A mere four and a half years after launching clinical development, Plexxikon Inc. filed marketing applications in the U.S. and Europe for its targeted melanoma drug PLX4032, now known as vemurafenib. Read More
ViroPharma Inc., of Exton, Pa., decided to give Cinryze (C1 esterase inhibitor [human]) for routine prophylaxis against attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) its best shot, and has licensed recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20) technology from Halozyme Therapeutics Inc., of San Diego, to develop a subcutaneous formulation of the drug. Read More
By using a live viral vector to present HIV antigens in a vaccine, researchers were able to achieve what they termed "profound early control" of SIV infection in rhesus monkeys. SIV is the monkey equivalent of human HIV. Read More
CNS company Naurex Inc., of Evanston Ill., completed an $18 million Series A financing for Phase II trials of its lead depression compound, GLYX-13. At the same time, Prexa Pharmaceuticals, of Boston, landed a $7 million Series B to advance triple reuptake inhibitor PRX-12251 into Phase Ib. Read More
Dyax Corp., of Cambridge, Mass., said the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences granted the company's suggestion to declare an interference between Dyax's U.S. Patent No. 12/625,337 and Lebanon, N.H.-based Adimab LLC's U.S. Patent No. 7,700,302, both of which cover methods of displaying a library of antibodies on the surface of yeast cells. Dyax said the board determined that it was the senior party. Read More
NanoBio Corp., of Ann Arbor, Mich., began two Phase III trials of NB-001 for cold sores, as part of its 2009 licensing agreement with GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, a division of GlaxoSmithKline plc, of London. The trials will enroll a total of 1,700 subjects at 72 clinical sites, and are expected to conclude in 2012. Read More
Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd., of Raleigh, N.C., received U.S. Patent No. 7,928,115, which covers methods of treating travelers' diarrhea with rifaximin. Read More
