When J. Michael Pearson, CEO of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., reached out to Medicis Pharmaceuticals International Inc. to discuss terms for a potential merger, it was the third time the two companies had had such discussions in the last 18 months. In previous talks, the value of Medicis' broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic, Solodyn (minocycline), had been a sticking point. Read More
LONDON – A company based in Aberdeen, Scotland, that was founded and funded in Malaysia, with the aim of commercializing cancer vaccines discovered in Cuba, has announced the start of a pivotal Phase III trial of its lead product, BV-NSCLC-001. Read More
Scientists have developed a mathematical model that they hope will ultimately be able to help determine how to best prevent resistance to currently available HIV drugs – and how to find effective combinations of new drugs early on in clinical development. Read More
Theravectys SAS raised €7.48 million (US$9.4 million) in a third funding round to support what it claims will be the world's first trial of a therapeutic HIV vaccine based on a lentiviral vector. Read More
• Cellerant Therapeutics Inc., of San Carlos, Calif., was awarded $36.4 million by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for the advanced development of CLT-008, a first-in-class, allogeneic, cell-based therapy to treat acute radiation syndrome (ARS). The third year of funding is part of a five-year BARDA award valued at up to $169.9 million. Read More
GenSpera Inc., of San Antonio, said UK regulators cleared the firm for a Phase II trial of G-202 in prostate cancer patients who have failed prior hormonal therapy. The study is expected to enroll up to 40 patients with chemotherapy-naïve, metastatic castrate-resistant disease. Read More
• Baxter International Inc., of Deerfield, Ill., said it submitted a biologics license application for approval of BAX 326, a recombinant Factor IX protein, for the treatment and prophylaxis of bleeding episodes for patients older than 12 with hemophilia B. Read More
• Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, of Ingelheim, Germany, reported Phase III data showing tiotropium delivered by the Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler demonstrated significant improvements in lung function in adults with asthma. Read More
