Biosimilars major Celltrion has announced further progress on its biosimilar Xolair candidate, as it faces off against the likes of Glenmark to introduce global competition to Genentech/Novartis’ blockbuster cardiovascular biologic.

In an acquisition said by both US-based companies to be highly complementary, Azurity Pharmaceuticals has taken control of Slayback Pharma for an undisclosed fee.

Despite winning a landmark multi-billion-dollar antitrust suit earlier this year, Gilead Sciences has seen a US court give an initial green light allowing it to shell out nearly $250m to settle antitrust claims from direct purchasers of its two major HIV drugs.