Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. has bolstered its immuno-oncology ambitions by acquiring IL-8 focused Cormorant Pharmaceuticals AB, the 4-year old Swedish biotech. Cormorant’s shareholders are getting $95M up front with the promise of a further $425M if milestones are achieved.

The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody Arzerra (ofatumumab) has not been recommended for the maintenance therapy of relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), an expanded indication, by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP).

Genmab's anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody drug Arzerra (ofatumumab) has resulted in a low response rate in a single-arm, single-agent Phase II trial testing it as a therapy for relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). However, the company and analysts attributed the "disappointing" result to its use without chemotherapy and a heavily pre-treated population, and a Phase III trial in DLBCL is continuing.