and NewLink Genetics Corp., if not boasting approved products like Horizon Pharma Inc...In earlier stages, ChemoCentryx has CCX662, an independent candidate slated to start clinical trials for glioblastoma multiforme later this year, as well as five other wholly owned preclinical candidates...Funds will be used to develop product candidates CEM-101 and Taksta. (See BioWorld Today, Feb. 6, 2012.)

Editor's note: BioWorld has always kept a watchful eye on big pharma developments as they relate to the biotech space...Now we're making it easier for readers by separating pharma business and clinical news into these columns of brief news

Most investors expect clinical data in order to risk a substantial amount of money on a biotech venture...Proceeds will support clinical trials of Androxal and Proellex...Shares of Repros (NASDAQ:RPRX) fell 30 cents Friday to close at $4.81.

BioAlliance Pharma SA, of Paris, said results of a Phase I trial showed a satisfactory safety and a signal of efficacy via local administration of its AMEP biotherapy, so the firm is moving into a European Phase I/II trial testing an intramuscular route of delivery of patients with metastatic melanoma...Based on the study's findings, Spectrum plans to expand its clinical development program for Zevalin to include support for a larger study using Z-beam for ASCT...The existing clinical program includes

The project, "Human genetics-driven discovery of memory-modulating drugs," will start in March and will include three clinical studies supported by a CTI grant for three years...The dose-escalating trial is designed to determine the appropriate dose of CDX-301, a recombinant human FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand, for further clinical development...Niiki Pharma Inc., of Hoboken, N.J., said it completed the dose-escalation portion of its Phase I trial of NKP-1339, a small molecule designed to down

The study, funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, is being conducted in collaboration with several groups, including the South African TB Vaccine Initiative...Vical's partner, Astellas Pharma Inc., of Tokyo, is preparing to move TransVax into a multinational Phase III trial to control cytomegalovirus reactivation in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, plus a Phase II trial in solid organ transplant recipients. (See BioWorld Today, July 18, 2011, and

EyeGate Pharma Inc., of Waltham, Mass., enrolled the first patient in a Phase III pivotal study of its lead product, EGP-437, for the treatment of anterior uveitis...The double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial in 40 patients who had received at least one anti-TNF treatment was designed to establish the best dose and administration schedule, based on immune response to the Kinoid...multicenter, 70-patient Phase II clinical trial with Fibrocaps – a dry powder topical tissue sealant

support clinical development of chemotherapeutic gold nanoparticles targeting ovarian, lung and breast carcinoma...Syndexa Pharmaceuticals Corp., of Watertown, Mass., secured additional Series B1 financing from MP Healthcare Venture Management (MPH), a jointly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC) and Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC...The company plans to use the proceeds to advance its hepatitis C virus program, earlier-stage pipeline opportunities and its

Acacia Pharma Ltd., of Cambridge, UK, said it started a Phase II study of APD421, a drug that comprises an intravenous formulation of a marketed dopamine D2 antagonist, in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting...Bionor Pharma ASA, of Oslo, Norway, and partners Eurocine Vaccines AB, of Solna, Sweden, and Oslo University Hospital reported that the nasal immunization study combining Bionor's Vacc-4x and Eurocine's adjuvant Endocine is fully enrolled...Additional data showed 69 percent of

Elevation holds the global rights to PARI Pharma's nebulizer and plans to take EP-101 – believed to be the first-in-class nebulized LAMA for COPD – worldwide...The offering is expected to be completed by Jan. 31 with the goal of supporting clinical trials of the company's HIV vaccines. (See BioWorld Today, Jan. 26, 2006...Lead QC inhibitor, PQ912, is in clinical development for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

The company also said it inked a partnership with an undisclosed Pacific Rim pharma partner and investor to finance clinical costs, bridging studies and regulatory development for the drug in that region...Vivo said it plans to invest the capital primarily in later development-stage pharma and medical device companies in the U.S

Radius Health Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., reported that its transdermal BA058 microneedle patch, for osteoporosis, showed positive results in a Phase Ib clinical study...UCB Pharma SA, of Brussels, Belgium, began a trial (EXXELERATE) of Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) plus methotrexate compared with Humira (adalimumab) plus methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis

Cerulean Pharma Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., closed a $15 million Series D financing with participation from new investor CVF LLC, an affiliate of Henry Crown and Co., of Chicago, and full participation from existing investors Polaris Venture Partners, Venrock, Lilly Ventures, Lux Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners...Cerulean also plans to advance its docetaxel nanopharmaceutical candidate into clinical trials and to pursue other platform expansion opportunities, including the delivery of RNA

It's a great fit with clinical need and best suited to deal with the three major factors associated with myelofibrosis...Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., reported clinical data from a number of programs...Astellas Pharma Inc., of Tokyo, and Ambit Biosciences Corp., of San Diego, shared updated results from an interim analysis of a Phase II trial of quizartinib (previously AC220) in acute myeloid leukemia, showing that quizartinib monotherapy had activity in refractory and relapsed

AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Lexington, Mass., presented new clinical data for Feraheme (ferumoxytol), which is approved for iron deficiency anemia in chronic kidney disease...Clavis Pharma ASA, of Oslo, Norway, reported interim efficacy data from a Phase II trial showing that elacytarabine in combination with idarubicin produced a complete remission rate in about 46 percent (12 of 26) of patients with early stage acute myeloid leukemia who had failed cytarabine-containing first-course

Metabolex Inc., of Hayward, Calif., said an open-label clinical pharmacology study showed that the higher dose of arhalofenate plus Osaka, Japan-based Takeda Pharmaceutical Co...Tranzyme Pharma Inc., of Research Triangle Park, N.C., and Norgine BV, of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, completed patient enrollment in ULISES 007, the first of two pivotal Phase III studies of ulimorelin, an intravenous ghrelin agonist, for the acceleration of gastrointestinal recovery in patients undergoing partial bowel

Acacia Pharma Ltd., of Cambridge, Mass., reported Phase IIa data for APD209 in cancer cachexia, given to 13 patients with an average weight loss of 11.4 percent in the previous six months...Aesrx LLC, of Newton, Mass., said it started a clinical trial to test Aes-103, its anti-sickling agent, in healthy volunteers...Zealand Pharma A/S, of Copenhagen, Denmark, said partner Sanofi SA, of Paris, reported top-line results from the Phase III GetGoal Duo 1 study, which showed that once-daily GLP-1 inhibitor

The open-label study is designed to test safety, tolerability and clinical response activity of the drug in patients, 60 and older, who have relapsed or primary refractory disease...Zealand Pharma A/S, of Copenhagen, Denmark, said partner Sanofi SA, of Paris, presented new results from a four-week Phase II study showing that GLP-1 agonist Lyxumia (lixisenatide) produced significantly greater postprandial glucose lowering than Victoza (liraglutide, Novo Nordisk A/S) in patients with Type II diabetes

But, if data for INX-189 continue to flow positive, the company could find itself in an enviable position for a lucrative big pharma partnership or even an acquisition, as biopharma races to create the first all-oral, interferon-free HCV regimen...Proceeds will be used to accelerate the firm's drug development pipeline, including generating clinical data from partnerships in Russia and India.