After apparent long delays in development, AbbVie returns rights to Dong-A's MerTK program, with the South Korean pharma yet to determine the fate of the still preclinical stage assets.

The pivotal clinical study will support a US pre-market approval to allow Regentis Biomaterials to market GelrinC for the repair of focal knee cartilage defects in the knee, the largest unmet need in orthopedic sports medicine, according to the company.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Dealmaking column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment – In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced in March 2016.

The publication by the UK health technology assessment body NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) of draft guidance recommending the use of three acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, and an NMDA antagonist in patients with more advanced disease, has been widely welcomed as a “courageous decision” and as a “U-turn” on its previous guidance (scripintelligence.com, 7 October 2010).