Company* (Symbol) | Product |
Description |
Indication |
Status (Date)** |
CANCER | ||||
AltaRex Corp. (Canada; TSE:AXO) |
OvaRex MAb | Anti-idiotype induction therapy-based vaccine; consists of modified murine monoclonal antibody that binds to CA125 cancer antigen |
Ovarian cancer | Presented data from 25-patient open-label clinical study at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists in San Diego |
BioMedicines Inc.* |
Biomed 101 |
Orally bioavailable drug that binds to the leukotriene B4 receptor and inhibits cell damage |
Kidney cancer | Initiated Phase Ib trial of Biomed 101 in combination with interleukin-2 (2/15) |
Cell Genesys Inc. (CEGE) and Japan Tobacco Inc. (Japan) |
GVAX lung cancer vaccine |
Cancer vaccine comprised of tumor cells which have been irradiated and genetically modified to secrete granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) | Non-small-cell lung cancer | Reported results from initial pilot study; initiated Phase I/II trial (2/28) |
Cell Pathways Inc. (CLPA) |
Aptosyn |
Exisulind; orally active drug designed to induce apoptosis in precancerous cells; inhibits a cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase | Breast and colorectal cancers |
Initiated Phase I trials of Aptosyn in combination with Xeloda (capecitabine; marketed by Roche Laboratories Inc.; Switzerland) (2/2) |
Corixa Corp. (CRXA) and Schering-Plough Corp. (NYSE:SGP) |
Melacine | Therapeutic cancer vaccine made of lysed cells from 2 melanoma cell lines with a broad array of melanoma antigens, combined with Detox adjuvant (contains monophosphoryl lipid A and mycobacterial cell-wall skeleton) | Stage II melanoma | Presented data from Phase III trial at Melanoma at the Millennium meeting in Phoenix (2/18) |
Immunomedics Inc. (IMMU) |
LymphoCide |
Humanized anti-CD22 antibody consisting of murine binding sites linked to immunoglobulin backbone; labeled with iodine-131 |
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma |
Phase I data published in 1/00 issue of Leukemia and Lymphoma (2/11) |
Magainin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (MAGN) |
Squalamine | Synthetically produced version of a compound found in the dogfish shark; anti-angiogenic compound combines a steroid and a polyamine | Various advanced cancers; expected to include head and neck, esophageal, breast and uterine cancers | Initiated trial to evaluate safety of squalamine in combination with cisplatin (2/17) |
Squalamine |
Synthetically produced version of a compound found in the dogfish shark; anti-angiogenic compound combines a steroid and a polyamine |
Advanced ovarian cancer |
Initiated two Phase II trials of squalamine, one in combination with carboplatin and one in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel (2/3) |
|
NeoRx Corp. (NERX) | Skeletal Targeted Radiotherapy | Small-molecule carrier of the radionuclide holmium-166, designed to deliver radiation therapy selectively to the disease site |
Multiple myeloma | Presented Phase II safety data at Cruttendon Roth conference in Laguna Niguel, Calif. (2/23) |
Northwest Biotherapetuics Inc.* |
Dendritic cell-based immunotherapy composed of a patient's own purified dendritic cells, which have been removed from the patient and treated with recombinant prostate-specific membrane antigen |
Hormone refractory metastatic prostate cancer | Initiated clinical trial (2/14) |
|
Procept Inc. (biotech subsidiary of HeavenlyDoor.com; HVDC) | BG |
0-6-Benzylguanine chemosensitizing agent; acts by inactivating tumor AGT, a DNA repair protein that interferes with the effectiveness of 06-alkylating chemotherpeutic agents |
Cerebral anaplastic gliomas |
National Cancer Institute initiated 2nd Phase II trial of product in combination with carmustine (2/11) |
Telik Inc.* |
TER286 |
Small-molecule cytotoxic agent |
Advanced solid tumors and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma |
Initiated Phase I trial (2/1) |
CARDIOVASCULAR | ||||
Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp. (ALLP) |
Oxygent |
Perflubon-based emulsion; intravascular oxygen carrier |
Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass support; reduction of need for donor blood transfusions |
Presented preliminary efficacy results from three Phase II studies at the Cambridge Healthcare Institute's Sixth Annual Blood Product Safety Conference in Washington (2/15) |
AVI BioPharma Inc. (AVII) |
Resten-NG | Synthetic polymer antisense compound targeting c-myc oncogene, which has been implicated in cell proliferation | Restenosis | Lenox Hill Hospital in New York selected as primary site for Phase II trials (2/2) |
BioPure Corp. (BPUR) | Hemopure (HBOC-201) | Hemoglobin glutamer-250 (bovine); each unit of product contains approximately 30 grams of purified, chemically | Alternative to red blood cell transfusion in patients undergoing vascular surgery | Phase II trial results published in (2/10) 2/00 Journal of Vascular Surgery |
