Clinigen and Eisai partner to offer Halaven for metastatic breast cancer in South Africa

Eisai has partnered with Clinigen Group to distribute Halaven (eribulin) in South Africa for the treatment of women with metastatic breast cancer. Discovered and developed by Eisai, Eribulin is a synthetic variant of microtubule dynamics inhibitor halichondrin B, designed to inhibit the growth phase of microtubule dynamics to prevent cell division. Eribulin is currently indicated in the European Union (EU) for the treatment of adults with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer and for adult patients with unresectable liposarcoma.

Sanofi, Lonza enter into Joint Venture to produce monoclonal antibodies

Sanofi and Lonza have entered into a strategic partnership to build a Joint Venture whose main asset will be a facility for monoclonal antibody development and production in Lonza’s Visp site, Switzerland.  The JV will have an initial capital of CHF 290m, to which the two companies will contribute equally. Construction will begin as early as 2017, and the plant is expected to be operational by 2020. Lonza has previously built and licensed three similar facilities in the US and Singapore.

Fidia to acquire the Italian Group Sooft

SOOFT, specializing in ophthalmic products, sold 80% of the company to Fidia Farmaceutici. Fidia CEO and chairman, has reportedly announced the transaction, without providing its financial details. Sooft generated approximately €60m in revenue in 2016. Following the acquisition, Fidia can now add to its portfolio the brands Sooft, Bioos, Glaucoom, OftaH.T. and Neoox, which will allow the Abano-headquartered group to yield a revenue of €300m in 2017.

Johnson & Johnson completes acquisition of Abbott Medical Optics

Johnson & Johnson has completed the acquisition of Abbott Medical Optics (AMO), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abbott. The all-cash $4.325 billion acquisition was originally announced Sept. 16, 2016, and includes ophthalmic products in three areas of patient care: cataract surgery, laser refractive surgery and consumer eye health. These product lines will now join with the world-leading ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses business, and the combined organization will operate under the brand name Johnson & Johnson Vision (J&J Vision)