March 2010

Eli Lilly to acquire European rights to Pfizer Animal Health assets

March 8, 2010

Elanco, the animal health division of Eli Lilly has signed an agreement to acquire the European rights to a portfolio of certain Pfizer Animal Health products. The products, including vaccines, parasiticides and feed additives, are used in both the production animal and companion animal markets.

Lilly will acquire European rights to a portfolio of marketed products, as well as a biological manufacturing facility in Sligo, Ireland. In return, Pfizer will receive an undisclosed upfront payment. In order to ensure an uninterrupted supply of product to customers, both companies also have signed corresponding manufacturing supply agreements. Closing of the transaction is contingent upon clearance from European regulatory authorities and other customary closing conditions. No other terms of the transaction were disclosed.

Watson to acquire US rights to Crinon progesterone gel product line

March 4, 2010

Watson will provide Columbia with an initial $47 million payment and will receive exclusive progesterone gel product rights in the U.S. and 11.2 million newly issued shares of Columbia common stock. Watson will also have the right to designate a member of Columbia's board of directors. Additional contingent payments related to the successful completion of clinical development milestones, receipt of regulatory approvals and product launches could total approximately up to $45.5 million. Watson will also pay Columbia a royalty on Watson's sales of the progesterone gel product and any next generation products. Columbia will be responsible for the anticipated clinical and regulatory costs related to obtaining approval for the progesterone gel product for prevention of preterm birth in women with a short cervix. Excess development costs over a defined cap, if any, as well as costs related to the development of the second generation product will be the responsibility of Watson. Pursuant to a supply agreement, Columbia will be responsible for manufacturing the progesterone gel products.

Abbott to collaborate with GlaxoSmithKline on molecular diagnostic test to select candidate patients for future skin cancer immunotherapy

March 4, 2010

Agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to develop a molecular diagnostic test intended for use as an aid in selecting patients who may benefit from a skin cancer treatment in development by GSK.

Abbott, in conjunction with GSK, will develop and commercialize a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test for use on the Abbott m2000™ automated molecular instrument system. The test will be designed to detect MAGE-A3, a tumor-specific antigen that is expressed in skin cancer and a wide variety of other cancers, but not in normal cells. In July 2009, both companies announced a similar collaboration and Phase III investigation for the MAGE-A3 marker in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Allergan in pact for new pain drug

March 3, 2010

Allergan will grant to Bristol-Myers Squibb exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize AGN-209323 and backup compounds. The agreement encompasses all potential indications except ophthalmology indications for products formulated for local delivery to the eye, where Allergan will retain certain rights. Bristol-Myers Squibb will make an upfront payment of $40 million, potential AGN-209323 related development- and regulatory-based milestone payments of up to $373 million, and royalty payments on worldwide sales.

Transition Therapeutics and Eli Lilly in licensing deal for series of preclinical compounds

March 3, 2010

Transition will receive exclusive worldwide rights to develop and potentially commercialize a class of compounds that, in preclinical diabetes models showed potential to provide glycemic control and other beneficial effects including weight loss.

Sanofi-Aventis and Novalar Pharmaceuticalsin exclusive license agreement to commercialize OraVerse in Germany

March 3, 2010

Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland will have the right to commercialize and market Novalar's OraVerse in Germany with options to extend the license to additional European countries. OraVerse is the first and only local anesthesia reversal agent that accelerates the return of normal sensation and function following routine dental procedures. OraVerse is approved for use in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration and sold by Novalar direct to dentists.

Abbott and GSK collaborate on molecular diagnostic test to select candidate patients for future skin cancer immunotherapy

March 3, 2010

Abbott, in conjunction with GSK, will develop and commercialize a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test for use on the Abbott m2000(TM) automated molecular instrument system. The test will be designed to detect MAGE-A3, a tumor-specific antigen that is expressed in skin cancer and a wide variety of other cancers, but not in normal cells. In July 2009, both companies announced a similar collaboration and Phase III investigation for the MAGE-A3 marker in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Gentronix signs three year agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for GreenScreen HC and BlueScreen HC genotoxicity assays

March 3, 2010

This agreement extends the existing relationship between Gentronix and GSK in respect of GreenScreen HC, to include the use by GSK of BlueScreen HC in 384 well format, the latest Gentronix human cell reporter-based assay for compound profiling.

