Drugs from companies, such as GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK), Gilead Sciences (NSDQ:GILD) and Merck (NYSE:MRK), are reportedly being considered for large-scale trials evaluating injectable HIV prevention therapies. Eventually, researchers hope to produce matchstick-sized implants that could provide year-long protection to vulnerable populations. Foster City, Calif.-based Gilead has a once-daily pill, Truvada, which prevents HIV infection during sex. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known […]
Researchers develop bioresorbable capsule for treating hemophilia
Researchers from the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a biodegradable capsule to deliver a protein therapy for hemophilia. The research, published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, could provide a cheaper, less painful alternative to injections or infusions. The capsule contains micro and nanoparticles which carry a protein […]
Galera adds $15m for Series B
Galera Therapeutics said today that it landed $15 million for its severe oral mucositis treatment, bringing its Series B financing total to $57 million. Sofinnova Ventures led the round, joining existing investors New Enterprise Associates, Novartis Venture Fund, Novo Ventures, Correlation Ventures, Enso Ventures and Galera Angels. The Malvern, Penn.-based company said the proceeds will be […]
Engineered sugar clusters could enable targeted drug delivery
Researchers have developed a method to engineer sugar clusters attached to proteins or lipids, called glycan complexes, to target particular organs of the body. A team from the Riken Biofunctional Synthetic Chemistry Laboratory in Japan and Kazan Federal University in Russia published their work in Advanced Science. The engineered sugar clusters could lead to glycocluster-based diagnostic tools with […]
Intec Pharma inks deal with Michael J. Fox Foundation for patient recruitment
Intec Pharma (NSDQ:NTEC) said today that it inked a deal with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to support the biopharmaceutical company’s patient recruitment and retention for its pivotal phase III trial. The study will evaluate Intec Pharma’s lead candidate, the “accordion pill” carbidopa/levodopa (AP-CD/LD), as a treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson’s […]
Catalent to float $400m debt offering
Catalent (NYSE:CTLT) said today that it plans to fund its acquisition of soft-gel pharmaceutical capsule manufacturer Accucaps Industries Ltd with a $400 million debt offering. The Somerset, N.J.-based company said the private placement offering of euro-dominated senior unsecured notes due in 2024 will also be used to repay some of the outstanding borrowings under its senior […]
Navidea deals NA Lymphoseek rights to Cardinal Health in $310m deal
Navidea Biopharmaceuticals (NYSE:NAVB) said today that it inked a definitive asset purchase agreement with Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH) for its Lymphoseek product. Dublin, Ohio-based Navidea said it’s due to receive $80 million at closing for the lymphatic mapping and lymph node biopsy product, plus the opportunity for $230 million in milestone payments through 2026. More than $20 […]
Researchers develop human lung model
(Reuters) – Czech scientists have developed a model of a functioning human lung that can be used to simulate problems like asthma or other chronic diseases and their treatments. The research group from the Brno University of Technology says its mechanical- and computer-based model of the lung can help devise treatment methods with more precision […]
J&J approaches Actelion
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is reportedly in preliminary discussions to buy Actelion Pharmaceuticals (VTX:ATLN) in a deal estimated to be as high as $247 (250 Swiss francs) per share, although the European biotech said there is no guarantee the deal will go through. J&J’s CEO Alex Gorsky said this year that the company is interested in deals […]
Orchard Therapeutics, UCLA land $20m for stem cell clinical trial
Orchard Therapeutics and researchers from the University of California Los Angeles Broad Stem Cell Research have been awarded $20 million from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s governing to fund a clinical trial for adenosine deaminase deficiency. The rare, inherited disorder is caused by mutations in a gene that encodes for adenosine deaminase. This results […]