Neumedicines Inc., of Pasadena, Calif., reported data from a study in healthy human subjects showing that Hemamax (recombinant human interleukin-12, or IL-12) works by promoting NK cell migration and also increases CSCL10, co-receptors IL-12Rbeta2 and CXCR3 and bright CD56.
Ventana Medical Systems Inc., of Tucson, Ariz., a member of the Roche Group, said the Ventana HER2/neu (4B5) Rabbit Monoclonal Primary Antibody assay is available as a companion diagnostic for detecting HER2 protein expression in patients who may be candidates for Perjeta (pertuzumab) and Kadcyla (ado-trastuzumab emtansine).
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., of Osaka, Japan, reported results showing that pantoprazole magnesium 40 mg, branded Tecta, was as effective as esomeprazole 40 mg for achieving complete remission in patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease, with a high mucosal healing rate, while providing significantly higher symptom relief after eight weeks.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have synthesized the hormone erythropoietin (EPO), which controls blood synthesis and is used in recombinant form for the treatment of anemia and myelodysplasia, via completely chemical means.
After Coronado Biosciences Inc. reported two trial failures this year in Crohn’s disease with its oral Trichuris suis ova (TSO, or pig whipworm eggs), investors’ faith had fallen low in the unusual immune system-based approach, but Wall Street sang a different song when the company unveiled positive data from a pilot study in the seemingly unlikely indication of autism.
The hits keep coming for Aveo Pharmaceuticals Inc., as its once-daily VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor failed another indication, this time colorectal cancer (CRC). The Cambridge, Mass.-based biotech’s already beaten-down stock fell 9 percent on news that the drug, tivozanib, foundered during an interim analysis in the Phase II BATON-CRC study, being carried out in partnership with Astellas Pharma Inc.
Emergent Biosolutions Inc. took another step in its quest to expand its pipeline and ramp up commercial revenues by sealing a deal to acquire Canada’s Cangene Corp. for $222 million, or $3.24 per share on a fully diluted basis. The boards of directors of both companies approved the transaction, which gives Emergent three specialty products included in the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile and four commercial specialty therapies.
Astellas Pharma U.S. Inc., a subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc., of Tokyo, said the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services assigned a unique Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System code for Astagraf XL (tacrolimus extended-release capsules) for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving a kidney transplant used with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and corticosteroids, with or without basiliximab induction.
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