Optimer Pharmaceuticals and Astellas strike C. diff collaboration

Optimer Pharmaceuticals and Astellas Pharma have announced the execution of an exclusive collaboration and license agreement to develop and commercialize fidaxomicin tablets in Japan for the treatment of Clostridium difficile Infection. In return Optimer will receive a one-time, up-front cash payment of $20 million from Astellas. Optimer is also eligible to receive additional cash payments of up to $70 million upon the achievement of certain regulatory and commercial milestones. Optimer is also entitled to receive payments from Astellas that provide a return resulting in a double digit percent of Astellas net sales in the territory. Astellas is responsible for all future costs associated with the development and commercialization of fidaxomicin in Japan.

Novartis Ventures lead $12.5 million financing for ImaginAb

ImaginAb, a clinical-stage company developing in vivo imaging agents for Positron Emission Tomography based on antibody fragment technology, has announced the completion of a $12.5 million Series A financing led by Novartis Venture Funds. The Series A round includes Merieux Developpement, Nextech Invest, Cycad Group and existing seed investor Momentum Biosciences. Novartis Venture Funds and Merieux Developpement will both appoint Directors as representatives of the Series A investors.

Daiichi Sankyo and NGM Biopharmaceuticals sign diabetes collaboration

Daiichi Sankyo and NGM Biopharmaceuticals have announced that they have entered into a collaboration agreement to discover and develop novel therapeutics that modulate beta-cell regeneration for the treatment of diabetes. As part of this collaboration, NGM will apply its integrated discovery technology and in vivo screening platform to identify and validate physiologically-relevant metabolic targets that modulate beta-cell growth and function. Daiichi Sankyo and NGM will jointly conduct research on selected targets with the goal of identifying and optimizing drug candidates for further development. Daiichi Sankyo will assume responsibility for preclinical studies, clinical development, manufacturing and commercialization on a worldwide basis. NGM will receive an upfront payment and committed research funding for the duration of the collaboration. NGM is eligible to receive payments upon the achievement of research, development, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as royalties on product sales. Daiichi Sankyo will receive an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize compounds resulting from the collaboration.

Almirall signs Aclidinium licensing deal with Menarini Biotech

Almirall has announced that it granted Menarini marketing rights to Aclidinium for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Europe. Under the terms of the deal, Menarini will have joint commercialisation rights to the drug across the majority of EU member states and in other European countries. Almirall will retain sole marketing rights for the product in the UK, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries.

Amylin rejects BMS takeover offer

Amylin shares rose by 47%, after the company rejected a takeover bid from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Bristol-Myers had offered to buy Amylin for a 43% premium at Amylin’s share price. Both Amylin and Bristol-Myers are reported to have declined to comment.

Merck Serono extends BioSeek collaboration

BioSeek, a subsidiary of Asterand, has announced that it has signed a new, three-year collaboration agreement with Merck Serono. The new agreement extends and expands the companies’ previous three-year agreement from 2009. Under the new research plan, BioSeek will expand the use of its proprietary BioMAP platform to evaluate Merck Serono small molecule compounds and proteins across multiple therapeutic areas in support of target differentiation, lead selection and optimization and nomination of candidates for preclinical development at Merck Serono.

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Meso Scale Discovery sign diagnostics collaboration

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Meso Scale Discovery have announced that they will work together to develop diagnostic tests that measure cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for use in research of Alzheimer’s disease. The companies did not disclose terms of their collaboration, and said they plan to release the assays they develop during the second quarter.

GlaxSmithKline announces settlement of ofatumumab patent dispute with Genentech

Genmab has announced that GlaxoSmithKline has agreed a settlement with Genentech and City of Hope concerning two U.S. patents that relate to recombinant antibody production for ofatumumab. GSK is Genmab’s development and commercial collaborator for the CD20 antibody ofatumumab. The dispute concerned U.S. Patents issued to Genentech and City of Hope. No further terms of the settlement are disclosed. The case was initiated by GSK in October 2009 and has been pending before the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The two patents are due to expire in December 2018.

Durata Therapeutics files for $86 million IPO

Durata Therapeutics, which acquired rights from Pfizer to a Phase 3 candidate for the treatment of skin infections, has filed with the SEC to raise up to $86 million in an initial public offering. The Phase 3 trials for dalbavancin, which is administered intravenously once a week, are expected to be completed in 2013 and,according to the company, product revenue could begin in 2014.

Coronado Biosciences signs collaboration agreement with Dr. Falk Pharma and OvaMed

Coronado Biosciences has signed an agreement with Dr. Falk Pharma and OvaMed for the development of TSO (Trichuris suis ova or CNDO-201) for Crohn’s disease. In December 2011, Coronado announced the execution of a binding terms of agreement for this collaboration. Under the agreement, Falk granted Coronado exclusive rights and licenses under some Falk patent rights, pre-clinical data and clinical data from Falk’s clinical trials of TSO in Crohn’s disease, including an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial, for use in North America, South America and Japan. Coronado granted Falk exclusive rights and licenses to data from Coronado’s clinical trials of TSO in Crohn’s disease for use in Europe. Under the agreement, Coronado agreed to pay Falk a total of €5 million after receipt of pre-clinical and clinical data and a royalty of 1% of net sales of TSO.