PharmAsia News

Astellas Signs License For Regeneron's VelocImmune To Bolster Antibody Platform

Astellas will license Regeneron's human monoclonal antibody discovery technology VelocImmune as part of a strategy to build a new technology platform for the development of antibody drugs, the company said March 30.

Takeda Inks Deal To Develop Anti-Obesity Drugs With LG Life Sciences

Takeda has signed a global licensing and research collaboration agreement with South Korean company LG Life Sciences to discover, develop and commercialize anti-obesity drugs, the firms announced March 30.

MorphoSys Gains Third Japanese Partner Through Astellas Deal

Astellas has licensed a monoclonal antibody library called HuCAL GOLD from MorphoSys, a Frankfurt, Germany-based mAb company, for use in its internal drug discovery programs. MorphoSys announced the deal, which could extend up to five years, March 28.

Genentech Boosts Singapore Presence With $140 Million Biologics Plant

Genentech will significantly increase its presence in Singapore by building a biologics manufacturing facility in the island nation for the production of its wet age-related macular degeneration treatment Lucentis (ranibizumab).

Daiichi Sankyo Seeks FDA Approval Of WelChol With Zetia

Daiichi Sankyo is seeking to update labeling for the cholesterol medication WelChol (colesevelam) to include its use in combination with Schering-Plough/Merck's Zetia (ezetimibe). The Japanese firm's U.S. subsidiary announced the sNDA submission March 28.

An Eye On India Device Regs: Victoria Shih Discusses AMO's Experience

At $1.5 billion, India's medical device market is established, but the country's regulatory system for the products is anything but.

Weekly Roundup: March 26, 2007

• Agilent and ABI Look East
• Opportunities for India in Generic Drug Space
• Japan Suspends Use of Tamiflu by Teens
• FDA Raids Fake Thyroid Drug Makers in Mumbai
• Poor Countries To Square Off With WHO Over Bird Flu Vaccine
• Singapore to Tap on Growing Biologics Drug Market at Industry Conference
• China's Legend Investment Arm to Invest in China Pharmaceutical Group--Report
• Hepatitis C Plaintiffs Win Yen 259 Million
• Key Sticking Points in Last-Minute Talks for South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Deal
• Italy's Angellini Acraf Hikes Stake in Elder Pharma
• India Soon to Be Hub for CROs in Pharmaceutical Sector
• Takeda: Seeking European Approval For Insomnia Drug
• China Resources Enterprise Sent to Bail Out Ailing 999 Group

Eisai Enters Biologics Arena With $325 Million Morphotek Acquisition

Eisai has agreed to pay $325 million for Morphotek, a small biopharmaceutical company with proprietary discovery technologies and an oncology pipeline, the companies announced March 22. The deal is expected to close during Eisai's first quarter of 2007, which begins April 1.

Merck Licenses Cubicin For Japan

Cubist Pharmaceuticals has licensed its antibiotic Cubicin (daptomycin) to Merck for development and commercialization in Japan, the company announced March 22.

Japan Again Questions Tamiflu's Possible Psychiatric Effects

Despite new reports from Roche claiming there is no causal link between its influenza drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and psychotic events, Japanese authorities have issued a warning that Tamiflu should not be given to teenagers.