Roche/deCODE: a renewed partnership

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Biogen/Serono: pistols at dawn

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Serono: the future is bright with Rebif

The regulator's decision to break the orphan drug status of Biogen's Avonex and allow Rebif's US sale is a massive boost to Serono's growth prospects. The resulting extra revenues should allow Serono to increase its comparatively weak pipeline through in-licensing deals - and also by going on the acquisition trail.

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Biogen: Amevive decision eases Avonex woes

Biogen's Amevive has moved a step closer to the market, as an FDA panel urged its approval for treating adult chronic psoriasis. If the drug is approved, it will be a welcome diversification for Biogen. Its only marketed product, MS drug Avonex, is under serious threat from the FDA's recent decision to approve Serono's Rebif in the US.

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Roche: T-20 demand will outstrip supply

Roche's new HIV drug, T-20, should launch next year. However, it already seems that producing sufficient quantities of T-20 will be a challenge - particularly before the full-scale production facility for the drug comes online. Roche will need to manage customer expectations carefully in the early stages of T-20's launch, or risk losing confidence.

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Licensing Week - August 9, 2002

Last week saw a flurry of licensing activity by Bristol-Myers Squibb, as the US-based big pharma extended its drug discovery relationships with Athersys and Exelixis. Genomics also featured heavily last week, as Pfizer, Oxagen, Fujisawa and Quark were all involved in genetic research deals. Finally, Serono signed another marketing deal, this time licensing rights to Genentech's Raptiva.<BR />

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Licensing Week - August 16, 2002

Last week's licensing news had a truly global feel, with companies from the US, the UK, mainland Europe and Japan getting in on the action. The week saw deals between; AstraZeneca and Xenogen; Crucell and GenVec; Takeda and Human Genome Sciences; Adolor and Eli Lilly; and Anadys and Roche.

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Antisoma/Roche: a powerful alliance

Roche will take over the development of Antisoma's oncology products, including lead drugs Pentumomab and Therex. The deal, which could be worth over $500 million, should benefit both companies. It plugs gaps in Roche's near-term R&D pipeline, while giving Antisoma the benefit of Roche's development and marketing expertise.

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Roche/Genentech: Herceptin poised for an expanded role

Scientists have found that HER-2 is a key contributor to the development of pre-invasive breast cancer. Roche/Genentech's Herceptin, currently used to treat advanced breast cancer, can target HER-2. However, the detection of elevated HER-2 is not routine among most physicians. Despite this, Herceptin is well positioned to build its usage in early-stage and pre-cancerous populations.

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Roche: buying up for biotech boost

Roche has announced that it will acquire GlycArt for approximately E150 million, in a move that will boost the healthcare giant's position in the biologics, and particularly oncology, markets. The deal promises to strengthen Roche's drug development capabilities and help maintain the large increases in sales drawn from its therapeutic anti-cancer antibodies.

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