• Arrowhead Research Corp., of Pasadena, Calif., said it plans to streamline its majority-owned subsidiaries Calando Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Insert Therapeutics Inc. The two companies will be merged, their management will be transferred to Arrowhead, and their infrastructures will be consolidated. Calando uses nanotechnology to deliver siRNA and small-molecule therapeutics, while Insert has a camptothecin in Phase I for cancer.

• Chemokine Therapeutics Corp., of Vancouver, British Columbia, said lead product CTCE-9908 reduced by half the number of gross metastatic lung nodules in preclinical models of bone and skin cancer. The compound, a peptide chemokine analogue that inhibits the CXCR4/ CXCL12 pathway, also decreased micro-metastatic disease. The data were published in the journal Clinical & Experiment Metastasis.

• EpiCept Corp., of Tarrytown, N.Y., saw its shares fall after the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use issued a negative opinion on Ceplene (histamine dihydrochloride) in acute myeloid leukemia. The committee recommended an additional clinical trial. EpiCept noted that the committee's recommendation is nonbinding and that the EMEA will vote next month on approval. Shares (NASDAQ:EPCT) fell 50 cents, or 33.6 percent, to close at 99 cents on Thursday.

• Galapagos NV, of Mechelen, Belgium, said in a pipeline update that it selected preclinical candidates in its rheumatoid arthritis and bone metastasis programs and plans to submit investigational new drug applications later this year. Galapagos also said it will select a preclinical candidate in its osteoarthritis program this year, and it is seeking a partner for its early stage Alzheimer's disease program. Additionally, Galapagos is discontinuing its early-stage selective androgen receptor modulator program and its Estrogen Glucoside (E2G) program.

• Geron Corp., of Menlo Park, Calif., said the U.S. Patent Office upheld the validity of U.S. Patent Number 7,029,913, which covers replicating cultures of human embryonic stem cells. The patent - held by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and licensed to Geron - is one of three that the PTO agreed to re-examine at the request of the New York-based Public Patent Foundation and the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. Re-examination of the other two patents is ongoing. (See BioWorld Today, April 4, 2007.)

• Immunicon Corp., of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., said that the FDA has cleared its CellSearch Circulating Tumor Cell Kit as an aid in monitoring patients with metastatic prostate cancer. A sample of the patient's blood is processed to capture and count CTCs. The kit previously was cleared for two other cancers.

• Interleukin Genetics Inc., of Waltham, Mass., extended its relationship with Access Business Group International LLC, a subsidiary of Ada, Mich.-based Alticor Inc. The companies previously worked together on eight genetic risk-assessment projects that have led to the launch of a genetic test, nutritional panel and nutritional supplement. Under their new agreement, Alticor will fund trials and pay Interleukin $1.2 million in 2008 to support research into genetic variations associated with osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, nutrigenomics and dermagenomics.

• Karo Bio, of Stockholm, Sweden, reacquired the rights to its selective androgen receptor modulator program from Radius Health Inc., of Cambridge, Mass. Radius had licensed the preclinical compounds in a $17 million deal, and no reason was given for the termination of the agreement. (See BioWorld Today, Sept. 13, 2006.)

• Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co. Ltd., of Tokyo, said its wholly owned subsidiary Kyowa Pharmaceutical Inc. received a not approvable letter from the FDA for the adenosine A2A antagonist istradefylline (KW-6002) in Parkinson's disease. The agency expressed concerns about the drug's efficacy and requested additional nonclinical mineralization data and clinical pharmacology data. Kyowa said it will work with the agency to determine a path forward.

• Photocure ASA, of Oslo, Norway, said that as part of its previously announced plan to de-merge its cancer-focused drug delivery subsidiary, PCI Biotech AS, it will transfer its interest in PCI to a holding company known as PCI Biotech Holding ASA. The holding company will issue up to NOK30 million (US$5.7 million) worth of shares prior to seeking a listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange

• The International Stem Cell Corp., of Oceanside, Calif., said that its human parthenogenetic stem cell lines will be used in Germany in studies aimed at creating specific cell types to treat human neural diseases such as Parkinson's disease. The work will be done at the University of Wuerzburg under a material transfer agreement between International Stem Cell and the University of Wuerzburg.

• Trophos SA, of Marseille, France, was awarded a two-year, $1.4 million grant for preclinical studies of TRO40303 in cardiac and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. The grant was provided by the French research agency, Agence Nationale pour la Recherche (ANR). Clinical trials of TRO40303 are expected to begin in 2009.

• Vermillion Inc., of Fremont, Calif., received notification of noncompliance from Nasdaq due to insufficient stockholders' equity, market value, or net income. The company has 30 days to address the issue prior to facing potential delisting. Vermillion's shareholders already have approved a 10-for-1 reverse stock split, which will go into effect March 3 and should address noncompliance with Nasdaq's $1 minimum bid price. Shares of Vermillion (NASDAQ:VRML) rose 32.7 percent, or 14 cents, or Thursday to close at 58 cents after the company said it received a scientific award from the Society for Gynecologic Oncologists.