Company* |
Product |
Description | Indication | Status (Date)** |
CANCER | ||||
NeoRx Corp. |
Skeletal Targeted Radiotherapy (STR) | Molecule that tightly binds holmium-166 and targets the bone marrow | Multiple myeloma |
Presented Phase I/II data at International Society for Experimental Hematology meeting in Monaco (7/14) |
NeuroVir Therapeutics Inc.* | G207 |
Genetically engineered herpes simplex virus designed to selectively infect and kill tumor cells while not invading and damaging normal brain tissue | Recurrent glioblastoma | Released preliminary Phase I results (7/6) |
NeXstar Pharmaceuticals Inc. | NX 211 |
Liposomal formulation of lurtotecan, a topoisomerase inhibitor |
Advanced-stage solid tumors |
Initiated enrollment in Phase I trial (7/13) |
Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Chiron Corp. |
Angiozyme | Chemically synthesized ribozyme; specifically inhibits formation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFr) | Cancer | Announced results of Phase Ia and Ib trials (7/14) |
Valentis Inc. |
Interleukin-12 gene therapy using the company's PINCProtective, Interactive, Non-Condensing) gene delivery system | Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck | Initiated Phase I/II trial (7/21) |
|
CARDIOVASCULAR | ||||
Cerus Corp. and Baxter Healthcare Corp. (NYSE:BAX) | Pathogen inactivate system for platelets based on light-activated psoralen compound, S-59 |
Transfusions |
Initiated enrollment in Phase III trial (7/22) |
|
CV Therapeutics Inc.andInnovex Inc. (subsidiary of Quintiles Transnational Corp.) |
Ranolazine | Perzine acetamide | Stable angina |
Initiated 2nd pivotal Phase III trial, testing the drug in combination with other antianginal drugs (7/7) |
Interneuron Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Incara Pharmaceuticals Corp. | Bextra |
Bucindolol HCl; non-selective beta blocker with vasodilating properties |
Congestive heart failure | Terminated Phase III study early based on Data Safety and Monitoring Board's interim analysis revealing no statistically significant survival advantage (7/29) |
LifeCell Corp. and Pharmacia &Upjohn (NYSE:PNU) | ThromboSol |
Platelet preservation solution used in conjunction with recombinant thrombopoietin (which P&U licensed from Genentech Inc.) |
Preservation of rhTPO-stimulated autologous platelets for reinfusion to counter thrombocytopenia during chemotherapy | Initiated safety and clinical efficacy trial (7/28) |
Scios Inc. | Natrecor | Nesiritide; human B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP; naturally occurring peptide in the heart) | Decompensated heart failure |
Phase II study data published in 7/99 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (7/15) |
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM | ||||
Cephalon Inc. and H. Lundbeck A/S (Denmark) |
CEP-1347 | Orally active and cell- and blood-brain-barrier permeable small-molecule inhibitor of stress-activated protein kinase pathway |
Neurodegenerative diseases |
Initiated Phase I trial in healthy volunteers (7/22) |
Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. |
NBI-34060 |
Compound that enhances action of GABA by binding to specific sites on the GABA-a receptor; chemically distinct from benzodiazepines |
Insomnia |
Initiated Phase II trial (7/30) |
Sibia Neurosciences Inc. | SIB-1508Y |
Altinicline; small molecule that is selective for certain nicotinic actycholine receptor (NAChR) subtypes in the brain; the receptors regulate the release of dopamine and acetylcholine |
Parkinson's disease | Reported results from 2 Phase II trials; product did not prove statistically significant benefit vs. placebo (7/21) |
DIABETES | ||||
Insmed Pharmaceuticals Inc. | INS-1 |
D-chiron inositol; small, carbohydrate-based molecule (oral) |
Type II diabetes |
Presented "late breaking" results of Phase II diabetes trial at American Diabetes Association meeting |
INFECTION | ||||
Aviron and Wyeth Lederle Vaccines (unit of American Home Products; NYSE: AHP) |
