• AC Immune, of Ecublens, Switzerland, completed its Series B financing, raising CHF21 million (US$17.4 million) from private and strategic investors. The company is focused on new therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease using vaccination or passive immunization with antibodies. The financing will take one of AC Immune's three compounds through Phase I development, beginning in 2006.

• Acambis plc, of Cambridge, UK, said Phase I data of its ChimeriVax West Nile vaccine showed that 96 percent of subjects in the high-dose group and 100 percent in the low-dose group developed West Nile-neutralizing antibodies 28 days after vaccination. The trial enrolled 80 subjects. The results were presented at the 8th Annual Conference on Vaccine Research in Baltimore.

• Access Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Dallas, said that Kerry Gray resigned as president and CEO, also resigning from the board. Gray will assist the company during an interim transition period and act as a consultant. The board is working to identify a successor and has selected Rosemary Mazanet as acting CEO.

• Adherex Technologies Inc., of Research Triangle Park, N.C., initiated a Phase II trial of ADH-1 (Exherin) at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre in Ontario. The study is designed to evaluate the antitumor activity and tolerability of repeated doses of ADH-1 on an every-three-week schedule in patients whose tumors express N-cadherin. The trial, which is the first in the company's Phase II ADH-1 program, is expected to enroll up to 60 patients.

• AEterna Zentaris Inc., of Quebec, said its North American partner for perifosine, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc., of New York, initiated a Phase II combination study of perifosine and trastuzumab (Herceptin, Genentech Inc.) in breast cancer patients whose tumors overexpress HER2/neu and who have failed previous treatments with Herceptin or Herceptin plus chemotherapy. Keryx also started a Phase II study of perifosine in combination with endocrine therapy for patients with estrogen receptor- or progesterone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer.

• Ascend Therapeutics Inc., of Herndon, Va., said researchers presented findings regarding the company's 4-hydroxytamoxifen gel during the 53rd annual clinical meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in San Francisco. The Phase II study indicated that the transdermal 4-OHT gel might represent a new way to treat cyclic breast pain. The application of 4 mg of 4-OHT in an alcohol-based gel to the breast significantly improved the signs and symptoms of pain.

• Codexis Inc., of Redwood City, Calif., and Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd., India, of Chennai, India, signed a manufacturing and supply agreement for a pharmaceutical intermediate of a generic drug. The process was developed using Codexis' biocatalytic technology platform. Shasun will manufacture the pharmaceutical compound and Codexis will market the product worldwide to the generic pharmaceutical industry. Financial terms were not disclosed.

• CompleGen Inc., of Seattle, entered a research agreement in which it will use its XenoGeneR system to discover the targets of active compounds identified by DuPont Crop Protection, of Wilmington, Del. The technology is an example of reverse chemical genomics, in which the molecular target of a compound with a known physiological activity can be found by genetic selection. The deal marks the fourth in a series of collaborations between CompleGen and DuPont. Financial terms were not disclosed.

• Cytos Biotechnology AG, of Zurich, Switzerland, began a Phase I/II trial of its Immunodrug candidate CYT009-GhrQb, a therapeutic vaccine for obesity. The study will include 112 obese individuals with a body mass index between 30 and 35, and is designed to evaluate the vaccine's safety, tolerability and exploratory efficacy. The treatment period will last six months, during which all participants will receive counseling to change eating habits and improve physical activity, and will be followed for six more months of safety and efficacy monitoring. Efficacy will be determined by measurements of body weight, and initial results are expected in the second half of next year.

• Debiopharm SA, of Lausanne, Switzerland, said a new marketing and supply agreement was formed between Montreal-based Paladin Labs Inc. and Watson Pharma Inc., a subsidiary of Corona, Calif.-based Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc., to market Trelstar 3.75 mg and Trelstar LA 11.25 mg (triptorelin pamoate for injectable suspension) in Canada. Debiopharm developed both products and was responsible for submitting the registration file to the FDA and to Health Canada. Trelstar 3.75 mg and Trelstar LA 11.25 mg, respectively, are one- and three-month sustained-release, injectable formulations of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists.

• DeCode Genetics Inc., of Reykjavik, Iceland, published an article by a team of its scientists on the results of Phase II studies of DG031, being developed in myocardial infarction. The results demonstrate that DG031 works to correct a biological perturbation caused by genetic risk factors for heart attack the company has identified, and lowers levels of biomarkers for risk of heart attack. The article is titled "Effects of a 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein inhibitor on biomarkers associated with risk of myocardial infarction: a randomized trial," and appears today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

• Digene Corp., of Gaithersburg, Md., said research presented at the Clinical Virology Symposium demonstrated the sensitivity and technical feasibility of genotyping chemistry being developed by the company as part of its next-generation molecular testing system. The new system would build on Digene's Hybrid Capture molecular testing technology and is being developed for simultaneous detection of multiple infectious agents and for genotyping of high-risk types of the human papillomavirus.

