• BioTrove Inc., of Woburn, Mass., and the contract research organization Blue Sky Biotech Inc., of Worcester, Mass., formed a collaboration to use mass spectrometry-based high-throughput screening assays on previously unscreenable drug targets. Blue Sky will provide proteins that pharmaceutical companies can quickly screen against their entire small-molecule libraries. BioTrove will use its RapidFire screening technology. The collaboration will initially focus on high-value targets in the areas of metabolic disorders and oncology.

• Codexis Inc., of Redwood City, Calif., signed a research agreement with Schering-Plough Corp., of Kenilworth, N.J., to develop a new synthetic process for use by Schering-Plough. More specifically, the collaboration will focus on improving biocatalyst productivity using Codexis’ MolecularBreeding pharmaceutical process re-engineering platform. The technology creates enzymes or fermentation strains crafted specifically for chemical processes that can enable pharmaceutical process development, shorten process development timelines, improve existing manufacturing processes and increase chemical development productivity. In return, Codexis will receive research funding and milestone payments upon successful completion of certain objectives of the research. Further financial terms were not disclosed.

• Curis Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., reached the first preclinical milestone in a hair growth program with Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, a division of Procter & Gamble Co., of Cincinnati. The program is focused on developing a topical Hedgehog agonist for hair growth disorders, such as male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss. As part of the initial agreement signed in September, P&G agreed to pay Curis up to $2.8 million in preclinical milestones. Curis has granted P&G an exclusive, worldwide royalty-bearing license for the non-systemic, dermatological use of Curis’ Hedgehog agonist technology, via topical administration. Curis has an option to co-develop a development candidate through Phase II trials, should an investigational new drug application be filed with the FDA. Curis has retained rights to certain non-systemic applications of the Hedgehog agonist technology, specifically for local cardiovascular and ex vivo use.

• Elan Corp. plc, of Dublin, Ireland, completed the sale of the rights to Prialt (ziconotide), a non-opioid for severe chronic pain, in Europe to Tokyo-based Eisai Co. Ltd. Elan received about $50 million at the closing and will receive a further $10 million on the earlier of two years from closing or the launch of Prialt in key European markets. It also might receive an additional $40 million contingent on Prialt achieving revenue-related milestones in Europe. Elan is retaining all rights in the U.S. (See BioWorld Today, Feb. 10, 2006.)

• Grunenthal GmbH, of Aachen, Germany, entered a multiyear collaboration with DigitalBiotech Co. Ltd., of Seoul, South Korea, to discover and develop vanilloid receptor (TRPV1) antagonists for pain. The promise of the TRPV1 antagonists, a joint development of DigitalBiotech and researchers at the Seoul National University, stems from their potential to treat neuropathic pain. Grunenthal will fund the research and will carry out the clinical development and marketing of any products resulting from the agreement. Specific financial terms were not disclosed.

• Norwood Abbey Ltd., of Melbourne, Australia, through its subsidiary, Norwood Immunology Ltd., signed a tripartite research agreement with the Australian Stem Cell Centre and Monash University to form a new technology platform combining immune system research with stem cell know-how. Research will focus on controlling the immune system to minimize rejection of stem cell therapies introduced into the body. Under the agreement, Norwood will provide access to its thymic and bone marrow regrowth technology.

• PhytoMedical Technologies Inc., of Vancouver, British Columbia, extended the term and scope of its three-way cooperative research and development agreement with Iowa State University and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service to allow the company to accelerate its research plans for the development of a new compound to treat Type II diabetes. The collaboration also could move into Alzheimer’s disease.

• Praecis Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Waltham, Mass., signed a technology transfer and option agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc., of Foster City, Calif. Praecis will use its DirectSelect technology to identify lead drug candidates for an antiviral target supplied by Gilead. The parties will collaborate to identify lead molecules, and each will fund its own resources during the research collaboration. Praecis will own any lead molecules identified, and Gilead has an exclusive option to enter a license agreement for them.

• Target Discovery Inc., of Palo Alto, Calif., formed a collaboration with the Virginia Prostate Center at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Va., to develop clinical assays that will provide information on tumor aggressiveness and help clinicians determine the appropriate course of treatment for their prostate cancer patients. The first phase of the study involves validating protein isoform biomarkers using Target Discovery’s mass defect technology, and then integrating the biomarkers into its Isonostics clinical platform. The medical school will provide retrospective patient samples and mass spectrometric analysis to support the studies.

• Tripos Inc., of St. Louis, entered a chemistry collaboration with Abbott Laboratories, of Abbott Park, Ill., to design, synthesize and purify drug-like compounds to expand Abbott’s compound file collection. Both companies will collaborate in library design, analysis and synthesis. Financial terms were not disclosed.

• United Therapeutics Corp., of Silver Springs, Md., said the FDA approved a supplemental new drug application for Remodulin (treprostinil sodium) injection in pulmonary hypertension patients to expand the product’s labeling for patients transitioning from Flolan. The sNDA approval follows the completion of a successful Phase IV study required by the FDA when the agency granted conditional approval of both the subcutaneous and intravenous uses of Remodulin in 2002. Results of that study showed that 13 of 14 patients randomized to Remodulin were able to transition from Flolan and complete the study without the need to re-institute Flolan therapy, compared to only one of eight patients in the placebo group.