IL-17 mediated signaling is known to induce the expression of cytokines and other effectors in a variety of immunological diseases such as psoriasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease...Isconova AB, of Uppsala, Sweden, carried out a fully subscribed rights issue of about SEK50 million (US$7.4 million) to finance clinical trials in-house, increase production capacity and continue research in new indications for the adjuvant Matrix M. Shareholders representing 46.3 percent committed to

Those data explained a phenomenon concerning the role of aggregated oligomeric tau as an inhibitor of fast axonal transport, the mechanism by which newly synthesized membrane and other proteins made in the nerve cell body essential for neuronal membrane function and maintenance are provided to the synapse...Boston Oncology plans to oversee clinical trials and the development of manufacturing facilities for those therapies in various MENA markets

A couple of other candidates in the space "have had kind of the same profile," he added...In the U.S., Ambit holds an option to co-promote under a 50/50 profit-and-loss-sharing arrangement. (See BioWorld Today, Dec. 21, 2009.) Existing investor OrbiMed Advisors led the latest financing, with participation from other existing Ambit investors including Aisling Capital, Apposite Healthcare, Roche Ventures, GrowthWorks, MedImmune Ventures, Forward Ventures, GIMV and Radius Ventures...In other financing

IL-17 mediated signaling is known to induce the expression of cytokines and other effectors in a variety of immunological diseases such as psoriasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease...Ventrus has started to enroll in its second Phase III pivotal trial, with results expected early fourth quarter 2013, and assuming a successful outcome, expects to file an NDA late in the fourth quarter of 2013 with an anticipated PDUFA date at the end of 2014

The company laid groundwork for clinical trials in advance of the financing and plans to begin a "very substantial" randomized Phase II study in the U.S...The company also received $25.0 million from the sale of common stock in a private placement to strategic partner AstraZeneca plc, of London, that closed concurrently with the IPO, and $5.0 million from the sale of a convertible note to research collaborator Biogen Idec Inc., of Weston, Mass., which was converted into shares of common stock at

In other news, Cellectis said it signed two exclusive license agreements with Iowa State University granting the firm worldwide rights to inventions related to TAL effector-nucleases (TALENs) and monomeric TALENs...Pharma Two B Ltd., of Rehovot, Israel, completed a second round of financing for $8 million to develop its fixed-dose-combination product, P2B001, for Parkinson's disease and to complete a Phase IIb trial

AmVac said it expects to begin clinical trials before the end of 2013

The joint venture is expected to complete clinical trials and apply for marketing approval of MRX-I in China by 2017...In addition, they voted to approve a restated certificate of incorporation, a change of the company name from Nabi Biopharmaceuticals to Biota Pharmaceuticals Inc., a reverse stock split and issuance of shares of Nabi common stock to Biota stockholders

BioAlliance Pharma SA, of Paris, said it signed a deal with Shafayab Gostar to distribute Loramyc (miconazole Lauriad mucoadhesive buccal tablet) in Iran for the treatment of oropharygeal candidiasis in immunocompromised patients...Proceeds would be used for R&D activities, clinical trials, investment in capital equipment and for working capital and other general corporate purposes...In other news, Prolor said data from a Phase II trial of its long-acting human growth hormone, hGH-CTP, in growth

TNI will oversee preclinical and clinical trials in China, complying with both FDA and Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) standards, to fast-track the drugs for the Chinese pharmaceutical markets...Following the preclinical studies, TNI will apply to the SFDA for clinical trials, which Hubei will fund

CellTex was advised to address the violations or risk an injunction or seizure of its facility...Kite Pharma Inc., of Los Angeles, entered a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the National Cancer Institute for the development and commercialization of novel engineered peripheral blood autologous T-cell therapeutics for the treatment of multiple cancer indications...Hepalink also agreed to make a $10 million equity investment in ProMetic in exchange for the issuance of about 48.1

The goal is to identify specific genomic alterations in each patient's tumor and use the results to inform patient stratification, guide drug development decisions and potentially for commercialization of new molecular diagnostics...The project-based collaboration will include both preclinical and clinical translational research to elucidate questions from proof of concept to tolerability, efficacy and effectiveness

LEO Pharma A/S, of Ballerup, Denmark, disclosed plans to establish five long-term, strategic research collaborations in Australia, France, Germany and the U.S...The first collaboration is the establishment of a joint institute called the International Institute of Dermatology and Allergy (I2DEAL) with Charité University of Medicine in Berlin to explore the underlying mechanisms of disease in allergic and itchy skin conditions and to conduct exploratory clinical trials

LEO Pharma A/S, of Ballerup, Denmark, disclosed plans to establish five long-term, strategic research collaborations in Australia, France, Germany and the U.S...If the results of the studies are sufficiently favorable, Wassermann will have the right to exercise an exclusive option for the development and commercialization of velusetrag in the European Union, Russia, China, Mexico and certain other countries...Theravance retains full rights to velusetrag in the U.S., Canada, Japan and certain other

In other news, BioLineRx said results from the Phase II EAGLE trial of BL-1020, an oral GABA-enhanced antipsychotic, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, showed that the drug was safe and effective in improving schizophrenia, in addition to improving cognitive impairment associated with the disease...In other news, Evotec and Aspireo Pharmaceuticals Ltd., of Tel Aviv, Israel, said they inked an advisory agreement for support in the development and partnering of Aspireo's Somatoprim

Curadev Pharma Private Ltd., of New Delhi, India, triggered a milestone payment from Endo Health Solutions, of Newark, Del., by advancing its oncology program to the next stage of development...oncology-focused company and a Top 20 pharma firm, in which MAB will deliver a number of monoclonal antibodies to partner-selected targets

In other news, Ablynx said it and partner Merck Serono, a division of Darmstadt, Germany-based Merck KGgA, advanced Nanobody candidate ALX-0751 into preclinical development in cancer...In other news, Boehringer and Eli Lilly and Co., of Indianapolis, said they received a positive opinion from the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use for DPP-4 inhibitor Trajenta (linagliptin) in combination with insulin in adults with Type II diabetes...are soliciting consents from note holders for

subsidiary of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., has submitted a new drug application (NDA) to the FDA seeking approval for tacrolimus extended-release capsules for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult kidney transplant recipients and adult male liver transplant recipients...It was not possible to determine if the heart failure was directly a result of Mirapex or other factors...Santaris Pharma A/S, of Hoersholm, Denmark, said the federal court in the Southern District of California granted

Neuralstem Inc., of Rockville, Md., priced a registered direct offering of 7 million shares at $1 apiece for gross proceeds of $7 million to support working capital, capital expenditures, R&D activities, clinical trials and acquisitions of new technologies or businesses...Valeant also said it intends, subject to market and other conditions, to raise about $500 million of unsecured debt for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions. (See BioWorld Today, Sept. 5, 2012.)