Company* (Symbol) | Product | Description | Indication | Status (Date)** |
CANCER | ||||
AVI Biopharma Inc. (AVII) | Avicine | Nontoxic vaccine that elicits a highly specific immune response to the human hormone and growth factor chorionic gonadotropin | Colorectal cancer | Completed Phase II trial (12/21) |
Biomira Inc. (BIOM) | BLP25 | Anticancer vaccine that incorporates a synthetic 25-amino acid sequence of the MUC-1 cancer mucin, encapsulated in a synthetic liposomal delivery system | Non-small-cell lung cancer | Completed Phase II enrollment (12/20) |
Cel-Sci Corp. (AMEX:HIV) | Multikine | Natural mixture of human cytokines, including interleukin-2 | Head and neck cancer | Completed patient treatment in a Phase II trial (12/2) |
Coulter Pharmaceutical (CLTR) and SmithKline Beecham plc (NYSE:SBH) | Bexxar | Iodine I-131 tositumomab | Various types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma | Presented results from five Phase I-III trials at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in New Orleans (12/6) |
Dendreon Corp.* | An immunotherapy treatment that involves isolating dendritic cells from a patient's blood and activating them with an idiotype protein, then infusing them into the patient to stimulate an immune response | Multiple myeloma | Presented Phase I/II trial results at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in New Orleans (12/4) | |
Eligix Inc.* | BCell-HDM | Tumor-purging technology consisting of microscopic particles coated with anti-CD19 and anti-CD20 antibodies that target tumor cells contaminating blood stem cells | Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma | Announced Phase I/II trial results at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in New Orleans (12/6) |
Genta Inc. and the National Cancer Institute (GNTA) | G3139 | Antisense therapeutic that targets the messenger-RNA produced by the bcl-2 gene, believed to be a factor in inhibiting apoptosis in drug-resistant cancers | Colorectal cancer | Commenced Phase I/II trials of G3139 in combination with Irinotecan (12/6) |
Genta Inc. and the National Cancer Institute (GNTA) | G3139 | Antisense therapeutic that targets the messenger-RNA produced by the bcl-2 gene, believed to be a factor in inhibiting apoptosis in drug-resistant cancers | Relapsed acute leukemia | Commenced clinical study of G3139 in combination with fludarabine and cytosine arabinoside (12/9) |
Idec Pharmaceuticals Corp. (IDPH) | Zevalin | Ibritumomab tiuxetan, a monoclonal antibody that is linked to the radiosiotope 90yttrium and targets the CD20 antigen | Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma | Announced preliminary results of four clinical trials at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in New Orleans (12/6) |
Zevalin | Ibritumomab tiuxetan, a monoclonal antibody that is linked to the radioisotope 90yttrium and targets the CD20 antigen | Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma | Announced Phase III results of Zevalin in combination with Rituxan at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in New Orleans (12/6) | |
ImClone Systems Inc. (IMCL) | C225 | A monoclonal antibody that targets and inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor associated with tumor cell growth and repair in a number of EGFr-positive solid tumors | Pancreatic carcinoma | Initiated Phase II trial of C225 in combination with gemcitabine (12/7) |
ImmunoGen Inc. (IMGN) and SmithKline Beecham plc (NYSE:SBH) | huC242-DM1/SB-408075 | Tumor-activated prodrug | Colorectal and pancreatic cancers | Commenced Phase I trial (12/9) |
Inex Pharmaceuticals Corp. (Canada;TSE:IEX) and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center | Onco TCS | Therapeutic consisting of vincristine encapsulated in the transmembrane carrier systems drug delivery technology developed by Inex | Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma | Announced results of Phase IIa trial at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in New Orleans (12/6) |
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. (LGND) | Targretin | Bexarotene; synthetic retinoid X receptor | Refractory or persistent early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma | Announced Phase II/III trial results at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in New Orleans (12/7) |
