The study in 92 adults was conducted to plan for a Phase III trial, which began in August 1996 in children...It is designed to activate antibodies to influenza in the mucosal immune system of the nasal passages as well as the systemic immune system. * QLT PhotoTherapeutics Inc., of Vancouver, B.C., said researchers at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York found that the company's light-activated drug, Photofrin, in combination with a low-power medical laser, destroyed tumor cells and
SangStat Medical Corp., of Menlo Park, Calif., said pivotal trials of its cyclosporine formulation demonstrated bioequivalence to the marketed version of the immunosuppressive drug, which is sold by Sandoz Ltd., of Basel, Switzerland...Based on the study results SangStat expects to file for marketing clearance of its product by the end of this year under the FDA's guidelines for generic drugs. (c) 1997 American Health Consultants
ArQule Inc., of Medford, Mass., entered an agreement with Roche Bioscience, of Palo Alto, Calif., for use of the former's technology to create compound libraries based on the latter's lead candidates...The vaccine incorporates the company's acellular pertussis component. * OncorMed Inc., of Gaithersburg, Md., entered an agreement with Affymetrix Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif., to develop tests using the latter's GeneChip technology to detect genes associated with cancer...Diagnostics also will be
The drug is designed to inhibit activation of the body's complement cascade, which can cause tissue damaging inflammation. * Antex Biologics Inc., of Gaithersburg, Md., received a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop diagnostics for detecting gastrointestinal diseases caused by Campylobacter and Shigella bacteria. * Arris Pharmaceutical Corp., of South San Francisco, said data from a Phase IIa study of APC-366 showed the tryptase
The trial, designed to test safety and initial efficacy, is expected to be completed by mid-year 1997...RMP-7 is a compound designed to increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. (c) 1997 American Health Consultants
Applied Microbiology Inc., of Tarrytown, N.Y., signed a non- binding letter of intent to sell its U.K.-based food preservative business, Aplin & Barrett Ltd., to Burns Philp & Co...The action was not in response to any takeover plan, the company said. * Synsorb Biotech Inc., of Calgary, Alberta, said it was awarded a $1.36 million research grant by the NIH to test the product, Synsorb Pk, in children with kidney damage
Neozyme was formed in 1992 to fund work for Genzyme related to cystic fibrosis...The deal is expected to close later this year. (See BioWorld Today, Sept. 9, 1996, p. 1.) * Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Carlsbad, Calif., presented updated information from an ongoing open-label study of fomivirsen (ISIS 2922) in cytomegalovirus retinitis showing the antisense compound has an acceptable safety profile characterized by low retinal detachment rate, manageable local ocular complications and no systemic
Aviron received NeuroVir stock and right of first negotiation to NeuroVir's preventive vaccine technology. * Genta Inc., of San Diego, raised $2 million in a private placement of convertible debentures to international investors...They are follow-on studies to recently completed Phase I/IIa wound-healing studies...The trial triggered a $2 million milestone payment to VRI. * Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corp., of East Hanover, N.J., began a clinical trial using gene therapy for treatment of glioblastoma
GenVec will develop systems for delivering genes to the brain...The move was not made in response to any takeover attempt, the company said. * MDS Health Group Ltd., of Toronto, through its Panlabs operation and in cooperation with St. Louis-based Tripos Inc., signed a $1.5 million agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., of New York, to develop new drug leads in a broad range of therapeutic areas. * Neurobiological Technologies Inc., of Richmond, Va., said results of a pilot Phase II trial of
The goal is to identify prenatal genetic disorders. * Boston Life Sciences Inc., of Boston, said its anti-angiogenic factor appeared to significantly inhibit angiogenesis in animal models...It will contribute to the company's program to develop a vaccine based on cholesteryl ester transfer protein. * Vical Inc., of San Diego, is collaborating with Ronald Levy, a professor at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, Calif., to proceed toward clinical trials with a potential DNA protective
ImmunoTherapeutics Inc., of Fargo, N.D., changed its name to Endorex Corp., which stems from the word endothelium, the tissue from which the immune system is derived...The company's OTC Bulletin Board symbol changed from IMNP to ENDU and the warrants from IMPU to ENDUU. * Orquest Inc., of Mountain View, Calif., presented animal data at the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research meeting showing that its Ossigel fracture treatment resulted in quicker healing times than untreated fractures...and
Novo Nordisk received an option to license insulinotropin in June 1996 after Scios ended an eight-year collaboration on the drug with Pfizer Inc., of New York. (See BioWorld Today, June 3, 1996, p. 1.) * SciClone Pharmaceuticals Inc., of San Mateo, Calif., received marketing clearance in China for Zadaxin, or thymosin alpha 1, to treat chronic hepatitis B. The drug is designed to stimulate the immune system against hepatitis...ArQule will have commercial rights to molecules for other, undisclosed
ProCyte Corp., of Kirkland, Wash., gained clearance to begin a clinical trial in the U.K...The study is expected to enroll 36 patients who have chronic venous leg ulcers. * Sparta Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Horsham, Pa., began a Phase I trial of RII retinamide, a retinoid compound, for myelodysplastic syndromes, which are bone marrow disorders...The clinical study is the first for Sparta, which licensed the drug candidate from the Institute of Materia Medica in Beijing, China. * VIMRx Pharmaceuticals
The company also issued The Aries Fund an option to purchase 2 million shares and 2 million Class C warrants, exercisable at 50 cents each, for $1 million. * LeukoSite Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., received a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research grant to develop a humanized monoclonal antibody to alpha-4 beta-7 and conduct preclincal tests on the antibody...LeukoSite has shown an antibody to the lymphocyte receptor blocked lymphocyte infiltration and lessened symptoms in a model of
ImmunoTherapeutics Inc., of Fargo, N.D., said it has an option on licensing patents from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in Cambridge, related to use of polymerized liposomes for oral delivery of drugs and vaccines
Aprogenex Inc., of Houston, signed an agreement for exclusive supply of DNA probes to BioSeparations Inc., of Tucson, Ariz...The probes will be used to screen maternal blood to find fetal cells for prenatal testing for genetic disorders
Centocor has said it intends to file applications seeking a broader label for ReoPro later this year to incorporate those data. * Cypress Bioscience Inc., of San Diego, and PRP Inc., of Watertown, Mass., signed a letter of intent to merge into a company in which PRP will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Cypress...The merger is expected to be completed this fall. * MicroCarb Inc., of Gaithersburg, Md., realized gross proceeds of more than $5 million from the exercise of Class B warrants
The study in 92 adults was conducted to plan for a Phase III trial, which began in August 1996 in children...It is designed to activate antibodies to influenza in the mucosal immune system of the nasal passages as well as the systemic immune system. * QLT PhotoTherapeutics Inc., of Vancouver, B.C., said researchers at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York found that the company's light-activated drug, Photofrin, in combination with a low-power medical laser, destroyed tumor cells and