News

Genzyme rejects Sanofi-Aventis offer

Biotechnology company Genzyme said it rejected Sanofi-Aventis SA's $18.5 billion buyout offer because it undervalues the company.

AMT reports results for the first half year

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT), a leader in the field of human gene therapy, has reported its results for the first half year of 2010.

Call for nominations first BioFarmind Innovation Award

BioFarmind will hand out the first BioFarmind Innovation Award on November 4, during the celebration of the interest group’s 12,5 year anniversary.

Life Sciences Capitals renamed ‘Dutch Life Sciences & Health Conference’

As from 2010 the Life Sciences Capitals congress will be known as the Dutch Life Sciences & Health Conference. The first conference under the new name will be held on December 8 and is sponsored by the Amsterdam BioMed Cluster en Life Sciences Center.

Sanofi-Aventis offers $18.5-billion for Genzyme

Sanofi-Aventis offered to buy Genzyme for about $18.5 billion in cash, taking its bid public after the U.S. biotechnology company refused to negotiate.

Hiv virus arms itself against antibodies

The virus that causes hiv is getting more and more resistant from antibodies, researchers with the AMC write.

Shire Announces European Approval of VPRIV(R) for Treatment of Type 1 Gaucher Disease

The European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for Shire's VPRIV(R) (velaglucerase alfa), a human cell line derived enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for the long-term treatment of type 1 Gaucher disease.

Sanquin builds new lab

Sanquin is building a new laboratory at its site in Amsterdam.

Genzyme reports positive test of Gaucher disease drug

Genzyme reported positive results from a Phase 2 trial of a capsule intended to treat Gaucher disease.

Genzyme, Sanofi at Odds Over Threshold Price

Genzyme and France's Sanofi-Aventis are continuing their discussions about a takeover of the U.S. biotechnology company. But people familiar with the matter said the two sides remain at odds about a "threshold" price at which Sanofi could begin due diligence on Genzyme.

AMT's Marketing Authorisation Application for Glybera(R) on Schedule

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT) announced that the Marketing Authorisation Application for Glybera(R) remains on schedule following meetings with the European Medicine Agency (EMA) concerning the Day 120 List of Questions.

Biogen Agrees to Develop Experimental ALS Drug

Biogen Idec agreed to develop closely held Knopp Neurosciences' experimental treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The degenerative disease attacks nerve cells that control the body's voluntary muscles.

BAC and Octapharma extend collaboration

BAC, the leading provider of antibody-based affinity purification technology, has entered into a licence agreement with Octapharma, an independent, global provider of human proteins for life-threatening diseases.

Cardiology convention to take place in Amsterdam

The biggest European medical convention ESC will be held in the Amsterdam RAI from August 31-September 4, 2013.

Agendia Inaugurates New Genomics Laboratory

Agendia announced the inauguration of a new state-of-the-art clinical genomics laboratory in Irvine, CA, on August 5.

AMT Nominates Three Executives to Supervisory Board

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT) has nominated three international pharmaceutical executives to join the Company’s Supervisory Board of Directors: Joseph M. Feczko, Steven H. Holtzman, and François Meyer.

Cholesterol drug meets goals in 2 studies but causes safety concerns

Two Phase III trials found that Isis Pharmaceuticals and Genzyme's mipomersen significantly reduced the level of "bad" LDL cholesterol in more patients with severe hypercholesterolemia than in those who received a placebo.

Merck's Hepatitis C Treatment Suppresses Virus

Merck & Co.’s hepatitis C treatment boceprevir helped suppress the virus better than a placebo in two large-scale studies.

Lung cancer treatment one step closer to market

Woburn-based biotech ArQule Inc. and New Jersey pharmaceutical firm Daiichi Sankyo are heading toward a Phase 3 clinical trial of their treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.

Shire Acquires Movetis For EUR428M

U.K. drug maker Shire PLC Tuesday said it agreed to acquire Belgium's Movetis NV for EUR428 million in cash in a deal that adds to its stable of medicines for gastrointestinal conditions.

Merck, Stallergenes work on drugs for nonfood allergies

In general, immunotherapy for non-food allergies requires multiple shots. That could ultimately change, with two companies hoping to soon launch an under-the-tongue remedy in the United States.

SynCo Bio Partners and Versartis Expand Collaboration

SynCo Bio Partners announced an extension of its successful collaboration with Versartis, following the recent initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with monthly dosing of VRS-859.

