A review of life science current events reported by MedCity News this week:
Can blood therapy bear one less firm? Talecris, Grifols on brink of merger. Talecris has been down this this road before. Australian company CSL Limited courted Talecris in 2008 with a proposed $3.1 billion acquisition. CSL walked away from that deal after the FTC blocked the meger on antitrust grounds. The Grifols marriage proposal comes with a pre-nup: If this deal doesn’t go through, Grifols will pay Talecris a $100 million breakup fee. But Talecris isn’t looking to collect breakup fees. It’s looking to become a bigger player in the blood therapies market.
GSK layoffs hit US neuroscience staff; half of less than 50 jobs lost from RTP. GlaxoSmithKline layoffs in its U.S. neurosciences group are affecting less than 50 workers but half of those job cuts are coming from the pharmaceutical company’s U.S. headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Ohio State Medical Center gets largest-ever donation. Ohio State University has received a $100 million donation, most of which will go to the university’s medical center. The gift comes from Limited Brands founder Leslie Wexner and his Limited Brands Foundation. Wexner is chairman of the university’s board of trustees and a 1959 graduate of Ohio State.
Steris slapped with FDA warning letter for improper marketing claims. Decontamination technologies maker Steris Corp.’s struggles with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continue, as the agency cited the company for making improper marketing claims about several steam-sterilization devices. The FDA sent Steris a warning letter, dated Feb. 9, alleging that the Mentor, Ohio, company misbranded its devices by making claims about the devices’ capabilities that were not cleared by the FDA as part of Steris’ 510(k) applications for market clearance.
Wellness company RedBrick Health links success to healthcare social media. The Twin Cities business recently raised $5 million and could raise another $10 million, according to a federal regulatory filing. In mid-January, RedBrick rolled out its latest platform update, Key RedBrick 4, which improved and expanded its online portal to better allow companies to tweak employee health benefits.
