The Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical R&D division of Janssen Pharmaceutica has signed a research agreement with Skyline Diagnostics, a Netherlands-based biotech company focusing on the development and marketing of gene signature-based diagnostic assays. Skyline will be working with Janssen to generate and analyze diagnostic information related to the use of an undisclosed, marketed compound, using the company’s proprietary knowledge and technologies in the area of genetic profiling and bioinformatics. Under the terms of the agreement, Skyline will be receiving R&D funding and may receive payments on the achievement of certain research milestones.
Medtronic has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Salient Surgical Technologies, Inc., a global medical technology company that develops and markets advanced energy devices used in surgical procedures – including orthopaedic surgery, spine, open abdominal and thoracic procedures – in a transaction that will amount to $525 million. Medtronic had previously invested in Salient and currently holds an ownership stake in the company. The acquisition is subject to governmental and regulatory review in the U.S. and several countries. Until the transaction is completed, the companies will continue to operate as separate entities.
