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).