In what could become a textbook example of putting the cart alongside the horse, the FDA will ask its Arthritis Advisory Committee Monday to consider whether the data are sufficient to make axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), as defined by the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria, a new indication for arthritis drugs. Read More
Researchers have managed to create induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using only small molecules, obviating the need for transformation with oncogenes that has been one limit to such cells' clinical potential to date. Read More
Analysts remained relatively unconcerned following Celgene Corp.'s news that it halted a Phase III study testing Revlimid (lenalidomide) in front-line elderly B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) due to an imbalance in the number of deaths between the Revlimid and control arms, though up and coming competitors could benefit from the minor setback. Read More
Audentes Inc., of San Francisco, closed a Series A financing round worth $30 million. OrbiMed Advisors led the round with participation by 5AM Ventures and Versant Ventures. Read More
• Betastem Therapeutics Inc., of San Francisco, said it retained Conditas Biotechnology Group LLC for its services in the area of business development and corporate strategy. Read More
• Genmab A/S, of Copenhagen, Denmark, said it filed a new drug application to start a Phase I dose-escalation trial of HuMax-TF-ADC to treat multiple solid tumors. Read More
• Sigma-Aldrich Corp., of St. Louis, said it partnered with the Scripps Research Institute to fund research and provide immediate, day-of-publication access to Scripps researchers' discoveries for the synthesis and analysis of potential drugs. Read More
