Aileron Therapeutics Inc. secured a second tranche of $12 million in its Series D financing, bringing the total round to $42 million and positioning its lead stapled peptide drug, ALRN-5281, to enter the clinic in orphan endocrine disorders. Read More
Hoping to beef up its arsenal against drug-resistant bacteria, the FDA is taking the first steps to blaze a new approval shortcut for drugs, both small molecules and biologics, that narrowly focus on serious or life-threatening diseases in which there's an unmet need. Read More
In the course of studying the tumor suppressor p53 and its role in both cellular aging and metabolism, scientists have described a new interaction partner of p53 that might make a better therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer than p53 itself. Read More
Oculus Innovative Sciences Inc., of Petaluma, Calif., spun out a new biotechnology business to develop a drug candidate for infection in trauma and surgical procedures. Read More
• Telik Inc., of Palo Alto, said ezatiostat HCL (Telintra) was granted orphan designation by the FDA for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome. Telintra is designed to inhibit enzyme glutathione S-transferase P1-1. Read More
• Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, of Ingelheim, Germany, inked a research service collaboration with Horizon Discovery Ltd., of Cambridge, UK, to use Horizon's Discovery Toolbox for research projects and profiling of compounds at the hit-to-lead, lead optimization and preclinical stages to elucidate their anticancer properties and help guide drug discovery programs. Read More
• Reviva Pharmaceuticals Inc., of San Jose, Calif., said it completed patient enrollment in its Phase II study of RP5063 in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. The trial enrolled a total of 234 patients, with top-line data expected by the end of February. Read More
