Drug Discovery - Research & Development

Belgium’s UCB to buy Ra Pharmaceuticals for $2.1bn

Belgium-based biopharmaceutical firm UCB has agreed to acquire US-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Ra Pharmaceuticals in a deal valued at around $2.1bn.

Alexion, Stealth announce agreement for option to co-develop and commercialise late-stage therapy for mitochondrial diseases

Alexion Pharmaceuticals and Stealth BioTherapeutics have announced an agreement for an option to co-develop and commercialize elamipretide for mitochondrial diseases.

Viela Bio, Mitsubishi Tanabe sign licensing deal for inebilizumab

Viela Bio has entered into a licensing deal with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma to develop and commercialize inebilizumab in nine Asian countries for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

NSF International purchases majority stake in Amarex CRO

Global public health organisation NSF International has purchased a majority stake in US-based clinical stage contract research organisation (CRO) called Amarex Clinical Research.

Akcea to license investigative antisense therapy AKCEA-ANGPTL3-LRx to Pfizer

Akcea Therapeutics, a majority-owned affiliate of Ionis Pharmaceuticals, has signed an agreement to license investigative antisense therapy AKCEA-ANGPTL3-LRx to pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

Johnson & Johnson to invest $500m to end HIV and tuberculosis

Johnson & Johnson has unveiled plans to invest over $500m in the next four years to help end the epidemics of HIV and tuberculosis (TB).

Icosavax launches with $51m Series A financing to advance computationally designed VLP vaccines

Icosavax announced the launch of the company with a $51 million Series A financing, led by Qiming Venture Partners USA and joined by Adams Street Partners, Sanofi Ventures and NanoDimension, with continuing support from its seed investors.

Goldfinch Bio, Takeda sign deal for CB1 monoclonal antibody to treat rare and metabolic kidney diseases

Goldfinch Bio, a U.S.-based, clinical stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing precision medicines for the treatment of kidney diseases, today announced it entered into a license agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) for worldwide rights to a preclinical, peripherally-restricted cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) monoclonal antibody.

Elicio Therapeutics completes $33m Series B Financing

Elicio Therapeutics, a next generation immuno-oncology company, announced today that it has closed its $33 million Series B financing.