M Pharmaceutical has penned a deal to acquire a new version of the ageing anti-obesity drug orlistat from privately owned Chelatexx. The Vancouver-based biotech has acquired C-103, a reformulation of orlistat, for an advance payment of $200,000, plus 10 million M Pharma shares, while a "low single-digit" royalty percentage will be paid to Chelatexx on net sales of the drug. Orlistat is currently marketed in prescription strength by Roche ($RHBBY) and in the lower OTC strength by Glaxo's ($GSK) Consumer Healthcare unit--but according to M Pharma, sales of the drug have fallen from their peak due to "uncomfortable and well-publicised" GI side effects. These include, according to the drug's safety profile, "bullous eruptions," fecal incontinence and gingival disorders, among a host of other side effects. The reformulation--patented by KY-based Chelatexx--is set to change all that by keeping the efficacy of the drug whilst minimizing--or completely getting rid of--many of these AEs. M Pharma said it was also in the process of raising up to $700,000 by placing new shares and warrants. Story
@FierceBiotech: New study highlights a gut pathway for red wine compound resveratrol. More from FierceBiotechResearch | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Allergan pivots back to dealmaking as analysts link Pfizer to AbbVie, Biogen and Regeneron. Story | Follow @JohnCFierce
> Incyte has acquired the rights to develop and commercialize ruxolitinib (Jakafi), its JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, for graft-versus-host disease from Eli Lilly. A pivotal program for GVHD will start later in the year. Incyte also amended its Collaboration and License Agreement with Novartis, granting Novartis exclusive research, development and commercialization rights for ruxolitinib in GVHD outside the U.S. Release
> Vancouver-based Replicel Life Sciences, a regenerative med company, has restructured, laying off staffers and slashing costs by 60%. Release
Medical Device News
@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: Warburg-backed Sterigenics buys Nelson Labs to create largest sterilization, testing firm. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev
@EmilyWFierce: ICYMI from FiercePharma: Biogen, Samsung accuse AbbVie of evergreening Humira patents to block biosims. Report | Follow @EmilyWFierce
> Duke University sends recs to FDA for new medical device safety evaluation system. Article
Pharma News
@FiercePharma: WHO fights Angola yellow fever outbreak, global vaccine shortage. More from FierceVaccines | Follow @FiercePharma
@EricPFierce: Unable to find a buyer, Sun will close the Ranbaxy plant in Ireland, lay off 70 remaining workers. FiercePharmaManufacturing report | Follow @EricPFierce
@CarlyHFierce: Valeant's prized GI force, once shielded from job cuts, faces the ax. FiercePharmaMarketing story | Follow @CarlyHFierce
> Pfizer's $160B megadeal for Allergan collapses under new tax rules. Story
> Pfizer escapes hundreds of lawsuits alleging birth defects tied to Zoloft. Article
Biotech Research News
> Wistar scientists show impact of aging on melanoma therapy in the lab. Report
> U.S. academics test new mouse model for possible Zika vaccine. More
> Cryoablation therapy used to treat phantom limb pain. Item
> New study highlights a gut pathway for red wine compound resveratrol. Story
> A stem cell therapy trial finally delivers positive results for heart failure. Article
Vaccines News
> Complacency could derail Ebola progress, experts warn. Item
> Experts share info in scramble to fight 'impressive' Zika virus. Report
> WHO fights Angola yellow fever outbreak, global vaccine shortage. Story
> NIAID greenlights funds for adjuvant research. Article
> Genocea reports promising 12-month data for its genital herpes vaccine. More
Pharma Marketing News
> Up up and away: 2015 pharma ad spending ties decade-old record. Item
> Allergan amps up #ActuallySheCan campaign with Tribeca festival film. More
> Boomers are tough on digital pharma ads, but they do like celeb endorsements. Report
> Valeant's prized GI force, once shielded from job cuts, faces the ax. Story
> FDA nitpicks Shiongi's head lice copay voucher over 'false and misleading' claims. Article