Business Cocktail

Novo Holdings optimistic about investments in life sciences

Novo Holdings is planning to increase its investment in early & late stage biotechs. Its focus will be mainly in the U.S. and Europe. They are optimistic about the investment in life-science companies with their past experience.

NMD gets USD 47 million for orphan neuromuscular disease trials

NMD Pharma has got USD 47 million for the trials of two orphan neuromuscular disease. This will be effective in knowing whether the outcomes seen in models of myasthenia gravis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis translated into the clinic. NMD assumes that it will be applicable across wide conditions.

Ablynx lupus drug fails to meet primary endpoint, just before the Sanofi deal

Ablynx’s vobarilizumab has failed to meet its primary endpoint in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The setback has effected one of the important drugs Sanofi is set to acquire through its USD 4.8 billion takeover of Ablynx. In the clinical trial 312 patients with moderate to severe, active seropositive SLE were enrolled and then were randomized to receive one of four doses of anti-IL-6R single-domain antibody vobarilizumab or placebo.

MorphoSys looking for USD 150 million IPO to fund late-phase anticancer treatment

MorphoSys is planning to raise USD 150 million and has recently filed in a Nasdaq IPO. Listing will enable MorphoSys to fuel USD 225 million into the R&D process of MOR208 to develop the anti-CD19 antibody as a rival to CAR-T therapies and other oncology related therapeutics.