Anacor Pharmaceuticals Receives Significant Investment to Support Neglected Disease Research

Anacor Pharmaceuticals (ANAC) today announced that it has signed a research agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (the Gates Foundation) to discover drug candidates intended to treat two filarial worm diseases (onchocerciasis, or river blindness, and lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis) and tuberculosis (TB). Additionally, Anacor will create an expanded library of boron compounds to screen for additional potential drug candidates to treat neglected diseases and will provide access to the expanded library compounds for neglected disease research to the Gates Foundation, and others, including academic, governmental and other non-profit institutions or equivalent entities. Under the agreement, Gates Foundation will pay Anacor $17.7 million as well as invest $5 million in Anacor common stock.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals And Obagi Medical Products Agree On An Increased Offer Price Of $24.00 Per Share In Cash

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE: VRX and TSX: VRX) today announced that Valeant and Obagi Medical Products, Inc. (OMPI) have executed an amendment to their Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated March 19, 2013 . Pursuant to the amendment, Valeant increased its offer to acquire Obagi from $19.75 to $24.00 per share in cash.

The offer documents will be amended to reflect the new offer price of $24.00 per share. The expiration date of the tender offer will remain 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on April 23, 2013 . The tender offer is conditioned on the tender of a majority of Obagi's shares calculated on a diluted basis, as well as the receipt of certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Merz Pharma Group Makes Superior Proposal to Acquire Obagi Medical Products

Proposes to Acquire All of Obagi's Outstanding Common Stock for $22 Per Share in Cash Transaction Not Conditioned Upon Financing Or Due Diligence

In a letter to the Board of Directors of Obagi Medical Products, Inc. (OMPI) ("Obagi"), Merz Pharma Group ("Merz" or "the Company") today outlined a proposal to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Obagi for $22 per share in cash.  This proposal represents a 58% premium to Obagi's closing share price on Thursday, March 14, 2013, the last trading day prior to the disclosure on Obagi's fourth quarter earnings call that Obagi had engaged a financial advisor to help explore "all opportunities." 

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Provides Update Regarding Peramivir

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BCRX) today announced that it received a preliminary comment letter from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) that outlines a pathway by which BioCryst could file a New Drug Application (NDA) seeking regulatory approval of intravenous (i.v.) peramivir. The letter was sent in response to questions BioCryst submitted to the FDA in advance of an upcoming Type C regulatory meeting regarding i.v. peramivir. The FDA also suggested the Company request a pre-NDA meeting to reach agreement on a complete NDA submission and to address review issues identified in its preliminary comment letter.