Stephanie Sutton

An international consortium of pharmaceutical companies, academia, research organisations and other related entities have launched a new platform to help enhance drug discovery in Europe.

GlaxoSmithKline has formed a joint venture with Indian vaccines company Biological E to research and develop a six-in-one combination pediatric vaccine to help protect children in India and other developing countries from certain infectious diseases.

The European Medicines Agency has revised its guideline for the evaluation of anticancer medicinal products.

The European Fine Chemicals Group has proposed that mandatory inspections be introduced for all global API manufacturers wishing to supply the European Union market.

Dr Reddy's is planning to acquire the specialty injectable company OctoPlus for approximately EUR27.4 million ($35.7 million) in cash to strengthen its technological capabilities in drug delivery.

Takeda's US subsidiary, Takeda America Holdings, is to acquire the vaccine specialist company LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals for an upfront payment of $60 million in a move intended to bolster and expand the company’s vaccine business.

Johnson & Johnson has announced plans to open four innovation centers in California, Boston, London and China, with the aim of accelerating early innovation and facilitating collaboration and investment opportunities.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is selling the majority of its 'classic brands' in Australia to Aspen Global for approximately £172 million ($271.1 million) in cash.

The UK is to invest £8 million ($12.5 million) in a new center that will be dedicated to stem-cell biology and medicine, with the aim of developing new therapeutic approaches to illnesses that currently have no effective treatments.

GlaxoSmithKline has announced that it will acquire Human Genome Sciences (HGS) for $14.25 per share in cash, or approximately $3.6 billion on an equity basis.