Selecta Biosciences Inc. has scored its third significant collaboration in the past 12 months with a subcontract from Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), of McLean, Va., to develop a targeted synthetic vaccine particle (tSVP) product for malaria. Read More
WASHINGTON – The likelihood that the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) will open Oct. 1 as originally proposed is looking dim since the National Institutes of Health (NIH) still needs the go-ahead from Congress before it can launch the new center. Read More
KemPharm Inc., of North Liberty, Iowa, will initiate development of its attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) candidate KP415. It will apply the PharmFilm technology to the drug in order to create an appropriate dosage form for ADHD. In preclinical trials, it showed the potential to have an improved side effect profile compared to methylphenidate drugs. Read More
CoLucid Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Durham, N.C., raised $7.5 million of a planned $9.5 million convertible note financing from its existing investors. Read More
Pearl Therapeutics Inc., of Redwood City, Calif., reported data from a Phase IIb study of formoterol fumarate metered dose inhaler (FF MDI; PT005), a long-acting beta-2 agonist, compared to placebo and Foradil Aerolizer (Novartis AG) in patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Read More
NuPathe Inc.'s Zelrix, a version of sumatriptan delivered via a patch for migraine sufferers unable to take the oral therapy, won't hit the market next year as planned after the FDA issued a complete response letter (CRL) requesting additional information, news that sent shares of the Conshohocken, Pa.-based firm plunging 34.6 percent. Read More
A growth hormone-stimulating drug by Aeterna Zentaris Inc., of Quebec City, achieved its endpoint as a diagnostic for adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) according to top-line results from a Phase III trial reported by the company Tuesday. The drug, AEZS-130 (Solorel), was given to a group of growth hormone-deficient and normal patients, and diagnosis based on response to the drug had sensitivity and specificity greater than 90 percent. Read More