Argonaut Technologies Inc., of Foster City, Calif., and Symyx Technologies Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif., expanded a prior agreement to give Argonaut exclusive and nonexclusive worldwide rights to make and sell integrated parallel pressure reactor systems under a broader collection of Symyx patents than was available under the prior deal. The agreement includes a provision allowing Argonaut to provide a buyer's license to use and prepare materials exclusively for screening in the licensed reactor system, under the licensed Symyx patents, without reach-through royalties.

Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., entered an agreement with the WiCell Research Institute Inc., an affiliate of the University of Wisconsin, that allows scientists at academic and other nonprofit centers to use Ariad's cell-signaling regulation technology to control the function and fate of WiCell's human embryonic stem cells. Ariad also gains an option to obtain licenses to available WiCell technology and patents to develop discoveries made in that area.

Atugen AG, of Berlin, entered a collaboration with Schering AG, of Berlin, to validate a number of drug targets associated with cancer. Atugen will develop GeneBlocs, specially designed antisense oligonucleotides, which inhibit expression of specific drug target candidates selected by Schering. Though specific financial details were not disclosed, Atugen will receive an up-front payment, annual licensing fees, research funding and milestone payments.

Bioenvision Inc., of New York, established its corporate headquarters in Manhattan. Complementing an office in London, Bioenvision said the new office allows it to better carry out research and partnership opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.

Cangene Corp., of Winnipeg, Manitoba, said it would undertake two research and technology projects as part of a Canadian government initiative aimed at improving that country's readiness for chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents. The first project will use Cangene's knowledge in developing therapeutic antibodies for the Ebola and Marburg viruses, while the second technology-acceleration project will test Cangene's Leucotropin to treat white blood cell damage resulting from radiation exposure. The project is being funded as part of a C$170 million, government-sponsored five-year research and technology program.

Cephalon Inc., of West Chester, Pa., said an investigational, multicenter study in 248 children between the ages of 6 and 13 showed Provigil (modafinil) tablets significantly improved symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. In the four-week study, children and adolescents with ADHD were assigned to one of four daily dose regimens of Provigil or placebo. All the Provigil-treated groups showed a reduction in symptoms of ADHD, with certain groups reaching statistical significance compared to placebo (p<0.05). The complete study data are expected to be presented at a medical meeting in 2003.

Codexis Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Maxygen Inc., of Redwood City, Calif., said it received its first commercial payment and two separate milestone payments related to improvements in the manufacturing process for an unnamed pharmaceutical product in its collaboration with Pfizer Inc., of New York. The payment and one of the milestone payments relate to the successful commercialization of an earlier-generation process developed by Codexis. The second milestone payment was triggered by the achievement of a research milestone associated with a third-generation process developed in the May 1998 collaboration.

Cognetix Inc., of Salt Lake City, named Thomas King president, CEO and director. Previously, King held the same positions at Anesta Corp., also of Salt Lake City, prior to its acquisition by Cephalon Inc., of West Chester, Pa. Cognetix develops small peptide therapeutics to treat epilepsy and pain.

Cytogen Corp., of Princeton, N.J., said it realigned its AxCell Bioscience subsidiary in an effort to reduce expenses and position Cytogen for stronger long-term growth in oncology. The move included a 75 percent work force reduction at AxCell, the suspension of certain projects and the implementation of other cost-saving methods. The moves are expected to lower Cytogen's annual operating expenses by about $1.4 million, beginning in the fourth quarter.

Eli Lilly and Co., of Indianapolis, launched a Phase IV trial named ADDRESS (administration of drotecogin alfa in early severe sepsis) to study the effectiveness of Xigris in 11,000 severe sepsis patients. The primary endpoint of the study expected to complete in March 2005 is reduction on mortality, compared to placebo and conventional care, at 28 days in adult patients who have a lower risk of death. The product was approved in November 2001 for use in severe sepsis adults at high risk of death. (See BioWorld Today, Oct. 30, 2001.)

Endovasc Ltd. Inc., of Montgomery, Texas, established a new subsidiary, Angiogenix Development Corp., for its nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist drug, Angiogenix. Angiogenix is a nicotine-based drug that may grow new blood vessels and promote angiogenesis and subsequent renewal of heart function, the company said. Separately, the company said it retained John Quinn in its case for damages resulting from what it said is the manipulation of its stock. The trial seeks to "restore value to our real investors and long-term shareholders," who have been "robbed by market manipulators and naked short sellers," the company said.

Galenica Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Birmingham, Ala., said the University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center began a Phase I trial, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, of Bethesda, Md., of a HER-2 vaccine containing Galenica's vaccine. The vaccine contains a HER-2 derived antigen, designed by UAB and Ohio State University scientists, combined with Galenica's immune enhancer, GPI-0100, to treat patients with HER-2 overexpressing cancers.

