Cancer

Antibody specialist Ablynx recently announced an R&D and licensing deal with the National Research Council of Canada’s Institute for Biological Sciences (NRC-IBS), based in Ottawa.

In late May, Enzo Life Sciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of Enzo Biochem, launched a new DNA labeling system aimed at array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), a technique that detects alterations in the genome leading to changes in DNA copy number.

Lexicon Genetics Inc. and Organon announced in late May a long-term multiphase collaboration that leverages their complementary capabilities to discover, develop, and manufacture novel biotherapeutics. The companies will divide evenly eventual product revenues.

Elixir Pharmaceuticals recently secured an exclusive license to intellectual property from the regents of the University of California (UC) relating to work done by Dr. Eric Verdin and his research group at the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology with SirT1, a member of the sirtuin class of enzymes, and the HIV transcriptional transactivation protein.

Corixa announced that the waiting period imposed by Hart-Scott-Rodino Act for their proposed sale to GSK Biologicals has expired. Corixa stockholders will attend a special meeting on July 12, 2005 at Corixa's corporate headquarters to consider the adoption of the agreement. The two companies expect to complete the agreement quickly thereafter and when all conditions to the transaction are satisfied or waived.

Stratagene and the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) announced in mid-April a licensing agreement covering patents and related technology developed by SKCC researcher Dr. Gennadi Glinsky, under which Stratagene will produce diagnostic tests for prostate and breast cancers.

Bionaut Pharmaceuticals and AnalytiCon Discovery of Potsdam, Germany, announced in April a service and collaboration agreement to identify novel anti-cancer compounds that inhibit the ability of tumor cells to survive stress conditions.

In February, X-ray crystallography specialist Syrrx announced that it had agreed to merge with Osaka-based Takeda Pharmaceutical to become a subsidiary of Takeda American Holding

In an effort to become a one-stop-shop to clients, DNA sequencing specialist Agencourt Bioscience and genomic library producer Amplicon Express announced they formed a strategic marketing alliance.

Acquisition of Computational Biology provides key ChIP-on-Chip technology

Welcome to the April issue of Drug Discovery News. Just eight short months after the termination announcement of Modern Drug Discovery, former MDD executives and editors present you with a unique and exclusive format for industry news.

Funding boosts capital pool by $11.8 million and adds informatics expertise