PerkinElmer (NYSE:PKI) inked a deal today to acquire Euroimmun Medical Laboratory Diagnostics for $1.3 billion in cash. The move is an effort to expand into autoimmune and allergy diagnostic markets, according to the scientific instruments-maker. Germany-based Euroimmun has 2,400 employees and is expected to bring in $310 million in revenue this year. The acquisition, which […]
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Study: Induced pluripotent stem cells could yield accurate models for vascular disease
Smooth muscle and vascular endothelial cells induced from pluripotent stem cells could help model rare vascular diseases, according to a study published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine. Vascular diseases are tricky to study because they are hard to model and human tissue samples are scarce. An appropriate model for real blood vessels could enable researchers to […]
Scilex touts head-to-head study of lidocaine pain-relief patch
Sorrento Therapeutics (NSDQ:SRNE) subsidiary Scilex Pharmaceuticals touted data today from a head-to-head clinical adhesion study of its ZTlido lidocaine patch, comparing it to the EU reference product, Versatis. ZTlido is a lidocaine patch in development for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia – a severe neuropathic pain condition that affects elderly people and patients who have […]
Senate drug price hearing turns into debate over healthcare reform
Members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee gathered last week to discuss the rising costs of prescription drugs. But the hearing quickly morphed into a heated back-and-forth between senators over the Republican’s efforts to reform healthcare. Democratic senators, including Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), used their time to criticize […]
Gamida Cell lands $40m for late-stage NiCord trial
Gamida Cell said today that it raised $40 million to support the ongoing Phase III trial of its NiCord cell graft and expand its in-house manufacturing capacity. The private financing was led by new investor Shavit Capital. VMS Investment Group and Israel Biotech Fund joined existing investor Novartis in the round, as well as Clal Biotechnology […]
Study: Ekos ultrasound device provides relief to patients with chronic deep vein thrombosis
BTG (LON:BTG) touted data last week showing that patients with chronic deep vein thrombosis and post-thrombotic syndrome can be safely and effectively treated with the Ekos device and anti-coagulation drugs. The study’s protocol is the 1st treatment regimen proven to reduce the symptoms of PTS and demonstrate an improvement in quality of life for patients […]
FDA clears IND for Cerveau’s tau imaging agent
Cerveau Technologies said today that the FDA cleared the investigational new drug application for its tau imaging agent. The company plans to work with pharmaceutical partners to evaluate the product’s use in positron emission tomography scans to assess neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. NFTs composed of aggregated tau protein are characteristic of certain neurodegenerative conditions like […]
Novartiz unit Sandoz seeks FDA nod for generic Advair Diskus
Novartis (NYSE:NVS) unit Sandoz said today that the FDA has accepted the abbreviated new drug application for its generic version of Advair Diskus. The fluticasone propionate/salmeterol device is designed to treat asthma in patients ages 4 and older, as well as provide maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction and reduce exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive […]
Adamis up, Mylan down on generic EpiPen approval
Shares in Adamis Pharmaceuticals (NSDQ:ADMP) soared more than 50% yesterday after it won FDA approval for its generic EpiPen emergency allergy pre-filled syringe, sending shares in competitor Mylan (NSDQ:MYL) down -3%. For years, Mylan has commanded more than 90% of the market for emergency epinephrine injectors. Adamis’ device, called Symjepi, is intended to be a cheaper […]
Johnson & Johnson closes $30B Actelion buyout
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) closed its $30 billion buy of Swiss biotech firm Actelion, the company reported today. The US healthcare giant bought Actelion in an all-cash deal for $280 per share. The acquisition is expected to add $1.3 billion in sales for Johnson & Johnson in 2017, according to the company. “We are very […]