Skip to main content

June 2016

 

 

academics

 

Clinical research courses

Zydus Cadila, a global healthcare provider and Eczacibasi Ilac Pazarlama AS, a leading healthcare company of Turkey, have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to market biotech products in the Turkish market. The agreement involves the import of biosimilars which are currently unavailable in the country especially for the treatment of cancer and also paves the way for a long term strategic collaboration to produce and launch new products in the market.

Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and QLT Inc. have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Aegerion will be merged with a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of QLT. Upon completion of the proposed merger, each outstanding share of Aegerion common stock will be exchanged for 1.0256 shares of QLT common stock. QLT plans to change its name upon the closing of the proposed transaction to Novelion Therapeutics Inc. (Novelion) and its common shares will trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

A broad-based investor syndicate comprised of both new investors and existing shareholders of both companies (collectively, the "Investors") has committed to invest approximately USD 22 million in QLT and to vote in favour of the proposed transaction. Assuming completion of the proposed merger by the end of the third quarter of 2016, Novelion is expected to have an unrestricted cash balance of over USD 100 million.

The proposed merger is expected to create a strong, rare disease-focused global biopharmaceutical company with a diversified portfolio consisting of Aegerion's two commercially branded products, Juxtapid (lomitapide) capsules and Myalept (metreleptin), and QLT's QLT091001 ("Zuretinol Acetate" or "Zuretinol"), a phase 3-ready Ultra-Orphan Fast Track and Orphan Drug designated asset being developed for the treatment of Inherited Retinal Disease caused by underlying mutations in RPE65 or LRAT genes ("IRD"), which indication comprises Leber Congenital Amaurosis ("LCA") and Retinitis Pigmentosa ("RP").

Zuretinol acetate is expected to advance to Phase 3 clinical trials in the third quarter of 2016 and has Orphan Drug designation from both FDA and EMA, as well as FDA Fast Track designation.


In combination with the proposed merger transaction, a broad-based investor syndicate will subscribe to purchase approximately USD 22 million in shares of QLT common stock for a purchase price of USD 1.76 per share is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to closing the merger. The investor syndicate includes new investors, including Deerfield, and a broad group of existing Aegerion and QLT shareholders, including Armistice Capital, Broadfin Capital, Healthcare Value Capital, JW Asset Management, K2 & Associates Investment Management, Sarissa Capital, Tiger Legatus Capital Management, and others.

The Board of Directors of Novelion will be comprised of ten members, including four QLT designees, four Aegerion designees and two shareholder representatives, one from Broadfin Capital and the other from Sarissa Capital. For a period of time that expires shortly after Novelion's 2017 annual shareholder meeting, Sarissa Capital also has the right to designate an additional director to the Novelion Board.


Under the terms of the merger agreement, Aegerion will become a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of QLT, and each existing share of Aegerion common stock will be converted into the right to receive 1.0256 common shares of Novelion. As a result of the structure of this transaction, a repayment obligation with respect to Aegerion's outstanding convertible notes will not be triggered.

Novartis announced that it will further expand its long-standing partnership with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). Novartis will lead the development of antimalarial compound KAF156 with scientific and financial support from MMV in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This agreement sets out the terms and conditions for the development of KAF156 and its future availability to patients.

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi) announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a higher strength 20 mg capsule of Orfadin® (nitisinone) for the treatment of Hereditary Tyrosinaemia type-1 (HT-1). HT-1 is a rare genetic disease that affects infants and children. It is progressive and may result in liver and kidney complications and can be fatal if untreated.

A Day in the Life of a Clinical Research Coordinator

I reached the hospital today at 8:35 am sharp.

The reason for reaching so early, you ask? Wait, let me narrate the eventful day I had today...

Early in the morning, at 5:22 am, my phone started ringing frantically. First I thought that it was my usual morning alarm and chose to ignore it, but the phone just wouldn’t stop. I jumped out of my bed to answer the call.

NIMS University Looking for Faculty position - Pharmacy

Synch with the mission of creating pathways through career to future, the Nims University has emerged as the largest and best self-financed university in North-India. Structured at par with the composite model universities of the leading nations of the world, the Nims University has been legendary in quality teaching and action oriented research in all disciplines.

Wanted Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor in Shree Sureshdada Jain Institute of Pharmaceutical

Shri.Sureshdada Jain Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamner has been established in the year 2005, with total intake of 60 students.

Applications  are  invited  for  the  post  of  Professor,  Associate  Professor,  Assistant  Professor,   from  eligible candidates for B. Pharm & M. Pharm Course.

AMRI Looking for Production Chemist

For more than 20 years, as Albany Molecular Research Inc. (AMRI), we have provided fully integrated drug discovery, development and manufacturing services – all while adapting to the rapidly changing needs of our customers within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and related industries.
With locations in the United States, Europe and Asia, AMRI SMARTSOURCING™ offers you a versatile and strategic way of partnering with us that is designed to deliver reduced risk, greater flexibility and a better return on investment. AMRI has successfully partnered R&D programs and is actively seeking to out-license its remaining programs for further development.

Post: Production Chemist- 02 posts

Opening for Associate Team Manager PV Ops in PAREXEL

PAREXEL has supported the Bio-Tech and Pharmaceutical industries in helping the development of new drugs and treatments on a global basis. As a leading global biopharmaceutical service provider, they supply knowledge-based contract research, medical communications and consulting services across a broad range of therapeutic areas to the worldwide pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. They have helped over 800 clients to develop and launch some of the most important drugs and devices of our time-helping people live better and healthier lives everywhere in the world. Headquartered near Boston, Massachusetts, PAREXEL operates in more than 50 countries around the world.

Post: Associate Team Manager