Maret Pharmaceuticals Inc.* | A peptide analogue of the human hormone angiotensin | Neutropenia ( a decrease in white blood cells) follow ing chemotherapy | Initiated Phase I/II trial (12/2) | |
MGI Pharma Inc. (MOGN) | MGI 114 (irofulven) | Lead compound of a family of cytotoxic agents, acylfulvenes | Various cancers | Initiated phase I trial (12/14) |
NeoRx Corp. (NERX) | STR (skeletal targeted radiotherapy) | Small-molecule carrier of the radionuclide holmium-166, designed to deliver radiation therapy selectively to the disease site, avoiding toxicity to normal tissue | Multiple myeloma | Announced Phase II trial results at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting |
OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc. (OSIP) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) | CP-609, 754 | Anticancer agent that inhibits a key mediator of the functioning of the ras oncogene, believed to be a factor in many solid tumors | Various cancers | Iniated Phase I trial (12/16) |
StressGen Biotechnologies Corp. (Canada;TSE:SSB) | HspE7 | Recombinant fusion product composed of heat shock protein 65 (Hsp65) from M.bovis BCG and the protein E7, derived from the human papillomavirus | Cervical dysplasia | Completed Phase I trial (12/13) |
Vion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VION) and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation | VNP20009 | TAPET (tumor amplified protein expression therapy) bacterial vector consisting of highly attenuated bacteria that exhibit preferential replication in tumors, as opposed to normal tissues | Various cancers | Commenced Phase I trial (12/8) |
SuperGen (SUPG) | Nipent (FDA-approved) | Pentostatin for injection; chemotherapeutic drug that inhibits adenosine deaminase (blocks DNA synthesis) | Chronic lymphocytic leukemia | Announced Phase I results at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in New Orleans (12/7) |
Targeted Genetics Corp. (TGEN) | tgDCC-E1A | Cancer therapeutic that uses a cationic lipid formulation of DC-cholesterol to deliver the E1A gene to tumor cells | Ovarian cancer | Initiated Phase I trial (12/16) |
CARDIOVASCULAR | ||||
Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALXN) | 5G1.1-SC | Anti-inflammatory complement inhibitor | Cardiac and brain damage sustained during coronary artery bypass graft surgery | Announced Phase I/II and Phase IIa results (12/21) |
AVI BioPharma (AVII) | Resten-NG | Cardiovascular therapeutic that targets the genetic sequence c-myc, believed to be responsible for initiating cell replication | Cardiovascular restenosis | Initiated Phase I trial (12/16) |
CV Therapeutics Inc. (CVTX) | CVT-510 | Selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist | Atrial arrhythmia | Initiated Phase II trial (12/3) |
CytRx Corp. (CYTR) | Flocor | Purified poloxamer 188; intravenously delivered surfactant molecule that alters the way cells and molecules interact with water | Acute sickle cell crisis | Announced Phase III trial results (12/21) |
Emisphere Technologies Inc. (EMIS) | Liquid oral heparin | Deep vein thrombosis following total hip replacement surgery | Announced completion of Phase II trial and finalization of Phase III protocol (12/15) | |
Selectus Pharmaceuticals Inc.* | Esprolol | Rapid-onset beta blocker, intended for patients intolerant to acute nitrate therapy | Stable-effort angina | Completed Phase IIb trial (12/13) |
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM | ||||
Axonyx Inc. (OTC BB:AXYX) | Phenserine | Brain-targeted, reversible selective inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase | Alzheimer's disease | Initiated Phase I trial (12/22) |
Titan Pharmaceuticals (AMEX:TTP) | ILP3000 (Zomaril) | Iloperidone; antipsychotic that has an antagonistic activity on a wide range of brain receptors for dopamine and serotonin, with preferential affinity for 5HT2A serotonin receptors in humans | Schizophrenia | Announced Phase III trial results (12/1) |
