• Merck & Co. Inc., of Whitehouse Station, N.J., and H. Lundbeck A/S, of Copenhagen, Denmark, terminated ongoing late-stage trials of gaboxadol, a selective extrasynaptic GABA agonist for insomnia, after reporting that data from recently completed studies do not support further development. As a result of the data, Merck and Lundbeck ended their joint development program.

• NicOx SA, of Sophia Antipolis, France, said partner Pfizer Inc., of New York, started the first in a series of trials of PF-03187207, a drug candidate for glaucoma. That compound is the lead drug generated under the companies' August 2004 collaboration - and subsequent licensing deal in March 2006 - focusing on research and development of nitric oxide-donating prostaglandin F2-alpha analogues. As a result of initiating clinical development, NicOx will receive a €1 million (US$1.3 million) milestone payment from Pfizer. To date, NicOx has received €5 million from the collaboration, and could receive an additional €32 million plus royalties on any product sales. (See BioWorld Today, March 3, 2006.)

• Pharmacopeia Drug Discovery Inc., of Princeton, N.J., said its partner, Kenilworth, N.J.-based Schering-Plough Corp., initiated a Phase I trial of PS386113, a compound identified from the companies' collaboration as a potential treatment for inflammatory disease. The news triggered a $1 million milestone payment to Pharmacopeia. Under the terms, Schering-Plough is responsible for further development and commercialization of the drug, and Pharmacopeia would receive additional milestones upon further development and royalties upon commercialization. The companies have collaborated since 1994.

• Protox Therapeutics Inc., of Vancouver, British Columbia, started a Phase I study of PRX302 in benign prostatic hyperplasia. In addition to safety and tolerability, the trial will examine as secondary endpoints the evidence of therapeutic activity, pharmacokinetics data and antibody response to PRX302 in men with symptomatic BPH who are not taking oral medication for their condition. Twelve to 18 patients are expected to take part in the study and will be followed for 90 days with three additional visits over 12 months. PRX302 also is in an ongoing Phase I trial in patients with localized prostate cancer.