One of the basic ways to classify antibodies is whether they are to self or nonself. But researchers from the University of California, San Diego and start-up Sialix Inc. have identified an antibody that is arguably both – and that might be useful as a cancer diagnostic or therapeutic. Read More
A little over a year after its $35 million Series B financing, bluebird bio has returned for another $30 million, laying down a three-year cash runway for advancement of its gene therapy products for rare diseases. CEO Nick Leschly calls the financing, which brings in new investor ARCH Venture Partners, "opportunistic." Existing investors Third Rock Ventures, TVM Capital, Forbion Capital Partners and Easton Capital Investment Group also participated. Read More
With a new road map in hand, Durata Therapeutics Inc. has its lead candidate, dalbavancin, back on course for what it hopes is the final lap to FDA approval for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). Read More
San Diego-based Sangart Inc. brought in more than $50 million in new equity funding to boost work on its MP4 pegylated hemoglobin platform in hemorrhage and sickle cell disease. Read More
Vicept Therapeutics Inc., of Malvern, Pa., said results from a Phase II trial testing the dose-response relationship of two concentrations of V-101, a topical cream for treating Type I rosacea demonstrated a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.01) in the primary endpoint, defined as a reduction in facial erythema over a 12-hour period vs. placebo cream. V-101 also demonstrated a safety profile similar to placebo. Read More
Omeros Corp., of Seattle, said research on mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed blocking MASP-2 function significantly reduced tissue damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury. Researchers showed that, in animal models of cardiac and gastrointestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, inhibition of MASP-2 function blocked the excessive inflammatory responses, resulting in less tissue damage. Read More
SciClone Pharmaceuticals Inc. strengthened its hand in China with the acquisition of privately held specialty pharmaceutical company NovaMed Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Shanghai, for $61.8 million in up-front cash and stock and a potential $43 million in earn-outs for the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years. Read More
LONDON – Circassia Ltd. claimed the third largest funding round by a European biotech in the past 15 years, raising $98 million in a fourth round. Read More
