Vaxon Biotech SA, of Paris, said it completed enrollment in a phase IIb trial of Vx-001, a therapeutic cancer vaccine based on optimized cryptic tumor peptides, in non-small-cell lung cancer. Read More

Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc., of New York, is embarking on a new research initiative with the University of Pennsylvania's PennCHOP Microbiome Program, a collaboration between the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to evaluate the effects of obeticholic acid and other product candidates on the microbiome in a variety of chronic liver diseases, beginning with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Read More

TOKYO – With a liberalized regulatory environment, Japan is rapidly emerging as a major player in regenerative medicine and is attracting more companies eager to explore the market. Read More

DUBLIN – Etherna Immunotherapies NV raised €24 million (US$26.6 million) in a series A round to take forward an mRNA-based cancer vaccine technology that has already delivered clinical proof-of-concept data. Read More

LONDON – Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is taking externalization of innovation a step further with the launch of a European bioincubator designed to provide a home for start-ups from across the EU. Read More

Researchers have developed a so-called human challenge model for dengue vaccine, and used it to test a vaccine that was shown to evoke an immune response to all four strains of dengue virus, and protect against subsequent infection with serotype 2, which has been the most challenging serotype from a vaccine development standpoint. Read More

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. and partner Sanofi SA are hoping now to make their case in the Federal Circuit after a U.S. District Court jury ruled that patents covering Amgen Inc.'s competing PCSK9 antibody, Repatha (evolocumab), are valid, a decision that, if it stands, could put Regeneron and Sanofi on the hook for damages, including royalties from sales of Praluent (alirocumab). Read More

The advance toward new therapies for cancer, Alzheimer's, HIV and pain management is being slowed by dollars, not science, NIH Director Francis Collins told a House Appropriations subcommittee Wednesday in his last budget hearing before the group. Read More

Bioblast Pharma Ltd. CEO Colin Foster told BioWorld Today "it would not be unreasonable to think" that regulators could deem pivotal the upcoming phase IIb trial with trehalose in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), but the company doesn't count on that. "We're looking forward, recognizing that we [probably] have to do a phase III study," he said. Read More

DUBLIN – Vectura Group plc is acquiring Skyepharma plc in a deal that values the latter firm at £441.3 million (US$622 million) or 410.15 pence per share. The transaction will create a U.K.-based respiratory drug delivery specialist with pro forma annual revenues of £153.9 million and with a position in each of the industry's three key technology areas: dry powder inhalers, pressurized metered dose inhalers and nebulizers. Read More