Loss of the survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which leads to paralysis and ultimately death, and is currently the most frequent monogenic cause of infant mortality. Read More
Spotlight Innovation Inc., of Urbandale, Iowa, said its subsidiary, Celtic Biotech Iowa Inc., has begun part two of its phase I dose-escalation safety study testing the snake venom toxin crotoxin in patients with advanced cancer. Read More
Fibrocell Science Inc., of Exton, Pa., said it will effect a 1-for-3 reverse stock split of its common stock. Beginning with the opening of trading Monday, the stock will trade on a split-adjusted basis. Read More
Details were scant about the FDA holdup of Radius Health Inc.'s abaloparatide-SC for postmenopausal osteoporosis – regulators pushed the PDUFA date from March 30 to June 30, saying they need more time – but at least the hitch isn't related to manufacturing, apparently. Read More
San Diego-based brain cancer therapy developer Tocagen Inc. filed to raise gross proceeds of up to $86.3 million in an IPO intended to help advance its FDA breakthrough-designated candidates, Toca 511 and Toca FC, currently part of a phase II/III trial that could potentially support registration. Read More
PERTH, Australia – Medicines Australia condemned a recent report that urged the Australian government to use international reference pricing for drugs reimbursed on the country's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Read More
Combining two monoclonal antibody (MAb) cancer therapies as one treatment not only shrank bulk tumors, but also targeted the cancer stem cells (CSCs) that can be responsible for disease relapse, according to a new Chinese study reported in the March 8, 2017, edition of Science Translational Medicine. Read More
TAIPEI, Taiwan – The global biotech market is in a period of low productivity, high costs and less-than-ideal levels of efficiency. Such conditions are pushing pharmaceutical firms in the Asia-Pacific region to develop creative strategies that often require looking elsewhere for innovative solutions and products. Read More
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., of Laval, Quebec, said it priced its previously announced offering of $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.5 percent senior secured notes due 2022 and $2 billion aggregate principal amount of 7 percent senior secured notes due 2024. Read More
