• Acorda Therapeutics Inc., of Hawthorne, N.Y., completed enrollment of its Phase III trial of Fampridine-SR in multiple sclerosis. The study, based on a special protocol assessment issued by the FDA, is evaluating the drug in improving walking ability in MS patients. Data are expected in the third quarter. (See BioWorld Today, May 5, 2005.)

• Adherex Technologies Inc., of Research Triangle Park, N.C., initiated three additional sites in Canada for its Phase II trial of ADH-1 (Exherin) to ensure patient accrual, especially in less common tumor types. The Phase II trial is designed to evaluate the antitumor activity and tolerability of repeated doses of ADH-1 in patients whose tumors express the molecular target N-cadherin.

• Advanced Magnetics Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., established that the primary efficacy analysis for its three ongoing Phase III studies of its iron replacement and therapeutic, ferumoxytol, will be the comparison of the mean change in hemoglobin from baseline between ferumoxytol and oral iron, following FDA guidance. Based on this analysis, fewer patients will need to be enrolled in the ferumoxytol chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis efficacy studies than anticipated last August. Shares of Advanced Magnetics (AMEX:AVM) gained $1.81 Friday, to close at $27.20.

• Centocor Inc., of Malvern, Pa., said Phase III data show that treatment with Remicade (infliximab) resulted in rapid, significant improvement and long-term response in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. At week 10 - after infusions at weeks zero, two, and six - 70 percent of patients treated with Remicade 3 mg/kg and 75 percent of patients receiving 5 mg/kg achieved at least a 75 percent improvement in psoriasis as measured by Psoriasis Area Severity Index. The results were presented at the 64th annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting in San Francisco.

• Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd., of Vancouver, and partner, Helicon Therapeutics Inc., of New York, initiated a four-week Phase IIa study with the PDE4 inhibitor, IPL455,903, in subjects with age-associated memory impairment. Results are expected in the third quarter. IPL455,903, licensed to Helicon, previously has been shown to be safe, well tolerated and non-emetic in healthy volunteers.