Company* (Symbol) |
Product |
Description |
Indication |
Status (Date) |
CANCER | ||||
Aphton Corp. (APHT) |
|
Anti-gastrin therapeutic vaccine; neutralizes hormone G17 and Gly-extended G17 |
Metastatic gastric cancer |
Initiated pivotal trial (4/28) |
Antigenics Inc. (AGEN) |
Oncophage |
Cancer vaccine consisting of purified, patient-specific heat shock protein-peptide complexes |
Melanoma |
Presented Phase I/II data at the 91st annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in San Francisco (AACR) (4/5) |
Avax Technologies Inc. (AVXT) |
M-Vax |
Therapeutic vaccine; tumor cells removed from patient, modified with hapten (DNP; dinitrophenyl), then injected back into patient (along with cyclophosphamide) |
Metastatic melanoma |
Presented T cell response data at AACR (5/4) |
BioTransplant Inc. (BTRN) |
AlloMune Cancer System |
Mixed chimerism approach whereby patients are prepared for a bone-marrow or stem-cell transplant with a combination of low-dose chemotherapy and antibodies against T cells |
Refractory Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma |
Initiated Phase I/II trial (4/6) |
Coley Pharmaceutical Group Inc.* |
CpG 7909 |
DNA-based immune stimulant |
Relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma |
Initiated Phase I/II trial (4/17) |
CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CGPI) |
Metastat |
Orally administered inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases |
HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma |
Released initial findings from Phase I trial (4/4) |
Coulter Pharmaceutical (CLTR) and SmithKline Beecham plc (NYSE:SBH) |
Bexxar |
Tositumomab iodine I-131; radioimmunotherapy involving an antibody conjugated to iodine-131 that attaches to a protein found on the surface of B cells |
Previously untreated low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma |
Initiated Phase II trial of combination therapy using cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (4/26) |
EntreMed Inc. (ENMD) |
Angiostatin |
Recombinant human anti-angiogenic protein |
Cancer |
Initiated Phase I trial (4/11) |
Genta Inc. (GNTA) |
Genasense (G3139) |
Antisense compound; synthetic DNA strands that bind to mRNA for the bcl2 gene (proto-oncogene) |
Advanced malignant melanoma |
Updated results of Phase I/IIa trial at AACR (4/4) |
Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (U.S. prescrip-drug unit of the Roche Group; Switzerland) |
Xeloda |
Capecitabine; oral anticancer agent |
Metastatic colorectal cancer |
Phase II trial results published in the 4/00 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology (4/19) |
MGI Pharma Inc. (MOGN) |
Irofulven (MGI 114) |
Hydroxymethylacyfulvene; lead compound from acylfulvene family |
Ovarian cancer |
Presented interim Phase II trial data at AACR (4/6) |
OXiGENE Inc. (OXGN) |
Combreta-statin A4 Prodrug (CA4P) |
Angiogenesis inhibitor |
Advanced cancer |
Presented preliminary Phase I trial results at AACR (4/5) |
Novelos Therapeutics Inc.* |
BAM-002 |
Formulation that stabilizes a natural human peptide in its oxidized form; peptide has antitumor and chemoprotective effects, and stimulates hematopoiesis and the immune system |
Late-stage non-small-cell lung cancer |
Initiated Phase I/II trial (4/19) |
SafeScience Inc. (SAFS) |
GBC-590 |
Carbohydrate lectin inhibitor that competitively binds to unique lectins on cancer cells and disrupts the metastatic process |
Pancreatic carcinoma |
Initiated dosing in Phase II trial at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (4/11) and the University of Chicago Medical Center (4/19) |
SciClone Pharmaceuticals (SCLN) |
Zadaxin |
Thymosin alpha 1; synthetic version of naturally occurring peptide hormone thymosin (immunomodulator) |
Metastatic malignant melanoma |
Data from open-label Phase II trial of Zadaxin combined with chemotherapy published in 4/00 issue of Melanoma Research (4/6) |
CARDIOVASCULAR | ||||
Alteon Inc. (OTC BB: ALTN) |
ALT-711 |
AGE cross-link breaker; orally active compound that breaks cross-linked advanced glycosylation end products |
Cardiovascular disease due to aging or diabetes |
Initiated Phase IIa trial (4/6) |
CytRx Corp. (CYTR) |
Flocor |
Purified poloxamer 188; surfactant molecule that alters the way cells and molecules interact with water |
Sickle cell disease |
Presented data from four studies at the 24th annual meeting of the National Sickle Cell Disease Program in Philadelphia (4/17) |
Discovery Therapeutics Inc.* and Fujisawa Healthcare Inc. (Japan) |
DTI-0009 |
Orally active molecule that acts at the A1 and A2 receptor subtypes |
Cardiac arrhythmias characterized by chaotic or abnormally rapid heartbeats |
Initiated Phase II trial (4/24) |
GenVec Inc.* |
Biobypass |
Angiogenic gene therapy that delivers vascular endothelial growth factor 121 |
Coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease |
Initiated Phase II trial (4/26) |
Icos Corp. (ICOS) |
LeukArrest |
Humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks CD11/CD18-mediated cell adhesion (inhibits movement of neutrophils from blood into tissue) |
