A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Confidence among 700 Isme firms up but still low - survey

Confidence among small and medium enterprises improved in the fourth quarter of the year, but it still remains low and more than half of companies consider the business environment as poor, writes Ciara O'Brien.

Exports recorded the highest growth in more than three years, and the rate of job losses slowed.

More than 700 companies took part in the survey for Isme, the organisation for small and medium businesses , which confirmed that there has been an improvement in the main indicators over the past three months.

Although business confidence remains in negative territory, there was some cause for optimism. The survey found a net 13 per cent of companies are less optimistic about business prospects, compared to 23 per cent for the previous quarter.

Novo Nordisk and Merrion ink deal

Merrion Pharmaceuticals has signed a collaboration and option agreement with Novo Nordisk.

The deal will see feasibility studies on the ability of Merrion’s Gipet technology to boost the oral bio-availability of a proprietary compound. Following studies, Novo Nordisk can opt to enter into a further licensing agreement for the Gipet technology.

Merrion has granted Novo Nordisk a warrant to acquire ordinary shares of up to €1.5 million in Merrion at €3 each.

Update of Tysabri label sought

Biotech company Elan and its US partner Biogen Idec have applied to regulators in the US and Europe for permission to update the labelling on the multiple sclerosis drug, Tysabri.

They believe studies have shown that people without antibodies to the JC virus have much reduced or no risk to infection from a potentially fatal brain disease that has concerned clinicians since the launch of the drug. They want an updated label to reflect this information.