• Gene Network Sciences Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., entered an agreement with CombinatoRx Inc., also of Cambridge, to contribute to ongoing mechanism of action research for synergistic combinations in development. Under the terms, the companies will use protein expression and transcriptional profiling data generated by CombinatoRx and the GNS REFSTM (reverse engineering and forward stimulation) software platform to characterize unanticipated mechanisms underlying the interactions between the components of multitarget therapeutic candidates. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

• Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Palo Alto, Calif., said the FDA has accepted for review the submission of the complete response by Solvay Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Marietta, Ga., to an approvable letter for Luvox CR (fluvoxamine maleate) extended-release capsules. The PDUFA action date is Dec. 22, 2007. The new drug application for Luvox CR seeks marketing approval for the treatment of obsessions and compulsions in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder and for the treatment of social anxiety disorder. Luvox CR is an extended-release formulation of fluvoxamine maleate, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. In January, Jazz licensed from Solvay the right to market Luvox CR and Luvox in the U.S.

• PharmAthene Inc., of Annapolis, Md., closed its reverse merger with publicly traded special purpose acquisition company Healthcare Acquisition Corp., of Des Moines, Iowa, shortly after stockholders approved the merger. The combined company will operate under the name PharmAthene, and will continue to focus on developing and commercializing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats. PharmAthene opted for the reverse merger in January to gain a public listing. (See BioWorld Today, Jan. 23, 2007.)

• Pro-Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Newton, Mass., has retained Camargo Pharmaceutical Services LLC, of Cincinnati, to provide strategic regulatory support for the company's 505(b)(2) submissions with the FDA seeking approval of Davanat as a functional excipient, to be co-administered intravenously with 5-FU to treat cancer. Preclinical and clinical data have been submitted to the FDA regarding Davanat improving 5-FU, and preclinical studies show activity with a number of chemotherapeutics.

• Santhera Pharmaceuticals AG, of Liestal, Switzerland, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., of Osaka, Japan, extended their existing commercialization partnership for SNT-MC17 in the European Union and Switzerland to cover the compound's second indication of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. SNT-MC17 is in a Phase II trial in Europe in that indication, with results expected later this year. Under the terms, Takeda gets exclusive marketing rights in exchange for an up-front payment of €2 million (US$2.8 million) and milestone payments upon initiation of a Phase III pivotal trial, as well as further milestones upon filing and granting of marketing authorization in Europe, totaling €18 million. Santhera also will receive running royalty income from Takeda, identical to terms in the companies' July 2005 agreement covering SNT-MC17 in Friedreich's ataxia.

• Semafore Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Indianapolis, has named Edward L. Jacobs president and chief executive officer. Semafore interim CEO John Sima will resume his position as chief operating officer and chief financial officer. Jacobs joins Semafore from cancer drug developer SuperGen Inc., of Dublin, Calif., where he was chief operating officer. Prior to that he was president and CEO of medical device company ETEX Corp., which he restructured and sold to Medtronic Corp.