Two highly publicized fundraisers based in the UK have drawn attention to an unusual practice by the Burzynski Research Institute Inc. in Houston, triggering a storm of criticism in the blogosphere. The institute charges exhorbitant fees to patients for participation in its many ongoing trials of its investigative antineoplaston cancer therapy, even though there are no randomized, controlled trials proving the effectiveness of the therapy in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.
At the IBC Antibody Engineering Conference in San Diego, X-Body Biosciences reported that it has discovered and optimized its first lead anti-angiogenesis compound, XB2202, from its DNA display and sequencing platform. The compound satisfied the requirements for a lead compound, including inhibition of receptor phosphorylation in renal carcinoma cells and inhibition of retinal pericyte migration, through its binding of platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB).
Roche AG is pumping up its central nervous system (CNS) pipeline with the acquisition of a rare disease program from PTC Therapeutics Inc., of South Plainsfield, N.J.
Through a process of business combination, restructuring, refocusing and a change in leadership, the entity formerly known as Biocontrol Ltd., of London, has emerged as a new company based in the U.S. called AmpliPhi Biosciences Corp.
Chronic wounds are a major source of morbidity, particularly for patients who are elderly, diabetic or who have multiple medical problems. The standard of care for treating such wounds, particularly foot ulcers, results in complete healing in only 33 percent of the patients.
Through a process of business combination, restructuring, refocusing and a change in leadership, the entity formerly known as Biocontrol Ltd., of London, has emerged as a new company based in the U.S. called AmpliPhi Biosciences Corp.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. Run a Phase II clinical trial and reduce your costs by as much as 10-fold. A top academic medical center in India charges only $1,500 to $2,000 per case report, less than one tenth the cost at a second-tier U.S. medical center. And trends show a majority of clinical study sites are now located outside the U.S., many in developing countries, especially Eastern Europe, Russia and India.
After nearly a year of anticipation, NewLink Genetics Corp., of Ames, Iowa, priced its initial public offering of 6.2 million shares at $7 per share, with an underwriters' option of 930,000 additional shares. The offering could raise $49.9 million for the biotech, which specializes in cancer immunotherapeutics.
For Avaxia Biologics Inc., of Lexington, Mass., its $2.2 million Series A financing round might be called heaven-sent. It's led by angels, rather than typical venture capitalist investors.
Stock in Targacept Inc. dropped 60.2 percent Tuesday on news that its Phase III RENAISSANCE trial of TC-5214 in depression failed to meet its primary endpoint of change on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) following eight weeks of treatment.
