The good news for Vital Therapies Inc. is that the company managed to eke out its initial public offering (IPO) despite the recent selloff in biotechnology stocks. The bad news is that Vital, like two other April graduates, slashed its price to get out the door. The San Diego-based firm raised $54 million, with most of the proceeds slated to fund late-stage trials of Elad, its human cell-based bio-artificial liver system. Read More
In stealth mode until about six months ago, Nora Therapeutics Inc. raised $18 million in series B cash to expand the development of NT100 into a second phase II trial in women with unexplained recurrent loss of pregnancy. Read More
Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc. has started a phase I dosing study of its lead candidate for inborn errors of metabolism, AG-348. The experimental treatment for pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency, a rare inherited metabolic disorder, could help rapidly advance the drug toward a proof-of-concept test in target patients. Read More
HONG KONG – A Chinese investment company focused on health care has secured a third fund to invest $188 million in pharmaceuticals, medical technology, health care services and biotech companies. Read More
Cocrystal Pharma Inc., of Bothell, Wash., said its stock began trading this week under the new symbol COCP, marking the completion of its merger with Biozone Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Englewood Cliffs, N.J. The company is developing antiviral programs, targeting hepatitis C virus, influenza, the human rhinovirus, dengue virus and the norovirus. Read More
Stemcells Inc., of Newark, Calif., completed enrollment of the phase I/II trial in spinal cord injury, testing the safety and preliminary efficacy of the HuCNS-SC human neural stem cells. The trial enrolled 12 subjects with chest-level injury to the spinal cord, and seven patients with complete paralysis, who have no motor or sensory functions below the point of injury. Final results from the study are expected to be released mid-2015. Read More
Glaxosmithkline plc, of London, said Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) received marketing authorization in Canada for the long-term once-daily maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow construction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The Canadian approval marks the first authorization granted for the product worldwide. Read More
