Prescribed Reading: Combos to take center stage at ASCO

On the eve of ASCO, some question the validity of certain combination testing for oncology drugs, pointing to the increased number of combo trials taking place. 

By Lisa LaMotta • June 2, 2017

Reworked deal gives Minerva cash windfall from Janssen

As a result of J&J's deal for Actelion, the pharma unit is handing rights to an insomnia candidate back to Minerva — delivering a boost to the biotech's share price.

By Suzanne Elvidge • June 2, 2017

Array and Ono hook up on two oncology drugs

Following its partnership of the cancer combo to Pierre Fabre in 2015, Array BioPharma sells off further rights for up to $188 million plus royalties in another regional deal.

By Suzanne Elvidge • June 2, 2017

Chiltern acquires Japanese CRO in Asia expansion bid

The multinational clinical services company acquired Integrated Development Associates, which has a base in Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 1, 2017

J&J puts $1B on the line for success of Protagonist drug

Janssen now holds exclusive rights to PTG-200, a candidate for inflammatory bowel disease that should enter early-stage testing in the second half of 2017.

By Jacob Bell • May 30, 2017

Prescribed Reading: FDA on a roll, while pharma continues sell off

The regulatory agency continues its approval spree, just as big pharma sells off older assets in its ongoing restructuring. 

By Lisa LaMotta • May 26, 2017

Merck, UnitedHealth explore improving value-based contracts

The big pharma and insurer are working on a multiyear project aimed at better understanding and optimizing pay-for-performance deals.

By Jacob Bell • May 26, 2017

Merck snags access to alternative Alzheimer's approach

As interest in the beta amyloid theory lags after a number of failures, Merck & Co. is betting cash on anti-tau.

By Suzanne Elvidge • May 26, 2017

ImmunoGen sells off ADC to Debiopharm

Debiopharm moves into antibody-drug conjugates as it buys ImmunoGen’s IMGN529 in a $55 million deal.

By Suzanne Elvidge • May 24, 2017

Bioverativ buys True North, and may forge ahead with more rare disease M&A

The Biogen spinoff is paying $400 million upfront for the target, which has a drug in early-stage testing for multiple uncommon conditions.

By Jacob Bell • May 23, 2017

AstraZeneca offloads more non-core assets

The British drugmaker has worked to trim its portfolio, selling off older drugs to help offset revenue declines from key products.

By Suzanne Elvidge • May 23, 2017

Takeda inks sweet I/O deal with Nektar

The collaboration is reflective of the Japanese drugmaker's renewed focus on oncology, which has resulted in a flurry of small deals along with a takeover of Ariad.

By Suzanne Elvidge • May 23, 2017

Prescribed Reading: ASCO dominates, Icahn BMS interest just a rumor

The abstracts have arrived! Carl Icahn's first quarter holdings are released and J&J gets a black box warning. 

By Lisa LaMotta • May 19, 2017

Lilly, United extend Adcirca licensing pact

The revamped agreement will keep revenue from the pulmonary hypertension drug flowing to United Therapeutics at least through 2020.

By Jacob Bell • May 19, 2017

Thermo Fisher to buy Patheon in $7.2B deal, accelerating CDMO consolidation

The merger comes only a week after InVentiv and INC Research agreed to combine, and follows other large M&A in the contract services space. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 18, 2017

Otsuka buys Japanese license to Teva's migraine drug

Otsuka is dropping $50 million in a lump sum payment for access to fremanezumab, which is in Phase 3 testing for various headache conditions.

By Jacob Bell • May 17, 2017

Synlogic goes public through merger with failed Mirna

The private, pre-clinical drugmaker is slated to own about 83% of the new, public company, which will trade on the NASDAQ.

By Jacob Bell • May 16, 2017

Biogen buys stroke drug Cirara, further diversifying neuro pipeline

The big biotech is paying $120 million upfront for Remedy Pharmaceuticals' late-stage candidate, which aims to treat large hemispheric infarctions.

By Jacob Bell • May 15, 2017

Can value-based deals work if patients don't take the drug?

Drugmakers and payers are experimenting with how to align a drug's price with its value. Ensuring patient adherence is the first step to making sure the innovative deals get off the ground.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 15, 2017

Horizon dives into eye treatments with River Visions acquisition

The deal expands the company's pipeline for rare illnesses with teprotumumab, an investigational treatment for thyroid eye disease.

By Jacob Bell • May 12, 2017

Prescribed Reading: Checkpoint inhibitors change cancer

Approvals and failures of checkpoint inhibitors have dramatically changed the cancer landscape, and could even have an impact on how the FDA approaches approvals. Elsewhere, Pfizer's getting into genes and Advair avoids competition.

By Lisa LaMotta • May 12, 2017

Adamas swaps royalties for cash at a high price

The company has snagged up to $100 million in cash in return for future royalties on ADS-5102 and Namzaric.

By Suzanne Elvidge • May 12, 2017

InVentiv Health, INC Research merger creates top 3 CRO

The newly formed company carries a $7.4 billion valuation, and will employ more than 22,000 people worldwide.

By Jacob Bell • May 11, 2017

Pfizer taps Sangamo for hemophilia gene therapy

The deal validates Sangamo's gene therapy technology and provides Pfizer with another gene therapy in the hemophilia space. 

By Lisa LaMotta • May 11, 2017

New partnership will advance novel platform for I/O

Takeda and GammaDelta Therapeutics will collaborate to develop a T-cell platform for use in cancer and auto-inflammatory disease treatments.    

By Barbara Boughton • May 10, 2017