To-BBB technologies and GlaxoSmithKline to collaborate on brain delivery of biologic product

March 3, 2010

to-BBB will work with scientists at the GSK R&D centre in Shanghai, China to further evaluate the brain delivery of treatments enhanced with to-BBB’s G-Technology.

WuXi PharmaTech in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical R&D for preclinical services and training

March 2, 2010

WuXi PharmaTech will become a provider of toxicology and other non-clinical services to JANSSEN. In addition, JANSSEN will provide training and other services, reimbursed by WuXi, to establish the GLP quality system and technical capabilities to meet the international standards at WuXi's toxicology facility in Suzhou, China.

Astellas Pharma commences tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of OSI Pharmaceuticals for $52 per share

March 2, 2010

The offer and withdrawal rights are scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight New York City time on March 31, 2010, unless the offer is extended.

Immunovaccine signs licensing deal with Pfizer Animal Health to develop third livestock vaccine

March 2, 2010

Pfizer Animal Health will exercise a licensing option on the Company's vaccine enhancement and delivery platform to develop a third livestock vaccine. This represents an important milestone for Immunovaccine as it further validates the potential of its vaccine platform, and enables the Company to apply the upfront signing fees, and any milestone and royalty payments to further advance its vaccine pipeline.

Merck KGaA to buy Millipore in US $7.2 billion deal

March 1, 2010

Merck KGaA will acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Millipore, for US$ 107 per share in cash, or a total transaction value, including net debt, of approximately EUR 5.3 billion (US$ 7.2 billion). The transaction was approved by the boards of directors of both companies. Millipore and Merck will create a EUR 2.1 billion (US$ 2.9 billion) world-class partner for the Life Science sector, achieving significant scale in high-margin specialty products with an attractive growth profile.

AstraZeneca exercises option to acquire Merck's interest in partnership products

March 1, 2010

Those products are Atacand(TM), Lexxel(TM), Plendil(TM) and Entocort(TM) plus certain products currently in clinical development. In April, Merck will receive a payment of $647 million which represents the net present value as of March 31, 2008 for the company's share of the projected pretax revenue for the non-PPI products.

Baxter to acquire all outstanding equity of ApaTech

March 1, 2010

Definitive agreement whereby Baxter will acquire all of the outstanding equity of ApaTech for total consideration of up to $330 million. As a result of the acquisition, Baxter will acquire ACTIFUSE, a silicate substituted calcium phosphate synthetic bone graft material which is currently marketed in the United States, E.U., and other select markets around the world, and manufacturing and R&D facilities located in the U.K., United States and Germany.

Watson Pharmaceuticals licenses Population Council's novel contraceptive ring

March 1, 2010

Exclusive licensing agreement to commercialize the Population Council's investigational contraceptive vaginal ring in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The ring, which contains two hormonal products - ethinyl estradiol and Nestorone®, a novel, synthetic progestin - is currently in Phase 3 clinical development.

Watson will pay the Population Council an undisclosed licensing fee and make additional payments based on the achievement of certain regulatory and sales performance milestones. If the product is successfully commercialized, Watson also will pay royalties based on sales in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As a result of this agreement, Watson will assume responsibility for specific future development, regulatory, and marketing expenses related to the commercialization of the contraceptive ring. In addition, the agreement has special provisions for providing the product to certain public-sector organizations.

Teva to market Parkinson's drug in China for Lundbeck

March 1, 2010

The agreement gives Teva the right to market Azilect in China and five other Asian countries. Lundbeck will be responsible for conducting clinical trials of the drug and obtaining SFDA approval.

February 2010

Regulus Therapeutics and GlaxoSmithKline in new collaboration to develop and commercialize microRNA therapeutics targeting miR-122

February 25, 2010

Regulus will receive additional upfront and early-stage milestone payments with the potential to earn more than $150 million in miR-122-related combined payments, and tiered royalties up to double digits on worldwide sales of products.

