News from BiotechScandinavia, a news service from Biotech Sweden

Major changes to the Q-Med board

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:06:07 +0100

The nomination committee wants to replace half of the existing board, including the current Chairman. An Extraordinary General Meeting will take place on February 4.

Massive job cuts at Astrazeneca

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:30:23 +0100

The global pharmaceuticals company will make further staff reductions. In the annual report Astrazeneca states that 15,000 employees will have to leave their jobs before 2013.

Symphogen buys tumor blocking technology

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:49:39 +0100

The seller is a pioneer in developing ligand traps to treat cancer and other diseases. "An excellent fit with our scientific and strategic focus," said Kirsten Drejer, CEO of Symphogen. Ph.D.

Faster sales but less profits for Probi

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:03:28 +0100

The probiotic company increases its turnover, and the net results are twice as large as last year.

Swedish top scientists to EMBO

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:11:46 +0100

Two Swedish top scientists will have a really good chance to influence European life science research from now on. One is from the Karolinska Institutet, and one is from the University of Uppsala.

Re-painting the big pig-ture

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:08:32 +0100

Why do tame pigs show such variety in colouring, when their wild relatives are so plain? Swedish researchers know who is to blame. But the big question is why.

Test if you carry the fat virus

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:52:20 +0100

In a soon future there may be a quick and simple test that could show if you are infected with Ad-36, a human adenovirus that can make you over-weight.

First ever study of human stem cell treatment

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:14:40 +0100

The FDA says yes to the world’s first study in man of a human embryonic stem cell based therapy to treat spinal injury.

Go ahead for leg wound study

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:08:08 +0100

Tripep starts a phase II-study of their wound healing joint venture project.

Teams up with leading dermatologist

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:52:51 +0100

Tripep has signed a letter of intent with a major Japanese specialty pharma company to bring their wound healing treatment to a big market.

Athera signs production partnership

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:50:58 +0100

The companys novel cardiovascular product will be manufactured in Germany.

Grant for development projects in Gothenburg

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:49:00 +0100

Seven research projects receive SEK 1 million to promote commercialization of early drug development and medical technology.

Lundbeck divests companies

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:18:50 +0100

The company sells all shares in one listed company plus divests four small private equity funds, for a three-figured million sum.

Orexo opens doors eastwards

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:13:01 +0100

The drug delivery company has signed a deal for selling a cancer pain treatment in China. "An ideal partner for us" says Torbj�rn Bjerke, CEO of Orexo.

Success fee to Bioinvent and partner

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:41:17 +0100

The cancer collaboration started last year. After successful technology transfer the two partner companies now receives 5 million euro from pharma giant Roche.

New study of toxins and heart disease

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:26:08 +0100

Is there a correlation between exposure to hormone interfering environmental toxins and increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease? A new patient study will try to evaluate this, and one thousand people are to be included.

Pfizer lays a chunky bid on Wyeth

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:04:54 +0100

The merger of two pharma giants is the largest industry deal so far this year. Pfizer will acquire Wyeth in a cash-and-stock transaction currently valued at approximately $68 billion. The Boards of Directors of both companies have said yes to the deal that may lead to lay-offs of some 8,000 persons.

A smart company takes care of its best

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:57:15 +0100

Lundbeck didn’t have to look far to find it’s new international Director of Marketing. The talent was already in the house.

New CEO to Promedvi

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:25:53 +0100

Sigrun Axelsson has taken on the leadership of the Lund-based medtech company.

New member to Active board

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:54:10 +0100

The Election Committee of Active Biotech proposes a very experienced financial sector executive to join the company board. Five existing members are also to be re-elected at the AGM in May.