The deal hands Astellas a drug called Zimura that Iveric is studying as a treatment for a form of vision loss known as geographic atrophy. Iveric’s drug already succeeded in a pair of Phase 3 trials and is currently being reviewed by U.S. regulators. A decision is expected by Aug. 19.
Pharmaceutical companies have increasingly turned to dealmaking to help offset patent losses that are soon expected for many of the industry’s top-selling drugs. Over the last two months, drugmakers have spent roughly $65 billion in total on buyouts, led by Pfizer’s $43 billion acquisition of cancer biotech Seagen, according to BioPharma Dive data.
Astellas is among those with drugs expected to soon face generic competition. Its prostate cancer drug Xtandi is set to lose patent protection in 2027. Zimura could help soften the blow, as well as provide a “foundation of ophthalmology focused capabilities,” including a commercial team and access to a network of experts and medical institutions, Astellas said. READ MORE
by Ben Fidler
Source: biopharmadive.com
In 2017, Sanofi partnered with the Lebanon, New Hampshire-based ImmuNext to develop an antibody for autoimmune diseases like lupus and multiple sclerosis, which included giving Sanofi a worldwide license to develop frexalimab. The agreement involved milestone payments upto $500 million.
Global manufacturer for the pharmaceutical, biotech and nutraceutical markets, Lonza has announced that it has acquired Synaffix, a biotech company focused on the commercialisation of its clinical stage technology platform for the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
In its hunt for the new head of its pharmaceutical systems business—which makes syringes, self-injection systems and other drug delivery devices for 70% of the top 100 drugmakers in the world, according to the company—BD landed on a candidate with plenty of experience among that customer group.
