By Jason Derry* and Donald Zuhn --
GPC Biotech and Agennix to Merge
GPC Biotech AG and Agennix Inc. have announced a plan to merge. Both companies are focused on discovering and developing treatments for cancer. A new company will be formed with the help of cash from the investment company dievini Hopp Biotech. GPC shareholders will have 39.3% ownership in the new company, Agennix shareholders will have 48% ownership, and dievini Hopp Biotech will own the remaining 12.7%. The new company will continue to develop the Agennix compound, talactoferrin, which is in Phase III trials for treating non-small cell lung cancer. In addition, the company will pursue a topical 
talactoferrin for treating diabetic foot ulcers, and GPC's compound, RGB-286638, for treating advanced solid tumors.
Lundbeck to Acquire Ovation Pharmaceuticals
Last week, Denmark-based H. Lundbeck A/S announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Ovation Pharmaceuticals, Inc., of Deerfield, IL, under which wholly owned subsidiary Lundbeck, Inc. would acquire Ovation in an all cash transaction of up to $900 million. As a result of the agreement, Lundbeck acquires Ovation's portfolio of marketed products and late-stage pipeline primarily focused on CNS disorders, including Ovation's Sabril® for adults with refractory complex partial seizures and children with infantile spasms. Sabril® is in the final stage of FDA review and has been recommended for approval by an FDA Advisory Committee. Lundbeck President and CEO Ulf Wiinberg said that the company was "very encouraged by what Ovation has 
achieved in the short time since the company was founded and we look forward to working together in the common interest of both companies."
*Jason Derry, Ph.D., who graduated with honors from DePaul University
College of Law, is a molecular biologist and founding author of Patent Docs.
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