• Artisan Pharma Inc., of Waltham, Mass., said it launched a Phase IIb trial of ART-123 for the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation in sepsis. The multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will enroll 800 sepsis patients who are at high risk of having concurrent DIC. The trial will be run at 140 sites in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India and Argentina. ART-123 is a recombinant, soluble thrombomodulin agent designed to target both anticoagulant and systemic anti-inflammatory pathways.

• Sirtris Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., initiated a Phase IIa trial in India to evaluate SRT501 in patients with Type II diabetes whose glucose levels are not adequately controlled by first-line metformin treatment. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will evaluate measurements of diabetic status including fed and fasting glucose, insulin and HbA1c levels in 130 patients. Results from the trial are expected at the end of 2008. The product, a version of resveratrol, is designed to activate the sirtuin SIRT1.

• Targeted Genetics Corp., of Seattle, presented interim data from a Phase II trial of tgAAC09 in Africa. The vaccine candidate uses an adeno-associated virus vector to deliver genes encoding HIV proteins, and is designed to stimulate an immune response against HIV. Results demonstrated safety and tolerability. Modest immune responses were shown in some recipients who received higher doses of rgAAC09. The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study included 91 healthy HIV-negative volunteers. The company said future development plans include evaluation of vaccine candidates containing several additional HIV-1 genes, either alone or in a prime-boost strategy. Targeted Genetics' stock (NASDAQ:TGEN) gained 9 cents Tuesday, or 5.8 percent, to close at $1.71.