Ischemic stroke |
Failed to achieve efficacy endpoint in interim analysis (4/20) |
Neurobiological Technologies Inc. (OTC BB:NTII) and Merz + Co. GmbH & Co. (Germany) |
Memantine |
Orally available neuroprotective agent that appears to restore damaged nerve cells and block excitatory signals by modulating the N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor on cell membranes |
Mild to moderate vascular dementia |
Reported positive results in two Phase III trials at the Sixth International Stockholm/Springfield Symposium on Advances in Alzheimer's Therapy (4/10) |
V.I. Technologies Inc. (VITX) |
Universal PLAS+SD |
Plasma transfusion product that inactivates lipid-enveloped viruses including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and is depleted of antibodies that cause plasma to be blood-type specific |
Transfusions |
Initiated Phase III pivotal trial (4/4) |
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM | ||||
Boston Life Sciences Inc. (BLSI) |
Altropane |
Radioimaging probe for dopamine neurons |
Diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder |
Initiated Phase II trial (4/6); reported results of Phase II evaluation of scans by outside specialists (4/25) |
Centaur Pharmaceuticals Inc.* |
CPI-1189 |
Small-molecule agent that modifies cellular response to stress |
AIDS dementia complex |
Completed enrollment in Phase II trial (4/25) |
Diacrin Inc. (DCRN) |
|
Porcine neural cells for transplantation in stroke patients |
Stroke |
Phase I trial put on hold while company investigates the cause of two adverse events; the FDA is expected to work with investigators to evaluate the events; Diacrin will not restart the study without the FDA's concurrence (4/17) |
Inhale Therapeutic Systems Inc. (INHL) and Biogen Inc. (BGEN) |
Avonex (inhalable) |
Powder formulation of Avonex (interferon beta-1a) for inhalation |
Multiple sclerosis |
Initiated dosing in Phase I trials (4/18) |
MacroChem Corp. (MCHM) |
Benefen |
Topical treatment combining ibuprofen and drug-absorption enhancement agent called SEPA (soft enhancement of percutaneous absorption) |
Localized pain |
Completed analysis of trial (4/7) |
Nastech Pharmaceutical Co. (NSTK) |
|
Intranasal formulation of morphine |
Third-molar dental extraction |
Reported data from pilot efficacy trial (4/4) |
Nastech Pharmaceutical Co. (NSTK) |
|
Intranasal formulation of apomorphine |
Erectile dysfunction |
Completed pilot studies (4/11) |
NeoTherapeutics Inc. (NEOT) |
Neotrofin (AIT-082) |
Leteprinim potassium; small-molecule compound designed to cross blood-brain barrier and enhance nerve cell function by increasing levels of neurotrophic factor |
Alzheimer's disease |
Completed enrollment in Phase IIb trial (4/5); initiated open-label extension of trial (4/6) |
Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. (NBIX) |
NBI 5788 |
Altered peptide ligand targeting T cells that bind to myelin sheath |
Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis |
Reported results of Phase II trial (4/4) |
Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. (NBIX) |
NBI-3001 |
Interleukin-4 Pseudomonas toxin fusion protein; chimeric protein linking interleukin-4 (which binds to cancer cells because they express elevated levels of the IL-4 receptor) and Pseudomonas exotoxin (a cytotoxin) |
Advanced malignant glioma |
Reported results of Phase I/II trial (4/27) |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Israel;TEVA) and H. Lundbeck A/S (CSE:LUN.CO) |
Rasagiline |
Selective irreversible MAO-B inhibitor |
Parkinson's disease |
Reported positive Phase III results (4/7) |
DIABETES | ||||
DepoMed Inc. (AMEX:DMI) |
Metformin GR |
Extended-release dosage formulation of metformin |
Diabetes |
Presented results from Phase I trial at the Millennial World Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences in San Francisco (4/18) |
INFECTION | ||||
Enzon Inc. (ENZN) and Schering-Plough Corp. (NYSE:SGP) |
PEG-Intron |
Long-acting dosage form of Schering's Intron A (recombinant interferon alfa-2b) conjugated to polyethylene glycol |
Hepatitis C |
Reported positive results in Phase III trial comparing product to Intron A (interferon alfa-2b, recombinant; marketed by Schering-Plough); data to be presented at the European Association for the Study of the Liver annual meeting on 5/1 (4/18) |
Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) |
|
Tenofovir disopoxil fumarate; reverse transcriptase inhibitor |
Treatment-experienced HIV infection |
Reported preliminary results of Phase II trial (4/16); presented data at the International Conference for Antiviral Research in Baltimore (4/17) |
Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) |
|
Adefovir dipivoxil; reverse transcriptase inhibitor |
Chronic hepatitis B infection resistant to lamivudine |
Presented data from open-label trial at the 10th International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease in Atlanta (4/11) |
The Immune Response Corp. (IMNR) and Agouron Pharmaceuticals (subsidiary of Warner-Lambert Co. [NYSE:WLA]) |
