The Wire

Quick-hit updates from the worlds of medical marketing, including everything from clinical news to device approvals to agency expansion and consolidation.

Sobi buys CTI BioPharma in $1.7B rare disease play
Sobi buys CTI BioPharma in $1.7B rare disease play
Jack O'Brien
May 10, 2023
1:18 pm

Sobi’s acquisition is set to bolster its hematology franchise with the addition of Vonjo, a novel oral kinase inhibitor that treats myelofibrosis.

Merck buys Prometheus Biosciences for nearly $11B
Merck buys Prometheus Biosciences for nearly $11B
Jack O'Brien
April 17, 2023
11:15 am

As part of the deal, Merck will acquire Prometheus’ lead candidate, PRA023, an anti-TL1A drug for treating immune-mediated diseases.

Proxygen secures $2.55B deal with Merck for molecular glue degraders
Proxygen secures $2.55B deal with Merck for molecular glue degraders
Jack O'Brien
April 6, 2023
10:51 am

The agreement to jointly identify and develop molecular glue degrader treatments for several therapeutic targets marks an evolution in the relationship between Proxygen and Merck.

Sartorius to pick up French drugmaker Polyplus for $2.6B
Sartorius to pick up French drugmaker Polyplus for $2.6B
Jack O'Brien
March 31, 2023
11:52 am

Polyplus is expected to generate sales revenue in the “upper double-digit million-euro range” along with a “very substantial” EBITDA margin this year.

Citius Pharmaceuticals preps to spin off I/ONTAK into standalone company
Citius Pharmaceuticals preps to spin off I/ONTAK into standalone company
Jack O'Brien
March 30, 2023
11:01 am

The FDA has a PDUFA target action date of July 28 for I/ONTAK.

Jounce renounces Redx Pharma deal, agrees to be acquired by Concentra
Jounce renounces Redx Pharma deal, agrees to be acquired by Concentra
Larry Dobrow
March 27, 2023
12:01 pm

The deal comes after Jounce’s board withdrew its recommendation to pursue a merger with Redx.

Fingerpaint Group purchases PharmaHealthLabs to enhance specialty services
Fingerpaint Group purchases PharmaHealthLabs to enhance specialty services
Jack O'Brien
March 21, 2023
10:04 am

This is the 2022 MM+M Agency 100 honoree’s third medical communications acquisition in two years as well as the second featuring a “hyperfocused” specialty.

Perinatal tissue leader BioStem Technologies expands with Auxocell acquisition
Perinatal tissue leader BioStem Technologies expands with Auxocell acquisition
Jack O'Brien
March 7, 2023
10:57 am

As part of the deal, BioStem will buy all of Auxocell’s rights, title and interest to all assets except for the AUX003 patent family.

NPG Health scoops up healthcare consulting firm Managed Markets Resources
NPG Health scoops up healthcare consulting firm Managed Markets Resources
Jack O'Brien
February 23, 2023
3:10 pm

The deal brings together two New Jersey-based pharma marketing organizations that have collaborated several times in the past.

Abbott to buy Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. for $890M
Abbott to buy Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. for $890M
Jack O'Brien
February 9, 2023
11:26 am

Abbott said it plans to utilize CSI’s product offerings to improve care outcomes for patients with peripheral and coronary artery disease.

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