Participate in the NGI Venture Challenge Fall 2010

Thinking of starting up a company in Life Sciences? Got a great idea but not sure how to commercialise it? Then the Venture Challenge may be what you're looking for.

Hospira to test generic anemia drug

Hospira Inc. will begin testing a cheaper version of a popular anemia biotech treatment in the first phase of a U.S. clinical trial.

Hansen Director Marketing & Sales Kreatech Diagnostics

Rolf Hansen has been appointed as director Marketing & Sales of Kreatech Diagnostics.

Delirium increases chance of dementia and mortality

Elderly people who suffer a delirium (a period of acute confusion) while hospitalised in an intensive care unit, have a big chance to die, move into a nursing home or develop dementia within several years.

Many survivors of childhood cancer have heart desease

More then a quarter of the children that have recovered from cancer, as a young adult has a heart condition that can lead to heart failure.

Abbott's SIMCOR Receives FDA Approval for New Dosage Strengths

Abbott received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for two new dosage strengths of SIMCOR, a cholesterol medication.

"Sanofi makes an informal offer to acquire Genzyme"

Sanofi-Aventis informally approached Genzyme about a possible takeover, as the French drugmaker seeks to bolster its presence in the biologics market, sources told the Wall Street Journal.

Billion-euro boost to EU science

European science is set for a serious shot in the arm, after the European Union's commissioner for research and innovation announced that the EU will invest approximately €6.4 billion in research and development on the continent through 2011.

Life Sciences Pre-Seed Grant: Call open for submissions

The sixth round of the Life Sciences Pre-Seed Grant is now open for submissions. All Life Sciences researchers thinking about starting up a company are invited to submit an application.

Biogen Idec and Orphan Biovitrum present data on hemophilia study

Biogen Idec and Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB announced results from a Phase 1/2a open-label, dose-escalation, safety and pharmacokinetic study of the companies' long-lasting, fully-recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein (rFIXFc) in hemophilia B patients.

Kreatech Diagnostics signs exclusive license deal

Kreatech Diagnostics signs exclusive license deal with Veridex LLC, providing Kreatech direct access to the US market.

KP7 Health call 2011 published

The KP7 Health call has been officially published.

Agendia provides testimony at meeting on laboratory-developed tests

Agendia, a world leader in molecular cancer diagnostics, announced that company CEO Dr. Bernhard Sixt has provided testimony at a public meeting on July 20 in Washington D.C. on the federal regulation of laboratory developed tests (LDTs).

Merck acquires part of bankrupt Hawaii Biotech

Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. (MSD) has agreed to buy Hawaii Biotech's dengue fever vaccine research unit, giving the local company needed capital as it works toward emerging from bankruptcy.

Genzyme looks to divestment and "multiyear action plan"

Genzyme plans to sell its businesses in diagnostics, genetics and drugs by year-end and formulate a "multiyear action plan" to boost financial results for 2011 and 2012.

Abbott's Study of Kaletra and Isentress Meets Primary Efficacy Endpoint

Abbott has presented 48-week findings comparing an HIV regimen of its protease inhibitor (PI), Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir), and Merck's integrase inhibitor, Isentress (raltegravir), to a traditional HIV regimen of Kaletra and the nucleotide/nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in Truvada (tenofovir and emtricitabine) in antiretroviral-naïve adult patients.

Novo Nordisk and VUmc work together in educational programme

VU Medical Center (VUmc) and Novo Nordisk have signed an agreement to offer Prisma also through general practitioners and care groups.

Merck KGaA completes Millipore acquisition

Merck Chemicals now comprises two new divisions: Merck Millipore and Performance Materials.

Gene on chromosome 21 seems to be involved in cardiac arythmia

Researchers of the AMC found strong evidence that one particular gene can predict heart arythmia after a heart attack.

Merck closes Dutch facilities

Driven by a need to cut back after swallowing Schering-Plough while relying more on external development collaborations, Merck announced plans to shutter eight R&D centers around the globe, including facilities in Oss, the Netherlands.

Kiadis Pharma receives approval to start trial with ATIR

Biopharmaceutical company Kiadis Pharma has received approval for its Investigational New Drug application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to start the pivotal clinical study for its product ATIR in the United States.

