• AlphaRx Inc., of Hong Kong, said its board terminated Joseph Schwarz, chief scientist, and Michael Wiesspapir, chief medical officer, for violations of the company's policies and procedures. Further details were not disclosed.

• Clovis Oncology Inc., of Boulder, Co., will partner with Roche AG, of Basel, Switzerland, to develop a PCR-based companion diagnostic test for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer. The test is being developed to support CO-1686, which targets the T790M mutant form of EGFR. Clovis licensed CO-1686 from Avila Therapeutics Inc., of Watham, Mass.

• ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Ltd., of Los Angeles, inked a deal to gain access to Princeton, N.J.-based BioWa Inc.'s Potelligent technology platform for use in developing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity-enhanced antibodies. BioWa will receive the right to certain antibody technology from ImmunoCellular in exchange, as well as selected option rights to ImmunoCellular's antibodies using the Potelligent platform. Other terms were not disclosed.

• Lpath Inc., of San Diego, reported animal data showing Lpathomab, a monoclonal antibody targeting lysophophatidic acid, significantly lowered the infarct size in mice with traumatic brain injury. Separate studies showed Lpathomab demonstrated positive results in animal models of diabetic neuropathy and nerve injury-induced pain.

• Neuronascent Inc., of Clarksville, Md., received an undisclosed amount of federal and state funding for preclinical work on its neurodegenerative disease and Down syndrome candidates.

• Opexa Therapeutics Inc., of The Woodlands, Texas, met with Health Canada's Biologics and Genetics Therapies Directorate to review the status of its cellular therapy for multiple sclerosis, Tovaxin. The company received guidance from the agency regarding its plan to carry out Phase III trials at some Canadian sites. A positive review is required before it can initiate a clinical study.

• Silence Therapeutics plc, of London, is closing its U.S. operations. As part of the reorganization, Phil Haworth will step down as CEO once a successor is identified. Additionally, the company said Phase I trials will be completed later this year with Atu027, a liposomal siRNA formulation targeting PKN3 for cancer.

• Theratechnologies Inc., of Montreal, restructured its research and development department, eliminating 24 positions as it seeks to conduct more work in collaboration with partners.