Drug Discovery

Biogen to pay $700m to increase stake in Samsung Bioepis

Biogen has agreed to increase its stake in biopharmaceutical company Samsung Bioepis to nearly 49.9% in a deal of about $700m with its joint venture (JV) partner Samsung BioLogics.

Lumicks, AstraZeneca and University of Cambridge create new drug discovery and biology center

LUMICKS has partnered with AstraZeneca and the University of Cambridge Biochemistry Department to form the Center of Excellence for Dynamic Single-Molecule Analysis for accelerated drug discovery and biology.

AbbVie, Calibr partner to develop T-cell therapies for solid tumors

Biopharmaceutical firm AbbVie and Calibr, the drug discovery division of Scripps Research, have entered into a collaboration to develop T-cell therapies aimed mainly at cancer, including solid tumors.

The Dementia Discovery Fund raises $350m

The Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF) has announced the completion of its fundraising, with £250m ($350m at the time of completion) raised from an influential group of strategic investors committed to developing new medicines for dementia.

Erytech confirms focus of eryaspase on solid tumors and ceases development in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Erytech Pharma has announced that it will focus its development efforts for its product candidate eryaspase on the potential treatment of selected solid tumor indications.

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals starts phase III program for IW-3718 in persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals has initiated two Phase III clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of IW-3718 in patients with persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Report says smart pills will gain grounds in diagnostics and health monitoring applications

A report from Persistence Market Research has revealed that increasing uptake for indigestible medical devices will drive global demand for smart pills during 2017 to 2026.

Novacap to acquire US-based CDMO PCI Synthesis

Novacap has agreed to acquire Boston-based PCI Synthesis, a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), for an undisclosed price.

£56m medicines manufacturing innovation center to be established in Scotland

A new £56m medicines manufacturing innovation center (MMIC) is to be established in Renfrewshire, Scotland, to offer businesses support to transform processes and technologies.