Genzyme and Hospira reach new drug-packaging deal

Genzyme Corp, which is attempting to fix quality-control problems involving its top medicines, will have Hospira Inc fill and package the drugs under a new supply agreement between the two companies.

Center for children's oncology in Amsterdam

The national children's oncology center (KNOC), the start of which was announced earlyer this year, will be established on the terrain of the Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (NKI-AvL) in Amsterdam.

LSCA welcomes big pharma and invests in proof-of-concept projects. It´s our business!

In the first half of 2010, the Life Sciences Center Amsterdam (LSCA) welcomed three international big pharma companies.

Crucell Reaches Agreement with Sanofi Pasteur

Dutch biopharmaceutical company Crucell announced that Crucell and sanofi pasteur reached an agreement on a series of transactions to restructure their long standing partnership.

Van der Hoeven continues to support innovation in food

The programme Food & Nutrition Delta (FND) is being continued until 2014.

Mead Johnson settles in Amsterdam

Mead Johnson Nutricion, woldwide marketleader in baby food, has opened its new European headquerters in Amsterdam on July 1st.

Good interim results for ofatumumab Phase II Study

Genmab A/S announced positive interim results from an ofatumumab Phase II safety and pharmacokinetics study in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

GSK, Genmab amend licensing deal over cancer drug

GlaxoSmithKline and Genmab have revised their licensing deal for Arzerra, their drug candidate for blood cancers.

GlaxoSmithKline and Genmab amend ofatumumab agreement

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Genmab A/S announced an amendment to the ofatumumab co-development and commercialization agreement.

Ablynx wins second European Mediscience Award

Ablynx has won the award for 'Best Technology' at the 2010 European Mediscience Awards for the second time in two years.

New service for orphan drug development

PSR has launched a new service and dedicated website, OrphanIQ. OrphanIQ is a quick and easy way for companies involved in Orphan Drug development to ask a short question on a variety of topics without the need for setting up time-consuming agreements and contracts.

Eberhard van der Laan mayor of Amsterdam

Amsterdam City Council have selected former Integration Minister Eberhard van der Laan as the final candidate for the position of mayor of Amsterdam.

ABMC granted subsidy to accelerate growth

According to a bio-cluster benchmark study by InnoTact Consulting the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area has all the necessary ingredients to grow into an internationally leading bio-cluster.

Expatcenter extends target group: scientific researchers

Starting June 2010, research institutions can make use of the special accelerated procedure through the Expatcenter for their incoming scientific researchers in accordance with Directive 2005/71/EC.

Almere starts company building Bipharma

Mayor of Almere Annemarie Jorritsma will officially start the building of company building Bipharma on June 25.

Biotech sector pleads for better business climate

In a letter to the Dutch government formateur, Niaba asks for attention for the important contribution that biotechnology makes to a healthy and sustainable society and a strong knowledge-based economy.

Immunotherapy against skin cancer

An AMC researcher has discovered that seeded melanoma, an agressive form of skin cancer that is difficult to treat, can be fought by artificially inducing a different skin condition: vitiligo.

Abbott gets clearance for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea test

Abbott has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market a new, sensitive molecular diagnostic test and instrument to simultaneously detect two sexually transmitted diseases, gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Skyline Diagnostics closes licensing agreement with Trovagene

Skyline Diagnostics, a developer of array-based diagnostic tests using gene signatures for personalized medicine, has licensed NPM1 technology from Trovagene to include in its AMLprofiler diagnostic service for Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

It’s now or never, in China!

The Dutch Life Sciences Week, held in Shanghai from June 13 till 18, offered a perfect introduction to business opportunities in China today.

European headquarters Fonterra to Amsterdam

The New Zeeland dairy company Fonterra is moving its European headquarters from Hamburg (Germany) to Amsterdam.

Tranzyme Pharma and Norgine jointly develop product

Tranzyme Pharma and Norgine have entered into a licensing agreement that provides Norgine with the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Tranzyme’s novel ghrelin agonist, ulimorelin, in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, South Africa and North Africa.

Van de Winkel CEO Genmab

Prof. Jan G.J. van de Winkel is the new Chief Executive Officer at Genmab.

Sanquin and NKI win Amsterdam Inventor Award

Sanquin and NKI have received the Amsterdam Inventor Award. The winner was announced at the Amsterdam Inventor Dinner on June 10.

Agendia disappointed in Dutch innovation policy

Agendia in Amsterdam, developer of Mammaprint, is focussing its attention more and more on the United States in stead of the Netherlands.

