• CSL Behring, of King of Prussia, Pa., reported the first in human dosing of recombinant fusion protein linking coagulation factor VIIa with albumin (rVIIa-FP). The Phase I study will investigate in healthy volunteers the safety and pharmacokinetics of rVIIa-FP in comparison to placebo. CSL Behring is developing rVIIa-FP as a treatment for hemophilia A and hemophilia B patients who have inhibitors as part of the PROLONG 7- FP clinical study program.

• Shire plc, of Dublin, Ireland, said that once-daily SPD476 (MMX mesalamine) did not reduce the rate of recurrence of diverticulitis over a 2-year treatment period in a Phase III (PREVENT2) trial. It also failed to separate from placebo on its secondary endpoint. A second trial (PREVENT1) still has results pending, but the company does not intend to pursue a regulatory filing for MMX mesalamine in that indication.