Researchers reported that they have sequenced multiple genomes of multiple myeloma tumors. The resulting genomic landscape has turned up well-known foes – but also new and unexpected ones, including mutations in BRAF, the target of Plexxikon Inc.'s melanoma drug hopeful PLX4032. Read More
Not bad, but not Quad. That appeared to be the general reaction of analysts to news from Gilead Sciences Inc. that elvitegravir, its oral integrase inhibitor for HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients, met its primary objective in a Phase III trial. Read More
strong>• Eisai Co. Ltd., of London, received European approval for Halaven (eribulin), a nontaxane, microtubule dynamics inhibitor, in patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have progressed after at least two chemotherapeutic regimens for advanced disease. Read More
• Sanofi-Aventis SA, of Paris, priced an offering of $7 billion of notes, consisting of six tranches, pursuant to its shelf registration statement. Sanofi will use net proceeds to fund, in part, the consideration payable for its $21.2 billion acquisition of Cambridge, Mass.-based Genzyme Corp. and related costs. (See BioWorld Today, Feb. 7, 2011.) Read More
• Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Rockville, Md., enrolled 100 of a total 300 patients required for a Phase IIb trial of Serdaxin in major depressive disorder. Enrollment will be completed in the first half of 2011, with preliminary results expected in late 2011. The trial will measure changes from baseline on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Read More
XOMA Ltd.'s stock slid nearly 30 percent Wednesday on news that its investigational interleukin-1 inhibitor, XOMA 052, missed its primary endpoint in a Phase IIb trial in Type II diabetes. Read More
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling will have biopharmaceutical companies walking a fine line when it comes to disclosing adverse event reports to their investors, but the court refused to define that line. Read More