In response to a challenge (opposition procedure), the European Patent Office has upheld the validity of Cellectis’ (NASDAQ:CLLS) European Patent EP3004337 covering a method of preparing T cells for immunotherapy using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology.
The patent will now be in effect until 2034.
Bristol-Myers finalizes Celgene buy
Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) has closed its $74B acquisition of Celgene (NASDAQ:CELG) for $50/share in cash, one share of BMY common stock and one tradeable Contingent Value Right (CVR) that will pay $9 to the holder if certain regulatory milestones are achieved.
FDA OKs Alnylam’s givosiran for AHP
Under Priority Review status, the FDA approves Alnylam Pharmaceuticals’ (ALNY +7.5%) RNAi therapeutic givosiran, branded as Givlaari, for acute hepatic porphyria (AHP).
The agency’s action was February 4, 2020.
The good news has spread to RNAi players Ionis Pharmaceuticals (IONS +3.5%) and Akcea Therapeutics (AKCA +8.7%).
Update: Shares up 8% on resumption of trade.
Novartis launches AI collaboration in Canada
Aimed at leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to transform how drugs are discovered, developed and commercialized, Novartis’ (NVS +0.2%) Canadian unit has entered into a three-year collaboration with Quebec AI Institute Mila.
Christian Macher, President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada says, “By having a presence at Mila, Novartis will be able to participate actively in its unique and dynamic ecosystem of companies, researchers and entrepreneurs. Alliances like this will help us go beyond the traditional pharmaceutical industry operating model to embrace the future of healthcare innovation to deliver on our purpose to reimagine medicine to improve and extend lives.”
Dragonfly collaborates with Abbvie for autoimmune diseases and oncology
Dragonfly Therapeutics and AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) announces a multi-target research collaboration designed to advance a number of Dragonfly’s NK cell engager-based immunotherapies for autoimmune and oncology indications.
The collaboration grants AbbVie the option to license exclusive worldwide intellectual property rights to develop and commercialize products directed to specific targets developed using Dragonfly’s TriNKET technology platform.
AbbVie will pay an upfront payment, future success-based milestone payments and royalties.