DRAXIS Health Inc. (Canada; TSE:DAX) | Fibrimage |
Recombinant polypeptide with high-binding affinity for fibrin, the primary component of deep vein thrombosis; labeled with technetium-99 | Detection of deep vein thrombosis |
Initiated Phase III trial (2/2) |
COR Therapeutics Inc. (CORR) and Schering-Plough Corp. (NYSE:SGP) |
Integrilin (FDA-approved) |
Eptifibatide; small-molecule compound (derived from rattlesnake venom) that inhibits GPIIb/IIIa receptor that mediates platelet aggregation | Patients undergoing coronary intervention with stenting | Halted enrollment in 2400-patient ESPRIT study after Data Safety Monitoring Committee's interim analysis found an almost 50% reduction in death or heart attack at 30 days (2/4) |
CV Therapeutics (CVTX) and Biogen Inc. (BGEN) |
CVT-124 |
Selective adenosine A(1) antagonist (intravenous) | Moderate to severe congestive heart failure |
Completed Phase II trial (2/17) |
Pharmacyclics Inc. (PCYC) | Antrin Injection | Motexafin lutetium; water-soluble photosensitizing agent that accumulates selectively in vascular plaque; targeted areas are exposed to far-red light delivered by an optical fiber inserted into the vessel using standard techniques | Patients undergoing balloon angioplasty (prevention of restenosis) |
Initiated Phase I trial (2/29) |
United Therapeutics Corp. (UTHR) | Beraprost tablets; oral form of prostacyclin, which is produced in blood vessels to keep them dilated and free of platelet aggregation | Moderate pulmonary hypertension | Initiated Phase III trial (2/24) | |
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM | ||||
Acorda Therapeutics Inc.* and Elan Corp. plc (Ireland; NYSE: ELN) |
Fampridine-SR |
4-aminopyridine; sustained-release oral tablet formulation | Chronic spinal cord injury | Announced plan to start Phase II trial (2/14) |
Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Canada; ANPI) |
Micellular paclitaxel; generic version of active ingredient in anticancer drug Taxol | Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis |
Reported preliminary results from Phase I/II trial (2/25) |
|
AXONYX Inc. (OTC BB: AXYX) |
Phenserine |
Brain-targeted, reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase enzyme |
Alzheimer's disease | Continued Phase I trial by administering drug to 2nd group of healthy, elderly volunteers (2/2) |
Biogen Inc. (BGEN) |
Avonex (FDA-approved) |
Interferon beta-1a | Delay of clinically definite multiple sclerosis |
CHAMPS study halted after Data Monitoring Committee found abeneficial effect on the primary endpoint had been established at interim analysis, exceeding the pre-established criteria required for early termination (2/1) |
Cephalon Inc. (CEPH) |
Provigil (FDA-approved) |
Modafinil; oral formulation of synthetic compound that is thought to affect alpha-adrenergic receptors in the brain |
Excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea |
Reported positive results in double-blind, placebo-controlled study; initiated additional trial with the intention of pursuing a label extension (2/3) |
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 |
Advanced Alzheimer's disease |
Reported positive results from Phase III trial (2/22) |
DIABETES | ||||
DepoMed Inc. (AMEX:DMI) | Metformin GR | Extended-release dosage formulation of metformin |
Diabetes | Presented results of Phase I trial comparing Metformin GR to Glucophage (marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. [NYSE:BMY]) at the Cruttendon Roth Emerging Growth Conference in Laguna Niguel, Calif. (2/22) |
Generex Biotechnology Corp. (Canada; OTC BB:GNBT) | Oralgen (Oralin outside the U.S.) | Oral insulin; administered as a fine spray into the oral cavity using a lightweight handheld aerosol applicator |
Diabetes |
Completed clinical trials under a number of study protocols at the Diabetes and Glandular Disease Clinic in San Antonio (2/17) |
Oralgen (Oralin outside the U.S.) |
Oral insulin; administered as a fine spray into the oral cavity using a lightweight handheld aerosol applicator |
Type II diabetes |
Completed a series of short-term trials using Oralgen in combination with metformin hydrochloride at the National Research Institute (2/23) | |
INFECTION | ||||
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) | ABT-378 | Ritonavir; HIV protease inhibitor | HIV infection |
Presented data from ongoing Phase II combination therapy study at the 7th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in San Francisco (2/1) |
Agouron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (unit of Warner-Lambert Co.; NYSE:WLA) | Viracept (FDA-approved) | Nelfinavir mesylate; HIV protease inhibitor | HIV infection in pregnant women |
Announced results from Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group (PACTG) study 353 of Viracept as part of combination therapy; data presented at the 7th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in San Francisco (2/2) |
