Seven new drug applications got the thumbs up this week from the EMA's drug evaluation committee, the CHMP.  Their EU approval should now be a formality. Two new Shionogi treatments are set for approval, as are two orphan products – one from Medac, the other from AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals. Pfizer got the OK for one biosimilar but has withdrawn an application for another.

With its final meeting of the year under way, the EMA's medicines evaluation committee, the CHMP, will bring seasonal cheer for some companies if it decides their products merit EU approval. New treatments from Shionogi and Medac are up for an opinion. A planned appearance by Portola before the panel to answers questions relating to its marketing application for Ondexxya/AndexXa has been cancelled and the review period for the marketing authorization application for the product extended.

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 June 2017.

Recently approved Bavencio will be paired with experimental MNK1/2 inhibitor in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer. CRO Parexel to go private, AbbVie teams with Principia in immunology R&D and more.