FluMist |
Nasal spray formulation of influenza vaccine; attenuated, cold-adapted live virus vaccine | Prevention of influenza infection |
Results of Phase III study published in 7/14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (7/13) |
BioChem Pharma Inc. (Canada) |
Zeffix (FDA-approved) |
Lamivudine; nucleoside analogue (oral dosage) |
Hepatitis B | Reported new, 3-year data at Zeffix launch meeting in Hong Kong (7/8) |
Enzo Biochem |
Immune modulation product consisting of specific hepatitis B proteins delivered orally |
Hepatitis B infection | Initiated first clinical trial (7/26) |
|
IntraBiotics Pharmaceuticals Inc.* |
Ramoplanin | Naturally occurring antibiotic |
Vancomycin-resistant enterocci infection that kills gram-positive bacteria |
Completed Phase II trial (7/14) |
Medinox Inc.* | NOX-100 |
Compound that binds and inactivates nitric oxide | Intradialytic hypotension |
Initiated Phase I/II trial (7/1) |
Trimeris Inc. | T1249 | HIV fusion inhibitor; administered as monotherapy by subcutaneous injection (oral) | HIV infection |
Initiated Phase I trial (7/1) |
ViroPharma Inc. | Pleconaril |
Oral liquid formulation of a small molecule inhibitor of several RNA viruses (blocks replication) |
Viral respiratory infection |
Reported results from three Phase II trials (7/13) |
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||
Alizyme plc (LSE:AZM) |
ATL-2502 |
Anti-inflammatory steroid linked to Colal colonic delivery system |
Inflammatory bowel disease | Completed Phase I trial (7/29) |
Bio-Technology General Corp. | OxSoDrol | Recombinant superoxide dismutase product (intrathecal administration) | Prevention of asthma and neurodevelopmental deficits in premature infants | Released data from Phase III trial (7/12) |
Cambridge Antibody Technology Group plc,BASF Pharma(unit of BASF AG; Germany), and Genitics Institute (subsidiary of American Home Products Corp.; NYSE:AHP) |
J695 |
Anti-interleukin-12 fully human monoclonal antibody |
Autoimmune and inflammatory disorders |
Initiated Phase I trials (7/9) |
Ergo Science Corp. | Ergoset tablets | Low-dose, oral formulation of bromocriptine (ergot alkaloid; generic dopamine agonist) |
Obesity | Phase II study failed to show statistically significant benefit vs. placebo (7/9) |
Labopharm Inc.* (Canada) and Sepracor Inc. |
Xopenex | Solid, controlled-release formulation of Sepracor's Xopenex [therapeutically active (R)-isomer of racemic albuterol] |
Asthma |
Completed Phase I trial (7/6) |
MedImmune Inc.and Bio-Transplant Inc. | MEDI-507 | Humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to CD2 antigen receptor found on T cells and natural killer cells- |
Steroid-resistant, severe graft-vs.-host disease |
Presented data from Phase I/II trial at the 28th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Experimental Hematology in Monte Carlo (7/12) |
Nastech Pharmcaceutical Co. | Intranasally delivered scopolamine; naturally occurring tertiary amine antimuscarinic agent | Treatment and prevention of motion sickness |
Completed Phase III trials (7/8) |
|
Tanox Inc.* | Hu-901 |
Anti-IgE monoclonal antibody | Reduction of allergic reactions to |
Initiated Phase I/II trial (7/13) |
Theratechnol-ogies Inc. (Canada; MSE:TH; TSE:TH.WT) |
ThGRF 1-44 |
Analogue of growth hormone releasing factor |
Potential indications include cardiomyopathy, growth hormone deficiency and muscle-wasting conditions |
Completed Phase I trial (7/5) |
Xoma Ltd. and Genentech Inc. (NYSE:DNA) | Hu1124 |
Humanized monoclonal antibody to CD11a receptor on T cells (involved in both T |
Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis |
Presented results from Phase II study at Canadian Dermatology Association meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia (7/7) |
* Unless otherwise noted, the stock symbols for public companies are listed on pp. 9 and 10. | ||||
** The dates listed indicate the issue dates of press releases. | ||||