Basilea Pharmaceutica partners with Astellas for late atage anti-fungal

February 24, 2010

Basilea will receive an upfront payment of CHF 75 million and will be eligible to receive up to CHF 478 million in additional payments on achievement of pre-specified development and sales milestones. Basilea will also receive significant double-digit tiered royalties on sales. Astellas is granted an exclusive right to commercialize isavuconazole whereas Basilea retains an option to co-promote the product in the United States, Canada, major European countries and the People's Republic of China. Basilea and Astellas will jointly participate in the development of isavuconazole. Astellas will lead the development and contribute the majority of the investments required for completing the clinical development program investigating isavuconazole in the treatment of patients with invasive fungal infections caused by Aspergillus or other filamentous fungi (mold infections) and Candida fungi (yeast infections). Basilea will initially manage manufacturing. Astellas has the right to take over the management of manufacturing and will bear manufacturing costs for commercial supply and commercialization costs.

Eli Lilly, Merck and Pfizer join forces to accelerate research and improve treatment of lung and gastric cancers in Asia

February 23, 2010

Formation of the Asian Cancer Research Group, Inc., (ACRG), an independent, not-for-profit company established to accelerate research and ultimately improve treatment for patients affected with the most commonly-diagnosed cancers in Asia.

Viamet and Novartis Option Fund targeting metalloenzymes deal

February 23, 2010

Licensing option agreement with the Novartis Option Fund. Under terms of the agreement, Viamet will utilize its proprietary Metallophile Technology to discover and develop novel metalloenzyme inhibitors against a specific metalloenzyme of high interest to Novartis. The agreement includes an upfront fee and potential milestones totaling over $200 million as well as product royalties.

CellCentric licenses novel epigenetic discovery program to Takeda

February 23, 2010

CellCentric will receive from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited an upfront payment and pre-clinical and clinical milestones, in addition to royalties. Based on the royalties and milestones defined, the overall deal could be worth in excess of $200m to CellCentric over the course of the agreement.

ExonHit announces inclusion of lead compounds into Allergan collaboration

February 23, 2010

ExonHit will continue to lead the medicinal chemistry effort related to this target. The compounds are active against a new enzyme target potentially useful for therapeutic development in ophthalmology and neurodegenerative indications. Milestone and royalty terms of the existing collaboration agreement will apply to these compounds and the products derived from them.

DURECT and Nycomed amend POSIDUR license agreement to separate funding and control of US and EU clinical programs and to expand territory

February 22, 2010

The amendment provides DURECT with final decision-making authority over clinical trials intended for the U.S. registration of POSIDUR and Nycomed with decision-making authority over clinical trials for the E.U. and other countries licensed to it. DURECT will have funding responsibility for all current and future clinical trials intended for U.S. registration of POSIDUR and, commencing April 1, 2010, Nycomed will have sole funding responsibility for all clinical trials intended for E.U. registration of OPTESIA (Nycomed's brand name for this drug candidate). The parties are not altering the final decision making authority and financial responsibility for the remainder of the development activities, such as the non-clinical and CMC activities, which will continue to be jointly managed and funded by DURECT and Nycomed. The amendment further expands the territories licensed to Nycomed to include China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Venezuela. DURECT retains full ownership of POSIDUR in the U.S., Canada, Japan and other territories not granted to Nycomed.

Viamet and Novartis Option Fund enter agreement for development of metalloenzyme inhibitors

February 22, 2010

Viamet will utilize its proprietary Metallophile Technology to discover and develop novel metalloenzyme inhibitors against a specific metalloenzyme of high interest to Novartis. The agreement includes an upfront fee and potential milestones totaling over $200 million as well as product royalties.

Joint research and option for license agreement between NasVax and Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics

February 22, 2010

The parties will jointly investigate the feasibility of developing improved vaccines through incorporation of the Company's adjuvant technology (VaxiSomeTM), among which is an improved vaccine for Influenza (including Swine Flu). The Company also granted Novartis an option to acquire a non-exclusive license to use VaxiSome in connection with certain of Novartis' vaccines.

