Biopharma News

The acquisition will enhance Merck's "superbug" medication portfolio.Merck announced Dec. 8, 2014 that it would acquire Cubist Pharmaceuticals for a total transaction value of approximately $9.5 billion, including a little over $1 million in debt. The deal will add to Merck’s portfolio of drugs treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as Cubist’s antibiotic Cubicin (daptomycin for injection), the only approved once-a-day therapy for both Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and complicated skin and skin structure infections.

Sandoz announces their version of filgrastim, a follow-on biologic for the treatment of neutropenia, is as safe and effective as Amgen's Neupogen.

Sanofi executives are being charged in a whistleblower lawsuit for allegedly granting illicit payments to healthcare providers.

Amgen's bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibody constructs help the body fight malignant cancer cells.

CytRx receives formal written communication from FDA on a prior decision for a partial clinical hold for CytRx's trials involving chemotherapeutic agent aldoxorubicin.

Japanese drugmaker Otsuka announced plans to buy CNS-specialist Avanir Pharmaceuticals for $3.5 billion in an all-cash tender offer.

Ranbaxy and Epirus announce the launch of India's first biosimilar for Remicade.

Lung Therapeutics announced that it received Orphan Drug Designation for LTI-01, an injectable designed for the treatment of loculated pleural effusion.

Roche announced the acquisition of Ariosa Diagnostics, a molecular diagnostics testing service provider and maker of the prenatal blood test, Harmony.

Dalton Pharma Services announced it was awarded funding from ISTPCanada for its project to develop vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza type 3.

Medtronic announced that it received clearance from both the FTC and European Commission to acquire Covidien for $43 billion.

Opdivo and investigational agent FPA008 will be tested in combination for their efficacy in boosting antitumor immune response.

Merck announced an agreement with NewLink Genetics to acquire exclusive rights to its experimental Ebola vaccine, rVSV-EBOV, for $50 million.

The more than $200 million project will increase production capacity at the facility to support AstraZeneca?s maturing pipeline.

The announcement calls attention to another partnership in the growing T-cell receptor engineering space.

GSK and Novartis announced a meeting on Dec. 18, 2014 to discuss the $20 billion asset swap between the two companies.

Ulf Wiinberg has resigned as Lundbeck's CEO over unapproved acceptance of shares in a biotech company.

An index from the Access to Medicine Foundation ranks GSK as most effective in making products accessible.

The $200-million project will expand Amgen's single-use/disposable manufacturing capabilities.

Pfizer will pay $850 million upfront and as much as $2 billion later in a deal to jointly develop one of Merck?s cancer drugs.

Avastin plus chemotherapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer increased progression-free survival by 62% compared with chemotherapy alone.

The transaction provides Allergan stockholders with immediate value and enhanced commercial opportunities, according to a company statement.

The new location will increase Bristol-Myers Squibb's biologics manufacturing capacity.

ValiRx entered into a collaboration agreement with the Deutsches Krebsforschungzentrum cancer research center.

The new partnership will focus on RNA biology for the discovery and manufacture of new therapies.

The agency cites deviations from CGMPs for the manufacture of APIs at the company's Gujarat, India plant.

The Alios Biopharma acquisition strengthens J&J's infectious disease pipeline.

USP releases compendium of quality standards for compounded medicines.