Spheramine | Cell therapy product that uses human retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells that secrete dopamine, a deficit of which causes progressive motor disorders | Parkinson's disease | Commenced patient enrollment in Phase I/II trial (12/6) | |
DIABETES | ||||
Advanced Tissue Sciences Inc. (ATIS) and Smith & Nephew plc (NYSE:SNN) | Dermagraft | Human tissue-engineered replacement for dermal layer of skin (viable human dermal fibroblasts, derived from foreskins, cultured on bioresorbable scaffold | Diabetic foot ulcers | Announced results of U.S. clinical trial (12/21) |
INFECTION | ||||
Agouron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (a subsidiary of the Warner-Lambert Co.; NYSE:WLA) | AG7088 | Synthetic small molecule designed to inhibit the rhinovirus 3C protease | Rhinovirus infection | Initiated Phase II trial (12/13) |
Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD) | Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate | HIV infection | Commenced patient enrollment in Phase III trial (12/1) | |
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||
Abgenix Inc. (ABGX) | ABX-IL8 | Fully human monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-8 | Psoriasis | Announced Phase I/II trial results at the Psoriasis: From Gene to Clinic Meeting in London (12/1) |
ABX-CBL | Monoclonal antibody that binds to CD147, a protein that is upregulated on certain activated immune cells | Graft-versus-host disease | Initiated Phase III trial comparing ABX-CBL with standard therapy (12/7) | |
Avant Immunotherapeutics (AVAN) | ATM-027 | T-cell antigen receptor monoclonal antibody | Multiple sclerosis | Announced Phase II trial results (12/6) |
Avigen Inc. (AVGN) | Coagulin | Adeno-associated vector drug delivery technology carrying the gene for factor IX protein | Hemophilia B | Announced clinical trial results at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in New Orleans (12/6) |
Biogen Inc. (BGEN) | Amevive | Recombinantly engineered LFA-1/IgG1 human fusion protein | Chronic plaque psoriasis | Presented Phase II trial data at the Psoriasis: From Gene to Clinic Meeting in London (12/3) |
Chiron Corp. (CHIR) and G.D. Searle & Co. (a unit of Monsanto Co.; NYSE:MTC) | Tifacogin | Recombinant form of tissue factor pathway inhibitor, thought to block tissue-factor-mediated clotting in small blood vessels in sepsis | Severe sepsis | Completed Phase II trial and initiated plans for Phase III trial (12/2) |
Connetics Corp. (CNCT) | ConXn | Recombinant form of human relaxin H2 | Scleroderma | Completed Phase II/III trial enrollment (12/20) |
Genentech Inc. (NYSE:DNA) and Xoma Ltd. (XOMA) | hu1124 | Humanized monoclonal antibody to CD11a receptor on T cells | Plaque psoriasis | Initiated Phase III trial (12/20) |
InKine Pharmaceutical Co. Inc. (INKP) | CBP-1011 | Orally administered steroid | Inflammatory bowel disease | Commenced patient enrollment in Phase II trial (12/14) |
IntraBiotics Pharmaceuticals Inc.* | Protegrin IB-367 | Analogue of a naturally occurring antibiotic originally purified from white blood cells | Oral mucositis | Announced Phase II trial results at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in New Orleans (12/3) |
Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ISIP) | ISIS 2302 | Antisense inhibitor of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 | Psoriasis | Initiated Phase IIa trial (12/9) |
Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ISIP) | ISIS 2302 | Antisense inhibitor of intercellular adhesion molecule | Crohn's disease | Announced that data from a clinical trial did not demonstrate efficacy (12/15) |
ISIS 2302 | Antisense inhibitor of intercellular adhesion molecule, enema formulation | Ulcerative colitis | Commenced Phase IIa trial (12/7) | |
Titan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMEX:TTP) | CeaVac | Anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody-based vaccine; mimics CEA antigen present on many types of cancer cells | Colorectal cancer | Reached accrual goal for Phase II trial (12/20) |
Transkaryotic Therapies Inc. (TKTX) | Alpha-Gal A | Alpha-galactosidase A | Fabry disease | Completed Phase II trial (12/28) |
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