The parties will conduct joint research and in addition, the Company has granted Novartis an option to acquire a non-exclusive license to use the Company's adjuvant technology for the development of improved vaccines for certain indications in Novartis' existing vaccines portfolio (the "Option"). The Option will be exercisable for a period of up to 14 months after the Agreement's effective date and may be extended by Novartis requests under certain conditions. If exercised, a license will be granted to Novartis under such commercial terms as shall be agreed between the parties and that will include, among other things, milestone payments and royalties for the sales of vaccines marketed by Novartis that include the Company's technology.

Ark Therapeutics signs preferred supplier memorandum with Merck to manufacture adenoviral medicines

February 19, 2010

The appointment as preferred manufacturing supplier is subject to the signing of a binding detailed manufacturing agreement.

BG Medicine collaborates with Merck & Co on development of blood test related to lipid disorders

February 17, 2010

Merck has granted BG Medicine a semi-exclusive license to certain Merck intellectual property and technologies for use and development of a candidate in vitro diagnostic test in exchange for certain testing services, data sharing, and other considerations. BG Medicine is eligible for certain payments upon achievement of established milestones.

Roche Molecular Systems collaborates with Merck Sharp & Dohme on developmental test for cancer-related gene mutation investigational AmpliChip p53 test

February 17, 2010

Research collaboration with Merck Sharp & Dohme providing Merck access to Roche's developmental microarray-based AmpliChip p53 Test, which is designed to detect mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53. By identifying cancers that harbor a dysfunctional p53 gene, the companies aim to achieve better treatment outcomes in cancer patients by determining which patients are most likely to respond to certain investigational therapeutic candidates.

Merck & Co returns rights to anti-fungal therapy to Anacor

February 12, 2010

Merck has returned full worldwide development and commercialization rights for AN2690 to Anacor. AN2690 is a topical anti-fungal therapy being developed for onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nail and nail bed.

Daiichi Sankyo to launch products in Mexico through Ranbaxy Laboratories

February 11, 2010

Additionally, the companies have agreed to promote prasugrel, an anti-platelet co-developed by Daiichi Sankyo and Eli Lilly and Company, in Mexico. Prasugrel will be co-promoted by Lilly's affiliate in Mexico.

Boehringer Ingelheim to acquire Japanese consumer-drug producer SSP

February 10, 2010

Boehringer Ingelheim is in talks to make Japanese subsidiary SSP Co Ltd wholly-owned in a deal worth more than 30 billion yen ($335 million). Boehringer currently owns 60 percent of SSP, a maker of over-the-counter drugs.

Debiopharm grants Novartis exclusive licence for development, manufacture and commercialisation of Debio 025

February 9, 2010

Novartis will pay Debiopharm an upfront, development and sales milestones as well as royalties. This transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Teva acquires marketing rights for oral Laquinimod in the Nordic and Baltic regions

February 8, 2010

Teva extended its marketing and distribution rights to include the Nordic and Baltic regions, previously held by Active Biotech. Active Biotech will receive a higher royalty rate for sales in these territories compared to the royalty rate set under the original licensing agreement signed in 2004 for sales in the rest of the world.

AnaptysBio in strategic collaboration with Merck

February 8, 2010

AnaptysBio will be responsible for generating novel antibodies to a specified disease target using its proprietary somatic hypermutation (SHM) technology platform. Merck will receive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize antibodies optimized by AnaptysBio. AnaptysBio has received an upfront sum and is eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties associated with the development and sale of any products derived from the collaboration.

Pfizer and DxS enter agreement to develop a companion diagnostic for brain tumor patients

February 5, 2010

Agreement to develop a companion diagnostic test kit for PF-04948568 (CDX-110), an immunotherapy vaccine in development for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Financial terms of the diagnostic agreement have not been disclosed.

GlaxoSmithKline signs $330 million deal with Apeiron Biologics

February 3, 2010

Under the deal, GSK will get exclusive rights to APN01, an experimental medicine in Phase I development for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Aspen Pharmacare in $1 million TB drugs deal with Eli Lilly

February 2, 2010

$1 million agreement with Eli Lilly to manufacture generic versions of the U.S. firm's tuberculosis medicines.

