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Intellia Therapeutics a leading genome editing company focused on the development of potentially curative therapeutics using CRISPR technology, announced that the European Patent Office (EPO) has decided to grant a patent broadly covering the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. The patent includes claims covering compositions of the widely adopted CRISPR single guide RNA technology for use in any non-cellular and cellular setting, including eukaryotic cells such as human or mammalian cells, as well as for use in human therapeutics.

ProQR Therapeutics N.V. announced the grant of two key patents protecting QR-010 in the US and EU. These patents provide the Company exclusive rights for QR-010 for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) until at least July 2033.

BeyondSpring Inc.  a global clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative cancer therapies, today announced that the Company’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Business Development, Ramon Mohanlal, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., will present clinically and statistically significant data on BeyondSpring’s lead asset, Plinabulin, for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced Neutropenia at this year’s BIO-Europe Spring meeting in Barcelona, Spain.

Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued the first U.S. Patent to Achillion resulting from its complement factor D research program. U.S. Patent No. 9,598,446 has been granted with claims to compositions of matter for compounds that inhibit complement factor D activity, a key mediator in the complement alternative pathway (AP).

Catalyst Pharmaceuticals Inc. a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for people with rare neuromuscular and neurological diseases, today announced positive top-line results from the investigator-sponsored trial evaluating Firdapse® (Amifampridine Phosphate) as a treatment for myasthenia gravis patients with anti-MuSK antibodies (MuSK-MG). MuSK-MG, is an ultra-rare sub-population of myasthenia Gravis (MG) patients which is a debilitating neuromuscular disease, and there are currently no FDA approved therapies for this specific form of MG.  Both of the co-primary efficacy endpoints of change from baseline (CFB) in total Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score (p=0.0003) and CFB in total Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) score (p=0.0006) were statistically and clinically significant in this seven patient trial.  Several secondary efficacy measures also achieved statistical significance.  Amifampridine phosphate was well tolerated in this population of patients.

Arbutus Biopharma Corporation an industry-leading therapeutic solutions company focused on developing a cure for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection announced it has licensed to Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  its proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology for exclusive use in one of Alexion’s rare disease programs. This transaction enables Alexion to address delivery for therapeutic application of messenger RNA (mRNA) and rapidly enter clinical development with its mRNA product candidate.

Arbutus Biopharma Corporation an industry-leading therapeutic solutions company focused on developing a cure for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, announced that the Supreme Court of British Columbia granted Arbutus’ request for a pre-trial injunction against Acuitas, preventing Acuitas from sublicensing Arbutus’ lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology until the end of October, or further order of the Court.  Under the terms of the pre-trial injunction, Acuitas is prevented from entering into any new agreements which include sublicensing of Arbutus’ LNP.

Cytokinetics, Inc announced that it is scheduled to report fourth quarter results on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Following the announcement, Cytokinetics’ senior management will host a conference call at 4:30 PM Eastern Time to discuss operational and financial results and the company’s outlook for the future.

Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc.announced that it has signed a $150 million royalty agreement with HealthCare Royalty Partners (HCR). Under the terms of the agreement, Portola received $50 million at closing and may receive an additional $100 million upon U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of AndexXaTM (andexanet alfa) in exchange for a tiered, mid-single-digit royalty based on worldwide sales of the agent. The agreement is subject to a maximum total royalty payment of 195 percent of the $150 million funded by HCR, at which time the agreement would expire.

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