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# Since Our Last Issue ...
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/since-our-last-issue-129/
- Published: 2019-10-27T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T01:59:07.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General, #legacy-id-D5136638

**Patricia Industries** has acquired Toronto, Canada-based medical device company **Laborie** from **Audax Private Equity**. Laborie develops technology for the diagnosis and treatment of urologic and gastrointestinal disorders. Its sales were $117 million in fiscal year 2018.

**Pfizer** has agreed to buy San Francisco biotech **Medivation** for about $14 billion. The company’s prostate cancer drug Xtandi, generates about $2 billion in annual sales and has the potential to more than double, according to analysts.

**Regeneron Pharmaceuticals** says it will manufacture and study two antibody therapies identified by its VelociGene and VelocImmune technologies, for preventing and treating Middle East respiratory syndrome under an up-to-$8.9 million agreement with HHS’ U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). BARDA agreed to provide the funding to support packaging and labeling of the antibodies for human use, the preparation and submission of an IND application with FDA, and a National Institutes of Health-conducted clinical trial in healthy volunteers, according the company.

**Amgen** is reporting positive top-line results from a primary analysis of its Phase 3 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Prolia (denosumab) compared with risedronate in patients receiving glucocorticoid treatment. According to the company, the study met all primary and secondary endpoints at 12 months and the data showed that treatment with Prolia for 12 months, compared to risedronate, led to significantly greater gains in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and total hip, both in patients receiving continuing glucocorticoid therapy and in patients initiating glucocorticoid therapy.  
  
**Exalenz Bioscience** will collaborate with **Conatus Pharmaceuticals** to use the BreathID Methacetin Breath Test to monitor patients in a Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating emricasan, Conatus’ investigational treatment for patients with chronic liver disease. According to the companies, the ENCORE-PH multicenter trial is expected to begin this year and is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of emricasan in patients with liver cirrhosis associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and severe portal hypertension.