Roche AG, of Basel, Switzerland, presented new data from the LUTE/VERSE phase IIb studies investigating lebrikizumab in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma. The data showed that asthma attacks were reduced by 60 percent in lebrikizumab-treated patients with a high level of the biomarker periostin, compared to 5 percent in patients with a low level of periostin. Read More
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Ridgefield, Conn., and Eli Lilly and Co., of Indianapolis, said the FDA issued a complete response letter for their new drug application (NDA) for sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor empagliflozin. The agency referenced previously observed deficiencies at a Boehringer Ingelheim facility where empagliflozin will be manufactured. Read More
ZS Pharma, of Coppell, Texas, said it completed a $55 million series D financing. The investor syndicate was led by Novo A/S and included new investors RA Capital, Adage Capital, Sofinnova Ventures, and one other top-tier institutional investor. The financing also included existing investors Alta Partners, Devon Park Bioventures, 3x5 Special Opportunity Fund, Salem Partners and Rivervest. Read More
Ico Therapeutics Inc., of Vancouver, British Columbia, disclosed the final, eight-month patient visit in the phase II iDEAL study. The investigator-sponsored study is evaluating the efficacy and safety of ICO-007 after repeated injections in patients with diabetic macular edema. Read More
Bio-Path Holdings Inc., of Houston, said that its shares of common stock have been approved for uplisting to the NASDAQ Capital Market. Effective Monday, March 10, 2014, the stock will trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol BPTH. Read More
Scientists have been able to engineer the T cells of HIV-infected patients to become resistant to the virus, and such cells were subsequently able to control HIV infection when patients were taken off of antiretroviral therapy (ART), including one patient whose blood levels of HIV became undetectable over the course of the phase I trial. Read More
Biogen Idec Inc. and Eisai Co. Ltd. are joining forces to tackle Alzheimer’s disease (AD), initially focusing on two candidates from the Japanese company with an option to jointly develop and commercialize two early stage Biogen assets. The deal marshals the talents of a pharma behind the blockbuster AD drug Aricept (donepezil) and a big biotech with a solid track record in neurodegenerative disease. Read More
Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s bigger-than-expected public offering grossed about $182 million that will fund ongoing efforts to expand the indications for pimavanserin, due to become the subject of a new drug application (NDA) in Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP) before the year is done. Read More