Remune |
Envelope-depleted, inactivated AIDS virus (emulsified with adjuvant) |
HIV infection |
Immune response data published in AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses (4/13) |
Maxim Pharmaceuticals (MAXM) |
Maxamine |
Histamine dihydrochloride; H2 receptor agonist |
Hepatitis C infection |
Presented 24-week results from Phase II combination trial with interferon-alpha at the 10th International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease in Atlanta (4/12) |
Periodontix Inc.* |
|
Silver ions delivered locally via a bioresorbable wafer |
Periodontitis |
Presented results of Phase I trial at the International Association for Dental Research conference in Washington (4/10) |
Synsorb Biotech Inc. (Canada; SYBB) |
Synsorb Cd |
Product that binds to toxins secreted by bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract |
Prevention of recurrent Clostridium difficile antibiotic-associated infection |
Initiated Phase III trials (4/3) |
Triangle Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VIRS) |
Coviracil |
Emtricitabine; antiviral nucleoside analogue |
HIV infection |
South African Medicines Control Agency said Study FTC-302 should be terminated (4/6) |
ViroPharma Inc. (VPHM) |
Pleconaril |
Oral liquid formulation of a small-molecule inhibitor of several RNA viruses (blocks replication) |
Viral respiratory infection in adults |
Phase III did not achieve statistical significance in primary endpoint of time to resolution of illness (4/11) |
ViroPharma Inc. (VPHM) |
Pleconaril |
Oral liquid formulation of a small-molecule inhibitor of several RNA viruses (blocks replication) |
Viral meningitis in adults and children |
Reported data from two Phase III trials, one in adults and one in children; product did not achieve primary endpoint of reduction in time to complete resolution of headache (4/11) |
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||
Abgenix Inc. (ABGX) |
ABX-IL8 |
Fully human monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-8 |
Moderate to severe psoriasis |
Initiated first Phase II trial (4/3) |
Amarillo Biosciences Inc. (OTC BB: AMAR) |
|
Oral interferon alpha |
Primary Sjogren's syndrome |
Completed first 24-week Phase III trial (4/7) |
Corixa Corp. (CRXA) and NV Organon (The Netherlands) |
AnergiX.RA |
A complex of solubilized HLA with a specific peptide from the human cartilage glycoprotein HCgp39 |
Rheumatoid arthritis |
Completed Phase I/II trial (4/17) |
Entropin Inc. (ETOP) |
Esterom Solution |
Topical liquid solution containing three cocaine derivatives benzoylecgonin, ecgonine and ecgonidine |
Range of motion difficulties due to shoulder dysfunction and back strain |
Reported enrollment of almost 100 patients in Phase IIIa trial; enrollment expected to be complete by 6/00 (4/6) |
Icos Corp. (ICOS) |
Pafase (formerly rhPAF-AH) |
Recombinant platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase; degrades PAF and thereby lessening inflammatory response |
Patients with severe sepsis or severe traumatic injuries at risk for development of acute respiratory distress syndrome |
Reported data from Phase II trial (4/20) |
Inflazyme Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (TSE:IZP) and Aventis Pharma (France; NYSE:AVE) |
IPL576,092 |
Oral compound based on a molecule originally isolated from a sea sponge; inflammation mediator |
Asthma |
Announced results of Phase I trials and plans to initiate Phase IIa trials mid-year (4/6) |
La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. (LJPC) |
LJP 394 |
Molecule (toleragen) that binds to surface of B cells and shuts off production of antibodies to double-stranded DNA |
Lupus |
Presented methods and results of a blood test used in analyzing data from lupus trials at Keystone Symposia 2000 in Steamboat Springs, Colo. (4/4) |
Ortec International Inc. |
Composite Cultured Skin |
Tissue-engineered dressing consisting of two layers of human-derived skin cells (dermal and epidermal) supported with a porous collagen matrix |
Venous ulcers |
Presented preliminary trial data at the 13th Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and Medical Research Forum in Dallas (4/7) |
PPL Therapeutics (UK; LSE:PTH) |
Bile Salt Stimulated Lipase Product (BSSL) |
Transgenically produced recombinant human protein |
Pancreatic insufficiency |
Reported Phase II results (4/4) |
Unigene Laboratories Inc. (OTC BB: UGNE) and Warner-Lambert Co. (NYSE:WLA) |
|
Oral formulation of calcitonin |
Osteoporosis |
Initiated Phase I/II trial (4/12) |
Notes: | ||||
* Privately held. | ||||
Unless otherwise noted, the stock symbols listed for public companies are on the Nasdaq market. | ||||
AMEX = American Stock Exchange; CSE = Copenhagen Stock Exchange; LSE = London Stock Exchange; NYSE = New York Stock Exchange; OTC BB = Over the Counter Bulletin Board; SBI=Stockholm Borsinformation; SSE = Swedish Stock Exchange; TSE = Toronto Stock Exchange | ||||
ND = Not disclosed. |
||||
AACR = 91st annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in San Francisco. |