Amgen Inc., of Thousand Oaks, Calif., said data published online in the December 2004 edition of The Oncologist show that 200 mcg of Aranesp dosed once every two weeks is as effective as 40,000 U of epoetin alfa dosed once a week. Three head-to-head trials evaluated Aranesp in boosting hemoglobin and reducing the need for blood transfusions in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia. Data show that Aranesp effectively treated anemia with half the injections and office visits required with epoetin alfa. The analysis includes data on 312 patients from three studies with breast, non-small-cell lung cancer or gynecological cancer. Aranesp was approved in July 2002 in chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with non-myeloid malignancies.

Connetics Corp., of Palo Alto, Calif., said the FDA issued a non-approvable letter for Extina, its foam formulation of 2 percent ketoconazole to treat seborrheic dermatitis. The FDA concluded that Extina was not effective because it was not superior to placebo foam. In April 2003, Connetics said Extina demonstrated non-inferiority to Nizoral (ketoconazole) 2 percent cream in a Phase III trial, but did not achieve statistical superiority vs. placebo foam. The FDA's letter was "disappointing and surprising," said Connetics CEO Thomas Wiggans. "We believe that any potential lost revenue for Extina in 2005 will be offset by expense savings as we will not be incurring the planned commercialization costs for Extina." Connetics expects product revenues and earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter will come in at the low end of the $43 million to $46 million, and 16 cents to 18 cents, range. Connetics' stock (NASDAQ:CNCT) fell $4.63 Wednesday, or 17.6 percent, to close at $21.72.

Crucell NV, of Leiden, the Netherlands, signed a PER.C6 research license agreement with Edwards Lifesciences Corp., of Irvine, Calif. The nonexclusive agreement allows Edwards to use the PER.C6 cell line for research and development of gene therapeutics based on adenoviral vectors. Crucell also granted Edwards access to technical and regulatory support. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Cytogen Corp., of Princeton, N.J., published a study in the current issue of Cancer Research linking a novel protein pathway to the aggressive progression of breast cancer. The data provide an understanding of the mechanism of action and the physiologic control determined by protein pathways. The WW domain-containing oxidoreductase gene encodes a tumor-suppressor protein, called Wwox. When that protein is introduced into Wwox-negative tumor cells it results in tumor suppression and apoptosis.

Geneva Bioinformatics (GeneBio) SA, of Geneva, entered a distribution agreement with the Bioinformatics Institute for Global Good, of Tokyo. The partnership combines Phenyx, GeneBio's protein-identification software platform, with the institute's Japanese market position. The institute will establish a distribution campaign for Phenyx in Japan in coordination with GeneBio's Japanese branch. The software platform is used for the identification and characterization of proteins and peptides from mass spectrometry data.

Micromyx LLC, of Kalamazoo, Mich., opened its doors as a contract research organization to pursue the discovery and development of antibacterial agents for the pharmaceutical industry. Its founders include Dean Shinabarger and Gary Zurenko, formerly of Pharmacia. Micromyx has received support from Southwest Michigan First, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and is seeking funding from the Bioscience Research and Commercialization Center. The company is a client of the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center. Its current team of four scientists will expand with two more employees next quarter.

NeuroSearch A/S, of Ballerup, Denmark, said GlaxoSmithKline plc, of London, reported data on a partnered product as part of a presentation on central nervous system diseases. The product, labeled NS2359 by NeuroSearch and GSK372475 by GSK, is in development for depression. It enhances the function of the neurotransmitters serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine. GSK, which is funding the product's further development under a year-old licensing deal, next year plans to begin Phase II studies with the product in major depressive disorder.

Resverlogix Corp., of Calgary, Alberta, raised gross proceeds of about C$7.9 million (US$6.7 million) after issuing about 2.6 million common shares at C$3 apiece. The company said it would use the funds to continue to develop its technologies for cardiovascular diseases, cancer and fibrotic disorders. The investor syndicate included Haywood Securities Inc., Sprott Securities Inc. and Jennings Capital Inc. The private placement's lead agent was First Associates Investments Inc. After the deal, Resverlogix has about 21.6 million shares outstanding.

Seattle Genetics Inc., of Bothell, Wash., filed a shelf registration statement to sell, from time to time, up to $75 million of common stock. The company does not have any present plans for an offering, it said. It expects proceeds from any future offering to be used for general corporate purposes, including clinical and preclinical development programs, manufacturing campaigns and other research and development activities.

Trigen Ltd., of London, and Eurand International SpA, of Milan, Italy, entered a collaboration to develop controlled-release formulations of Trigen's clinical-stage oral anticoagulant, TGN 167. Eurand is bringing its delivery and formulation technologies to the table, while Trigen will retain all the product's commercialization and development rights. Financial terms were not disclosed.