Biogen backs away from AGTC after gene therapy failure

The smaller biotech lost a main revenue source and about half its market cap as one of its candidates proved safe but ineffective in a rare eye disorder.

By Jacob Bell • Dec. 13, 2018

Bausch bids $200M for Synergy gut drug, eyeing turnaround opportunity

Synergy thought its IBS drug Trulance would find success in a growing market. Two years since approval, the company's filed for bankruptcy and put its assets up for sale.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Dec. 12, 2018

Lilly bets on AC Immune's tech to target Alzheimer's

The companies' focus will be on small molecules that inhibit aggregation of a protein many believe to be integral in Alzheimer's development.

By Jacob Bell • Dec. 12, 2018

Masthercell doubles capacity in production build-out

With the expansion, the CDMO aims to better support its cell therapy-focused clients as they advance candidates through testing. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Dec. 6, 2018

AbbVie nets 7th Humira biosimilar deal, pushing Pfizer entry to 2023

The settlement allows Pfizer to launch its copy in the U.S. at the end of 2023; a European launch can go ahead as soon as approval comes through.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Dec. 5, 2018

J&J picks up cancer antibody from Argenx in $500M deal

Argenx shares shot up by almost 14% as Janssen gets its hands on worldwide rights to cusatuzumab for hard-to-treat blood and bone cancer.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Dec. 4, 2018

Deal of the Year: Takeda buys Shire

The $62 billion takeout is the largest acquisition of a foreign company in Japan's history and would transform Takeda into the ninth largest pharma globally.

By Jacob Bell • Dec. 3, 2018

GSK buys Tesaro in $5.1B takeover deal

The British pharmaceutical giant sees PARP inhibitors as an undervalued therapeutic area and will lead efforts to expand Zejula's commercialization.

By Andrew Dunn • Dec. 3, 2018

M&A trends in 2019: Will the biotech bubble burst?

New technologies have driven higher valuations in pharma and biotech, yet some big bankers are uncertain how long that trend will hold.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 30, 2018

Sun Pharma acquires two manufacturing plants in deal for Japanese company

Acquiring Pola Pharma won't cost the Indian generics maker much, and boosts its dermatology presence in Japan.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 29, 2018

Roche joins NASH dash with Jecure buy

Still, Jecure's portfolio of preclinical assets leaves Roche far behind leaders in the space like Gilead and Intercept.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 28, 2018

England's NHS says Humira biosimilar pacts to save more than $300M

The U.K. agency called it the biggest discount for any single drug negotiation, which closely follows the launch in Europe of four copycats of AbbVie's drug.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 27, 2018

Cambrex acquires Avista in $250M deal

Analysts note the deal, which gives Cambrex facilities as well as new capabilities, will make the company more competitive in the CDMO space.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 21, 2018

Leo, PellePharm strike rare disease deal

The agreement directs Leo Pharma into the world of rare disease therapeutics, a route increasingly taken by drugmakers.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 21, 2018

Boehringer, Epizyme take aim at 'undruggable' cancer targets

A new deal between the companies focuses on two epigenetic targets linked with the development of cancer.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 16, 2018

Catalent bringing 2nd clinical supply facility to China

The contract manufacturer expects to invest $2.5 million in the facility and officially open it in early 2019.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 15, 2018

United Therapeutics licenses Arena's hypertension drug for $800M

The deal may help United, a company almost entirely focused on pulmonary arterial hypertension medicines, compete with main rival Johnson & Johnson.

By Andrew Dunn • Nov. 15, 2018

Sobi snags rights to AstraZeneca drugs in another immunology play

"Immunology now becomes the second leg to Sobi and it helps us to articulate what specialty care is about," the company's CEO said on the deal.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 13, 2018

Mylan, Theravance win FDA approval for COPD drug

The companies now face the daunting task of launching Yupelri into a market dominated by several heavyweight brands.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 12, 2018

Hikma, Vectura team up to target GSK respiratory drugs

Together, the companies plan to develop generic copies to at least three of GSK's lineup of Ellipta medicines.

By Kristin Jensen • Nov. 8, 2018

AstraZeneca sells 3 drugs for $350M upfront

In exchange for the upfront payment plus some milestones, Switzerland-based Covis Pharma gets access to Alvesco, Omnaris and Zetonna.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 7, 2018

Abeona inks deal with Regenxbio for gene therapy vector supply

Viral vectors are a key component of gene therapy development. Securing rights to Regenxbio's AAV9 vector could help accelerate Abeona's R&D work. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 6, 2018

Lilly snaps up regulatory 'fast pass' for bargain price

Past sales of priority review vouchers commanded prices far greater than the $80 million Lilly paid to Siga Technologies in this recent deal. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 2, 2018

Sanofi inks research deal with Denali in neurological, inflammatory diseases

The French pharma will pay $125 million upfront to get in on development of Denali's RIPK1 inhibitors, targeting several diseases including ALS and MS.

By Andrew Dunn • Nov. 1, 2018

M&A, debt dampen US healthcare risk profile, report finds

The number of investment grade bonds in healthcare has nearly tripled since 2008 to $609 billion, according to Fitch Ratings.

By Meg Bryant • Oct. 30, 2018