• BioCancell Therapeutics Inc., of Jerusalem, started enrollment in a Phase IIb trial of BC-819 plus chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. BC-819 is a double-stranded DNA plasmid construct that incorporates the gene for diphtheria toxin.

• Celgene International Sarl, of Boudry, Switzerland, said results from a Phase II study in previously untreated advanced pancreatic cancer showed that Abraxane (paclitaxel albumin-bound particles for injectable suspension) in combination with gemcitabine produced a response rate in nearly half of the patients (21/44, 48 percent). Two-thirds of the patients experienced disease control (30/44, 68 percent), while the median progression-free survival was 7.9 months and overall survival was 12.2 months. The one-year survival rate for patients was 48 percent. Those data were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

• Io Therapeutics Inc., of Santa Ana, Calif., initiated a Phase II prostate cancer trial with IRX4204, a first-in-class rexinoid nuclear receptor agonist. Initial studies were done in the lab of Pinchas Cohen at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. Io also is developing an RARa-specific agonist for autoimmune diseases and an RAR antagonist for prophylaxis and treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

• Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Tustin, Calif., said it completed enrollment and randomization of 121 patients in a Phase II trial of bavituximab in combination with docetaxel in previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study's primary endpoint is objective response rate, while secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, duration of response, overall survival and safety. Bavituximab is a phosphatidylserine-targeting monoclonal antibody that also is being tested in front-line NSCLC, pancreatic cancer and hepatitis C virus infection.

• Sanofi SA, of Paris, and subsidiary Genzyme Corp. said Phase III data published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that immunomodulatory candidate teriflunomide at the 14-mg dose significantly reduced the annual relapse rate, reduced disability progressions and improved several magnetic resonance imaging measures of disease activity in patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. The two-year TEMSO (TEriflunomide Multiple Sclerosis Oral) study involved 1,088 patients.

• Trimel Pharmaceuticals Corp., of Toronto, said it successfully completed its Phase II VTS (Vibro-Tactile Stimulation) trial testing TBS-2, a bioadhesive intranasal low-dose gel formulation of testosterone that is in development for the female sexual dysfunction condition of anorgasmia.