Drug Discovery

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang Haichang Biotechnology to develop RX-0201 for hepatocellular carcinoma

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Zhejiang Haichang Biotechnology to develop RX-0201 (Archexin) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer.

CVC Capital launches new UK-based specialty pharmaceutical company

CVC Capital Partners has launched a new specialty pharmaceutical company in the UK following the completion of its $703m acquisition of a part of Israel-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries’ global women’s health business.

Seattle Genetics to buy Cascadian Therapeutics for $614m

Seattle Genetics has agreed to acquire Cascadian Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of product candidates for the treatment of cancer, for around $614m.

BridgeBio Pharma licenses infigratinib oncology drug from Novartis

Clinical-stage biotech company BridgeBio Pharma has licensed infigratinib (BGJ398), a selective inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase receptor FGFR and a late-stage oncology drug, from Novartis.

Innate Pharma, MedImmune enter clinical trial collaboration

Innate Pharma has entered into a clinical trial collaboration with MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca.

Sanofi to buy Belgian biopharmaceutical firm Ablynx for EUR3.9bn

French drugmaker Sanofi has agreed to acquire Ablynx, a Belgian biopharma company focused in the discovery and development of Nanobodies, for about €3.9bn.

Spectris acquires Concept Life Sciences for £163m

Spectris has completed the acquisition of Concept Life Sciences Group of companies from Equistone Partners and company management for £163m.

Avacta signs licensing deal with Glythera after successful trial

Avacta Group has signed a licensing agreement with Glythera for its Affimer technology after a successful proof-of-concept study.

Google venture unit supports UK flu vaccine firm Vaccitech

UK-based Vaccitech, which is developing a universal influenza vaccine and other vaccine-related products, has bagged £20m ($27.1m) of funding from various investors.