Senseonics (NYSE:SENS) said today that it expanded its exclusive distribution agreement with Roche (PINK:RHHBY) for its implantable continuous glucose monitoring system for people with diabetes. The new agreement includes all of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, excluding Scandinavia, Finland and Israel. According to the agreement, Germantown, Maryland-based Senseonics has given Roche exclusive rights to promote, […]
Hedge funds betting on J&J after Actelion remains silent on takeover bid
Despite reports this week that Actelion Pharmaceuticals (VTX:ATLN) rejected Johnson & Johson‘s (NYSE:JNJ) 2nd takeover bid, hedge funds are piling into the Swiss biotech firm, encouraged by Actelion’s silence on the matter. The 2 companies have been engaged in informal talks for 2 months, according to Reuters, and the latest offer was pegged at 250 Swiss francs per share. […]
Mylan CEO Bresch accepts “full responsibility” for EpiPen price hikes
Mylan (NSDQ:MYL) CEO Heather Bresch reportedly accepted “full responsibility” for the company’s EpiPen price hikes that sparked outrage over the past 2 months, but defended the company’s actions while blaming an opaque industry that she said was not built for consumer engagement. The CEO made her remarks at the Forbes Healthcare Summit in New York on Thursday. “There are […]
Impel NeuroPharma closes $36m series C round for intranasal CNS treatments
Impel NeuroPharma Inc. said today that it closed a $36 million series C financing round to fund its pipeline of precision olfactory delivery (POD) intranasal devices. Life science firms venBIO, 5AM Ventures and Vivo Capital made investments in the round. Seattle-based Impel will get $21 million upfront and $15 million after it reaches development and […]
Modification to delivery polymer sidesteps allergic response
Researchers from Duke University have reconfigured the popular drug-delivery polymer, polyethylene glycol, to sidestep dangerous immune responses that have previously halted clinical trials. The team’s work was published in Nature Biomedical Engineering. Polyethylene glycol, PEG, is a polymer that is found in toothpaste and cosmetics, but is often used in pharmaceuticals. It can be attached to […]
Virus-inspired drug delivery system travels cell to cell
Researchers from the University of Utah and the University of Washington have developed self-assembling nanocages that are packaged within cell membranes and exported to travel from cell to cell, delivering therapeutics. The team’s work was published in Nature. The drug delivery system is inspired by a mechanism used by viruses to spread their infectious materials among […]
Late-stage trial fails for Aradigm’s inhaled antibiotic
Aradigm Corp. (NSDQ:ARDM) said today that its inhaled antibiotic failed in a late-stage clinical trial, sending the Hayward, Calif.-based company’s stock down -54% in premarket trading. Pulmaquin is a once-daily formulation containing ciprofloxacin, a widely prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotic. The inhaled drug was being tested to treat patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (non-CF BE) who have chronic […]
Actelion rejects J&J’s takeover offer
Swiss biotech firm Actelion Pharmaceuticals (VTX:ATLN) reportedly rejected Johnson & Johnson‘s (NYSE:JNJ) 2nd takeover offer, sending it shares down -6% in afternoon trading yesterday. The 2 companies have been engaged in informal talks for 2 months, according to Reuters, and the latest offer was pegged at 250 Swiss francs per share. J&J’s $270 billion bid for Actelion tempted shareholders, […]
BD’s Pyxis ES drug pump adopts Internet of Things
Becton Dickinson (NYSE:BDX) said today that it adopted the Windows 10 Internet of Things operating system for its automated drug-dispensing Pyxis ES system. The new operating system features long-term support and improved cybersecurity. The Windows 10 Internet of Things operating system boasts a 10-year support package and active security patches. It also offers new features […]
Propeller inks deal with Italian spirometer maker
Propeller Health said today that it inked a collaborative deal with Medical International Research to integrate MIR’s mobile and clinical spirometers into the Propeller system. Spirometry, measuring lung function by how much air is inhaled and exhaled, can help provide a physiological measurement for disease progression in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. […]