Biopharma News
UK Grants Marketing Authorization for Novartis’ Radioligand Therapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer
The UK’s MHRA has granted marketing authorization for Novartis’ radioligand therapy, Pluvicto, for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer in Great Britain.
UK Approves First Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Vaccine
The United Kingdom has approved Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, which targets the original variant and Omicron.
Moderna and European Commission Amend COVID-19 Vaccine Agreement
Moderna and the European Commission have amended their agreement to convert contractually agreed doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine to the company’s Omicron-containing bivalent vaccines for supply in 2022.
FDA Approves Roche’s Influenza Treatment for Use in Young Children
Roche announced that FDA has approved Roche’s Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) to treat influenza in children aged five years and older.
FDA Approves First Targeted Therapy for HER2-Low Breast Cancer
Daiichi Sankyo’s Enhertu (fam-trastuzumab-deruxtecan-nxki) is the first targeted therapy for HER2-low breast cancer.
Merck Enters Alzheimer’s Collaboration with Cerevance
Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, will collaborate with Cerevance to identify novel targets for Alzheimer’s disease.
Pfizer to Acquire Global Blood Therapeutics for $5.4 Billion
Pfizer’s $5.4 billion acquisition of Global Blood Therapeutics is expected to strengthen its sickle cell disease portfolio.
Sartorius to Acquire Albumedix for £415 Million
Sartorius’ £415 million (US$429 million) acquisition of Albumedix is intended to bolster its portfolio with recombinant albumin-based solutions.
Catalent to Acquire Metrics Contract Services for $475 Million
Catalent will acquire Metrics Contract Services for $475 million to expand high-potent capabilities and oral development and manufacturing capacity.
FDA Approves Coherus’ Interchangeable Biosimilar for Lucentis
FDA has approved Coherus’ Cimerli (ranibizumab-eqrn) as an interchangeable biosimilar for all five indications of Lucentis.
Sanofi and Innovent Enter Oncology Collaboration
Sanofi and Innovent have entered into a strategic collaboration to accelerate development of oncology medicines and expand their presence in China.
Amgen Will Acquire Chemocentryx in $4 Billion Deal
Amgen’s acquisition of Chemocentryx includes the autoimmune disease drug Tavneos (avacopan).
La Jolla Institute for Immunology Acquires Carterra LSA Platform
La Jolla’s acquisition of Carterra’s LSA Platform is designed to advance their immunological and infectious disease research.
Ipsen Strikes Deal Worth Up to $1.59 Billion With Marengo Therapeutics
Ipsen and Marengo Therapeutics will collaborate to advance two precision immuno-oncology candidates.
Oregon Freeze Dry Opens $7.5 Million Biopharma Facility
The new facility in Albany, Ore., will support biopharmaceutical development and lyophilization services.
WuXi STA Opens a New Large-Scale Continuous Manufacturing Plant
WuXi STA is opening a new large-scale oligonucleotide and peptide manufacturing facility.
Discovery Life Sciences Acquires AllCells
Discovery Life Sciences’ acquisition of AllCells is intended to bolster its cell and gene therapy products and services.
AstraZeneca to Acquire TeneoTwo in Deal Worth Up to $1.26 Billion
AstraZeneca's acquisition of TeneoTwo will give the company access to its clinical-stage T-cell engager, TNB-486, strengthening their hematological cancer pipeline.
Hospira Issues Voluntary Recall for One Lot of Propofol Injectable Emulsion, USP
Hospira has issued a voluntary nationwide recall for one lot of Propofol Injectable Emulsion, USP (containing benzyl alcohol), due to the potential presence of visible particulate.
TFF Pharmaceuticals Expands R&D Operations with New Facility
TFF Pharmaceuticals is expanding its R&D operations with a new facility in Austin, Texas.
Health Canada Authorizes Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine in Young Children
Health Canada has authorized Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in young children aged six months to five years.
Royalty Pharma Acquires Royalty Rights to COPD/Asthma Treatment for $1.6 Billion
Royalty Pharma is paying $1.6 billion for the royalty rights to Trelegy Ellipta, a treatment for COPD and asthma.
Vertex to Acquire ViaCyte for $320 Million
Vertex’s $320 million acquisition of ViaCyte will give the company complementary capabilities for its Type 1 diabetes therapy program.
Merck Digital Sciences Studio Supports Early-Stage Startups
Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, now offers the Merck Digital Sciences Studio, designed to enable innovative tech for drug discovery and development.
Pfizer and Touchlight Enter Patent License Agreement for Use of dbDNA
Pfizer and Touchlight have signed a patent license agreement for Pfizer to use Touchlight’s doggybone DNA (dbDNA) in the manufacture of mRNA vaccines, therapeutics, and gene therapies.
Coya Therapeutics Secures Rights to Exosome Engineering Technology from Carnegie Mellon University
Coya Therapeutics has secured intellectual property rights to the research, development, and manufacturing of exosome-polymer hybrids.
VeriSIM Life and Mayo Clinic Team Up to Co-develop New Therapies
VeriSIM Life and Mayo Clinic are collaborating to develop new promising drug candidates.
LG Chem Renews License with Avacta for IND Studies
LG Chem has decided to proceed with IND-enabling studies and has renewed a license with Avacta.
Ipsen Expands Oncology Portfolio with $247 Million Epizyme Acquisition
Ipsen will acquire Epizyme, who recently had their lead medicine Tazverik (tazemetostat) approved by FDA for treatment of relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma.
Inceptor Bio Collaborates with University of Minnesota to Develop Cell Therapy Platform
Inceptor Bio and the University of Minnesota aim to build a novel iPSC platform to accelerate cell therapy drug development.