Abbott in cancer pact with Pierre Fabre

February 2, 2010

Exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Pierre Fabre SA to develop and commercialize h224G11, a pre-clinical monoclonal antibody identified at the Centre d'Immunologie Pierre Fabre (CIPF) in France and targeting the cMet receptor for the treatment of cancer. cMet protein plays a role in the progression of a range of solid tumors including, prostate, lung and gastric cancers and mediates resistance to chemotherapy. As part of the agreement, the companies also intend to collaborate on research to explore next-generation cMet antibodies.

Abbott will lead the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibodies targeting the cMet receptor. Pierre Fabre SA will receive an initial $25 million upfront payment and research funding to support further discovery efforts for two years. Additional terms of the agreement, including milestones and royalty payments, remain confidential.

NextGen to develop and validate protein biomarker assays for Takeda

February 2, 2010

The biomarker assays will be designed to target specific protein isoforms found in liver and muscle in multiple species, for use in preclinical studies, and will also be validated for use in clinical studies. NextGen Sciences’ Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) protein assay platform is ideal for studies of this kind, which involve multiple isoforms and multiple species.

Starpharma and Eli Lilly sign new drug delivery collaboration

February 1, 2010

New agreement with Eli Lilly under which Starpharma's dendrimer drug delivery technology will be applied to enhance compounds in Lilly's human pharmaceutical portfolio. The agreement relates to the delivery of certain human pharmaceuticals, and is separate and additional to the contract signed in May 2009 in which it was agreed that Starpharma and Elanco (Lilly's animal health division) would work together to develop new animal health products with enhanced properties. The Elanco collaboration continues in its own right.

Cephalon to buy generic firm Mepha for $590 million

February 1, 2010

Cephalon will buy Mepha AG, the Swiss generic drugmaker owned by Germany's Merckle family, for about $590 million (622.5 million Swiss francs) to diversify its product line and expand internationally.

January 2010

Amgen and Stiefel in Enbrel promotion pact

January 28, 2010

The deal is limited to U.S. dermatologists and the partnership “has no impact” on another Amgen co-promotion agreement with Pfizer Inc., London-based Glaxo said in an e- mailed statement today. Amgen and Pfizer market Enbrel in North America, and Pfizer sells Enbrel outside of the region.

Imperial Innovations licences meningjitis B vaccine to Novartis

January 27, 2010

Novartis has been granted a worldwide, exclusive licence to the intellectual property (IP) for a novel vaccine candidate against Meningitis B. Innovations has received an upfront payment and is entitled to ongoing IP licence fees, success based milestones and royalties on product sales. Further financial terms are not disclosed.

Fluidigm and Bayer CropScience enter global agreeement for marker-assisted breeding and quality control

January 27, 2010

Bayer CropScience will be using Fluidigm technology to conduct marker-assisted breeding, genetic analysis in its molecular breeding program and quality control on its vegetable seeds.

Envoy Therapeutics enters diabetes and obesity collaboration with Merck & Co

January 26, 2010

Envoy will use its proprietary bacTRAP® technology to identify proteins expressed specifically in certain cell types. Merck will then work to identify and develop compounds that modulate protein targets with therapeutic potential for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Merck will pay Envoy an upfront fee and research funding. In addition, Envoy is eligible to receive payments upon achievement of certain milestones associated with development of drug candidates and royalties on any products derived from the collaboration.

Tripos licenses Benchware Discovery 360 to Pfizer

January 26, 2010

Pfizer will license to Tripos certain rights to its internally-developed discovery informatics system, RGate, and Tripos will extend capabilities within D360 to accommodate Pfizer’s unique requirements. D360 will provide a leading technology to Pfizer scientists, while leveraging investment in their legacy system to reduce cost and create a modern, best-of-breed platform for drug discovery and development.

Penwest in fourth R&D agreement with Otsuka

January 25, 2010

Penwest to develop a formulation of an undisclosed Otsuka compound utilizing Penwest's TIMERx drug delivery technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Penwest will receive undisclosed fees and payments.

