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

Former Dendreon CEO leads Alpine Immune to $48 million financing

While at Dendreon, Mitch Gold oversaw development of the cancer cell therapy Provenge, which failed to live up to expectations following approval in 2010. 

By Ned Pagliarulo • June 14, 2016

Dr. Reddy's snaps up eight generics from Teva for $350 million

Teva is divesting assets in order to win U.S. approval for its $40.5 billion acquisition of Allergan's generics business. 

By Nicole Gray • June 14, 2016

Walgreens kills Theranos partnership, will close blood testing centers

The drugstore chain's decision is another huge blow to the controversial blood testing company.

By Randy Lilleston • June 13, 2016

Valeant weighs sale of Egyptian drug company

Last year, Valeant acquired Amoun Pharmaceuticals for $800 million via purchase of Mercury Holdings. 

By Nicole Gray • June 13, 2016

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