHD patch Daytrana.

Endo Pharmaceuticals and GVK Biosciences (GVK BIO), a CRO based in India, have entered into an agreement to collaborate on the development of small molecules targeting an undisclosed protein. Using its discovery expertise, GVK BIO will deliver a clinical candidate and Endo will be responsible for the development and commercialization of the product.

Shire has signed an agreement to acquire Lotus Tissue Repair, Inc., a biotechnology company developing the first and only protein replacement therapy for the orphan disease, dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB).

Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and GlycoVaxyn AG have entered into a three-year agreement to collaborate on the research and development of a multivalent bacterial vaccine utilizing GlycoVaxyn's bio-conjugation technology.

Mylan Inc. has issued a recall of three lots of the painkiller tablets, hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen, USP 10 mg/500 mg, due to the potential risk that these lots (lots 3037841, 3040859 and 3042573) may exceed the potency stated on the label.

Amgen has agreed to pay a settlement of $762 million to resolve federal litigation accusing the company of inappropriately marketing the anemia treatment, Aranesp, for unapproved uses.

AIMM Therapeutics and Cosmo Pharmaceuticals have entered into a strategic partnership to develop oral diagnostic and therapeutic antibodies for gastrointestinal diseases including colon carcinoma.

Roche's MycoTOOL, which offers rapid detection of mycoplasms based on a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, has received FDA acceptance.

BASF has extended its offer period to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Pronova BioPharma.

AET BioTech and BioXpress Therapeutics have entered into an agreement to codevelop a biosimilar version of Abbott's tumor necrosis factor inhibitor monoclonal antibody adalimumab.

Novo Nordisk is investing $100 million to expand its R&D facilities in Beijing, China. The company estimates that the new 12,000-m2 (129,167 ft2) center will make it possible to increase the number of science employees from the current 130 to 200, with extra space available to accommodate additional future growth.