With its robust balance sheet, a large acquisition by Thermo Fisher within the fragmented life science industry would not be surprising, an Evercore ISI analyst says. Over the past few years, the life science industry has seen continual disruption and consolidation through M&A activity, but according to Evercore ISI analyst Ross Muken the space remains fragmented. Muken noted this following a breakfast meeting with Marc Casper, CEO of Thermo Fisher. Thermo Fisher has been one of – if not –…
The collaboration will use Ambrx’s clinically validated drug discovery technology with BeiGene’s resources to help develop and commercialize next-generation biologics. As part of the deal, Chinese firm BeiGene has paid $10 million (€9 million) upfront to access Ambrx’ Expanded Genetic Code platforms to discover novel biologic drug candidates. However, Ambrx could a further $446 million on potential development, regulatory, and sales-based milestone payments. The technology is designed to allow the incorporation of non-natural amino acids into proteins in both E.…
The currently marketed CAR-T therapies cannot discriminate between healthy and malignant B-cells says Xenetic Biosciences, which is buying a technology to enhance the safety and efficacy of such products. The XCART technology platform, developed by the Scripps Research Institute in collaboration with the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, will be used by Xenetic Biosciences to develop cell-based therapeutics for the treatment of B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The two chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell products on the market – Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) and…
The acquisition will give Biogen access to two potentially first-in-class later-stage gene therapy assets, NSR-REP1 and NSR-RPGR, for ophthalmologic disorders. The $800 million (€706 million) deal sees Biogen bolster its rare disease interest through the addition of Nightstar Therapeutics’ expertise in gene therapy and ophthalmology. Speaking on a conference call to discuss the acquisition, Michel Vounatsos, Biogen’s CEO, said the addition of Nightstar “fits hand-in-glove†with Biogen’s strategy and business. “This transaction will build on our progress of developing and…
NASA will conduct studies assessing Pluristem’s placental-derived cell therapies in astronauts who are planning space travel. NASA’s Ames Research Center has been awarded a 2019 NASA Ames Research Innovation Award (ARIA) to look at how Pluristem Therapeutics’ cell therapies can tackle serious medical conditions during travels in space. “During space missions, astronauts are exposed to a challenging environment, which could lead to serious medical conditions, including muscle atrophy,†Efrat Kaduri, a spokesperson from Pluristem, told BioProcess Insider. “Given the promising…
Bristol-Myers Squibb has dismissed claims by investor groups that its proposed acquisition of Celgene “is poorly conceived and ill-advised.†In January, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) announced it had entered into an agreement to buy Celgene for $74 billion (€65 billion). But this week Starboard Value LP, which holds a stake of 1.63 million shares in BMS, criticized the deal in a letter to fellow shareholders. “We believe that Bristol-Myers is deeply undervalued and the recent announcement of the Company’s proposed acquisition…
Newly launched firm Anthos Therapeutics has licensed Novartis candidate MAA868 and will look to develop it for cardiovascular disorders. Novartis retains a minority stake in the Blackstone-backed biopharma. Private investment firm Blackstone Life Sciences launched this week Anthos Therapeutics, a biopharma company focused on advancing next-generation targeted therapies for high-risk cardiovascular patients. The company, backed by $250 million (€220 million) of Blackstone funds, will look to a Novartis candidate as a potential anti-thrombotic therapy to treat patients currently underserved by…
The $21.4 billion addition of GE Healthcare’s Biopharma business will complement Pall’s technologies to bring biomanufacturers a fully end-to-end bioprocessing offering. BioProcess Insider reported the news that Danaher Corporation has agreed to buy the Biopharma division of GE Healthcare’s Life Sciences business for approximately $21.4 billion (€18.9 billion) on Monday. If the deal is completed, it will be the biggest merger in the bioprocessing space, dwarfing Danaher’s previous $13.8 billion takeover of Pall Corporation in 2015, and the similar size…
Danaher Corporation will consolidate its position in the supplier space through the $21.4 billion acquisition of GE Healthcare’s biopharma division. The business will not be integrated with Pall. The deal, expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019, will see Danaher Corporation buy the full BioPharma portion of GE Healthcare’s Life Sciences business for a cash purchase price of approximately $21.4 billion (€18.9 billion). The business, which pulls in about $3 billion in annual revenue, provides tools to…
The acquisition of Spark Therapeutics will add commercial product Luxturna to Roche’s portfolio, along with a pipeline of gene therapies. Swiss pharma firm Roche has announced today it is set to buy Spark Therapeutics for approximately $4.3 billion (€3.8 billion). “The merger agreement has been unanimously approved by the boards of Spark Therapeutics and Roche,†Roche spokesperson Simone Oeschger told BioProcess Insider. “Under the terms of the merger agreement, Roche will promptly commence a tender offer, to acquire all outstanding…