Welcome to the latest edition of our weekly EuroBiotech Report. AbbVie dialed up its cystic fibrosis deal with Galapagos by $250 million (€219 million). The new terms, which bring the total milestones up to $600 million, are a reflection of the expansion of the scope of the project. Two of Galapagos’ compatriots are in the news, too. ThromboGenics spinout Oncurious kicked off a Phase I/IIa trial of its Roche-rejected oncology drug, while Ablynx safely navigated its inhaled treatment for respiratory syncytial virus infections through the same stage of development. Ergomed struck a deal to buy Haemostatix for its pipeline of treatments for surgical bleeding. Ipsen tapped Oncodesign for preclinical pharmacology support in a deal that will see it host some of its partner's staff. And more. Nick Taylor (email | Twitter)
1. AbbVie adds $250M in milestones to Galapagos cystic fibrosis deal
AbbVie ($ABBV) has expanded its cystic fibrosis deal with Galapagos ($GLPG), positioning the Belgian biotech to pocket $250 million (€218 million) more than under the original agreement if it hits all of its milestones. The dialed-up deal follows a shift in focus from double to triple combinations of cystic fibrosis drugs, an evolution that has increased the early-phase workload Galapagos is shouldering.
2. Oncurious, BioInvent start trial to revitalize Roche-rejected cancer drug
ThromboGenics (EBR:THR) spinout Oncurious has advanced its plan to revitalize the prospects of an oncology drug that Roche ($RHHBY) turned its back on in 2012. The latest step in the strategy is the start of a Phase I/IIa trial, for which Oncurious and its partner BioInvent (OMXS:BINV) have enlisted the help of the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium (NMTRC).
3. Ablynx RSV drug set to enter PhII after clearing early-phase infant trial
Ablynx (EBR:ABLX) has posted positive safety data from a Phase I/IIa trial of its inhaled treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. Having seen no treatment-related serious adverse events in the 53 infants who enrolled in the study, Ablynx is now preparing to advance the candidate into a larger Phase II trial before the end of the year.
4. Ergomed inks Haemostatix takeover to gain bleeding control assets
Ergomed (LON:ERGO) has struck a deal to buy Haemostatix and its pipeline of treatments for surgical bleeding. The agreement will give Ergomed its first wholly owned assets, including a Phase IIb-ready bleeding product it is aiming to hustle through to the conclusion of a pivotal trial by 2019.
5. Ipsen tightens ties to Oncodesign through cancer pharmacology pact
Ipsen (EPA:IPN) has strengthened its connection to Oncodesign (EPA:ALONC), the French oncology specialist that lists Bristol-Myers Squibb ($BMY) among its partners. The new deal will see Oncodesign move staff to Ipsen’s R&D campus in Paris, from where they will manage preclinical pharmacology for their host’s oncology research programs.