• Advanced Life Sciences Holdings Inc., of Chicago, reported in vitro data showing that Restanza (cethromycin) demonstrated twofold to tenfold greater efficacy compared to azithromycin against Plasmodium falciparum with the IC50 and IC90 levels, respectively. In vivo data showed that Restanza demonstrated 100 percent efficacy in treating mice infected with Plasmodium berghei and was about threefold more potent than azithromycin at half the same dose. Both species of Plasmodium cause malaria.

• Novo Nordisk AS, of Bagsværd, Denmark, said Health Canada has approved once-daily administration of Victoza (liraglutide), the first GLP-1 analogue, for the treatment of adults with Type II diabetes to improve glycemic control in combination with metformin or metformin and a sulfonylurea.

• Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Jerusalem, said that a paper published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism showed that ORMD-0801 resulted in glucose and C-Peptide reduction. The data published on formulation optimization provided evidence of clinical safety and the foundation for the proof-of-concept study for its oral drug delivery platform, the company said.

• Pozen Inc., of Chapel Hill, N.C., received a $20 million milestone payment from AstraZeneca plc, of London, for the recent FDA approval of Vimovo (naproxen and esomeprazole magnesium) delayed-release tablets. Pozen will transfer ownership of the investigational new drug application and new drug application for Vimovo to AstraZeneca over the next few weeks. An additional $25 million milestone will be payable if the drug receives marketing approval in a major ex-U.S. market (including pricing and reimbursement approval). Vimovo is approved for the relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis and to decrease the risk of developing gastric ulcers in patients at risk of developing NSAID-associated gastric ulcers.

• Presidio Pharmaceuticals Inc., of San Francisco, selected a second clinical candidate, PPI-1301, from its hepatitis C virus NS5A program. The drug has exhibited potent and selective activity against all HCV genotypes in HCV replicon assays, and has shown good oral bioavailability and tolerance in animal studies, with elevated liver concentrations relative to serum levels, as well as the potential for daily dosing in humans. Investigational new drug application-enabling studies are under way. The company's first NS5A inhibitor, PPI-461, is in a Phase Ia study.

• Tengion Inc., of East Norriton, Pa., said new research data demonstrated that an adipose tissue biopsy could be a source of healthy smooth muscle cells for use in Tengion's process to manufacture an autologous neo-organ. That method would eliminate the need to procure cells from a failing or cancerous organ and supports the firm's Neo-Urinary Conduit, currently in a Phase I bladder cancer trial. Additional data showed that bio-active renal cells, like those used in the company's Neo-Kidney Augment program, can reduce the rate of loss of functional kidney mass in a chronic kidney disease model. Those results were presented at the International Society for Cellular Therapy meeting in Philadelphia.