Category: Licensing

    By Jason Derry — Stem Cell Sciences plc has announced an agreement with Myelin Repair Foundation (MRF) to develop methods for generating sustainable cultures of human brain cells.  Under the terms of the agreement, MRF will work on developing methods for culturing neural stem cells, and inducing the stem cells to differentiate into…

    By Donald Zuhn — Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) announced that it had entered into a licensing agreement with BioTime, Inc. for 173 of WARF’s human embryonic stem cell patents and patent applications (commonly known as the Thomson patents for inventor James Thomson).  WARF is a private, non-profit patenting…

    By Christopher P. Singer — In a January 7, 2008 news release, Seattle Genetics, Inc. announced that it will receive a $4 million milestone payment from its collaboration with Genentech, Inc.  This payment arose as a result of Genentech’s initiation of a phase Ib clinical trial of SGN-40 in combination with Rituxan® (rituximab)…

    By Jason Derry — Celltrion, Inc. and CSL Limited have announced an agreement to develop and commercialize a monoclonal antibody for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML).  The antibody, designated CSL 360, is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials in Australia.  CSL is a global, biopharmaceutical company located in Australia, having facilities throughout the…

    By Christopher P. Singer — In a December 17, 2007 press release, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and PDL BioPharma, Inc. announced a finalized agreement in which Otsuka acquires intellectual property related assets to IV Busulfex® (busulfan) from PDL.  Under the agreement, Otsuka obtains rights to trademarks, patents, and other Busulfex-related assets, in return…

    By Jason Derry — Affymetrix Inc. has announced today that it will acquire USB Corporation for approximately $75 million.  USB develops and sells molecular biology products, biochemical reagents, and DNA sequencing reagents, including enzymes and kits for molecular biology research applications.  Affymetrix is a leader in the field of microarray technology for genetic…

    By Jason Derry — Eisai Co., Ltd. and MGI PHARMA, Inc. have announced that Eisai will acquire MGI PHARMA for approximately $3.9 billion.  Eisai is a research-based company focusing on discovery, development, and marketing of therapeutic products in the fields of neuroscience, gastrointestinal disorders, and oncology.  MGI PHARMA is a biopharmaceutical company that…

    By Jason Derry — Exiqon A/S and Oncotech Inc. have announced that Exiqon will acquire Oncotech for approximately $45 million.  Oncotech provides diagnostic tests that help physicians optimize treatment regimens for cancer patients.  Exiqon provides a number of products to assist in analyzing gene expression, including microRNA profiling products and services.  Through the…

    By Christopher P. Singer — In a November 26, 2007 press release, InterMune Inc. announced that it will purchase patent rights to pirfenidone from Marnac, Inc. and KDL GmbH.  This acquisition includes patent rights that InterMune had been licensing from Marnac and KDL as well as other international IP rights relating to pirfenidone…

    By Sherri Oslick — Astellas Pharma Inc. of Tokyo, has announced an agreement between its U.S. subsidiary, Astellas U.S. Holding of Deerfield, IL and Agensys, Inc. of Santa Monica CA under which Astellas will acquire Agensys for $387 million in cash, with up to an additional $150 million dependent upon Agensys’ achievement of…