News

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

NKI-AVL receives a €4,5M for new Cancer Systems Biology Centre

The Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (NKI-AVL) received a EUR 4,5 million grant from the NWO for a new research center focused on understanding and mapping the complicated regulatory mechanisms involved in the appearance and behavior of breastcancer.

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).

Sanquin and ViroPharma expand agreement on licensing, commercialization and development rights for Cinryze(TM)

January 11, 2010 - ViroPharma Incorporated (Nasdaq: VPHM) today announced that it has signed an agreement with Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation for rights to develop, file regulatory dossiers, and commercialize Cinryze(TM) (C1 esterase inhibitor [human]) for hereditary angioedema (HAE) as well as for potential new indications in certain European and rest of world (ROW) territories.

NKI-AVL opens new clinic to allow for growth

January 8, 2010 - The Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek will open temporary housing for the treatment of more patients.

Life Sciences Pre-Seed Grant: Call open for submissions

January 7, 2010 - The fifth 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.

AMT Receives Innovation Credit from Dutch Government for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

January 6, 2010 - Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (Euronext: AMT), a leader in the field of human gene therapy, announced today that it will receive an Innovation Credit of up to €4 million from the Dutch government to support the development of AMT’s gene therapy treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The credit is granted by SenterNovem, an agency of the Dutch Ministry of Economic affairs.

OncoMethylome's Technology is being used in Roche Clinical Trial Program with Avastin

January 6, 2010 - OncoMethylome Sciences (Euronext Brussels: ONCOB, Euronext Amsterdam: ONCOA) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Roche for MGMT gene promoter methylation testing in a Phase III clinical trial for the use of Avastin in newly diagnosed glioblastoma brain tumors.

Skyline Diagnostics raises EUR 5 million in Series B financing

January 6, 2010 - Skyline Diagnostics today announced the successful closing of a Euro 5 million Series B investment. The round was led by Vesalius Biocapital and joined by existing investors Erasmus MC Biomedical Fund and LSP (Life Sciences Partners).

Pharming Obtains Euro 7.5 Million Financing

January 05, 2010 - Biotech company Pharming Group NV (NYSE Euronext: PHARM) today announced that it has secured a convertible debt financing of €7.5 million.

EUR 81 million for Dutch Life Sciences and Health Sector

21 December 2009 - The Dutch Life Sciences and Health sector receives EUR 81 million from the National Structure Reinforcement Funds (FES).

to-BBB and Lundbeck to join forces on brain delivery of antibodies for CNS diseases

December 22, 2010 - to-BBB, the Dutch drug brain delivery company, and the pharmaceutical company H. Lundbeck A/S are entering into a research collaboration to evaluate delivery of antibodies to the brain for Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases. This research could provide the backbone of new emerging therapies for unserved brain diseases.

Preparation of Pharma business for spin-out Avantium

16 December 2009-Avantium announced the appointment of Gunnar Staaf as Chief Executive Officer of its pharmaceutical business.

AMT successfully raises EUR 5 million

16 December 2009-Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT) announces that it has successfully raised EUR 5 million of new funds via a private placement of convertible bonds (the “Bonds”) to its anchor investor Forbion Capital Partners of Naarden, The Netherlands.

13 AMOLF projects funded within FES program for nano/bio-technology

December 21, 2009 - The Dutch cabinet has decided to award a budget of 125 million euro to the technology program 'Towards a sustainable open innovation ecosystem'. AMOLF has contributed 13 projects proposals to this program, to a total amount of 3 million euro. This program will enable AMOLF to strengthen its activities in nano/biosciences as well as renewable energy.

Avantium's Crystalline received GIO award

11 December 2009-Avantium's Crystalline received the Dutch Good Industrial Design (GIO 2009) award at the annual award ceremony of the Dutch design network, Designlink.

MAXAM Medical wins prize

10 December 2009-MAXAM Medical won the prize for ‘Best Business Presentation’ at the Life Sciences Capitals investors forum of the Life Sciences Capitals 2009 congress.

TNO steps into microdosing

10 December 2009-TNO has signed a contract to purchase an Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS), a tool that supports microdosing studies in humans.

Leiden Bio Science Park receives Mibiton Quality certificate

10 December 2009-During the Life Sciences Capitals congress, which was held November 9th in Leiden, the Leiden Bio Science Park received the Quality Certificate because over the years Mibiton invested most in innovative companies at the Leiden Bio Science Park.

Legionella chip wins Prize

9 December 2009-The TNO Legionella chip has won the first innovation prize awarded by the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO).

BAC and Atoll team up

8 December 2009-BAC BV and Atoll GmbH have teamed up to offer BAC's Antibody Toolbox resins in a diverse set of prepacked columns.

PROXY Laboratories and Mibiton invest in equipment

7 December 2009-PROXY recently invested in state of the art analytical and manufacturing equipment to speed up the product development process of her clients.

Genmab announces RG1507 update

4 December 2009-Genmab A/S announced that Roche has informed Genmab that it will discontinue development of RG1507, a monoclonal antibody directed against the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R).

Genzyme to reopen enrollment in ATAP

3 December 2009-Genzyme Corporation announced that it will reopen enrollment in the Alglucosidase Alfa Temporary Access Program (ATAP), a program which provides access to treatment for severely affected adults with Pompe disease prior to commercial approval of Lumizyme™ (alglucosidase alfa).

IFF opens new facility for flavors and fragrances businesses

3 December 2009-International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. announced the opening of a new facility in Russia, a 460-square-meter building that provides the environment and tools to support the company’s creative, technical and customer support teams.