/Boehringer lands in Cambridge with 130M in venture cash; J&J inks a 2B discovery deal with Genmab; Harvard Bioscience trims workforce;
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Boehringer lands in Cambridge with $130M in venture cash; J&J inks a $2B discovery deal with Genmab; Harvard Bioscience trims workforce;

FierceBiotech
2013/12/04

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Boehringer Ingelheim's venture fund has arrived in Cambridge, MA, with $130 million in hand to invest in U.S. startups. Venture chief Martin Heidecker tells the Boston Herald that the company is looking to invest $13 million in 10 companies, with the primary goal of backing companies that Boehringer may one day acquire. Boehringer plans to invest its cash around the country, but says it will likely concentrate much of its efforts in the busy Boston hub. Story

Denmark's Genmab landed a $2 million upfront from Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ) to expand their development deal on bispecific antibodies, a hot field in R&D. Genmab can earn up to $219 million in additional milestones for each of 10 programs. Our DuoBody collaboration with Janssen has been very productive since we signed the initial agreement in July 2012. If all 10 programs succeed, though, the milestones are capped at $191 million for each program. "We are excited about the potential to work with Janssen on additional programs," said Genmab CEO Jan van de Winkel. Release

Holliston, MA-based Harvard Bioscience says it is trimming 13% of its workforce in search of $2 million in annual savings. The company makes tools for the R&D trade. Release

Medivation ($MDVN) and Astellas have launched a Phase II clinical trial of enzalutamide in combination with exemestane in women with advanced breast cancer that is estrogen receptor positive or progesterone receptor positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 normal. Release

Medical Device News

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@MarkHFierce: Patients' attorneys say J&J either lost or wiped out vital docs about vaginal mesh implants vital to their lawsuits. Story | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: Researchers' pitch: An injectable, sustained-release rotator cuff treatment. News | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@GalenMoore: Boston hand-wringing alert: Celgene, Lilly back $100M VC fund for NY biotech startups. Story | Follow @GalenMoore

FDA cautions some Philips external defibrillators may still be duds. More

23andMe hit with lawsuit over 'meaningless' gene tests. Article

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Boehringer Ingelheim looks for a buyer for its troubled Bedford operation. News | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Will wonders--and AstraZeneca's patent battles over Prilosec--never cease? Apotex ordered to pay $76M. News | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Can Celgene, Eli Lilly and GE Ventures help turn NYC into a biotech hub? Story | Follow @CarlyHFierce

Pfizer cutting 150 more jobs in Ireland in face of weak sales. More

Teva has a 'clear strategy,' Desheh claims. Piece

Drug Delivery News

Study: 'Worm-shaped' nanoparticles best at infiltrating breast cancer. More

BioDelivery Sciences pushes diabetic pain gel to PhIII with FDA nod. News

Danish nanorobots offer hot, cold delivery. Article

Researchers' pitch: An injectable, sustained-release rotator cuff treatment. Piece

Unilife bags Novartis deal for injectable tech. Story

Bind founders publish data showing nanomed transport ability. Item

Diagnostics News

LabCorp launch heightens crowding of BRCA predictive cancer test market. Story

Biodesix grabs an $8.3M Series E for personalized lung cancer treatment test. Report

Investors panic over BioReference Laboratories' reimbursement woes. Article

U.K. team speeds brain cancer diagnostic process. News

BioMérieux, Biocartis shut down molecular Dx development partnership. More

Myriad Genetics inches closer to acquiring Crescendo Bioscience. Item

Summary

@FierceBiotech: Organogenesis preps 'heart breaking' cuts as Medicare slashes reimbursement. More | Follow @FierceBiotech @JohnCFierce: Hey, you VCs looking at getting into the NY fund, drop...