Genomics Collaborative Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., said it expanded GCI Access, a service to provide researchers with access to DNA, RNA, sera and snap-frozen tissue samples from GCI's Global Repository. Customers can use GCI Access on a fee-per-sample basis, it said.

Gen-Probe Inc., of San Diego, said its board adopted a stockholders rights plan under which preferred stock purchase rights will be distributed as a dividend at the rate of one right for each share of common stock held of record as of the close of business on Sept. 26. The rights are designed to guard against partial tender offers, open market accumulations and other coercive tactics that might be used in an attempt to gain control of Gen-Probe.

Hybridon Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., and Aegera Therapeutics Inc., of Montreal, formed an agreement in which Hybridon will collaborate with Aegera to develop an antisense drug candidate targeted to down-regulate Aegera's target, XIAP, which has been implicated in the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy. The drug candidate will be licensed to Aegera on an exclusive worldwide basis. Also, Hybridon licensed to Aegera, on a nonexclusive basis, rights to a portfolio of second-generation antisense chemistries and oral antisense delivery intellectual property owned or licensed by Hybridon. Aegera will pay Hybridon certain collaboration, up-front and milestone payments, which could total about $7.7 million, as well as potential royalties. Aegera also will assume responsibility for the development costs of the drug candidate.

Incara Pharmaceuticals Corp., of Research Triangle Park, N.C., said a Phase II/III trial of deligoparin (formerly called OP2000) in ulcerative colitis failed to meet its primary or secondary endpoints. The ultra-low-weight heparin product is being developed by Incara Development Ltd., which is jointly owned by Incara and Elan Corp. plc, of Dublin, Ireland. The 138-patient study was designed to examine the effects of subcutaneous injection of deligoparin on patients with symptoms of active ulcerative colitis who also were receiving standard medical treatment. The objective was to induce complete remission or to improve the signs and symptoms of the condition, as reflected by changes in a colitis activity index score. Incara said in August it stopped the trial short of the originally planned 270 patients due to limited financial resources and an uncertain commitment from Elan. Incara said it now will focus on its catalytic antioxidant and liver cell transplantation programs. Incara's stock (NASDAQ:INCR) fell 3 cents Tuesday, or 19.5 percent, to close at 12 cents. (See BioWorld Today, Aug. 27, 2002.)

InKine Pharmaceutical Company Inc., of Blue Bell, Pa., said that Global Damon Pharm., of Seoul, Korea, licensed exclusive rights to Visicol in Korea. Global Damon will register Visicol as a bowel-cleansing agent. InKine receives an undisclosed up-front license fee, potential milestone payments and royalties. Visicol is a tablet purgative preparation indicated for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy.

Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Carlsbad, Calif., settled litigation pending against Sequitur Inc., of Natick, Mass. Isis had sued Sequitur in three separate lawsuits for alleged patent infringement. Isis granted Sequitur a license to certain Isis patents for target validation and functional genomics using first-generation antisense oligonucleotides in exchange for undisclosed payments from Sequitur. Subject to a limited right to conclude existing contracts, Sequitur agreed to not practice in the field of second- or next-generation antisense oligonucleotides, also known as chimeric antisense oligonucleotides.

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc., of Cambridge, Mass., following successful pre-Phase III meetings with the FDA, said it filed a protocol for its Phase III trial of KRX-101 (sulodexide), a treatment for diabetic nephropathy. Keryx is building a pipeline of drug candidates using its KinAce drug discovery platform technology.

Nanosphere Inc., of Northbrook, Ill., was awarded by the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., two grants totaling $1.5 million to fund the development of single nucleotide polymorphism molecular diagnostic tests to assess genetic risk factors for hypercoagulation disorders and colorectal cancer. The first grant is focused on developing a hypercoagulation disorder panel consisting of SNPs in three genes - factor V, prothrombin and MTHFR. The colorectal cancer SNP panel also will be performed on Nanosphere's automated detection system.

NexMed Inc., of Robbinsville, N.J., said an open-label study in Hong Kong of Befar cream in 40 patients with erectile dysfunction showed that 67.5 percent reported satisfaction with treatment. Side effects observed in the four-week, at-home-use study were localized, consisting of transient mild to moderate irritations at the application site. No systemic side effects were reported and all patients completed the study.

NicOx SA, of Sophia Antipolis, France, received FDA approval for its investigational new drug application to begin Phase II testing of NCX 701, a nitric oxide-donating derivative of paracetamol (acetaminophen) in development to treat acute pain. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose, 100-patient trial, expected to begin next month, is designed to evaluate the acute analgesic efficacy and the safety of a single administration of NCX 701 at two dose levels (1g and 2g), compared with paracetamol 1g and placebo in subjects with moderate to severe post-operative dental pain.