Alize Pharma signs research collaboration and license option agreement With Eli Lilly

January 25, 2010

Lilly will pay an undisclosed upfront fee and both companies will collaborate on Alizé's AZP-01 project. In return, Lilly will be granted an exclusive option to license the program according to predefined terms. Other terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Pfizer selects ChemAxon's Markush platform

January 22, 2010

Agreement with Pfizer to provide its Markush searching and structure enumeration functionality for global development and deployment within Pfizer's global R&D facilities.

b3 bio in discovery collaboration with Roche

January 21, 2010

Roche will have certain rights for further development and/or commercialization of such technologies. As part of this agreement, Roche will increase its equity investment in b3 bio as well as providing development funds.

Almac Group to undertake evaluation FLEXYTE protein kinase assays for AstraZeneca

January 20, 2010

During the evaluation period AstraZeneca will assess the performance of the FLEXYTE™ platform in its laboratories against specific targets of interest.

Alcon to purchase ophthalmic pharmaceutical assets from Sirion Therapeutics

January 19, 2010

The two products purchased are Durezol, a marketed ophthalmic corticosteroid approved for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with eye surgery, and Zirgan, a recently approved antiviral for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis (corneal ulcers). In addition to these marketed products, Alcon also acquired the global rights, excluding Latin America, for Zyclorin. This product is currently in clinical development to treat dry eye and other ocular surface diseases.

Boehringer Ingelheim and Priaxon in collaboration to research and develop novel treatments for cancer

January 19, 2010

Boehringer Ingelheim will lead development and commercialisation of the potential mdm2/p53 inhibitor products to capitalise on its global marketing and sales expertise. Boehringer Ingelheim will pay significant up-front and near-term payments to Priaxon including research funding to support further discovery efforts. In addition, Priaxon will be eligible to receive from Boehringer Ingelheim EUR 86 million in milestone payments upon achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones as well as royalties on potential future net sales of products.

The companies will work jointly to identify and advance candidates into pre-clinical development. Thereafter, Boehringer Ingelheim will drive the development and commercialisation of the potential cancer treatments arising from the collaboration.

AstraZeneca and Dako in agreement to develop companion diagnostics for cancer treatments

January 19, 2010

Under the agreement, the companies will work together to develop diagnostic tests to help physicians determine the most appropriate cancer treatment for patients. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The collaboration will leverage Dako's position as a leader in cancer diagnostics and a strong partner in the development of diagnostic tests used in conjunction with drug therapies. AstraZeneca will bring its extensive experience in the development and commercialization of vital oncology products worldwide.

GenVec inks licensing deal with Novartis

January 19, 2010

GenVec and Novartis will collaborate to discover and develop novel treatments for hearing loss and balance disorders. Preclinical results suggest that delivery of the atonal gene using GenVec's innovative adenovector technology may have the potential to restore hearing and balance function.

Under terms of the agreement, GenVec is licensing the world-wide rights to its preclinical hearing loss and balance disorders program to Novartis. GenVec will receive a $5 million upfront payment and Novartis has purchased $2 million in GenVec common stock. In addition, GenVec will receive funding from Novartis for a research program focused on developing additional adenovectors for hearing loss. If certain clinical, regulatory and sales milestones are met, GenVec is eligible to receive up to $213.6 million, including upfront and milestone payments, in addition to royalties on future sales.

KINAXO Biotechnologies extends collaboration with Roche

January 14, 2010

Under the agreement KINAXO will apply its phosphoproteomics technology PhosphoScout® to support targeted treatment approaches currently under development at Roche. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Cellectis grants Bayer license to use homologous recombination patents

January 13, 2010

Bayer has acquired a license to use Cellectis’ patent family WO9011354 covering homologous recombination aimed to introduce new features into the genome. This global license includes the use of the Institut Pasteur technology relating to homologous recombination to obtain and utilize certain transgenic animals in pharmaceutical research, in all countries, including Japan. The terms of the contract have not been disclosed.

