By Maureen Martino Roche announced it is tapping Evotec’s PhosphoScout platform to discover protein activity-based biomarkers that predict dosing and efficacy of targeted cancer drugs. Over the next three years Roche and Evotech will conduct “multiple biomarker programs for therapeutic antibodies or small molecule inhibitors,” according to a release. The Swiss drug giant will be …
By John Carroll In another sign of just how hot antibodies have become in the rheumatoid arthritis arena, Abbott is plunking down $85 million up front and promising up to $385 million more to partner with Germany’s Biotest on a mid-stage mAb with strong potential to emerge as a therapeutic for RA and psoriasis. The …
By John Carroll There’s nothing new about partnering in drug development. It’s been going on for years. But the mantra on collaboration is becoming an article of faith these days, as a new analysis piece from Reuters helps illustrate. The trend story makes a few interesting points worth consideration. One of the hottest arenas for collaboration …
By Ryan McBride Boehringer Ingelheim has struck a deal with Zealand Pharma that gives the German drugmaker access to early-stage Type 2 diabetes and obesity candidates. It’s a pact that could support Boehringer’s growing diabetes business, as some analysts say Zealand’s lead compound has blockbuster potential. Zealand says it is eligible to get up to …
By John Carroll Watertown, MA-based pSivida is pocketing a $2.3 million payment from Pfizer as is preps for a Phase I/II study a bioerodible eye implant designed to provide sustained release of latanoprost, a well known glaucoma and ocular hypertension treatment. Under a revised agreement, Pfizer will have an option to take over the program after …
By Ryan McBride Merck has its eye on gaining a piece of the multi-billion dollar market for etanercept (Enbrel). The pharma giant has landed a deal to develop and commercialize a knockoff version of Amgen’s mega-blockbuster arthritis drug that was developed by South Korea-based Hanwha Chemical. Merck ($MRK) is shelling out $720 million to license …
By John Carroll Now that Vertex’s ($VRTX) lead blockbuster program for Incivek has crossed the finish line at the FDA, the biotech company is committing up to $775 million–$60 million upfront–to land global rights to two preclinical hepatitis C programs held by Alios BioPharma as it sets the stage for the development of future cocktail …
By John Carroll It’s not been an easy time for venture groups trying to make money in the biotech arena, says Terry McGuire, the co-founder of Polaris Venture Partners. The bleak prospects for IPOs have cast a pall over the VC companies, McGuire tells CNBC. And then there’s the growing amount of time it takes to …
By John Carroll With close to $800 million in the bank and an ambitious crew of executives now in charge, Biogen Idec’s research chief says the big biotech is actively hunting out new acquisitions and licensing deals. In an interview with Bloomberg, Doug Williams–the former head of ZymoGenetics until BMS bought the company out–highlighted Biogen’s interest …
By Tracy Staton Fresh off its acquisitions of U.S.-based Cephalon and Japan’s Taiyo Pharmaceuticals, generics giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is casting about for partners in India. Globesnews service reports that Teva chief Shlomo Yanai recently dropped in there on a scouting expedition for potential collaborations. Late last year, the drugmaker said it was in the market …