Boston Life Sciences Inc., of Waltham, Mass., obtained a worldwide exclusive license to a patent application on a transcription factor, C-Maf, that showed in vitro it can regulate the switching of T helper 1 cells into T Helper 2 cells...It may have value in autoimmune diseases and allergies. * Mitotix Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., acquired an exclusive worldwide license to the natural cell cycle inhibitor, p27, for all anti- proliferative therapeutic and diagnostic applications...Mitotix, which also
* Neurex Corp., of Menlo Park, Calif., submitted a new drug application with the FDA for marketing approval of Corlopam (fenoldopam mesylate) for blood pressure control in surgical procedures and for malignant hypertension. Neurex licensed the drug from SmithKline Beecham plc, of London. (c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.
Virulizin, derived from bovine bile, is designed to stimulate an immune system response against cancer cells...The deal allows CSL to sell the product in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea...Investors also will receive warrants to purchase 5.95 million common shares at $4 per share
The double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 60 patients will be to evaluate safety of administration over 24 weeks, to confirm efficacy and to determine endpoints for future pivotal studies. * Cortex Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Irvine, Calif., said it intends, with the help of a placement agent, to raise $7 million to $10 million in a private placement
The companies are trying to understand the role of BRCA1-related pathways in breast cancer and to identify proteins that interact with BRCA1...Sequus paid an up-front fee and has the option to execute the sublicense
Net proceeds to the genomics company now total $99.4 million. * ImmunoTherapeutics Inc., of Fargo, N.D., said two investment funds reached an agreement in principal to purchase five million shares for $1 million...The study will evaluate safety and hematopoietic activity in about 50 patients with anemia resulting from end-stage renal disease. * The Liposome Co., of Princeton, N.J., received marketing approval for Abelcet (amphotericin B lipid complex injection) in Sweden to treat severe, invasive
to evaluate in animal models a new drug candidate for chronic hepatitis B. The lead drug comes from a class of compounds developed using Innovir's site-specific External Guide Sequence technology, and will be delivered by the company's new system to facilitate entry into liver cells. * Interferon Sciences Inc., of New Brunswick, N.J., said its low-dose oral alpha interferon, Alferon LDO, and two other low-dose alpha interferon products will be compared to placebo in a study testing the
to evaluate in animal models a new drug candidate for chronic hepatitis B. The lead drug comes from a class of compounds developed using Innovir's site-specific External Guide Sequence technology, and will be delivered by the company's new system to facilitate entry into liver cells. * Interferon Sciences Inc., of New Brunswick, N.J., said its low-dose oral alpha interferon, Alferon LDO, and two other low-dose alpha interferon products will be compared to placebo in a study testing the
Ampalex is designed to enhance the function of the ampa-type glutamate receptor in the brain...The receptor is believed to play a role in memory and communications between brain regions. * Protein Delivery Inc., of Durham, N.C., raised $7.15 million in private financings from institutional investors to support its development of an oral drug delivery system for proteins and peptides
to South San Francisco-based Athena Neurosciences Inc.'s Diastat development program...The companies expect to develop the gene therapy as a biological method for bypassing a blocked artery...The drug also is under review in other European countries and the U.S. * Neoprobe Corp., of Dublin, Ohio, entered an agreement to manufacture its activated cell therapy (ACT) products with Cellcor Inc., of Newton, Mass
and Europe to develop an intravenous formulation of the drug apafant for all indications...Aronex expects to net $32.1 million from the sale of 6.9 million shares. * Bio-Technology General Corp., of Iselin, N.J., said its human growth hormone has been launched in Italy under the trademark Zomacton, for treatment of growth hormone deficiency in children...The study will enroll 300 patients ages 6 months to 15 years old. * Theratech Inc., of Salt Lake City, said its board approved a 3-for-2 stock
Safety data from the 96-patient study showed the drug was well tolerated with mild to moderate side effects based on dosage...Gilead's most advanced drug is an injectable form of cidofovir, called Vistide, which is under review by the FDA and European Union for cytomegalovirus retinitis in AIDS patients. * SangStat Medical Corp., of Menlo Park, Calif., reacquired rights to pre-transplant monitoring products from Baxter Healthcare Corp., of Deerfield, Ill. Financial details were not disclosed
COR is seeking approval to market the drug to help prevent acute cardiac ischemic complications in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. (See BioWorld Today, April 4, 1996, p. 1.) (c) 1997 American Health Consultants
HNK20 is designed to prevent RSV from progressing to viral pneumonia or bronchiolitis...COR is seeking approval to market the drug to help prevent acute cardiac ischemic complications in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. (See BioWorld Today, April 4, 1996, p.1.) (c) 1997 American Health Consultants
Neurex expects to file a new drug application for Corlopam during the second quarter of 1996 for blood pressure control in surgical procedures and for malignant hypertension...HNK20 is designed to prevent RSV from progressing to viral pneumonia or bronchiolitis
The company is developing anti-rejection drugs and organ transplantation systems. * Oxis International Inc., of Portland, Ore., raised $2 million through a private placement of two million shares of Series D preferred stock, together with warrants to purchase another 810,000 shares...The company is developing drugs and diagnostics to combat diseases associated with free radicals and reactive oxygen species. * The Liposome Co., of Princeton, N.J., received approval to market Abelcet (amphotericin
Immunex Corp., of Seattle, filed an application with the FDA to expand use of its chemotherapeutic agent, Novantrone (mitoxanthrone), for hormone-refractory prostate cancer
Cambridge Biotech Corp., of Worcester, Mass., sold its reference laboratory business to Boston Biomedica Inc., of West Bridgewater, Mass...The laboratory provides confirmation testing for disorders, including HIV and Lyme disease, to hospitals, blood centers and other labs...for genital warts and is being evaluated for treatment of other diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis. (c) 1997 American Health Consultants
The company is using an adenovirus vector modified to carry the cytosine deaminase gene, which expresses an enzyme that converts an antifungal agent into an antitumor agent at the site of expression. * HemaSure Inc., of Marlborough, Mass., acquired the plasma pharmaceutical business of Bagsvaerd, Denmark-based Novo Nordisk A/S. Raw materials will be paid for in cash or stock worth $1.8 million...NTC plans to make the technology available to companies on a non-exclusive basis. * OncoGenetics Inc
206 OTHER NEWS TO NOTE * NeoPharm Inc., of Lake Forest, Ill., said it received orphan drug status from the FDA for Idoxuridinc for treatment of cancers of the soft connective tissues around bones and organs
Boston Life Sciences Inc., of Waltham, Mass., obtained a worldwide exclusive license to a patent application on a transcription factor, C-Maf, that showed in vitro it can regulate the switching of T helper 1 cells into T Helper 2 cells...It may have value in autoimmune diseases and allergies. * Mitotix Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., acquired an exclusive worldwide license to the natural cell cycle inhibitor, p27, for all anti- proliferative therapeutic and diagnostic applications...Mitotix, which also