AstraZeneca and CrystalGenomics form research collaboration to develop anti-infective treatments

January 13, 2010

The goal of the collaboration is to generate optimized lead compounds against a pre-agreed bacterial target, furthering AstraZeneca's ability to progress novel targets in this important therapeutic area. To accomplish this, CrystalGenomics will use its structure-based drug discovery platform technology to optimise selected novel scaffolds from AstraZeneca's proprietary compound library against an antibacterial target which has been validated by AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca and CrystalGenomics will perform in-vitro enzyme and cell based assays, structure determination, medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetic studies, toxicology tests and pharmacological evaluations under this collaboration. AstraZeneca will be responsible for preclinical and clinical development and commercialisation.

MedGenesis Therapeutix in agreement with Amgen

January 12, 2010

Agreement with Amgen granting MedGenesis an exclusive, worldwide license for glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor protein in CNS and non-CNS indications, subject to the rights of a co-exclusive licensee for CNS indications in certain countries, as further described below. As part of the license agreement, Amgen now holds a small equity stake in MedGenesis.

Proteus Biomedical in license and collaboration agreement with Novartis for sensor-based pharmaceuticals

January 12, 2010

Exclusive worldwide license and collaboration agreement with Novartis to develop and commercialize pharmaceutical products that incorporate Proteus’ novel sensor-based technologies in the field of organ transplantation. Novartis also receives certain option rights in cardiovascular and oncology product applications, as well as rights to use Proteus technologies in its clinical development of pharmaceutical products.

Trillium Therapeutics and Biogen Idec enter global license agreement

January 12, 2010

TTI will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive milestone payments based on achievements of specified clinical, regulatory and commercial accomplishments. TTI will also receive royalties on global product sales. No other financial terms were disclosed. Biogen Idec will be solely responsible for clinical development, regulatory approvals, manufacturing and commercialization.

Sanofi-Aventis commences tender offer for Chattem

January 11, 2010

The transaction is a significant milestone in sanofi-aventis' transformational strategy.

AnaptysBio in agreement with Roche to develop novel antibodies

January 11, 2010

AnaptysBio will be responsible for generating novel antibodies using its proprietary somatic hypermutation (SHM) platform. Roche will receive a worldwide license to develop and commercialize antibodies optimized by AnaptysBio. In addition to a signing fee paid by Roche, AnaptysBio will be eligible to receive milestone payments and royalties upon product sales.

KaloBios partners with Sanofi Pasteur on novel prevention and treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa

January 11, 2010

KaloBios will receive an upfront payment of $35 million from Sanofi Pasteur, plus development, regulatory and commercial milestones for a potential further $255 million, as well as royalties on eventual product sales. Sanofi Pasteur also has the option to acquire commercial rights to KaloBios’ indications for KB001 outside the United States and co-promotion rights in the United States.

GlaxoSmithKline in Traficet-EN licensing deal with ChemoCentryx

January 11, 2010

ChemoCentryx will receive an option exercise fee of $35 million and may be eligible for further regulatory milestone payments. Following successful development and commercialization of any of the candidate compounds, ChemoCentryx will also receive double-digit royalties on product sales with the ability to increase royalties by co-funding development through Phase III clinical trials and co-promoting to physician specialists in North America. GSK will now assume responsibility for the continued development of CCX282-B in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease. Potential ulcerative colitis studies will also be considered for this product candidate.

BioMimetic strengthens agreement with Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics for exclusive supply of rhPDGF-BB

January 7, 2010

Under the revised agreement, the contract was extended by three years with successive three year evergreen extension periods. Further, either company must give a six month termination notice in any extension period if they wish to discontinue the agreement for any reason. In the event that Novartis terminates the agreement, or if BioMimetic terminates the agreement for cause, Novartis is required to support technology transfer by providing to a new manufacturer all Novartis technology and supporting documentation necessary to produce bulk rhPDGF-BB and to supply BioMimetic sufficient bulk rhPDGF-BB to fulfill its needs during the technology transfer process. Finally, the companies reduced certain minimum purchase obligations through 2011, by which time the parties anticipate that BioMimetic’s Augment will be FDA approved for orthopedic applications.

