Ablynx and a Merck & Co. subsidiary have agreed to develop and commercialize Nanobody candidates directed toward a voltage gated ion channel with the option to develop and commercialize a Nanobody to a second target. Under the agreement, Merck gains exclusive global rights to Nanobodies against the selected target, with an option for similar rights to a second target. Upon signing, Merck will pay Ablynx a EUR 6.5-million ($8.4 million) upfront payment and a EUR 2-million ($2.6 million) fee for research funding. In addition, Ablynx will be eligible to receive up to EUR 448 million ($580 million) in research, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments associated with the progress of multiple candidates as well as tiered royalties on any products derived from the collaboration. Ablynx will be responsible for the discovery of Nanobody candidates and Merck will be responsible for the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of any Nanobody product resulting from the collaboration. Read More

Advertisement: Caron's Photostability Chambers ideal for forced degradation Caron’s Photostability chambers feature a benchtop size and are designed in accordance with ICH Q1B guidelines. Uniform light distribution and high intensity levels allow for quick response forced degradation testing and confirmatory studies. To learn more and to download our white paper “Using Photostability Chambers to Meet the Requirements of Drug Testing in Accordance with ICH, Q1B” visit. www.caronproducts.com/photostability

Catalent Pharma Solutions has established a global alliance with Parexel International to help streamline the clinical-trial supply process. The alliance will provide a fully integrated service offering aimed at ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of clinical-trial materials. Read More

Advertisement: Realize Effective Pharmaceuticals Reliable solutions enable pharmaceutical scientists to innovate in disease research, accelerate drug discovery and have greater confidence throughout development and manufacturing. Agilent solutions in genomics research, automation, separation and detection technologies along with workflow driven software solutions helps deliver the answers to bring effective therapeutics to market. Learn more at www.agilent.com/lifesciences/realizepharma

In other news, Catalent has agreed to supply to the biopharmaceutical company Vivus Qsymia once-daily combination extended-release capsules. Qsymia was recently been approved by FDA as a once-daily combination treatment for chronic weight management in adults who are obese or overweight with a weight-related comorbidity. Read More

Advertisement: Agilent ICP-MS/ICP-OES Reliable solutions for regulated pharmaceutical laboratories Complying with new elemental impurity limits as defined by draft USP methods <232>/<233> could pose a significant challenge. You need to choose qualified hardware and software, ensure verification, and maintain electronic records. But there is a simple answer – Request a free copy of our primer on Elemental Impurity Analysis to learn more

Janssen Biotech has entered into a license agreement with Astellas Pharma for the worldwide development and commercialization, except in Japan, of ASP015K, an oral, small-molecule Janus Kinase inhibitor. ASP015K is currently in Phase II-b development as a once-daily treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, following a successful Phase II-a study demonstrating its potential in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Read More

Advertisement: Property of SEMBIOSYS GENETICS INC – IN RECEIVERSHIP SemBioSys Genetics Inc. is a development stage agricultural biotechnology company. MNP Ltd. is seeking offers to purchase the right, title and interest of SBS in all intangibles, including patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property of SBS and of all safflower seed inventories of SBS, and the intellectual property imbedded therein. Visit www.mnpdebt.ca/ for details.

SAFC, part of Sigma-Aldrich, plans to expand its operations in Scotland by investing in the development of a new powder-manufacturing facility on its Irvine site. SAFC’s new facility in Irvine is its second powder manufacturing facility, which will support SAFC’s risk-management program, providing an internal back-up supplier for its customers. The new facility will be used to service customers across Europe and will create 24 new jobs. The project is being supported by a £1.5-million ($2.42 million) Regional Selective Assistance grant from Scottish Enterprise. Read More