Several forces--rapid technological obsolescence, the impact of information technology on health care, merger integrations, and the need for double digit revenue growth--have caused increasing numbers of large pharmaceutical and medical device companies to create new corporate venture capital groups. But compared to traditional VC firms, whose only goal is to make money for limited partners, corporate VCs have a heavy agenda. They must choose portfolio companies while balancing often-competing goals of strategic benefit and financial return.

Givinostat, Italfarmaco’s investigational treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is among the latest products that have been filed for review by the European Medicines Agency for potential EU marketing approval.

Amsterdam-based TheOTCLabs breaks into the UK consumer health market with Kidsner, a playfully marketed range of wellness products aimed at children aged 4 to 12 years old.