Clinical candidate from PKB/AKT collaboration with Astex Therapeutics selected by AstraZeneca

January 7, 2010

AstraZeneca’s collaboration with Astex on the drug discovery programme began in 2005. The selection of a promising clinical candidate triggers a significant milestone payment and Astex, the ICR and CRT are eligible to receive further milestones and royalties during clinical development and commercialisation of the candidate. AstraZeneca will be responsible for progressing the clinical candidate through clinical development and into the market.

AstraZeneca in deal with Teva for Nexium

January 7, 2010

Under the terms of the omeprazole agreement, Teva will obtain a release for all past sales of its generic omeprazole and will continue to market its product in the U.S. and will make a one-time payment to AstraZeneca. As part of the esomeprazole agreement, AstraZeneca has granted Teva a license, subject to regulatory approval, to enter the U.S. market with its generic esomeprazole delayed-release capsules on May 27, 2014, or earlier in certain circumstances.

Pfizer and Debiopharm collaborate to co-develop Tremelimumab in advanced melanoma

January 7, 2010

A co-development agreement to conduct a Phase 3 trial of tremelimumab (CP675,206), a fully human anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of patients with unresectable, Stage IV melanoma. A biomarker will be used to select patients considered likely to respond to tremelimumab. Debiopharm will assume responsibility for conducting the phase 3 trial of tremelimumab and Pfizer will retain responsibility for worldwide commercialization of the compound.

Ensemble Discovery initiates collaboration with Pfizer to develop novel drugs against protein-protein interaction targets

January 6, 2010

The collaboration will deploy Ensemble’s proprietary drug discovery platforms and EnsemblinTM compound libraries to discover and advance drug candidates. Pfizer will provide upfront and research payments to Ensemble and will have the right to develop and commercialize any products arising from the collaboration. In addition, Ensemble will receive development milestones plus royalties based on worldwide sales of any drugs emerging from the alliance and commercialized by Pfizer.

The goal of the alliance is to develop Ensemblins against important therapeutic targets, particularly those involving protein-protein interactions. Ensemblins are a new class of oral drugs developed by Ensemble to address disease targets that cannot be modulated effectively by traditional small molecule pharmaceuticals.

Pfizer expands generics business with Strides Arcolab Limited deal

January 6, 2010

Pfizer expands generics business with Strides Arcolab Limited deal.

BioVectra in partnership with Sandoz to market Docetaxel in the USA

January 5, 2010

The company has reached commercial marketing and supply agreements with Sandoz Inc (a division of Novartis) to extend specific marketing rights within the U.S. for the drug to Sandoz.

Genzyme outsources manufacturing processes to Hospira

January 5, 2010

The agreement comes as Genzyme wrestles with manufacturing constraints that have led to shortages of two of its biggest-selling products.

TCG Life signs pact with Pfizer

January 5, 2009

The agreement would encompass developing compounds required for drug discovery.

Novartis seeks to buy rest of Alcon Laboratories for $39 billion

January 4, 2010

Exercised its option to purchase the remaining shares in Alcon, Inc. owned by Nestle S.A. at a weighted average price of US$180 per share in cash. The exercise is pursuant to an agreement between Nestle and Novartis that was executed on April 7, 2008. The option exercise is subject to regulatory approvals and covers approximately 156 million shares of Alcon held by Nestle, representing approximately 52 percent of Alcon’s outstanding shares. Upon consummation of the purchase, Novartis would own an approximate 77 percent interest in Alcon.

Dicerna in deal with Kyowa Hakko Kirin to develop RNAi cancer treatments

January 4, 2010

Dicerna will receive $4 million in upfront cash payments including research funding, and up to $120 million in additional research funding, development and commercial milestones for exclusive rights to one target in the field of oncology. According to the progress of the research collaboration, Kyowa Hakko Kirin and Dicerna may expand the scope of the collaboration by adding approximately up to 10 targets under similar terms and may broaden the therapeutic focus of the partnership. Dicerna is entitled to royalty payments on sales from products for these targets. Dicerna also has an option to equally co-promote and profit-share (50:50) in the United States for the initial target.

Evolva and Roche partner for novel cancer drugs

January 4, 2010

Roche will pay Evolva an up-front technology access fee and ongoing research fees to create anti-cancer and anti-infective compounds. Roche may also pay Evolva research and royalties.