Researchers have been able to foil two emerging viruses that can cause encephalitis by tricking them into trying to fuse with artificial cells. The work enables better study of such viruses, and potentially could be used as a therapeutic approach as well. Read More
Aerie Pharmaceuticals Inc. closed a $30 million Series B financing that is expected to fund additional Phase II studies and the start of Phase III trials by the end of 2011 for lead product AR-12286, a selective Rho-kinase inhibitor treatment for glaucoma. Read More
Scientists at DeCode Genetics Inc., of Reykjavik, Iceland, reported the discovery of single-letter variants in the sequence of the gene MYH6 associated with high risk of sick sinus syndrome in Icelanders. The study, published in the online edition of Nature Genetics, showed the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with the syndrome is about 6 percent for individuals without the genetic variant but is nearly 50 percent for those who carry it. Sick sinus syndrome is a heart rhythm disorder characterized by an inappropriately slow heart rate. Read More
Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Blue Bell, Pa., began a Phase II trial of VGX-3100, a DNA vaccine for cervical dysplasia and cancer caused by human papilloma virus. The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study will include 148 adult females with cervical intraepithelial neoplasias who have HPV type 16 or 18 confirmed by biopsy. Read More
Ziopharm Oncology Inc. inked its first partnership for organic arsenic drug darinaparsin, signing a regional deal with Tokyo-based Solasia Pharma K.K. focused on specific Pan-Asian/Pacific territories. Read More
A Phase IIb study of a compound for bipolar depression by Repligen Corp., of Waltham, Mass., failed to reach statistical significance compared to placebo, sending the company's stock into a tailspin Monday. Read More
