Medicines Co. sells infectious disease unit to put more money into PCSK9 drug

Pure-play antibiotics developer Melinta has agreed to acquire the unit for $270 million in guaranteed cash and equity.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 29, 2017

AstraZeneca outlicenses Brilinta reversal agent

Though still preclinical, PB2452 could bolster the safety profile of AstraZeneca's blood thinner if it reaches the market.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 28, 2017

How Anthem's new PBM will impact pharma

David Henka, CEO of RxTE Health, sat down with BioPharma Dive to discuss the implications of a new pharmacy benefit manager entering the marketplace. 

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 28, 2017

Biogen, Alkermes hook up on Tecfidera follow-on

Biogen is looking to limit competition to its blockbuster multiple sclerosis drug by buying into a follow-on version being developed by Alkermes. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 28, 2017

BioMarin sells latest PRV for $125M

The biotech monetized its coveted priority review voucher, boosting its finances.

By Lisa LaMotta • Nov. 27, 2017

AMR Centre launches, announces new antimicrobial agreement

The launch of the AMR Centre at Alderley Park in the UK aims to fill the gap between basic research and the market for new antimicrobials.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 22, 2017

Prescribed Reading: FDA on approval streak, I/O shines

The regulatory agency granted seven approvals this week, including the first pill with a digital sensor, as well as the go-ahead for a new hemophilia drug. 

By Lisa LaMotta • Nov. 17, 2017

Merck strikes autoimmune deal with newly emerged Cue

The deal is right on cue, as the startup only emerged from stealth mode in January.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 17, 2017

Purdue pivots to oncology amidst opioid crisis

Better known for its prescription painkillers, the company has added four cancer drugs to its arsenal as backlash from the U.S. opioid epidemic intensifies.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 15, 2017

Loxo parlays cancer drug success into $1.5B deal with Bayer

The German drugmaker will pay $400 million upfront for partial rights to Loxo's rare cancer drug, lured by the promise of precision medicine.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 14, 2017

Zymeworks adds 6th pharma partner with J&J deal

The large pharma will pay $50 million upfront to gain access to Zymeworks' bispecific antibody platforms.

By Ned Pagliarulo • Nov. 13, 2017

Dynacure secures rights to Ionis rare disease drug

A collaboration between the companies takes a step forward, with the French biotech licensing one of Ionis' early-stage antisense candidates.

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 10, 2017

Prescribed Reading: Buyer's remorse for biopharma

Most of the major deal developments of late have been companies handing back the rights to assets they previously licensed as they try to right-size portfolios. 

By Lisa LaMotta • Nov. 10, 2017

Sanofi picks up BTK inhibitor for MS development

After ending its fruitful deal with Regeneron, Sanofi acquires a new asset to add to its roster of potential blockbusters. 

By Lisa LaMotta • Nov. 9, 2017

Takeda pursuing needle-free delivery for its top-selling biologic

Linking up with Portal Instruments, the pharma is developing a device that uses pressurized liquid to administer biologics and plans to test it first with Entyvio.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 8, 2017

Dermira drops UCB drug to fund other launches

Returning Cimzia rights gets Dermira $11 million in 2017 and $39 million in 2018 that could help fund its late-stage portfolio. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Nov. 7, 2017

Valeant hands Sprout back to former owners

Despite paying $1 billion to buy the company two years ago, Valeant never found success in selling Sprout's female libido drug Addyi.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 6, 2017

Mallinckrodt continues pipeline revamp with Ocera buy

The deal gives Mallinckrodt access to hepatic encephalopathy drug OCR-002, which the company believes can make a turn around in the clinic.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 3, 2017

Prescribed Reading: Cancer market facing several shake-ups

Merck pulled a Keytruda application in Europe, and AstraZeneca got a key approval for Calquence — decisions that could have dramatic impacts on different areas of the oncology space. 

By Lisa LaMotta • Nov. 3, 2017

Boehringer's NASH dash gets a boost from Dicerna

The German drugmaker and the Massachusetts biotech have entered a research and licensing deal focused on RNAi therapies for the prominent liver disease.

By Jacob Bell • Nov. 2, 2017

Pfizer ready for a fight as biosimilar sales continue to lag

The big pharma is taking on rival J&J in an effort to gain market share for its biosimilar of blockbuster RA drug Remicade.

By Lisa LaMotta • Oct. 31, 2017

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma and Poxel strike $300M Asian deal

Poxel's shares spiked up on a deal that will give the European biopharma a foothold in Asian markets. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Oct. 31, 2017

AstraZeneca hands Mereo rights to lung drug

In yet another sale, the big drugmaker is giving up an exclusive license to AZD9668 that includes an option to acquire.

By Jacob Bell • Oct. 30, 2017

Novartis bolsters oncology with $3.9B Advanced Accelerator buy

Advanced Accelerator, a specialist in so-called radiopharmaceuticals, recently won EU approval for a treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • Oct. 30, 2017

Prescribed Reading: Disappointing quarters all around

With some exceptions, third quarter reports so far have largely been a letdown for the sector, lowering expectations as investors turn toward 2018. 

By Lisa LaMotta • Oct. 27, 2017