With a phase III trial bearing an identical endpoint and dosing schedule already under way, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. reported favorable data from the phase II open-label extension (OLE) study with patisiran, the RNAi therapy for transthyretin (TTR)-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR) in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). Read More
LONDON – After spending five years validating and honing its technology, Bicycle Therapeutics Ltd., the third company to be inspired by the science of antibody supremo Greg Winter, is ready to embark on commercializing a new generation of mini-antibodies. Read More
As Gilead Sciences Inc. began the roll-out for its newly approved hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug, Harvoni, following FDA approval Friday, analysts continued to weigh in on prospects for the once-daily pill, which combines a dose of sofosbuvir – the active ingredient in the company's blockbuster HCV drug Sovaldi – with ledipasvir, a direct-acting macrocyclic antiviral agent and inhibitor of NS5A serine protease. Read More
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case Wednesday that could ultimately rein in the Federal Circuit in its review of patent claims, making it toe the same review line as the other circuit courts. Read More
HONG KONG – Scientists from the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore have used an antioxidant extract of green tea to engineer a cancer drug nanocarrier system, which can deliver drugs to kill cancer cells more effectively, while minimizing toxicity to surrounding tissues. Read More
HONG KONG – A leading Chinese biotech company has plans to sell almost half the shares of its vaccine manufacturing subsidiary and invest $30 million in a biopharmaceutical distributor. Read More
Cytori Therapeutics Inc., of San Diego, said it completed a registered direct offering selling shares of its series A 3.6 percent convertible preferred stock for gross proceeds of approximately $13.5 million. The preferred stock is convertible into shares of common stock at the option of the investors at a conversion price of 52 cents each. Read More
Cytrx Corp., of Los Angeles, began operations at its discovery laboratory in Freiburg, Germany. The laboratory will conduct discovery and translational research to create drug candidates that use linker technologies to couple chemotherapeutic agents and proteins inside or outside the body to be concentrated in tumors. Read More
Bioheart Inc., of Sunrise, Fla., released preliminary 12-month data from its phase I ANGEL trial, which is testing the firm's autologous cell therapy Adipocell, in congestive heart failure. At the 12-month time point, patients are demonstrating a statistically significant average improvement in ejection fraction (EF) by echocardiogram. Read More
strong>Eisai Ltd., of Woodcliff Lake, N.J., said its epilepsy drug, Fycompa (perampanel), will be made available throughout the Middle East through a partnership with Hikma Pharmaceuticals plc, of London, with launches in in the region set to begin next year. Read More
Abbvie Inc., of North Chicago, reported results from PIONEER II, a pivotal phase III study, demonstrating the effect of Humira (adalimumab) in reducing common clinical signs and symptoms in moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurative, specifically the number of abscesses and inflammatory nodules. Read More
