CRISPR & Co are GMOs, says EU court
The EU Court of Justice has ruled that plants created using novel genome editing methods will be classed as genetically modified organisms and therefore have to follow the strict EU guidelines for GMOs.
Nabriva nabs market-ready antibiotic
Irish Nabriva Therapeutics plc has acquired San Diego-based antibiotics developer Zavante Therapeutics for 8.2 million shares plus US$97.5m in milestone payments.
TxCell snapped up by Sangamo
US gene editing expert Sangamo Therapeutics is set to acquire French biotech TxCell in an all-cash buyout of 72m on a debt- and cash-free basis.
Sobi in 387m orphan drug deal with Novimmune
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi) has signed a 387 deal with Swiss drug developer Novimmune for a late stage antibody targeting a rare haematology disorder.
Novartis pays 945m for eczema programme
European biotechs Morphosys and Galapagos have handed over their joint atopical dermatitis programme MOR106 to Novartis for up to 945m. The Swiss pharma giant aims to strengthen its commitment to lead immuno-dermatology, the company said.
IMI to spur on antibiotics research amidst big pharma pullback
The Innovative Medicines Initiative has launched a new Antimicrobial Resistance Accelerator Programme after Novartis announced its retreat from antibiotics research only days ago.
Roche granted breakthrough status for liver cancer combo
Roche announced today that the US-American Food and Drug Administration FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for the Swiss pharma giants mAb combination therapy for liver cancer.
Epigenetic biomarkers predict immunotherapy success
UK biotech Oxford BioDynamics has presented data showing that the companys blood test can predict patient response to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1.
Urovant launches US$150m IPO
Swiss biopharma company Urovant Sciences has launched its IPO on Nasdaq, seeking US$150m. The proceeds will go to Phase III trials for its overactive bladder treatment candidate vibegron.
Immunooncology: Genmab teams up with Immatics
Danish Genmab and German Immatics Biotechnologies are collaborating to discover and develop next-generation bispecific immunotherapies to develop therapeutics in multiple cancer indications.