Medco and Celesio base joint venture in Amsterdam

Medco Health Solutions and Celesio AG, two of the world's leading pharmacy-driven healthcare companies, announced a joint venture with a long-term goal of improving patient health and helping to relieve the crushing financial burden on healthcare payors across Europe.

Phase III Trials Confirm Benefits of BI’s Diabetes Therapy

Treating type 2 diabetes patients using Boehringer Ingelheim‟s (BI) oral candidate, linagliptin, leads to statistically significant and sustained reductions in blood sugar levels, according to data from four Phase III trials.

Red Herring Top 100 award for BMEYE

BMEYE, the innovator of combined noninvasive, beat-to-beat blood pressure and cardiac output monitoring, received the prestigious European Red Herring Top 100 Award 2010.

FDA approves new HIV test Abott

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an innovative new diagnostic tool which will allow HIV patients to be diagnosed earlier than ever before.

Gamida, Teva get FDA fast-track status for StemEx

Gamida Cell said its joint venture with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has gained FDA fast-track status for the development of StemEx.

AMT Reports Positive Data from Glybera Study

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT) reports new data showing that it’s lead product Glybera results in break-down of chylomicrons in lipoprotein lipase deficient (LPLD) patients.

Merck aims for FDA approval of 5 drug candidates

Merck & Co. said it will apply for FDA approval of extended-release diabetes drug Janumet, hepatitis C treatment boceprevir and three other medicines this year to make up for losing $4.7 billion when generic versions of its asthma drug Singulair reach the market in 2012.

Amsterdam engine of Noord-Holland economy

Amsterdam is the drawer of the economy of the province Noord-Holland this year. According to ING, the city's economy will grow 2% this year, more than in the rest of the province.

Zilveren Kruis covers Agendia's MammaPrint

Zilveren Kruis is the first Dutch health insurance company to cover Agendia's MammaPrint.

4 million for childhood cancer research

The Dutch Cancer Society (KWF Kankerbestrijding) will finance a joint research programme of EKZ/AMC Amsterdam and the Erasmus MC Sophia children's hospital in Rotterdam.

Teva Targets Roche’s Rituxan in Drug Trial

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is testing a copy of Roche Holding AG’s second-biggest-selling drug Rituxan.

Biogen, Abbott advance MS drug trial

Biogen Idec will pay Abbott Laboratories $30 million to advance a new phase 3 trial for a drug candidate targeting multiple sclerosis. The two companies announced Monday that the study’s first patient had been enrolled.

Genzyme gets FDA approval of drug for Pompe disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted U.S. marketing approval for Genzyme's drug Lumizyme for patients age 8 and older with non-infantile Pompe disease.

Promising data on AMT gene therapy study

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT) reported positive preclinical data from a study using an AAV gene therapy product to lower cholesterol.

Dutch pavillion at BIO Malaysia

NFIA Malaysia is planning to organize a Dutch pavilion at Bio Malaysia 2010 to showcase Dutch technology and know-how as well as what the country has to offer as a gateway to Europe.

New VU study combines science, business and innovation

VU announces that NVAO, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders, has accredited the bachelor Science, Business & Innovation (SBI).

Fornix sells Dutch Allergy Division to ALK-Abelló

Fornix is planning to sell its Dutch Allergy Division to ALK-Abelló. The only condition precedent to which the transaction remains subject is shareholders’ approval.

Van Deventer appointed to Supervisory Board of AMT

Professor Sander van Deventer has been appointed to the Supervisory Board of Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, a leader in the field of human gene therapy.

SynCo expands agreement with OncoMed to manufacture cancer stem cell antibodies

SynCo Bio Partners has expanded its current agreement with OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, a company developing novel therapeutics that target cancer stem cells.

Pepscan acquires stake in Immunovo

Pepscan is to receive a minority stake in Immunovo as part of the companies agreement to partner on development of Pepscan’s therapeutic vaccine portfolio.

Putting the Netherlands on the map at BIO Chicago

This year’s BIO International Convention held in Chicago from 3 to 6 May attracted 15.322 visitors, making it the most important international network event for life sciences.

Tumour grows with the help of its environment

Cancer stem cell activity may not merely be an intrinsic characteristic of a subset of cancer cells. It could be regulated by environmental cues.

