Drug Discovery

Lilly to acquire AurKa Pharma in $575m deal

Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) has agreed to acquire Canadian cancer drug developer AurKa Pharma from TVM Capital Life Science in a deal worth $575m.

Lilly to buy immuno-oncology firm Armo BioSciences for $1.6bn

Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) has agreed to acquire Armo BioSciences, a US-based late-stage immuno-oncology company, for about $1.6bn in an all-cash deal.

Escient Pharmaceuticals raises $40m

Escient Pharmaceuticals has been launched with $40m Series A financing to advance G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-targeted drugs to address serious, unserved medical needs.

Forma Therapeutics, University of Oxford partner to advance DUB inhibitors development

Forma Therapeutics and the University of Oxford have entered into a collaboration and license agreement to identify, validate and develop deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) inhibitors for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Amneal, Impax form Amneal Pharmaceuticals

Amneal Pharmaceuticals and Impax Laboratories have completed their business combination to form Amneal Pharmaceuticals.

InDex Pharmaceuticals develops oral formulation of Cobitolimod

InDex Pharmaceuticals Holding has developed a novel formulation of its lead drug candidate cobitolimod for oral administration, with targeted delivery to the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract.

Casma Therapeutics raises $58.5m in Series A funding

Third Rock Ventures has launched Casma Therapeutics with a $58.5m investment to harness the cellular process of autophagy to develop breakthrough therapies.

Janssen Biotech to buy BeneVir Biopharm in $1bn deal

Janssen Biotech has agreed to acquire US-based BeneVir Biopharm, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing oncolytic immunotherapies for cancer, in a deal worth $1.04bn.

Vivus to acquire product rights to Pancreaze from Janssen for $135m

Vivus has agreed to acquire all product rights for Pancreaze (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules in the US and Canada held by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, subject to certain closing conditions, including Hart-Scott-Rodino review.