• Adeona Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Ann Arbor, Mich., reported data from part one of its CopperProof-2 study of Zinthionein ZC (zinc cysteine), showing a lower incidence of adverse effects (33 percent vs. 100 percent) when compared to Galzin (zinc acetate, Gate Pharmaceutical Co.) in patients with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive repair. The first part of the study enrolled 13 subjects to compare tolerability and bioavailability of Zinthionein to Galzin and placebo. In addition to greater tolerability, Zinthionein also demonstrated superior serum zinc bioavailability compared to Galzin, with an area under the curve of about 166 percent of that of the 50-mg Galzin dose and 116 percent of that of the 100-mg Galzin dose. The second part of the trial is designed to enroll 60 patients with Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment, and subjects will be assessed at three months and six months for serum parameters of zinc and copper, as well as changes in cognitive function using standard clinical tests. Shares of Adeona (AMEX:AEN) gained 37 cents, or 24.3 percent, to close Wednesday at $1.89.

• Crucell NV, of Leiden, the Netherlands, and the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation started a Phase II trial of their jointly developed tuberculosis vaccine candidate AERAS-402 (Crucell's Ad35) in HIV-infected adults. The South African study has started enrolling patients. Crucell and Aeras partnered on the vaccine in 2004 using Crucell's AdVac vaccine technology and PER.C6 manufacturing technology.

• InterMune Inc., of Brisbane, Calif., reported top-line results from the week 12 interim analysis of its Phase IIb study of hepatitis C virus protease inhibitor danoprevir (RG7227/ITMN-191), administered in combination with Pegasys (pegylated interferon alfa-2a) and Copegus (ribavirin). Data showed virologic response in 88 percent of patients receiving the 300-mg dose of danoprevir, 89 percent on the 600-mg dose, 92 percent in the 900-mg dose and 43 percent on placebo. InterMune and partner F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., of Basel, Switzerland, dropped testing of the 900-mg dose in November due to toxicity issues. The companies now are working on selecting the dose and dosing regimen for further testing. (See BioWorld Today, Nov. 18, 2009.)

• QRxPharma Inc., of Sydney, Australia, finished the first of two pivotal Phase III studies for MoxDuo IR, an immediate-release Dual-Opioid pain therapy. Comparing the efficacy and safety profiles of MoxDuo IR against component doses of morphine and oxycodone alone, the study showed the pairing reduces moderate to severe pain following bunionectomy surgery significantly better than its individual components. The company is shifting its focus to a final registration study in knee-replacement surgery, expected to complete dosing in the third quarter.