• Alfacell Corp., of Somerset, N.J., said 311 evaluable events (patient deaths) have occurred in the Phase IIIb clinical trial of its lead compound, Onconase, for the treatment of patients with unresectable malignant mesothelioma. The company must wait until 316 evaluable events have occurred to conduct the formal statistical analysis required to complete the final sections of the rolling new drug application.

• Cytori Therapeutics, of San Diego, enrolled the first two patients in a clinical trial using adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells in the treatment of heart attack. In the trial, patients' cells are made available using Cytori's Celution System, a real-time cell processing device. The trial will test the ability of adipose-derived regenerative cells to increase blood flow in and around damaged and oxygen deprived tissues.

• M's Science Corp., of Kobe, Japan, has initiated a Phase II study in Europe with its lead product SA4503 for treatment of stroke. The trial is an international, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of SA4503 in patients with stroke, with a planned enrollment of approximately 60 patients. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate safety of SA4503 in that patient population. SA4503 is a potent and selective agonist of the sigma-1 receptor.

• Nuvelo Inc., of San Carlos, Calif., has enrolled the first patient in a single-center, Phase I trial to determine the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of escalating doses of NU172, a thrombin-inhibiting aptamer, in approximately 30 healthy male volunteers. NU172 is an aptamer designed to directly inhibit thrombin's ability to stimulate blood clot formation in procedures where human blood is exposed to foreign materials. It is being studied for use as a potential short-acting anticoagulant during procedures such as coronary artery bypass graft surgery and percutaneous interventions.

• OncoMethylome Sciences, of Liege, Belgium, said it plans to launch a large, international, multicenter colorectal cancer clinical trial, with the German portion managed by Signatures Diagnostics, of Potsdam, Germany. Signature will receive an up-front payment plus service fees. In addition, OncoMethylome will obtain first negotiation rights on a test in development by Signature for predicting outcomes in colorectal cancer patients. Subject to certain conditions, OncoMethylome also agreed to acquire a minority interest in Signature Diagnostics. Financial terms were not disclosed.

• Radius Health Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., said the Dutch regulatory authority accepted its application to start a Phase I trial of RAD1901, a tissue-selective SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) aimed at relieving vasomotor symptoms. The company plans to begin enrolling healthy postmenopausal women in the Netherlands in March. Radius, which licensed worldwide rights to RAD1901, excluding Japan, from Tokyo-based Eisai Co. Ltd. in 2006, said preclinical studies showed that the drug could reduce vasomotor symptoms, while providing a simultaneous bone-protective effect, without stimulating breast or uterine tissues.

• Tigris Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Bonita Springs, Fla., has initiated a multicenter Phase I, ascending-dose clinical study of aminoflavone prodrug (AFP-464) for the treatment of cancer. The first patient was dosed in December, and enrollment is ongoing. The primary objectives of the study are to determine the dose-limiting toxicity and maximum tolerated dose in patients with advanced solid tumors. The trial is expected to enroll approximately 35 patients in Europe.