Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing anti-inflammatory drugs, announced today that after completing its review of safety and efficacy data from the first cohort of 30 patients, an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) has recommended that Anthera’s Phase II clinical trial, known as the IMPACTS (Investigation of the Modulation of Phospholipase in Acute ChesT Syndrome) Study can continue under the current protocol based on favorable interim results.
Anthera to continue impacts trial for the prevention of acute chest syndrome in patients with sickle cell disease
Pappas Ventures closes on fourth fund
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., March 10, 2009 — Pappas Ventures today announced the final closing of its fourth fund, a $102 million venture capital fund focused on the life sciences sector. Like its immediate predecessor funds, Pappas Ventures IV will invest in product-oriented biopharmaceutical companies, with a secondary focus on medical technologies.
Genstruct and Gene Logic collaborate on systems toxicology
SAN FRANCISCO, CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and GAITHERSBURG, Md., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Genstruct Inc., a systems biology company focused on identifying molecular mechanisms, networks and biomarkers to better develop novel therapeutics, molecular diagnostics and patient-specific therapies, today announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with Gene Logic, an Ocimum Biosolutions company, for a systems toxicology collaboration.
Cequent releases primate safety, efficacy data for oral FAP therapy
February 12, 2009
Cequent Pharmaceuticals this week unveiled non-human primate data demonstrating the safety and gene-silencing ability of its lead drug candidate, a treatment for familial adenomatous polyposis dubbed CEQ501, in what the company is calling the first proof of activity of an oral RNAi drug.
Plexxikon and Roche enter second partnership
Berkeley, CA and Basel, Switzerland - January 8, 2009 -- Plexxikon Inc. and Roche (SWX:ROG), today announced that they have entered into an agreement to develop and commercialize a second novel kinase inhibitor, PLX5568. The main focus of this partnership will be the development of this small molecule inhibitor of Raf kinase as an oral therapeutic treatment for polycystic kidney disease (PKD). There is currently no registered treatment for PKD which affects over 600,000 patients in the U.S and is the most common life- threatening genetic disease.
Phase 2 Results of COL-144 Presented at European Headache and Migraine Trust International Congress 2008
LONDON, SEPT. 6, 2008 - CoLucid Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an innovative biotechnology company focusing on therapies for central nervous system disorders, announced Phase II results of its lead compound COL-144 in the treatment of acute migraine. Results demonstrated that COL-144 was safe and effective in relieving migraine headaches. COL-144 is a first-in-class Neurally Acting Anti-Migraine Agent (NAAMA), which unlike triptans, exhibits anti-migraine activity without causing vasoconstriction. COL-144 is a highly potent and selective 5HT1F receptor agonist. The studies were presented in poster presentations at the European Headache and Migraine Trust International Congress 2008 in London, Sept. 4-7, 2008.
Plexxikon initiates Phase 1 Trial for PLX5568
BERKELEY, Calif., September 3, 2008--(Business Wire)--Plexxikon Inc. today announced that it has initiated a Phase 1 human clinical trial for PLX5568, a novel kinase inhibitor targeted for the treatment of at least two major indications with unmet medical needs: pain as well as polycystic kidney disease (PKD). PLX5568 has demonstrated robust preclinical efficacy in multiple pain models, including neuropathic pain as well as acute and inflammatory pain. In addition, PLX5568 has demonstrated compelling efficacy in multiple preclinical models of PKD.
Anthera advances global development strategy for varespladib with the initiation of FRANCIS trial
SAN MATEO, CA – August 25, 2008 – Anthera Pharmaceuticals Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing anti-inflammatory drugs, today announced the initiation of the FRANCIS (Fewer Recurrent Acute coronary events with Near-term Cardiovascular Inflammation Suppression) clinical trial designed to examine the impact of varespladib when administered to patients within 96 hours of an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) event.
CeNeRx BioPharma to initiate Phase 2 trials for its novel antidepressant agent Tyrima™ using innovative brain imaging study
CeNeRx BioPharma, Inc., a clinical stage company developing and commercializing innovative treatments for diseases of the central nervous system, today announced plans to advance its lead candidate TyrimaTM into Phase II trials for the treatment of depression and anxiety. This milestone is based on the positive results of the Tyrima Phase I program reported earlier this year and the recent completion of PET brain imaging studies showing that Tyrima penetrates the CNS and exhibits excellent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Tyrima is a selective and reversible member of a novel class of drugs known as RIMAs, or reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A).
CoLucid announces $25 million Series B financing for advancement of first-in-class migraine compound
July 1, 2008
CoLucid Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an innovative biotechnology company focusing on therapies for central nervous system disorders, announced it closed a $25 million Series B financing. New investor Care Capital led the round, which included previous investors Pappas Ventures, Domain Associates, Pearl Street Venture Funds and Triathlon Medical Ventures. The financing will be used to further develop a unique migraine compound, COL-144, and to advance a preclinical pipeline of novel chemical entities targeting neurological and psychiatric disorders.
