Galapagos NV is bolstering its ability to select drug targets and compounds by acquiring Inpharmatica Ltd in an all-share transaction that values the UK bioinformatics company at €12.5 million.

In the highest value deal yet seen for a preclinical pipeline, GlaxoSmithKline plc swooped on Domantis Ltd, paying £230 million cash for the six-year-old UK Medical Research Council spin out.

Three reports, two commissioned by possible next premier Gordon Brown and one inspired by him provide a glimpse of the future shape of UK innovation policy.

Watertight protection is more important than the speed with which patents are granted, according to a survey of business and academia.

Danish biotech is on the rise and has outpaced its closest neighbour, Sweden, according to a study published last week.

The notorious MP3 site AllofMP3.com is still functioning – despite the US–Russian agreement on intellectual property.