Life Sciences

Illinois-based AbbVie reported that worldwide net sales rose 5.4 percent, to $4.6 billion in the first quarter of 2014, over 2013. The pharmaceutical firm also reported net earnings of $980 million or 61 cents per share.

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corp., a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Marlborough, said a Chicago-based investment firm has agreed to purchase up to $20 million in stock to advance research and development activities.

Karyopharm Therapeutics is beginning early-stage clinical trials of its cancer drug, Selinexor, on children with relapsed or resistant forms of leukemia.

Framingham-based Boston Heart Diagnostics Corp. announced it can now serve patients with its diagnostics into personalized nutrition...

Natick-based Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) has received approval for its newest defibrillators and heart failure devices, including the trademarked Dynagen Mini, Inogen Mini ICDs, and the Dynagen XF and Inogen X4 CRT-Ds.

When Geert Cauwenbergh needed money for a life sciences startup in 2002, he knew where to turn: venture capitalists.

Karyopharm Therapeutics of Natick has produced promising results as it develops its cancer drug, KPT-330. Now, the startup is exploring other potential applications for its technology. Karyopharm CEO Dr. Michael Kauffman said the startup has tested KPT-330 in a topical gel on animal subjects and gotten positive results in treating wounds that are difficult to heal. The startup is also studying other applications for autoimmune diseases, but Kauffman said it was too early to discuss those in detail.

Wellesley-based market research firm BCC Research reported Thursday that it expects the global pharmacy automation market to grow to nearly $4.9 billion in 2018, with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8 percent. The outpatient automated services segment is the fastest moving segment with an expected CAGR of 9.5 percent.

A federal judge on Tuesday cast serious doubt on Gov. Deval Patrick's aggressive move to ban a powerful new painkiller from being prescribed in Massachusetts, giving the administration and the drug's manufacturer until next week to resolve the dispute before she issues a ruling.

A new drug from Sunovion Pharmaceuticals aimed at reducing seizures associated with epilepsy is now available by prescription in pharmacies across the United States.