DURHAM -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Talecris Biotherapeutics' new version of its emphysema drug Monday.
Prolastin-C, used for the treatment of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic condition in which low levels of this essential protein can result in emphysema, delivers twice the active proteins per milliliter as the regular Prolastin, which has been in the market for two decades.
Talecris Biotherapeutics, which has headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Research Triangle Park and the greater Triangle area, recently launched a successful initial public offering that generated $950 million.
Arigene inks deal to buy Trimeris
DURHAM -- Korean corporation Arigene Co. Ltd. has commenced a cash tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of Trimeris Inc., a biopharmaceutical company in Durham, for more than $81 million.
The acquisition was announced earlier this month. Upon closing, stockholders of Trimeris will receive $3.60 in cash, according to the two companies.
RTM Acquisition Co., Arigene's subsidiary in Delaware, will be merged with Trimeris, with Trimeris as the surviving company. As a result, Trimeris will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Arigene.
Acquisition of Trimeris would represent Arigene's first step towards the launch of a research and development center in Korea to act as a facilitator to private ventures, governments and educational institutions within the biotechnology industry, the company said.
McKinney works with Tar Heels
DURHAM -- McKinney is coaching 16 selected UNC students in brand strategy over fall break this week in a first-ever strategy workshop for undergraduates held by the Durham ad agency.
From Wednesday to Friday, members of McKinney's award-winning strategy team speak to the students on topics such as, "Conversation Planning: How to Create a Conversation Beyond the Traditional Ad Campaign," "Connection Planning: Conversation Development Tools and Practices" and "Interactive Strategy," which includes online consumer monitoring, site mapping and development and social media planning.
The agency has landed several sizable accounts this year and plans to boost employment from 160 to 230 by the end of the year.
