Drug Discovery

Nektar, Takeda to explore combination cancer therapy approaches

Nektar Therapeutics and Takeda Pharmaceutical have entered into a research collaboration to explore the combination of the former’s lead immuno-oncology candidate, the CD122-biased agonist NKTR-214, with five oncology compounds from the cancer portfolio of Takeda.

Iterum Therapeutics raises $65m in new financing round

Ireland-based Iterum Therapeutics, which is focused on the development and commercialization of anti-infectives for patients with infectious diseases and other acute illnesses, has raised $65m in a Series B investment round.

Biogen acquires Remedy Pharmaceuticals’ stroke drug

Biogen has acquired Remedy Pharmaceuticals' Cirara, a Phase 3 candidate in development for large hemispheric infarction (LHI).

IBM researchers find new method to simulate body’s immune response

IBM’s researchers have discovered how they can trigger the body’s immune response by using polymer-coated graphene sheets.

INC Research, inVentiv agree to merge in $4.6bn deal

INC Research has agreed to acquire US-based contract research organization (CRO) inVentiv Health in all stock deal worth nearly $4.6bn.

Vivet raises €37.5m to advance gene therapies for metabolic diseases

Vivet Therapeutics, which is focused on developing novel gene therapies for rare, inherited metabolic diseases, has raised €37.5m in a Series A financing round.

Poxel’s diabetes drug Imeglimin succeeds in phase 2b study in Japan

Poxel has announced positive top line results of a Phase 2b trial of Imeglimin for type 2 diabetes treatment in Japan.

Sosei to invest in UK biopharmaceutical firm MiNA Therapeutics

Sosei has agreed to make an investment in and acquire an exclusive option to potentially acquire MiNA Therapeutics, a private UK biopharmaceutical company.

AstraZeneca, Pieris form $2.1bn respiratory drug collaboration

AstraZeneca will develop new inhaled respiratory treatments based on Pieris Pharmaceuticals’ Anticalin platform through a collaboration that could generate more than $2bn for the US firm.