Merck acquires Afferent for $500M plus milestones

The deal gives Merck access to two promising treatments for chronic cough.

By Randy Lilleston • June 13, 2016

Report: Oncology drove record pharma dealmaking in 2015

Records were set last year for venture funding raised for drug companies, as well as upfront dollar value of licensing deals for R&D-stage assets, according to the new report.

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 9, 2016

Sanofi boosts takeover pressure, names Medivation board candidates

The move, if successful, would put in place a board that would be friendly to purchase by Sanofi, which Medivation so far has resisted.

By Randy Lilleston • June 9, 2016

AstraZeneca continues to shed rights to gout drug

Germany-based Grünenthal will pay up to $230 million for European and Latin American rights to Zurampic, a month after AstraZeneca sold U.S. rights to Ironwood. 

By Nicole Gray • June 3, 2016

Swiss biotech AC Immune readies US IPO

Regulatory filings indicated the company hopes to raise up to $50 million, which it plans to use to advance its Alzheimer's drug. 

By Nicole Gray • June 2, 2016

Two San Diego biotechs merge to create new oncology-focused company

Oncternal Therapeutics and Tokalas aim to advance two early-stage cancer drugs.

By Nicole Gray • June 2, 2016

Report: Investors concerned Teva overpaid for Allergan generics unit

Teva is currently working to win U.S. approval for its $41 billion deal, which cleared regulatory review in Europe earlier this year. 

By Nicole Gray • June 2, 2016

Intercept shares climb on FDA approval of liver drug

Ocaliva, or obeticholic acid, is the first new treatment for primary biliary cholangitis to reach the market in nearly 20 years. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 31, 2016

Wellcome Trust scores with startup investment in diagnostic company

Blue Earth Diagnostics, which is owned by the investment arm of Wellcome Trust, received FDA approval for a cancer diagnostic last Friday.

By Nicole Gray • May 31, 2016

Jazz Pharma snaps up leukemia drug with $1.5 billion deal for Celator

The $30.25 price per share is roughly double Celator's closing price last Friday. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 31, 2016

Contract researcher BioClinica reportedly weighing sale

The CRO market has been consolidating with major mergers announced or rumored over the past year. 

By Nicole Gray • May 27, 2016

Fate of Ionis drug in doubt after GSK decides against Phase 3 study

The FDA had placed a clinical hold on the rare disease drug in April. 

By Nicole Gray • May 27, 2016

Novartis moves toward sale of $14 billion stake in Roche

Challenges at Novartis' eye-care unit Alcon, along with slow sales for Entresto, have put pressure on the company. 

By Nicole Gray • May 26, 2016

Sanofi goes after Medivation's board as takeover battle heats up

The current board would be replaced with eight directors hand-picked by Sanofi if the move is successful.

By Randy Lilleston • May 25, 2016

Arbor Pharma buys XenoPort for $467 million

Known for its restless leg syndrome treatment, XenoPort has fallen on hard times in the past year. 

By Nicole Gray • May 24, 2016

Janssen ponies up $740 million for another MacroGenics cancer drug

Under the terms of the deal, Janssen will pay MacroGenics $75 million up front, with $665 million in potential milestone payments.

By Nicole Gray • May 19, 2016

Celgene expands partnership with Agios into immuno-oncology

Agios lands $200 million upfront, with the potential for much more in clinical and regulatory milestones. 

By Nicole Gray • May 18, 2016

Editas forges $5 million CRISPR research deal with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

While Editas has no approved drugs yet, the promise and hope surrounding gene-editing has spurred several development deals. 

By Nicole Gray • May 17, 2016

With generics deal pending, Teva's Europe portfolio attracts buyers

Novartis and Mylan are both reportedly interested in acquiring Teva's businesses in the U.K., Ireland, and Iceland.

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 16, 2016

Pfizer adds eczema drug in $5.2 billion deal for Anacor

Anacor's main drug candidate, crisaborole, is currently under FDA review for treatment of eczema. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 16, 2016

Baxter reportedly top suitor for Indian injectables maker

But the Chinese conglomerate Fosun Group has also made an offer, according to The Economic Times. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 12, 2016

Daiichi snaps up Japanese rights to CVD stem-cell therapy

U.K.-based Cell Therapy will receive £12.5 million upfront from the Japanese company for its Heartcel product. 

By Nicole Gray • May 11, 2016

Pfizer planning first triple-drug immuno-oncology study

Expected to begin sometime next year, the early-stage trial will combine the checkpoint inhibitor avelumab with two other drugs. 

By Nicole Gray • May 11, 2016

Medicines Co. sells off cardiovascular drugs to Italy's Chiesi

The deal could be worth up to $792 million if all milestones are hit. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 9, 2016

Lower sales of generic drugs weigh on Teva's first-quarter revenue

Still pending is a $40 billion acquisition of Allergan's generics business, which the Israel-based drugmaker expects to close in June. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • May 9, 2016