As shown most spectacularly by the fireworks-like rise and explosion of Theranos, there is an urgent need for diagnostics that can detect very low amounts of their targets in very small sample volumes. Amplification systems exist for nucleic acids, but not for proteins. Now, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a method, which they have termed hierarchical nanofluidic molecular enrichment system (HOLMES) – named, one hopes, for Sherlock, not Elizabeth – for amplification of very low concentrations of solutes from fluids, including blood serum and urine. Read More
DUBLIN – Shares in both Sillajen Inc. and Transgene SA took a hit Friday on news that an independent data monitoring committee recommended that a phase III trial of the oncolytic virus pexastimogene devacirepvec (Pexa-Vec) in advanced liver cancer cease enrolling patients, following an interim futility analysis, which showed that the study was not going to meet its objectives. Read More
Poor second-quarter sales of newly launched Inbrija, the first and only inhaled levodopa, pummeled Acorda Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:ACOR) as the stock lost nearly half its value, 48.9%, on Friday. Read More
Tokyo-based Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.'s Turalio (pexidartinib) won FDA clearance for adults with symptomatic tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) associated with severe morbidity or functional limitations and not responsive to improvement with surgery. Read More
Rakuten Medical Inc., the developer of a precision photoimmunotherapy platform targeting head and neck cancer, has raised about $100 million in a series C-1 preferred stock financing from Rakuten Inc., a global internet services company headquartered in Japan that now owns 22.5% of the company. Read More
LONDON – The new government in the U.K. is putting in £434 million (US$526.5 million) to safeguard the supply of drugs and medical devices, as part of £2.1 billion of extra funding to "turbo-charge" preparations for a no-deal Brexit on Oct. 31. Read More
With data from the phase III, 341-patient Reset trial due soon, investors in Glycomimetics Inc. eagerly await the findings to be unveiled by partner Pfizer Inc. with rivipansel to treat vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in sickle cell disease (SCD). Read More
HONG KONG – The new Shanghai Stock Exchange's Science and Technology Innovation board, officially launched in late July, marks China's boldest move yet to attract biopharma and technology companies to its often-turbulent financial markets. Read More
HONG KONG – The Singapore government will be launching a pilot program that could help biotech and med-tech companies thrive in both the country and Asia. The two-year pilot, Tech@SG, set up by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Enterprise Singapore, aims to provide companies access to business networks and talent. Read More
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Harrow Health Inc., of Nashville, Tenn., formed a subsidiary, Stowe Pharmaceuticals Inc., which acquired the worldwide rights to Zian (STE-006), an antimicrobial small molecule for ophthalmic and otic uses, from TGV-Health LLC, of New York. Read More
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., of Novato, Calif., reported second-quarter revenue of $24.1 million, including $20.2 million from Crysvita (burosumab-twza) sales. Read More
Antikor Biopharma Ltd., of Stevenage, U.K., entered an investment agreement with Essex Bio-Investment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Essex Bio-Technology Ltd., of Hong Kong, for up to $3.1 million. Read More