Seattle Genetics Inc., of Bothell, Wash., was awarded by the National Cancer Institute, a unit of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., a $128,800 Small Business Innovation Research grant to develop anticancer prodrugs that can be activated by tumor-associated enzymes. It marks the third such grant Seattle Genetics has received in as many years.

Norak Biosciences Inc., of Research Triangle Park, N.C., signed a license agreement with Merck & Co. Inc., of Whitehouse Station, N.J., under which Norak will supply its Transfluor cell lines expressing G protein-coupled receptor targets of interest to Merck, which will use them for screening its compound libraries. Merck also gained an option to sublicense from Norak a green fluorescent protein for use with Transfluor. In addition to undisclosed cash payments, Norak will get access to certain Merck data from the screening. Norak also will provide ongoing support in cell biology and gene expression for the GPCR targets.

Novavax Inc., of Columbia, Md., said a report in the Sept. 5, 2002, issue of Stroke demonstrated that nasal administration of recombinant human E-selectin protein inhibited the development of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in spontaneously hypertensive, genetically stroke-prone rats by induction of mucosal tolerance. The results suggest that E-selectin tolerization may become a new treatment for human stroke. In collaboration with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a unit of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., Novavax has been developing E-selectin-based biological products to prevent and treat strokes.

Psychiatric Genomics Inc., of Gaithersburg, Md., entered a collaboration with the National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Budapest, Hungary, to develop therapeutics to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Psychiatric Genomics will have exclusive access to brain tissue from individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders, from which the company will determine patterns of gene expression to further its gene and drug discovery programs. New targets will be incorporated into its high-throughput screen to discover treatments. The company will share all research information with the institute for its internal research programs. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Stem Cell Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Seattle, changed its name to Kaleidos Pharma Inc., appointed Robert Littauer CEO and director and named John Reno president. Littauer's biotechnology experience includes roles as senior vice president and CFO for NeoRx Corp. and Ostex International Inc., both of Seattle. Reno was the vice president of research and development and general manager of oncology at NeoRx. Kaleidos' technology consists of a family of small proteins that are designed not only to stimulate proliferation of resident adult stem cells but also to slow apoptosis.

SuperGen Inc., of Dublin, Calif., received from the FDA orphan drug designation for decitabine to treat sickle-cell anemia. SuperGen, which is developing decitabine for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), sickle-cell anemia and refractory chronic myelogenous leukemia as well as exploring its use in solid tumors, called the designation complementary to the MDS orphan drug designation previously given to decitabine.

Texas Biotechnology Corp., of Houston, said Argatroban would be evaluated in combination with t-PA as a new approach to treat acute ischemic stroke, at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, as part of a program funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, a unit of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. Results of the open-label, 20-patient trial, designed to assess the safety and efficacy of Argatroban in combination with t-PA, are expected in the first half of 2004.

Therion Biologics Corp., of Cambridge, Mass., entered into a nonexclusive license agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Ridgefield, Conn., for the use of ICAM-1, or intercellular adhesion molecule-1, in Therion's vaccines. ICAM-1, which plays a role in immune cell activation, is a component of Therion's Tricom co-stimulatory system for optimizing immune responses against tumor cells. Therion will pay an undisclosed licensing fee and potential milestones and royalties.

Tularik Inc., of South San Francisco, and ChemoCentryx Inc., of San Carlos, Calif., said Tularik began a Phase I trial to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetic profile of T487, an orally active small-molecule agent that targets a cell-surface protein involved in the inflammatory response. The dose-escalation trial will be conducted in up to 30 healthy adult volunteers in the UK. Tularik gained worldwide rights to the product under a 1999 collaboration with ChemoCentryx.

Vion Pharmaceuticals Inc., of New Haven, Conn., initiated a Phase I trial of Tapet VNP20009, its Salmonella bacteria cancer vector, in patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphomas. After treatment, patients' tumors will be assessed for the presence of VNP20009 and for any antitumor effects. Vion licensed the Tapet technology from Yale University.

ZymoGenetics Inc., of Seattle, filed with the FDA its first investigational new drug application to begin a Phase I safety and pharmacokinetic study of recombinant human Factor XIII in patients with congenital FXIII deficiency. ZymoGenetics said it plans to begin clinical studies with rhFXIII by the end of the year, given FDA clearance. It said it expects to file INDs for two other candidates next year.

Vasogen Inc., of Mississauga, Ontario, reported publication in next month's issue of NeuroImmunoModulation of previously reported results from preclinical studies in neuroinflammation, an underlying mechanism in Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions. Results from studies on the hippocampus demonstrated that Vasogen's immune modulation therapy can significantly reduce cell death induced by lipopolysaccharide, an inflammatory stimulus. The attenuation of the inflammatory response was associated with an increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 and a concomitant decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1B. The therapy also led to a reduction in the expression of certain enzymes involved in the intracellular response to inflammation, including the stress-activated protein kinase c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase.