BioNTech (NSDQ:BNTX) announced today that it acquired Kite’s solid tumor neoantigen T cell receptor (TCR) platform and its facility in Maryland. Mainz, Germany-based BioNTech said in a news release that the acquired clinical manufacturing facility in Gaithersburg, Md., will provide production capacity in support of U.S. clinical trials while complementing the company’s existing cell therapy…
Pfizer agree to pay $345M in EpiPen pricing lawsuit
Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) agreed to pay $345 million to settle claims of overpayments for EpiPens due to alleged anti-competitive and unfair practices. Reuters reported that a filing disclosed in federal court in Kansas City, Kan., revealed the settlement set to resolve claims from consumers who say they overpaid for EpiPens with the alleged anti-competitive and unfair practices by…
Biotech Agenus acquires 120 acres in biomanufacturing center in California
Agenus (Lexington, Mass.) has purchased 120 acres in the California Biomanufacturing Center located in Vacaville near Sacramento. Agenus specializes in immuno-oncology products, which span checkpoint antibodies, cell therapies, vaccines and adjuvants. Agenus purchased the parcels from A.G. Spanos, a housing developer. Vacaville is aiming to spur the growth of its biotech industry. Currently, the largest…
IMF approves $650B to help countries pay for COVID-19 vaccines
The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today approved a $650 billion allocation for COVID-19 vaccines. IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva issued a statement today confirming that the executive board concurred in her proposal for a new general Special Drawing Rights (SDR) allocation of $650 billion — the largest allocation in the IMF’s…
Biden and Pelosi pursuing plans to cap drug prices
President Biden has instructed FDA to develop a plan to import prescription drugs from Canada while asking federal officials to create a “comprehensive plan” to cut drug prices within 45 days. Biden has also recommended that FTC block “pay for delay” agreements from pharma companies paying generic drug makers to hold off on introducing competitive…
Roquette unveils digital pharma marketplace
Plant-based ingredient specialist Roquette (La Madeleine, France) has opened a new online marketplace on a digital marketplace platform from Knowde. The online platform includes pharmaceutical excipients, binders, processing aids, solvents, flavors and taste maskers and other materials. The new platform is part of a new initiative from Roquette to improve its support of manufacturers in the pharmaceutical…
PurMinds invests in psychedelic drug company IMIO Life
Privately-held PurMinds BioPharma (Burlington, Ontario, Canada), which specializes in developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, has completed a strategic equity investment in IMIO Life Ltd., a subsidiary of Tel Aviv–based Nextage Therapeutics Ltd. (TASE:NXTG). While IMIO Life Ltd. is focused on developing psychedelic-based therapeutics, PurMinds notes that its collaboration with the company will focus on optimizing…
A closer look at the Wyzo high-speed pick-and-place sidebot
The robotics firm Wyzo (Ecublens, Switzerland) recently debuted a novel pick-and-place sidebot, which is suitable for various uses, including lightweight applications within pharmaceutical facilities. Pharmaceutical Processing World recently profiled the robot, which can support up to 80 picks per minute. To learn more about the robot, we reached out to Wyzo CEO Frank Souyris, who describes…
Nestlé to invest up to $525M on microbiome drug
Nestlé Health Science (SWX:NESN) plans on taking a leading role in commercializing Seres Therapeutics’ (NSDQ:MCRB) experimental oral microbiome drug SER-109 for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). The infection from the bacteria can lead to diarrhea and, in severe cases, severe colon damage and life-threatening inflammation. More than 20,000 Americans die each year from CDI, according…
Nominations open for the Leonard Award celebrating 100 years of insulin
Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) is looking for nominations for its inaugural Leonard Award series, which highlights advances in diabetes management. The company will select five winners and donate $100,00 to the non-profit Life for a Child, which provides medicines and supplies to children and youth with type 1 diabetes in developing countries. Lilly is launching the award program…