Prescribed Reading: Avelumab OK'd, Ultragenyx fails trial

As Washington debates healthcare, pharma continues to make deals and Pfizer joins the checkpoint inhibitor race. 

By Lisa LaMotta • March 24, 2017

Daré hoping to turn Cerulean from blue to black

The reverse merger comes on the heels of a big clinical failure for Cerulean, which announced in early February it was exploring a potential sale.

By Jacob Bell • March 21, 2017

Bristol-Myers broadens CytomX partnership, spending $200M more

Building on an earlier deal, Bristol will use with CytomX Therapeutics' technology to discover treatments aimed mostly at cancer targets.

By Jacob Bell • March 20, 2017

AstraZeneca taps Circassia to promote 2 US COPD drugs

The British pharma invested in a small biotech and passed off U.S. rights to two of its respiratory drugs as it continues to offload assets. 

By Lisa LaMotta • March 17, 2017

Prescribed Reading: CRISPR, Trump and FOURIER. Oh my!

CRISPR technology is moving into new therapeutic areas; we finally know the skinny on Repatha's CV effects; and potential budget cuts could hammer the industry. 

By Lisa LaMotta • March 17, 2017

Under fire, Marathon offloads Duchenne drug to PTC for $140M

Widespread criticism of a planned $89,000 list price for Emflaza had forced Marathon to pause commercialization. Now those headaches are PTC's problem. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 16, 2017

OncBioMune, EOC aim to develop gastric cancer drug

The commercialization deal is part of the Louisiana-based biopharma’s push southward into Mexico, Central America and South America.

By Judy Packer-Tursman • March 15, 2017

Does Ackman's exit finally signal a bottom for Valeant?

The spec pharma's biggest supporter sold off his stock position, despite claims of turnaround by the company. 

By Lisa LaMotta • March 14, 2017

Merck KGaA shopping biosimilars unit

Company CEO Stefan Oschmann told analysts the planned divestiture is part of German Merck's efforts to prioritize other drugs advancing through development. 

By Judy Packer-Tursman • March 10, 2017

M&A heating up among smaller I/O drugmakers

A new deal between Heat Biologics and Pelican Therapeutics underscores the desire among both large and small players to cement a place in immuno-oncology.

By Jacob Bell • March 8, 2017

Vertex fine tunes CF portfolio with Concert deal

The biotech will pay $160 million to pick up rights to Concert Pharma's Kalydeco variant, which Vertex hopes can help support once-daily dosing in combo regimens. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • March 6, 2017

VenBio grabs control of Immunomedics in latest twist

The Seattle Genetics deal is in limbo as the newly reorganized board ponders the next steps for the company. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • March 6, 2017

Otsuka acquires ADHD drug in $100M deal for Neurovance

The Japanese pharma has focused on CNS as a core therapeutic area, and the takeover of Neurovance will add a Phase 3-ready ADHD drug to its pipeline. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • March 6, 2017

Prescribed Reading: Icahn stokes M&A flames

The billionaire activist investor makes a new biotech hire; the CAR-T space heats up; and the FDA cooperates with EMA to improve manufacturing. 

By Lisa LaMotta • March 3, 2017

AstraZeneca, Sanofi partner on infant respiratory drug

Sanofi Pasteur is dropping at least $127 million to help MedImmune bring its drug for respiratory syncytial virus to market.

By Jacob Bell • March 3, 2017

Napo amps up sales force for AIDS anti-diarrheal

The San Francisco-based company, which has inked a deal for a shared sales and sampling program, expects Mytesi to generate about $7 million in sales this year.

By Judy Packer-Tursman • March 1, 2017

Affinivax and Astellas take a shot at pneumococcus vaccine

Astellas gains exclusive global rights to vaccine program that could prevent transmission as well as infection.

By Suzanne Elvidge • March 1, 2017

Perrigo sells off Tysabri in push for cash

The deal gives Royalty Pharma access to a revenue stream it has been trying to get its hands on for three years. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Feb. 28, 2017

Advaxis links up with Sellas in cancer deal

The biotech is teaming up with the Dutch company to make a more precisely-targeted cancer drug. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Feb. 27, 2017

Prescribed Reading: Bristol M&A steals the show

Debate about the future of Bristol-Myers dominated news coverage this week, while several cancer drugs failed in late-stage trials. 

By Lisa LaMotta • Feb. 24, 2017

Bayer touts Xarelto strength on heels of COMPASS data

The blood thinner led the German company’s pharma growth last year, but Eylea, cancer drugs and a pulmonary hypertension treatment also played key roles.

By Judy Packer-Tursman • Feb. 23, 2017

Is anyone really shopping for Bristol-Myers?

The pharma would make a poor acquisition for just about anyone. While the failure of Opdivo – its cash cow – was a devastating hit, it didn't exactly cripple the company, or the drug.

By Lisa LaMotta • Feb. 22, 2017

Valeant expands licensing deal for combo eye product

The drugmaker sees Bausch & Lomb as a source of strength, even as the drugmaker sells off other assets to keep up with debt payments. 

By Judy Packer-Tursman • Feb. 22, 2017

Bristol caves to investor pressure

The big pharma is making changes to its board of directors amid takeout speculation. 

By Lisa LaMotta • Feb. 21, 2017

Takeda preps to split off consumer health biz

After a year, Takeda reveals more details of its consumer healthcare business spinout planned for April. 

By Suzanne Elvidge • Feb. 20, 2017