In what could become one of the more unique applications of catalytic antibodies, researchers have created in the test tube antibodies that are able to bind specifically to cocaine and break it down into two inert byproducts -- the same two that are found in the circulatory systems of people who have taken cocaine hydrochloride or cocaine free base. To create the antibody, Donald Landry and his colleagues at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons immunized mice with a compound
Two articles in scientific journals this week reported findings that may have pinpointed the gene responsible for Huntington's disease (HD). Researchers from the University of British Colombia and Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children report in today's issue of Nature that they have identified a "strong candidate" gene for HD. And the Huntington's Disease Collaborative Research Group (HDCRG) reports in Friday's issue of the journal Cell that it has located the HD gene. Researchers the world
A four-year, 22-scientist, trans-Atlantic task force has created a recombinant protein with potential for regenerating damaged peripheral nerves and treating degenerative neuropathies. Their discovery is the lead article in today's Nature, "Glial growth factors are alternatively spliced erbB2 ligands expressed in the nervous system." The implications of the discovery moved the editors of Nature to accept the paper for publication a mere three weeks after Cambridge NeuroScience Inc. (NASDAQ:CNSI
Interneuron Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced Wednesday that the underwriters of the company's recent follow-on offering of 2 million shares at $6.50 a share have exercised their 300,000- share overallotment option. The underwriters were led by Montgomery Securities and Cowen & Co. The net proceeds to the Lexington, Mass. firm will be approximately $13.5 million. The stock (NASDAQ:IPIC) closed Wednesday at $6.50 a share, down 25 cents. (c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.
Immunex Corp. announced Wednesday that the European Community's Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products has recommended approval of its white blood cell booster, Sargramostim. Immunex (NASDAQ:IMNX) of Seattle already markets this yeast-derived granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the U.S. under the trade name Leukine for patients underdoing autologous bone marrow transplantation and to improve survival in patients whose bone marrow transplants have failed. Immunex
Celtrix Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced Wednesday that it has been assigned a new U.S. patent on the composition of a tissue- repair protein. The protein, IGF-BP3, binds insulin-like growth factor and may be useful in treating osteoporosis, ophthalmic diseases, wound repair and wasting conditions associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer or AIDS, said Sandra McNamara, chief financial officer of the Santa Clara, Calif., company (NASDAQ:CTRX). The patent is based on work begun
British Bio-technology Group plc started Phase II clinical trials this week on its injectable drug for treating acute pancreatitis, the Oxford, England, company announced Wednesday. The trials are being conducted in six hospitals in Liverpool. The drug, BB-882, is designed to reduce inflammation of the pancreas (often caused by gallstones or excess alcohol) by inhibiting the levels of platelet activating factor (PAF), which is thought to act as an inflammatory mediator. The Phase I studies on
Two research teams are publishing reports today in the journal Nature showing that HIV thrives hidden within the lymph system long before symptoms of AIDS appear. The reports imply that anti-viral drugs should be given before patients show drops in helper T cells associated in later stages of disease, and that other therapeutic approaches should be re- evaluated. Anthony Fauci, director and chief of the Laboratory of Immunoregulation of the National Institutes of Health, and Ashley Haase of
Synergen Inc. will conduct another Phase III trial before asking FDA to approve its anti-infective, Antril, Chief Executive Officer Jon Saxe said Tuesday. In February, when Synergen announced disappointing preliminary results from its first Phase III Antril trial, Saxe said the company planned to discuss with regulatory agencies in the U.S., Canada and Europe submitting a product license application in the third quarter. On Tuesday, Saxe spoke on a conference call after results from the
Cadus Pharmaceutical Corp. announced Tuesday that it has licensed exclusive worldwide rights to key drug discovery technologies based on signal-transducing G protein receptors from Duke University of Durham, N.C. The technology centers on the finding that these receptors can be isolated individually, incorporated into yeast cells and function biochemically -- thus providing a bio-functional assay to screen for potential drugs and therapeutic compounds. Cadus and Duke will cooperate on research
