Medicines Patent Pool expands access to HIV, hepatitis C drugs with new deals

Four of the licensing agreements with the UN-backed health group covered Bristol-Myers Squibb's Daklinza.

By Nicole Gray • July 11, 2016

Moderna and Vertex partner to target cystic fibrosis with RNA therapies

Vertex will pay $40 million upfront to Moderna, with the potential for another $275 million in milestone payments. 

By Nicole Gray • July 7, 2016

Valeant mulling sale of dermatology assets to Spanish Almirall: report

Although Valeant has made some steps toward recovering from a disastrous first quarter, the company still faces a substantial debt load. 

By Nicole Gray • July 6, 2016

Despite sluggish IPO market, biotechs continue to lead the way

Nine out of 12 venture-backed IPOs in the second quarter were for biotech firms, according to a new report. 

By Nicole Gray • July 6, 2016

Sanofi, Army partner to hasten Zika vaccine trials

The Walter Reed Army Institute of Research will transfer its technology to Sanofi for Phase 2 testing and regulatory strategy. 

By Edwin Lopez • July 6, 2016

Medivation enters takeover talks with Sanofi after rejecting new bid

But Sanofi will have company: Medivation said it had also agreed to open its books to a number of other interested parties. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 5, 2016

Chinese biotech CStone raises $150 million in new financing

A former Sanofi exec will head up the new company, which aims to become a research leader in China. 

By Nicole Gray • July 5, 2016

Bristol-Myers buys Cormorant Pharma, eyes cancer combo potential

While Bristol is on the hook for only $95 million in upfront and near-term payments, the deal could be worth over $500 million if all milestones are hit. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 5, 2016

Pfizer makes bid for Bind after repayment woes

A demand for accelerated repayment on a $15 million loan led Bind to file for bankruptcy in May. 

By Nicole Gray • July 5, 2016

AstraZeneca sells off dermatology drug rights to LEO Pharma

The British drugmaker also terminated a prior deal granting Valeant European rights to a psoriasis treatment, licensing those rights to LEO instead. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • July 1, 2016

Boston startup secures $51.5 million in race for next-gen integrin technology

GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and AbbVie are among the backers betting integrin-pioneer Tim Springer's research will pay off. 

By Edwin Lopez • June 30, 2016

Teva, Allergan sell off more drugs in quest for approval of generics deal

Mayne Pharma, an Australian company, will pay $652 million for 42 generic drugs currently held by the two companies. 

By Nicole Gray • June 29, 2016

Dr. Reddy's breaks off marketing partnership with Glaxo

The Indian drugmaker plans to expand its presence in a number of emerging markets covered under the 2009 agreement.

By Nicole Gray • June 28, 2016

Novartis jumps into bi-specific antibody space with $150 million Xencor deal

The Swiss pharma giant will partner with Xencor to develop two bi-specific antibodies for treatment of blood cancers. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 28, 2016

Sanofi, Boehringer trade business units in $25 billion swap

Under the agreement, Sanofi will get Boehringer's consumer healthcare business in return for sending its Merial animal-health unit to Boehringer. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 27, 2016

Takeda hands back two developmental drugs to Amgen

Under a 2008 collaboration deal, Takeda was granted rights to 13 Amgen molecules in the Japanese market. 

By Nicole Gray • June 27, 2016

Selecta Biosciences raises $70 million in IPO, forges ahead with gout drug

Selecta is the sixth Massachusetts-based biotech to go public this year. 

By Nicole Gray • June 23, 2016

Celgene puts up $50 million to partner with four NCI cancer centers

The four high-profile centers have banded together to create a unified cancer research group

By Nicole Gray • June 23, 2016

Austin biotech Savara adds two lung drugs in deal for Serendex

Savara raised $20 million in March to advance its lead drug, an inhaled antibiotic, into Phase 3 testing. 

By Nicole Gray • June 22, 2016

Teva, Allergan continue to shed assets with $586 million sale to Impax

The Israeli drugmaker has been selling off non-core drugs as it works to clear regulatory review for its $41 billion acquisition of Allergan's generics unit.

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 21, 2016

Venture funding for UK biotechs hits new high

But the number of deals dropped last year, continuing a downward trend from 2013. 

By Nicole Gray • June 17, 2016

NYC-based Rgenix raises $33 million to advance cancer immunotherapy

The biotech hopes to start Phase 1 testing on the drug this fall. 

By Nicole Gray • June 15, 2016

Teva hands back global rights for heart drug to Australian Mesoblast

Mesoblast will now have to fund Phase 3 development of the drug without a major partner. 

By Nicole Gray • June 15, 2016

Facing legal troubles and declining sales, Aegerion to merge with Canadian QLT

Aegerion had laid off 25% of its staff earlier this year and pleaded guilty to misbranding its cholesterol drug last month. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 15, 2016

Shire buys rights to Pfizer bowel disease drug

The drug has returned positive data in early- and mid-stage trials, and a phase 3 is expected to begin after consultation with regulators. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 14, 2016