Genzyme unveiled new disability data from the Care MS II Phase III head-to-head trial of its CD52-targeting antibody, Lemtrada (alemtuzumab), which confirmed its superiority over Rebif (interferon beta-1a) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) who had relapsed on prior therapy. Read More

A recent study linked the action of two proteins found in the mammalian brain to provide a better understanding of how the brain regulates the activity of neurons to protect them from damage. That discovery could one day lead to new therapies for conditions such as stroke and epilepsy. Read More

Newly formed Galecto Biotech AB is taking a distinctive approach to inhibiting galectin-3, a newly emerging target in several disease areas, and to tackling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as its lead indication. Read More

LONDON – BTG plc announced positive results in the second U.S. Phase III pivotal trial of its nonsurgical varicose vein treatment Varisolve, to add to positive data from another Phase III that reported at the end of January, and said it will file for FDA approval before the end of 2012. Read More

After more than a year of evaluating ways to access U.S. shareholders, Aussie biotech Biota Holdings Ltd. settled on a merger with Nabi Biopharmaceuticals Inc. Read More

Transgene SA hopes interim data from a Phase II trial of its therapeutic vaccine for treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, TG4040, is sufficient to secure a deal for its further development. Read More

LONDON – Pfizer Inc. is scrapping development of OAP-189, an obesity drug originally discovered by UK company Thiakis Ltd., and said it intends to divest the program, with implications for the future milestones due to Imperial Innovations Group plc, the former majority owner of Thiakis. Read More

LONDON – Synairgen plc delivered positive data in a Phase II trial of SGN001, a therapy intended to protect asthmatics from the serious worsening of symptoms that can occur when they catch colds or other respiratory virus infections, and is now prospecting for a commercial partner. Read More

• BioAlliance Pharma SA, of Paris, said more than 30 percent of its planned patients have been enrolled in the Phase II trial testing clonidine Lauriad and, to date, there have been no reports of any particular toxicity related to the product. BioAlliance now is planning to enlarge the trial to accelerate recruitment, which should be finalized in 2013. Clonidine Lauriad is in development for treating oral mucositis. Read More