• Dimerix Bioscience Pty. Ltd., an investee company of Starpharma Holdings Ltd., of Melbourne, Australia, secured a grant of A$200,000 (US$155,000) from AusIndustry to support the development of a new class of drugs targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Starpharma, the largest shareholder in Dimerix with a 30 percent stake, also entered a joint venture with Dimerix focused on dendrimer-based GPCR drug discovery and development. The agreement uses Dimerix's Collision technology.

• DOV Pharmaceutical Inc., of Hackensack, N.J., said the SEC declared effective its registration statement covering the resale of its 2.5 percent convertible subordinated debentures due 2025 and the common stock issuable upon conversion of the debentures. The debentures originally were issued in a private placement on Dec. 22 and Jan. 6 to qualified institutional buyers. DOV will not receive any proceeds from resales by the selling securityholders.

• Generex Biotechnology Corp., of Toronto, said that its wholly owned subsidiary, Antigen Express, signed an agreement with Ralph Reisfeld, professor of immunology at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif., to test the potency of a modified DNA vaccine for treatment of various forms of cancer.

• Genizon BioSciences Inc., of Montreal, acquired the majority of the assets and staff of Sweden-based Global Genomics AB. Genizon has gained access to a novel sequencing technology, five related patents or patent applications and proprietary algorithms for data analysis. The company also is acquiring laboratory and computer equipment and cash. Terms were not disclosed.

• GenVault Corp., of San Diego, agreed to acquire the full rights to the DNA labeling intellectual property invented by researchers at the University of Texas. The patent allows GenVault to offer and license GenCode, its DNA labeling technology, to a broader market and positions it as the only company to offer double labeling for nucleic acid samples, it said. The technology is used as a direct mechanism for marking biological samples that are to be used for subsequent DNA analysis.

• Geron Corp., of Menlo Park, Calif., said the May 11, 2005, issue of the Journal of Neuroscience published studies showing that oligodendrocyte progenitors, differentiated from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), produce functional improvements in rats with spinal cord injuries. The studies provide proof of concept for the therapeutic potential of differentiated hESCs in the treatment of neurological disorders such as spinal cord injury. The research is supported by Geron, a University of California discovery grant and the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Fund of California.

• Guilford Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Baltimore, said the Journal of the American Medical Association published results from the Strategy trial of Aggrastat injection. The study found that a combination of Aggrastat and a drug-eluting stent resulted in a significantly lower rate of death, myocardial infarction, stroke and binary restenosis at eight months for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, while also providing a similar cost of care compared to abciximab used in combination with a bare metal stent.

• Hybridon Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., published results of preclinical studies on novel DNA compounds, designed by Hybridon, that activate Toll-like receptor 9 and induce distinct immune responses. The results were published in the May 10, 2005, issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and described immune-stimulation effects of representative proprietary compounds from different classes of synthetic TLR9 agonists using cell-based assays and studies in mice and monkeys.

• Icoria Inc., of Research Triangle Park, N.C., said that at a meeting Tuesday its board accepted the resignation of Heinrich Gugger as president and CEO and named Doug Morton interim CEO. Morton has been an Icoria board member since March 2004 and joined its office of the president in March to help the company build its health care business.

• Immtech International Inc., of Vernon Hills, Ill., reported that enrollment has begun in its Phase IIb trial of the oral drug DB289 to treat malaria. The study will enroll 120 patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. The trial will compare the effectiveness of various three-day dose regimens of DB289 given alone and in combination with artesunate.

• Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd., of Vancouver, British Columbia, reported the results of its ascending, single-dose Phase I studies with the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor IPL455,903, or HT-0712. The drug was considered safe and well tolerated at all doses tested. HT-0712 is being developed by Inflazyme's partner, Helicon Therapeutics Inc., of Farmingdale, N.Y., for the treatment of learning and memory disorders.

• Karo Bio AB, of Huddinge, Sweden, received approval for clinical studies of KB2115, a compound that stimulates the thyroid hormone receptor - the protein that mediates the effects of thyroid hormone. Specifically, it is designed to act selectively through the thyroid hormone receptor beta instead of the alpha receptor, which produces negative heart effects. Animal studies have shown that KB2115 increases the body's energy consumption while reducing body weight, blood lipids and blood glucose. Future study details were not disclosed.

• Medarex Inc., Princeton, N.J., said the FDA approved an investigational new drug application to begin a Phase I trial of MDX-1100, a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets IP-10 for ulcerative colitis. Also known as CXCL10, IP-10 is a chemokine that is associated with the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory diseases, including ulcerative colitis. The study is expected to enroll up to 32 patients. Designed to collect safety and initial efficacy data, results are expected in the second half of next year.

