The analyses included the description of new predictive biomarkers of clinical response to Vectibix, activating mutations in KRAS (beyond exon 2) and in NRAS, collectively referred to as RAS...ACT is currently enrolling patients in three clinical trials in the U.S...ThromboGenics NV, of Leuven, Belgium, reported positive data from a Phase IIa study suggesting that Jetrea (ocriplasmin) offers the potential to resolve symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) associated with wet age-related macular

In addition, Pexa-Vec is being evaluated in a Phase I/II trial in patients with treatment-refractory colorectal cancer as monotherapy and in combination with irinotecan, and in a Phase IIa trial in treatment-refractory kidney cancer patients...Sangamo BioSciences Inc., of Richmond, Calif., said it presented new clinical data, which demonstrated that SB-728-T treatment resulted in a reduction in the HIV reservoir in HIV-infected subjects, at the 16th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene

In April 2012, Astellas transferred ownership of ASP3291, a melanocortin receptor agonist for ulcerative colitis, to Telsar Pharma Inc., with a $14 million investment by InterWest and Sutter Hill, to begin Phase IIa testing. (See BioWorld Today, Nov. 1, 2013.) And in June 2012, Drais partnered with Astellas a second time to develop and commercialize ASP7147, a bombesin BB2 receptor antagonist, for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, through Seldar Pharma Inc...spun out in 2011, and Flexion

In terms of the in-house programs, in March Galapagos announced positive Phase I data for GLPG0974 in IBD, preparing the ground for a Phase IIa proof of concept study in ulcerative colitis which began last month...The first clinical trials of the drug, GLPG1790, are expected to start within the next year...On Friday, the company's NASDAQ-listed American depository shares (NASDAQ:PRAN) gained 1 cent, closing at $2.27.

The primary objectives include the evaluation of adverse events and a six-month clinical response...TiGenix NV, of Leuven, Belgium, announced that Cx611 demonstrated therapeutic activity on standard outcome measures and biologic markers of inflammation for at least three months after dosing in a Phase IIa trial in rheumatoid arthritis

BioLineRx Ltd., of Jerusalem, reported Phase IIa results showing that BL-7040, an oral drug for treating inflammatory bowel disease, was safe and effective in treating ulcerative colitis...Fifty percent (eight patients) met the primary endpoint, defined as a reduction in the Mayo score between baseline and completion of treatment, while the remaining eight patients demonstrated a stable clinical condition or minor improvement

clinical trials, for SMD and dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD...NeuroDerm Ltd., of Ness Ziona, Israel, said enrollment of patients is ongoing in its Phase IIa clinical trial of ND0612, a treatment for Parkinson's disease

Coronado plans to use the proceeds to fund R&D, clinical trials and manufacture of supply as well as other corporate purposes...The undisclosed equity investment marks the start of Eyevensys' next round of funding, expected to take place before the end of the second quarter and to fund the business through to completion of Phase IIa trials

to begin a Phase IIa trial of BL-8040, a selective antagonist of chemokine receptor CXCR4, in acute myeloid leukemia (AML...Regentis raised $10 million last year in a Series C financing to support clinical studies and commercial launch of GelrinC in Europe. (See BioWorld Today, May 15, 2012

Around the same time, it also plans a Phase IIa trial in Alzheimer's of MD 1105, another drug that targets a metabolic pathway disrupted in the disease...The company's "exceptional team" and its potential to obtain rapid clinical efficacy data were two attractive attributes, Rafaèle Tordjman, managing partner at Sofinnova Partners, told BioWorld Today

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Chesterbrook, Pa., reported positive top-line data from a Phase IIa trial of Xiaflex (collagenase clostridium histolyticum, or CCH) in adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder syndrome (FSS...dosage form of either tedizolid or linezolid with the option to switch to the respective oral dosage forms at the discretion of the clinical investigator on or after the second day of treatment

Affinium Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Toronto, said its Phase IIa trial evaluating oral AFN-1252 in acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) demonstrated efficacy and safety, marking a proof-of-concept milestone for Affinium's first-in-class antibiotic targeted against bacterial fatty acid biosynthesis inhibition...It is the first immune cell clinical trial of its kind in China...CALM is investigating the clinical efficacy and safety of Cavatak in Stage IIIc or IV melanoma

The company currently is conducting a Phase IIa dose-escalating trial...According to a Phase IIa study, ORM-12741 showed significant positive effects on episodic memory in patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease

Cytos Biotechnology Ltd., of Zurich, Switzerland, said results from a Phase IIa trial showed that CYT003, an immune modulator for the potential treatment of asthma, met all clinical endpoints, with patients treated with CYT003 having their asthma control improved despite the withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS...The study also will assess secondary measures of clinical benefit, including progression-free survival, objective response rate and overall survival at six months and 12 months

Zealand Pharma A/S, of Copenhagen, Denmark, disclosed in a pipeline update that it plans to advance danegaptide into a single site clinical efficacy study to further profile the peptide drug in cardio protection...Designed to work as a gap junction modifier, the drug has completed Phase I testing, and the planned Phase IIa proof-of-concept trial is expected to include several hundred patients with a heart attack

Advanced Cell Technology Inc. (ACT), of Marlborough, Mass., said its clinical partner, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), received FDA approval for its investigational new drug application...The Phase IIa trial is intended to determine safety and tolerability in ALS

As this money is dispensed through its clinical development programs, the company expects to receive £12 million in government R&D tax credits, bringing the total pot to £60 million...Applying that detective technique in depression led Newcastle, UK-based e-Therapeutics to the painkiller tramadol, which has completed a Phase IIa trial treating patients who have failed on selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor therapy...The total amount raised in the private placement is $7.9 million. #kicker123

Medgenics' lead product Epodure is currently in a Phase IIa trial treating anemia in patients with end-stage renal disease...Funds will be used to support clinical trials and for working capital and general corporate purposes. (See BioWorld Today, Feb. 7, 2013

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc., of New York, began treating its first patient in a Phase IIa trial of its stem cell therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis...The trial will assess safety and clinical benefit of various dose levels of cells