> Japan's Taisho and Belgium's Ablynx signed a license deal on once-sidelined anti-TNF alpha nanobody ozoralizumab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, which includes an upfront payment of $3 million and undisclosed milestones and royalties based sales with the Japanese firm funding all local development, registration and commercialization activities. Release (PDF)
> Bayer has submitted an application to Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency for market authorization of recombinant factor VIII product, A. BAY 81-8973, as a treatment of hemophilia. Release
> India's Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has secured U.S. FDA approval for a generic of Merck-Schering Plough's Zetia (ezetimibe), which had $1.8 billion in sales last year and may generate as much as $240 million in cash flows during the 134-day exclusivity period. Report
> Japan's Daiichi Sankyo said its once-daily blood thinner Lixiana was approved for use across the European Union for stroke prophylaxis and to prevent and treat certain blood clots. Release
> Middle-income countries need to spend more on HIV-AIDS programs, according to a study titled "Defeating AIDS--Advancing Global Health" by UNAIDS and the Lancet Commission released June 25. Release
> A study has found that India's drug industry faces a sharp manpower shortage and lack of infrastructure with experts seeing slow progress for needed improvements. Report
> Hong Kong-listed Zhongzhi Pharmaceutical made a global offering of 200 million shares at a maximum price of HK$3.08 each. Release (PDF)
> Singapore-based researchers have developed a hydrogel that can deliver drugs with long-term efficacy, aiding patients with chronic diseases such as hepatitis C, said the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology of A*STAR. Report
> Malaysia has pitched itself as a gateway for the Harmonization and Bioeconomy Transformation Programme by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that aims to create common standards for drug and device rules in a market of 600 million plus people. Release
> Saudi Arabia's Tabuk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing said it hire 200 to 300 women in the next 5 years in Tabuk, Riyadh and Dammam to increase female representation to 20% of total headcount. Release
> China FDA has ramped up staff training for its newly revised Supervision and Regulation of Medical Devices" guidelines. Release (Chinese language)
> China FDA released its first "Adverse Drug Reaction Information Bulletin" that identifies compounding risk concerns and differences between Western and Traditional Chinese Medicines in that regard. Release (Chinese language)
> Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency has released an English-language version of its "PMDA International Strategic Plan 2015" that covers development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and cellular and tissue-based products. Release | Document (PDF)
> Australia's Cellmid says it was granted a U.S. patent for "anti-midkine" antibodies used to prevent and treat cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Release (PDF)
> SGS Life Science Services completed construction of its Shanghai cGMP chemistry and biotechnology testing laboratories with plans afoot to increase microbiology lab operations. Release
> Colorcon opened a new technical service laboratory in Beijing this week aimed at drug companies in the North China region and marking its 19th Technical Service facility globally. Release
> Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency has released review reports that were selected for translation to English among drugs with a new active ingredient that recently received marketing approval. Release