The Human Protein Atlas reaches half-way point
The Swedish initiative to map every single protein in the human body has reached its half-way point. When completed, the Human Protein Atlas will provide data which will help detect and treat some of our most serious health problems, like cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases.
The Human Protein Atlas project was founded by Professor Mathias Uhlén and is a collaboration project between the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and Uppsala University. So far 10 000 individual proteins have been mapped. There are 20 000 proteins created by the human body but a large portion of these important building blocks have never been characterized.
"Mapping the human proteins makes it possible to fully exploit the results from the human genome project. Together, mapping the human building-blocks at the genome and proteome level has the potential to transform modern medicine. Reaching this half way point is significant for the Human Protein Atlas project as it moves us a significantly large step closer to completion, which we anticipate to be in 2015," said Mathias Uhlén.
Meda acquires OTC products from Norgine
Meda has acquired three well established OTC products from the Dutch pharma company Norgine. The largest product is Pyralvex, which has a turnover of about 90 MSEK. Total annual sales for the products are about 190 MSEK and the majority of sales are generated in Europe. The purchase price is 540 MSEK which equals an EBITDA multiple of about 5.
The products are Pyralvex for relief of pain associated with e.g. aphthous ulcers, Spasmonal for treatment of for example Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Waxsol (ear drops).
"OTC products is a growing segment. This acquisition of well known OTC brands further strengthens our presence in this area", said Anders Lönner, CEO Meda.
Astra Zeneca to sell Astra Tech
The global life science company Astra Zeneca is considering to sell its medtech subsidiary Astra Tech, located in Mölndal. The selling will affect over 1000 employees. The company has signed an agreement with JP Morgan Chase & Co to investigate the possibilities of a sale.
“We have done a review of all holdings and Astra Tech is slightly outside our usual core activities. In our new research strategy we will target innovative medicines. Astra Tech is doing dental research and development. But there are alternative roads to take here,” said Ann-Lena Mikiver, public relations officer at Astra Zeneca to Göteborgsposten (GP).
In March Astra Zeneca announced that the company will cancel its research facilities in Lund and cut back its operations in England, and instead focus its research in Gothenburg.
Clavis Pharma extends partnership with Clovis Oncology
The Norwegian clinical stage oncology focused company Clavis Pharma has extended its partnership with the US company Clovis Oncology, signing a new $205 Million deal for further development and commercialization of the antic-cancer agent CP-4126.
CP-4126 is a novel lipid-conjugated form of gemcitabine designed by Clavis Pharma to improve treatment outcomes in patients with pancreatic and other solid tumors. The agent is currently in Phase II development in pancreatic cancer.
Under the terms of the agreement, Clavis Pharma will receive an upfron payment of $10 million from Clovis for the expansion of the agreement to include global rights and will be eligible to receive further payments of a total $30 million for the successful attainment of development and regulatory milestones in Asia and up to $165 million in sales milestones. This is in addition to the upfront and milestone payments already agreed to in the original license agreement. Clavis Pharma will receive tiered double-digit royalties on all product sales globally.
As in the previous agreement, in collaboration with Clavis Pharma, Clovis Oncology will be responsible for the clinical development and registration filings in Asia and the rest of the world. Clavis Pharma will continue to fund some development activities. Clovis Oncology will now be responsible for the commercialization of CP-4126 globally, while Clavis Pharma retains an option to co-promote in Europe.
![lind441_banner_eng_230x170_fallback[3]](res/default/lind441_banner_eng_230x170_fallback3.gif "lind441_banner_eng_230x170_fallback[3]")
