Drug Development Pharma - March 24, 2015
EC Approves Weight-Loss Drug
The European Commission has granted marketing authorization for Novo Nordisk’s Saxenda® (liraglutide 3 mg) for the treatment of obesity. The authorization covers all 28 European Union (EU) member states. Saxenda® is the first once-daily human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue for the treatment of obesity approved in Europe. Saxenda® is prescribed as a supplement to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical […]
Companies - March 23, 2015
Cortendo Names Board Members
John H. Johnson has been appointed chairman of the Cortendo AB board of directors and Richard Kollender named a director. The appointments were proposed by the nomination committee and approved by shareholders during the Extraordinary General Meeting on March 17. “We welcome the additions of John and Rich to Cortendo’s board of directors,” said Matthew […]
Acquisition - March 23, 2015
Deal for Genmab Holding, iDD
Genmab Holding B.V. a subsidiary of Genmab A/S, entered into an agreement to purchase antibodies and related patents from iDD Biotech SAS. The pre-clinical stage antibodies are directed to DR5, also known as Trail Receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2), an emerging cancer target. Under the terms of the agreement, Genmab is expected to pay iDD Biotech EUR 2.5 […]
Uncategorized - March 20, 2015
Playing Music Good for Brain
A University of Helsinki research group has identified the positive effects of music performance on the gene expression profiles of professional musicians from the Tapiola Sinfonietta orchestra and Sibelius-Academy music university. Playing music enhanced the activity of genes involved in dopaminergic neurotransmission, motor function, learning and memory, according to the study. Some of the up-regulated […]
Collaboration - March 20, 2015
WHO: Nations Must Cooperate
According to a new study from the World Health Organization (WHO), European countries need to consider working together more to afford new, more expensive pharmaceuticals entering the market. New therapies for chronic conditions like cancer, Type 2 diabetes and hepatitis C have come onto the scene—with hefty pricetags. “While these therapies are straining budgets across […]
Collaboration - March 20, 2015
AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo Ink Co-Commercialization Deal
AstraZeneca Thursday signed a co-commercialization agreement with Parsippany, N.J.-based Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. worth $825 million. According to the agreement, Daiichi Sankyo will pay AstraZeneca $200 million upfront and follow-up payments up to $625 million to handle manufacturing and sales of Movantik (naloxegol), a once-daily pill for people with opioid-induced constipation (OIC). AstraZeneca will oversee manufacturing […]
