Silico Research

Merck Millipore and Proteomics International sign biomarkers collaboration

silico — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:10:11 +0000

Merck Millipore and Proteomics International have announced a collaboration to validate biomarkers related to diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy is a significant complication of diabetes. Under the collaboration, Proteomics International will assess its thirteen newly identified putative protein biomarkers by using Merck Millipore’s multiplex immunoassays. The biomarkers include proteins involved in metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Once validated, the biomarkers could be used to monitor the progression and prognosis of kidney disease in patients with diabetes.

KineMed signs non-exclusive research collaboration with Pfizer

silico — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:06:23 +0000

KineMed has announced a non-exclusive research collaboration with Pfizer for the advancement of novel approaches towards metabolic disease, in particular Type II Diabetes. The collaboration will employ KineMed’s Dynamic Proteomics technology platform to map the impact of potential drug candidates on specific metabolic pathways. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals withdraws offer to acquire ISTA Pharmaceuticals

silico — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:04:18 +0000

Valeant Pharmaceuticals has announced that it has withdrawn its offer to acquire ISTA Pharmaceuticals. The bid was made in mid-December 2011 and valued ISTA Pharmaceuticals at $327 million.

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative and Abbott expand collaboration

silico — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:42:23 +0000

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative and Abbott have announced that they have signed a four-year joint research and non-exclusive licensing agreement to undertake research on new treatments for several tropical diseases, including Chagas disease, helminth infections, leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness. In the collaboration, DNDI and Abbott scientists will focus initial efforts on discovering and advancing novel antimicrobial agents with activity against these diseases. Abbott has provided compounds since 2009 for DNDi to screen for activity against diseases. The new agreement expands this relationship, and provides DNDi access to selected classes of molecules and accompanying data generated by Abbott that are crucial for the development of effective and accessible new treatments for neglected diseases.

Actavis and Bioton form insulin joint-venture

silico — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:43:48 +0000

Actavis and Bioton have announced that they have formed a joint venture company for the development and registration of insulins, including analogue insulins. In the joint-venture, Bioton will be responsible for the development and manufacture of insulin products, while Actavis will be granted an exclusive licence to commercialise those products under the Actavis brand throughout the European Union and the United States of America and other territories.

Roche executes alliance with Technoclon to co-develop coagulation assays

silico — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:59:16 +0000

Roche has announced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Technoclon to co-develop a range of coagulation assays. According to the companies, the alliance supports plans Roche announced in October 2011 to develop a new line of analyzers for the central coagulation laboratory. The new line is expected to be introduced in the U.S. and Canada in 2014. Roche will also market Technoclone’s range of products that address the needs of specialists and researchers in the hemostasis research field.

Les Laboratoires Servier and Monash University sign GPRC collaboration agreement

silico — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:52:57 +0000

Les Laboratoires Servier and Monash University have announced a collaborative agreement for drug discovery and research on G Protein Coupled Receptors. The collaboration will make use of MIPS’ capability in the identification of novel GPCR targets. The collaboration will initially run for three years with the research program including known and novel GPCR targets, covering various potential therapeutic fields including metabolism, cardiology, neurology and psychiatry, rheumatology and oncology. Under the terms of the agreement, MIPS will receiveannual support for research activities undertaken as part of the collaboration and support for up to 15 staff to work exclusively on collaborative projects.

Novartis extends collaboration with GenVec

silico — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:47:52 +0000

GenVec has announced that it has extended its collaboration agreement with Novartis. Under the extension, Novartis will fund research at GenVec through January 2013 to support its hearing loss and balance disorders program. In January 2010, GenVec entered into a collaboration agreement with Novartis to discover and develop novel treatments for hearing loss and balance disorders. Under the terms of the agreement, if certain clinical, regulatory, and sales milestones are met, GenVec is eligible to receive up to $213.6 million, including upfront and milestone payments in addition to royalties on future sales. In August 2010, GenVec entered into an additional agreement with Novartis, to manufacture clinical trial material for up to two lead product candidates for this program.

Amgen buys Micromet for $1.16 billion

silico — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:53:35 +0000

Amgen and Micromet have announced that the companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Amgen will acquire Micromet for approximately $1.16 billion. The acquisition includes blinatumomab, a Bispecific T cell Engager antibody in Phase 2 clinical development for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blinatumomab is also in clinical development for the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and could have applications in other hematologic malignancies. Micromet has partnerships with AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Lonza, MedImmune and Sanofi.

Celgene buys Avila Therapeutics for $925 million

silico — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:30:16 +0000

Celgene and Avila Therapeutics have announced an agreement under which Celgene will acquire Avila. According to the companies the acquisition positions Celgene to expand its role in the future treatment of hematologic cancers with Avila’s AVL-292, a selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibitor, currently in phase I clinical development. Under the terms of the agreement, Celgene will acquire Avila for $350 million in cash, up to $195 million for milestones contingent upon the development and regulatory approval of AVL-292, and up to $380 million in potential milestone payments contingent upon the development and approval of candidates generated from the Avilomics platform.