• Medeorex Inc., of New York, signed a term sheet to acquire privately held CardioGenics Inc., of Toronto. It is scheduled to be completed by June 24 through a merger of CardioGenics and a new Ontario-based wholly owned subsidiary of Medeorex. Following the merger, the current shareholders of CardioGenics will hold 75 percent of the outstanding shares of Medeorex. CardioGenics is focused on the development of products for the in vitro diagnostics testing market.

• Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, of Boca Raton, Fla., initiated its PhosLo (calcium acetate) EPICK study in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients suffering from Stage 4 kidney disease. The study is designed to demonstrate that PhosLo is effective and safe in controlling hyperphosphatemia in Stage 4 CKD patients without causing hypocalcemia, or metabolic acidosis. PhosLo is a phosphate binder currently indicated for the control of hyperphosphatemia in patients with end-stage renal disease.

• Nymox Pharmaceutical Corp., of Maywood, N.J., said further evidence that statin drugs may help in the fight against Alzheimer's disease was provided by a prospective double-blind study published in the current issue of the Archives of Neurology. Researchers found evidence that a daily dose of atorvastatin (Lipitor) could help slow the progressive deterioration of mental function and behavior usually found in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease patients.

• OnSource Corp., of Denver, completed its merger with Boulder, Colo.-based Osmotics Pharma Inc. (OPI), issuing 11.4 million shares of common stock to the holders of 92 percent of OPI's common stock. OnSource also issued $4 million in Series A preferred stock, as well as common stock purchase warrants and stock options, to the shareholders and employees of OPI. Upon shareholder approval, the new company will change its name to Ceragenix Pharmaceuticals. The former OPI officers will serve as the new executive management team led by CEO Steven Porter. OPI brings two base technology platforms, barrier-repair technology and cationic steroid molecules to the merger, as well as its topical cream Epiceram, which is awaiting FDA approval to treat atopic dermatitis, radiation dermatitis and other disorders caused by an impaired barrier function.

• Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Dallas, completed a license agreement with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, providing Reata with exclusive worldwide rights to a new class of cancer compounds. The company has initiated a preclinical development program with peloruside A, first discovered in a marine sponge. It has activity in a variety of cancer types and acts on microtubules, the company said.

• Roche Diagnostics, of Basel, Switzerland, formed a collaboration with Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co., in which they will work with Response Genetics Inc., of Los Angeles, to confirm biomarkers that may be used to identify patients most likely to respond to certain cancer therapies. The first phase of the agreement specifically targets biomarkers linked to Lilly's Alimta (pemetrexed) and Gemzar (gemcitabine) cancer treatments. The goal is to confirm biomarkers suspected of being linked to patients' survival response rates.

• Samaritan Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Las Vegas, initiated a Phase II double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose, monotherapy study in treatment-experienced HIV patients. The trial will assess SP01A's safety and effect on viral load in HIV-1-positive individuals, with evidence of increasing viral load despite treatment with other antiretroviral therapy.

• Senesco Technologies Inc., of New Brunswick, N.J., closed on its previously reported private placement to institutional and accredited investors, consisting of about 1.6 million shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 797,836 shares of stock. Aggregate proceeds to the company were about $3.4 million. The company has developed technology that regulates cell life.

• Vicuron Pharmaceuticals Inc., of King of Prussia, Pa., received notification from the FDA that the agency expects to complete the priority review of the dalbavancin new drug application on or before Sept. 21, which is a three-month extension from the original Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date of June 21, 2005. The extension is a result of the agency classifying recent responses to questions in the chemistry, manufacturing and controls section of the NDA as a major amendment to the NDA.

• ViroPharma Inc., of Exton, Pa., reported the purchase of $29 million of its outstanding 6 percent convertible subordinated notes due March 2007. ViroPharma purchased those notes for $27.9 million. Through the purchase, the company reduced the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 2007 convertible subordinated notes to $98.9 million.

• Xenogen Corp., of Alameda, Calif., filed with the court its answer to a patent-infringement complaint filed by AntiCancer Inc., of San Diego. Also, Xenogen filed counterclaims against AntiCancer claiming that AntiCancer infringes two Xenogen patents. On March 7, AntiCancer filed a lawsuit against Xenogen in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California alleging infringement of five patents of AntiCancer relating to fluorescence-based imaging. Xenogen and AntiCancer also are involved in litigation that commenced in 2001. In that lawsuit, AntiCancer alleges the five causes of action against Xenogen: trade libel, defamation, intentional interference with contract, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage and unfair competition. A September trial has been scheduled for that lawsuit. Xenogen believes the complaint is without merit and it is mounting a vigorous defense, it said.