Dutch biotech Pharming to acquire DNage

Dutch biotech Pharming has agreed to buy DNage, also of The Netherlands, in an all-stock deal of four million shares--delivered in installments--along with additional milestone payments. For Pharming, the acquisition delivers a pipeline of new therapies directed against the effects of aging and cancer. Pharming has been exploring ways to grow its research work in those fields. DNage currently has active programs in the areas of osteoporosis, neurodegeneration (brain diseases), metabolic diseases (type II diabetes) and genetic diseases (premature aging). Its first product for Cockayne disease, a rare genetic disorder in which children suffer from accelerated aging while developing severe aging ailments, is in late stage preclinical development.

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