Company* (Symbol)

Product

Description

Indication

Status (Date)**

CANCER

Biomira Inc. (Canada; BIOM)

BLP25 vaccine

Vaccine incorporates a synthetic 25-amino-acid sequence of the MUC-1 cancer mucin encapsulated in a synthetic liposomal delivery system

Advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Biomira presented Phase I and II data at a Keystone Symposium titled "Cellular Immunity and Immunotherapy of Cancer" in Santa Fe, N.M. (1/26); company began second stage of Phase II trial program, which involves administration of BLP25 with Biomira's liposomal interleukin-2 immune enhancer; both first and second stages of Phase II trial are being conducted at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta (1/25)

Cell Therapeutics Inc. (CTIC)

PG-TXL

Polyglutamate paclitaxel; product uses polyglutamate to enhance delivery of paclitaxel to tumors

Advanced solid tumors

Cancer Research Campaign initiated Phase I trial at centers in Newcastle and Berdeen, UK (1/19)

Skyepharma plc (LSE:SKP) and Sanofi Synthelabo (France)

Xatral

Once-daily oral formlation of alfuzosin (alfuzosin has been marketed since 1988, but required multiple daily dosing)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Sanofi Synthelabo earned approvals in Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland (1/26)

CARDIOVASCULAR

Cerus Corp. (CERS)

Pathogen inactivation system that targets and inactivates bloodborne pathogens, while leaving the therapeutic properties of red blood cells intact; process uses light-activated psoralen compound, S-59, which disables nucleic acid

Platelets intended for transfusion

European trial has clearance to continue enrolling patients following review of Data Safety and Monitoring Board (1/27)

INFECTION

Access Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OTC BB: AXCS)

OraDisc

Polymer disc formulation for improved delivery of amlexanox

Canker sores

UK Medicine Control Agency cleared clinical trial program; Access plans to immediately begin a Phase III study in Northern Ireland (1/19)

Biota Holdings Ltd. (Australia; ASX:BTA) and Glaxo Wellcome plc (NYSE:GLX)

Relenza (FDA-approved)

Zanamavir for inhalation; neuraminidase inhibitor (designed and synthesized based on crystal structure of surface proteins of influenza virus); inhaled in powder form

Influenza

Cleared for marketing in Japan (1/5)

Atrix Laboratories Inc. (ATRX)

Atridox (FDA-approved)

Doxycycline 8.8% product applied as a gel to affected area, where it conforms to the shape of the periodontal pocket and solidifies, releasing doxycycline over a period of about 7 days

Periodontal disease

Cleared for marketing in 11 European countries through the Decentralized Mutual Recognition procedure of the European Union (1/4)

Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD)

Adefovir dipivoxil; retitis B virus infection

Chronic hepaverse transcriptase inhibitor (oral)

Iniatiated a second pivotal Phase III trial that will enroll patients in Australia, Canada, France, Greece, Israel, Italy and Southeast Asia (1/11)

North American Vaccine (AMEX:NVX)

NeisVac-C

Group C meningococcal conjugate vaccine

Prevention of infection with Neisseria meningitidis

Filed for UK regulatory approval (1/24)

PathoGenesis Corp. (PGNS)

TOBI (FDA-approved)

Tobramycin solution for inhalation

Management of cystic fibrosis patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections

Cleared for marketing in Israel (1/5)

MISCELLANEOUS

Amgen Inc. (AMGN)

NESP; novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein

Renal disease

Submitted marketing application to the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (1/25)

Phytopharm plc (LSE:PYM)

P45

Topical formulation of plant extract

Male pattern baldness

Reported interim data from Phase II trial in the UK (1/6)

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.

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; SSE = Swedish Stock Exchange; TSE = Toronto Stock Exchange

ND = Not disclosed