Viracept (FDA-approved) | Nelfinavir mesylate; HIV protease inhibitor | HIV infection that fails exclusive treatment with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors |
Reported results from Adult AIDS Clinical Trial Group (AACTG) 364 combination therapy study; data presented at the 7th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in San Francisco (2/2) | |
Aronex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ARNX) |
Nyotran |
Liposomal formulation of anti-fungal agent Nystatin |
Cryptococcal meningitis | Announced preliminary Phase III results, in which Nyotran failed to demonstrate equivalence with amphotericin B (2/16) |
AVANT Immunotherapeutics (AVAN) |
CETi-1 |
Therapeutic vaccine against endogenous cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), a key intermediary in the distribution of cholesterol between high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein |
Atherosclerosis; low HDL |
Completed enrollment in Phase I trial (2/3) |
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BCRX) and the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute (unit of Johnson & Johnson; NYSE:JNJ) |
RWJ-270201 (BCX-1812) |
Oral small-molecule | Influenza infection inhibitor of neuraminidase enzyme, which promotes spread of the influenza virus by breaking the chemical strands that hold new viruses to cell surfaces |
Initiated Phase III trials in North America and Europe (2/8) |
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH International (Germany) | Viramune (FDA-approved) |
Nevirapine; nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor |
Advanced HIV infection |
Reported data from combination study with Retrovir (zidovudine; AZT) and Epivir (lamivudine; 3TC), both of which are marketed by Glaxo Wellcome plc (NYSE:GLX); data presented at 7th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in San Francisco (2/3) |
Boston Biomedica Inc. (BBII)/TD> |
Use of pressure cycling technology to inactivate pathogens in human plasma |
Elimination of pathogens from plasma supply | Presented data at the Cambridge Healthtech Institute's Sixth Annual Blood Safety and Screening Conference in McLean, Va. (2/14) | |
Enzo Biochem Inc. (NYSE: ENZ) |
Gene therapy using HGTV43 vector to transduce stem cells ex vivo with antisense RNA to HIV-1 |
HIV infection | Reported Phase I trial data at the 7th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in San Francisco (2/1) | |
Glaxo Wellcome plc (NYSE:GLX) |
Ziagen | Abacavir; nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor (oral; tablet and liquid; twice-daily dosing) | HIV infection |
Presented data from study comparing triple nucleoside regimen of Ziagen (abacavir sulfate) and Combivir (lamivudine/zidovudine; also marketed by Glaxo) to a regimen of Crixivan (indinavir sulfate; marketed by Merck & Co. Inc. [NYSE:MRK]) (2/2) |
ID Biomedical Corp. (Canada; IDBE) |
StreptAvax |
Group A streptococcus vaccine | Prevention of group A streptococcus infection | Reported results from early human study (2/9) |
The Immune Response Corp. (IMNR) |
Remune |
Envelope-depleted, inactivated AIDS virus (emulsified with adjuvant) | HIV infection |
Presented Phase II trial results at the World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS vaccine advisory committee meeting in Geneva (2/23) |
InterMune Pharmaceuticals* | Actimmune (FDA-approved) |
Interferon gamma-1b |
Cryptococcal meningitis | Initiated Phase II trial (2/2) |
Micrologix Biotech Inc.* (Canada) |
MBI 853NL |
Intranasally delivered antibiotic |
Prevention and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infection, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus | Initiated Phase I trial (2/15) |
Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PGNX) |
PRO 542 |
Fusion protein that incorporates HIV binding region of human cell surface receptor (CD4) into a human antibody molecule; binds to GP120 |
HIV infection in children |
Presented Phase I/II data at the 7th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (2/2) |
Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Inc. (RZYM) and Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:LLY) |
LY466700 | Chemically synthesized ribozyme dessigned to selectively cut hepatitis C virus RNA in a conserved region and inhibit viral replication | HCV infection | Initiated Phase I trial (2/16) |
Sarawak MediChem Pharmaceuticals* |
(+) - Calanolide A; plant-based, naturally occurring non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor; orally available | HIV infection (treatment naive patients) |
Presented data from two Phase Ib monotherapy studies conducted in the U.S., Malaysia and Singapore at the 7th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in San Francisco (2/1) | |
Triangle Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VIRS) | DAPD | Dioxolane purine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that is rapidly converted in humans into its active metabolite, DXG | HIV infection | Reported initial results of Phase I/II monotherapy trial (2/2) |
