News Archive

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SCMP) has acquired an option to commercialize a drug candidate aimed at preventing colon cancer among a high-risk group of patients in a deal worth up to $190 million. Sucampo unveiled Monday its agreement with Tuscon, Arizona-based Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals Inc. for the option to acquire an exclusive license to commercialize for a drug candidate in Phase III clinical trials. The therapy is aimed at treating a genetic condition called Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, or FAP, which can develop into colon cancer if it’s left untreated.

Thursday January 21, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST

Johns Hopkins Montgomery County Campus is also a site for the popular Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Geared toward retirees, these non-credit classes cover topics including opera, literature, history, politics and more.

The campus is home to approximately 35 research companies and entrepreneurs. Scientists on campus are studying cervical cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, cell therapy, proteins and other health issues. Other companies focus on technology, medical devices and consulting services. The Rockville Science Center’s administrative offices are located here. Start-up companies, second-stage businesses and more established companies are welcome.

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Sucampo) (Nasdaq: SCMP) announced an option and collaboration agreement under which Cancer Prevention Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CPP) has granted Sucampo the sole option to acquire an exclusive license to commercialize CPP-1X/sulindac combination product in North America. This product is currently in a Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

Ah. Another January, another J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference — where this year’s biggest biopharma deals are just a cocktail and a handshake away. As swaths of C-suite execs descend upon San Francisco, here’s an overview of some of the ideas we expect to see in motion at the conference (cattle yard) this week:

We’re one step closer to open-source collaboration in the life sciences – and could come a hell of a lot closer to completely revolutionizing cancer treatment – thanks to a promising new alliance formed by the top brass in biopharma.

Meant to accelerate the potential of immunotherapy in treating cancer, The National Immunotherapy Coalition has just been launched by leaders from Amgen, Celgene, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, and NantWorks – along with Independence Blue Cross and many others. Here’s why:

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that it has received a favorable private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service related to the planned spin-off of its biosciences business. Subject to its terms, the ruling confirms that certain aspects of the planned transaction, including those related to the qualification of the business as an active trade or business, will not preclude the spin-off from qualifying as tax-free to Emergent and its stockholders.

Our region’s business community has a self-esteem problem. We nod shamefully when we are told we depend on government dollars for success.

Wrong.

The world’s largest DNA sequencing company says it will form a new company to develop blood tests that cost $1,000 or less and can detect many types of cancer before symptoms arise.

Illumina, based in San Diego, said its blood tests should reach the market by 2019, and would be offered through doctors’ offices or possibly a network of testing centers.

Deloitte today announced a strategic alliance agreement with AT&T aimed at accelerating the adoption of smart city technology across U.S. cities. The telco and global management consultancy, along with several other hand-picked alliance members, strive to enhance livability and improve the efficiencies of local governments through optimal use of today’s technology.

Six startups have been selected for the Emerging Technology Centers’ AccelerateBaltimore program and one will receive an extra investment of $100,000. Now in its fifth year, AccelerateBaltimore is a four month program that aims to help promising startup companies come closer to bringing their products or services to market. The program is backed by $170,000 from the Abell Foundation. The money largely goes toward the $25,000 award given to each participating company.