Chemocentryx Inc. will have to await word from partner Glaxosmithkline plc on the future of vercirnon after the CCR9 antagonist missed its endpoint in the first of four Phase III studies in moderate to severe Crohn's disease. Read More
In a wagon-circling move typical after Phase III setbacks such as befell Vical Inc.'s compound for metastatic melanoma earlier this month, the company said it will cut its work force by about 39 percent, or 47 employees, leaving 74 still aboard, as the Allovectin project is abandoned and efforts turn to infectious-disease vaccine programs. Read More
Even before he helped found antibody firm Alder Biopharmaceuticals Inc. in 2004, Chief Scientific Officer John Latham had a developed a taste for small firms and start-ups. Read More
Privately held Immune Pharmaceuticals Ltd. swam against the tide of biotechs rushing to initial public offerings (IPO) by completing its merger with Epicept Corp., gaining access to the public markets and an expanded pipeline of cancer and pain compounds. Read More
SHANGHAI – An unexpectedly strong second quarter has boosted investor interest in little-known Sinovac Biotech Ltd., a Beijing-based vaccine maker listed on Nasdaq. Read More
Researchers have discovered that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are able to directly activate pain receptors in the skin – and in doing so, suppress the immune system. Read More
• Provectus Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Knoxville, Tenn., said researchers at the Moffitt Cancer Center showed that a single dose of PV-10 in mice with melanoma produced a significant reduction in the skin cancer lesions, as well as a sizeable reduction in melanoma tumors that had spread to the lungs. PV-10 is a solution developed from Rose Bengal, a water-soluble dye commonly used to stain damaged cells in the eye. Read More
• Sophiris Bio Inc., of San Diego, said it closed its initial public offering, issuing 13 million shares priced at $5 apiece for aggregate proceeds of $65 million. Read More