Competition for innovative business plans

Entrepreneurs who want to start an innovative business are invited to enter business plan competition New Venture.

City of Amsterdam launches Chinese website

Amsterdam inbusiness, the foreign investment agency of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, has launched a Chinese-language website.

The Netherlands most attractive for foreign companies

The Netherlands is the cheapest country for foreign companies wishing to establish themselves in Europe.

Teva to acquire ratiopharm

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ratiopharm.

Marcel Levi proposed as successor Louise Gunning

Prof. Dr. Marcel Levi has been proposed by the Supervisory Board of the Academic Medical Center (AMC) to succeed prof. dr. Louise Gunning as President of the Board of Directors.

New credit for AMT

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT) will receive an Innovation Credit of up to 4 million euro.

Genzyme’s Alemtuzumab granted Fast Track Status

Genzyme Corporation announced that its alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis development program has been granted Fast Track status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This designation covers patients with relapsing-remitting forms of the disease.

OncoMethylome Appoints Dr. Jan Groen as CEO

OncoMethylome Sciences SA announced today that its board of directors has named Dr. Jan Groen to serve as the company's chief executive officer.

NWO awards 14 Rubicon grants

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded 14 Rubicon grants in the area of life sciences.

AMC research shows that HIV subverts innate signaling

HIV, the virus that causes aids, uses the immune system to multiply itself. This unexpected discovery by the group of prof. dr. Teunis Geijtenbeek of the Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine in the AMC was published this week in Nature Immunology.

Continuation of TI Pharma remains uncertain

The continuation of TI Pharma remains uncertain after a meeting of the Council of Ministers on May 28.

AMC to lead artificial pancreas programme

Amsterdam University's medical centre said on Tuesday it is to lead a European project to develop an artificial pancreas for people with type 1 diabetes. The consortium, made up of seven academic institutions and five private companies, will work on the project for the next four years. It has been given €10.5m in funding by the European Commission.

Agendia Launches BluePrint(TM) Expanding Breast Cancer Product Offering

Agendia, a world leader in molecular cancer diagnostics, today announced that its breast cancer product offering, consisting of breast cancer recurrence test MammaPrint(R), and TargetPrint(TM), has been expanded with BluePrint (TM) to report important additional information on tumor subtypes. This new service is based on an 80-gene signature that identifies the basal-like, luminal-like, and HER2 molecular subtypes in breast cancer tumors.

Agendia to Play Pivotal Role in ISPY-2 Trial for Breast Cancer

Agendia, a world leader in molecular cancer diagnostics, announced today it will participate in the highly anticipated I-SPY 2 TRIAL for breast cancer, set to launch at the first of nearly twenty research sites.

AMOLF opens new laboratory

AMOLF’s new laboratory on the Science Park Amsterdam was opened by Jos Engelen, chairman of the Governing Board of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)

Abbott completes acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals

After triggering and only recently resolving some anti-trust concerns in Europe, Abbott announced that it has completed its $6.2 billion acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, “providing Abbott with a large and complementary portfolio of pharmaceutical products and expanding Abbott’s presence in key global emerging markets.”

Philips and VU Medical Center Amsterdam sign long term research agreement aimed at new multi-modality imaging solutions

Amsterdam, Netherlands – Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) and the VU University Medical Center (VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) announced that they have signed an agreement to jointly research new multi-modality imaging solutions.

8200 New innovation vouchers available in 2010

The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs issued 6200 public and 2000 private new innovationvouchers. The vouchers can already be applied for at Agentschap NL

Cooperation agreement signed for Life Sciences Innovation Platform in Flevoland

The platform aims to create a framework in which development and innovation within the region have a better chance of success.

Dutch biotech rising in world rankings

20 January 2010 - The Life Sciences & Health Innovation Program (LSH) and the Nyenrode Life Sciences & Healthcare Institute presented the first Biotech Outlook, in which the Dutch cluster in the field of ‘red’ biotech was compared with the international leaders (seven clusters).

Regional promotion at BIO Chicago

The Amsterdam BioMed Cluster and the Life Sciences Center Amsterdam (LSCA) represented the Amsterdam region at the BIO International Convention 2010.

Abbott sells former Solvay flu-vaccine business

Abbott Laboratories is seeking a buyer for the flu-vaccine business it picked up in its recent purchase of Solvay SA's pharmaceutical unit. The deal could be worth €500 million.