Vaccine development is hot, as targeted indications increasingly move from immunizing against childhood and infectious diseases such as smallpox, measles, polio and influenza to treating cancer and neurological disorders.
Virtual biotech Jenrin Discovery LLC spent its first six years targeting peripherally selective (PS) CB1 receptor antagonists as a safer and more effective approach to treat diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
After a decade of work, French vaccine developer Imaxio SA achieved a significant milestone when IMX313, its pro-immunogenic technology, was administered for the first time in humans in a Phase I tuberculosis (TB) vaccine trial.
Verastem Inc. demonstrated that lead candidate defactinib (VS-6063) remains on the fast track by initiating what it called a “registration-directed” trial of the cancer stem cell inhibitor in malignant pleural mesothelioma. The global, double-blind, placebo-controlled COMMAND (Control Of Mesothelioma with MAiNtenance Defactinib) trial plans to enroll 350 to 400 patients, with primary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).
Biogen Idec and Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. signed their fourth partnership deal in two years with the goal of applying antisense technology to the discovery and development of therapies for neurological diseases. The financial terms call for $100 million up front to Isis, $220 in potential milestones for each antisense candidate and additional funding for clinical trials conducted by Isis under the collaboration.
Five years after its launch, virtual biotech Aesrx LLC has advanced a small molecule anti-sickling agent into a Phase II trial in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) – and done so without a venture capital round. If the compound proves its mettle, the company could become the first to market a treatment that directly blocks cell sickling rather than seeking simply to reduce the frequency of sickle cell crises.
The lawyers began circling within hours of the official disclosure of the bid by Japan’s Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. for Astex Pharmaceuticals Inc. Days earlier, the Dublin, Calif.-based oncology drug developer reported positive top-line results from the Phase II trial of cancer candidate SGI-110 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
Armed with a $30 million financing, privately held Ipierian Inc. took the bold move of launching spinout True North Therapeutics, with a portion of the funds serving as the newco’s Series A.
Merck Serono SA spinout Obseva SA hit the ground running with a CHF32 million (US$34.7 million) Series A financing led by Sofinnova Partners and co-led by Sofinnova Ventures and Novo A/S.
Coherus Biosciences Inc. expanded the horizons for its biosimilar product for Enbrel (etanercept, Amgen Inc.) by inking a potential $246 million deal giving Baxter International Inc. rights to the drug in Europe, Canada, Brazil and other undisclosed markets.