Bio-Technology General Corp. (BTG) announced Tuesday that it has been granted U.S. patent No. 5,196,335 covering broad claims for the gene encoding human copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD), recombinant expression vectors and genetically engineered cells containing the SOD gene. The patent is assigned to Yeda Research and Development Corp. of Israel and is licensed exclusively to BTG (NASDAQ:BTGC) of New York. "Because of this patent, competitors will be precluded from manufacturing copper
Biorelease Corp. announced Tuesday that it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a public offering of up to 160,000 units, each consisting of five shares of common stock and three detachable, callable warrants. Biorelease of Salem, N.H., develops pharmaceutical and biological applications of its hemoglobin-based and chondroitin sulfate-based carrier technologies. The company's first product, Erythrogen, is a bovine hemoglobin-based cell-culture
The agricultural research division of American Cyanamid and Houghten Pharmaceuticals Inc. (HPI) announced that they will collaborate on developing combinatorial libraries for rapidly screening organic compounds and natural products for leads for health and agricultural products. The research collaboration provides HPI with milestone payments and royalties on sales of agricultural and animal health products developed by Cyanamid (NYE:ACY) of Wayne, N.J. "HPI will retain rights to compounds that
BioChem Pharma Inc. announced Tuesday that it will soon begin several Phase II/III clinical trials of its drug 3TC in HIV- infected patients. The trials will compare 3TC, which is an anti- viral nucleoside, alone and in combination with AZT, to AZT or to AZT plus ddC, in early and advanced HIV infection. London-based Glaxo, the Laval, Quebec, company's collaborator on 3TC, will conduct trials in the U.S. under an investigational new drug (IND) application and has filed similar applications in
Athena Neurosciences Inc. announced Tuesday that it has signed a 10-year supply agreement with Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corp. for the purchase of bromocriptine mesylate, a medication used for treating Parkinson's disease. Creighton Products Corp., Sandoz's wholly owned subsidiary, will manufacture bromocriptine for Athena (NASDAQ:ATHN), which will market the drug directly to neurologists and their patients through Athena Home Pharmacy, its mail-order business. Sandoz of East Hanover, N.J., will
Imre Corp. announced that FDA is requiring more clinical trial data on the Seattle company's Prosorba column for treating cancer chemotherapy-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (C-TTP/HUS). FDA now requires that the clinical trial be randomized, whereas there were no such requirements in 1989, when Imre filed its investigational device exemption (IDE) for C-TTP/HUS, said Lois Yoshida, Imre's vice president and chief administrative officer. Imre (NASDAQ:IMRE
Lisa Raines, vice president for government relations at the Industrial Biotechnology Association, was named vice president for government relations at Genzyme Corp. of Cambridge, Mass. Celgene Corp. of Warren, N.J., named Thomas Odiorne president and chief operating officer. Odiorne was president of the pharmaceutical development group of Johnson & Johnson. Phillip Radlick was appointed president and chief executive officer of Hepatix Inc. of Houston. He was group vice president for business
Endogen Inc. announced late Friday that it had completed its acquisition of Diagnostics Holding Corp. In the transaction, Endogen of Boston, Mass., increased its cash reserves by $3.075 million and acquired all the outstanding stock (5,711,041 shares) of Diagnostics Holding Corp. in exchange for approximately 1.2 million shares of Endogen common stock. Endogen's stock started trading Monday under the NASDAQ symbol ENDG. It closed the day at $2.50 per share. "The cash generated through the
The first drug resulting from the Johnson & Johnson research agreement with The Scripps Research Institute was approved by the FDA earlier this month. Leustatin, a nucleoside for treating hairy cell leukemia, is being introduced by Ortho Biotech, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Scripps will receive royalties from Johnson & Johnson. About 3,000 patients have the disease, which primarily affects men over age 50. There are about 600 new cases each year. Named for the altered appearance of
Collagen Corp. (NASDAQ:CGEN) announced Monday that it has received an "Approvable Letter" from the FDA on its Contigen Bard collagen implant. The FDA apparently indicated that it was ready to approve the Palo Alto, Calif., firm's product for marketing H subject to certain requests. According to company spokesman Bruce Voss, the letter contains 11 questions relating to labeling, clinical data, a post-approval study and marketing materials. This latest letter from FDA comes after Collagen
In what could become one of the more unique applications of catalytic antibodies, researchers have created in the test tube antibodies that are able to bind specifically to cocaine and break it down into two inert byproducts -- the same two that are found in the circulatory systems of people who have taken cocaine hydrochloride or cocaine free base. To create the antibody, Donald Landry and his colleagues at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons immunized mice with a compound