More than 900 Biologics in Development
America's biopharmaceutical companies are using biological processes to develop 907 medicines and vaccines targeting more than 100 diseases, according to a new report.

Roche and BioLamina Collaborate on Novel Cell Culture Systems
Roche and BioLamina have entered into a research and development agreement to jointly develop new cell culture systems for various applications, including stem cell research. The collaboration will assess laminin-based in vitro cell culture matrices that can offer physiological microenvironments for living cells.

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European Patent Filings Up, But Pharma Stays Flat
While the number of patent filings at the European Patent Office in 2012 increased by 5.2% over 2011, pharmaceutical-based patents remained flat, and biotechnology patents dropped slightly.

First Biologic Approved in the EU for Gouty Arthritis
Ilaris (canakinumab), a selective, fully human, monoclonal antibody that inhibits interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), has been approved in the EU for symptomatic pain relief in patients suffering from gouty arthritis whose condition cannot be managed with current treatments.

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Daiichi Sankyo Condemns Falsely-Represented Product
Product sold online in Malaysia and Indonesia infringes on the company's trademark.

AstraZeneca's Crestor Patents Ruled Invalid in Australia
AstraZeneca's three patents protecting Crestor (rosuvastatin) have been ruled invalid by the Federal Court of Australia.

Sequestration: How Big a Hit for FDA, Research, and Pharma? (PharmTech Talk blog)
The greatly feared federal budget sequestration mandate went into effect Mar. 1, 2013, and, initially, the impact was fairly muted. The stock market soared, employment rose and government workers continued on their jobs. Federal agencies, including FDA, launched initiatives to comply with the mandated 5% across-the-board cut in spending (in reality a 9% cut that exceeds $200 million) to minimize the impact on basic operations. That means curbs on training and staff travel, no new hires and a delay in launching new programs.

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• Ajinomoto has agreed to acquire the CDMO Althea Technologies for approximately $175 million.
• Catalent Pharma Solutions has announced two joint ventures in China for its Softgel Technologies and Clinical Supply Solutions businesses.
• Galapagos and Roche have agreed to end their alliance in fibrosis.
• Phenomenex has launched a redesigned website, featuring industry-specific gateways function as complete digital consultants, helping users find answers by providing customized content and newsletters along with product selection and method development tools.
• The Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) announced that three high-level regulators from the US and Europe will speak at the 2013 PDA/FDA Process Validation Workshop, May 20–21, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Maryland.
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