Triangle Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VIRS) |
Coviracil |
Emtricitabine; antiviral nucleoside analogue |
HIV infection |
Reported data on Coviracil in combination with didanosine and efavirenz (2/1) |
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||
Cambridge Antibody Technology (UK; LSE:CAT) and BASF Pharma (Germany) |
D2E7 | Fully human antibody against tumor necrosis factor alpha | Rheumatoid arthritis |
Initiated Phase III trials (2/4) |
Cellegy Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CLGY) |
Anogesic |
Proprietary formulation of nitroglycerin ointment |
Hemorrhoids | Phase II trial to be initiated (2/2) |
Connetics Corp. (CNCT) |
Luxiq (FDA-approved) | Betamethasone valerate foam 0.12%; stabilized foam formulation of mid-potency steroid |
Non-scalp psoriasis |
Study presented at Skin Disease Education Foundation's 24th annual seminar in Hawaii (2/15) |
Cypress Bioscience Inc. (CYPB) and Fresenius Hemotechnology Inc. (subsidiary of Fresenius AG; Germany) |
Prosorba Column (FDA-approved) |
Disposable filter that uses Protein A to remove circulating immune complexes from patient's blood |
Severe rheumatoid arthritis that is resistant to other therapies |
Reported results from a survey of clinical usage (2/24) |
Genelabs Technologies Inc. (GNLB) |
GL701 |
Dehydropieandosterone (DHEA); naturally occurring hormone produced by the adrenal glands |
Systemic lupus erythematosus |
Reported statistically significant positive results from Phase III trial at the 8th International Scientific Conference on Lymphocyte Activation and Immune Regulation in Newport Beach, Calif. (2/14) |
Genelabs Technologies Inc. (GNLB) |
GL701 |
Dehydropieandosterone (DHEA); naturally occurring hormone produced by the adrenal glands |
Systemic lupus erythematosus | Discussion of DHEA, including Phase III results of GL701, presented at the American College of Rheumatology conference "Clinical Update on New Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases" (2/25) |
IDEC Pharmaceuticals (IDPH) |
IDEC-152 |
Primatized anti-CD23 monoclonal antibody | Allergic asthma |
Initiated Phase I trial (2/3) |
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 | Announced new Phase II/III results at the Biotechnology Industry Organization's CEO & Investor Conference in New York; drug showed significant improvement in time to renal flares among high-affinity patients (2/16) |
Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. (MLNM) |
LDP-02 |
Humanized monoclonal antibody against alpha-4 beta-7, an integrin on inflammatory cells which causes the cells to adhere to the gastrointestinal tract |
Crohn's disease |
Initiated Phase II trial (2/24) |
NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NPSP) |
ALX1-11 |
Injectable version of human parathyroid hormone |
Osteoporosis |
Initiated Phase III trial (2/15) |
Protein Design Labs Inc. (PDLI) |
SMART (humanized) antibody against gamma interferon | Autoimmune diseases | Initiated Phase I trial in normal volunteers (2/24) | |
PPL Therapeutics plc (LSE:PTH) |
Transgenically produced alpha one antitrypsin (AAT) | AAT congenital deficiency |
Announced additional results from two Phase II trials (2/9) |
|
SciClone Pharmaceuticals |
CPX |
8-cylcopentyl-1, 3-dipropylxanthine; orally administered protein repair therapy; intended to repair protein associated defect in CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator) protein responsible for 70% of cystic fibrosis cases | Cystic fibrosis | In Phase II trial, drug absorption characteristics of CF patients precluded measurements of sustained blood concentrations of CPX necessary to evaluate efficacy; new oral formulation program is intended to address the issue (2/15) |
Unigene Laboratories Inc. (OTC BB: UGNE) | Nasal calcitonin formulation |
Osteoporosis | Initiated U.S. clinical studies (2/7) |
|
Unigene Laboratories Inc. (OTC BB: UGNE) and Warner-Lambert Co. (NYSE: WLA) |
Nasal calcitonin formulation |
Osteoporosis |
Completed testing of clinical supplies of oral calcitonin for upcoming Phase I/II trial (2/25) |
|
XTL Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (Israel) |
XTL-001 |
A combination of two high-affinity, fully human monoclonal antibodies that bind to distinct sites on the surface antigen of hepatitis B to neutralize the virus and limit viral escape | Hepatitis B infection |
Presented initial data from Phase I trial at the Biotechnology Industry Organization's CEO and Investor Conference in New York (2/16) |
Notes: | ||||
* Indicates a privately held company | ||||
** The dates listed indicate the issue dates of press releases, and are not necessarily the dates on which stated events took place. | ||||
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Unless otherwise noted, the stock symbols listed for public companies are on the Nasdaq market. | ||||
AMEX = American 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 | ||||
