Shares of Bellerophon Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:BLPH), rescued from potential delisting by a recent reverse stock split, shot 168.4% higher to $9.20 on Feb. 18 as new top-line data from a small phase II study showed its inhaled nitric oxide delivery system, Inopulse, delivered significant improvements in blood flow for people with pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Read More
SEATTLE – Applying single cell transcriptomics to brain tissue from living donors is laying bare the vast differences between the human brain and the mouse brain, calling into question the use of animal models in psychiatric drug discovery. Read More
SEATTLE – As it enters its third year, the Human Cell Atlas project has mapped 100 million of 100 billion cells, and by comparing gene expression profiles of normal and aberrant cells and building networks of cellular interactions, is leading to breakthroughs in understanding of disease at a molecular level. Read More
DUBLIN – Meda AB’s acquisition in 2014 of the veteran Italian specialty pharma firm Rottapharm generated a €1.975 billion (US$2.2 billion) payday for the latter firm’s owners, the Rovati family. A small fraction of that amount is now being recycled into a new investment initiative, Aurora Science, which is a three-way partnership among Monza-based Rottapharm Biotech Srl (the R&D arm of the company that was not part of the Meda transaction), the Milan-based specialty pharma Italfarmaco SpA and Aurora-TT Srl, a Milan-based commercial technology transfer company. Read More
The BioWorld Cancer index, which includes 21 representative companies developing therapies targeting various cancers, entered the new year on a high note, after posting a 22.5% gain for the year. Unfortunately, the group hit a speed bump and the index took a beating in January, dropping almost 9% as a result. Read More
BEIJING – Multiple China-based clinical trials have been put on hold as the country concentrates on its fight against COVID-19. To curb the spread of the novel coronavirus that has infected over 72,000 people and killed nearly 2,000, China has imposed travel and transport restrictions, making trips difficult or even impossible for patients and physicians. Read More
HONG KONG – South Korea’s AI-based biotech venture, Kaipharm Co. Ltd. has secured ₩5 billion (US$4.22 million) in series A funding. Founded in 2018, the firm has attracted a total of ₩7 billion in investments. Kaipharm will generate a reference dataset of 2,000 drugs (KMAP_2K) using next-generation sequencing (NGS). The dataset will include all the FDA-approved drugs to date. Read More
PERTH, Australia – With a capital raise of $AU4.58 million (US$3.07 million) under its belt, Zelira Therapeutics Ltd. will be better positioned to launch multiple medicinal cannabis products that are currently in late-stage clinical trials. Read More
Clinical updates, including trial initiations, enrollment status and data readouts and publications: Alnylam, Aravive, Axim, Azurrx, Bellerophon, Bioxcel, BMS, Eisai, Five Prime, Foamix, Mirati, Moleculin, Mustang, Ra, Recardio, Reneo, Sensorion. Read More
Regulatory snapshots, including global drug submissions and approvals, clinical trial approvals and other regulatory decisions and designations: Agile, Alx, Arrevus, Ascletis, Biocryst, Glaxosmithkline, Horizon, Jazz, Monopar, Novartis, Pharmamar, Roche. Read More
