March 1, 2010
CardioDx is one of several molecular diagnostics companies founded by a well-known trio of West Coast VCs to be fast finding itself in the spotlight.
CardioDx - Bringing molecular diagnostics into the cardiovascular arena
Athersys receives U.S. Patent covering adult stem cell composition & production
CLEVELAND, Feb. 10, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Athersys, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATHX) announced today that it has been granted U.S. patent 7,659,118 that covers non-embryonic multipotent stem cells, their isolation and expansion, and related pharmaceutical compositions. Athersys also announced that it has been granted -- and the opposition period has cleared -- EP patent EP1218489B1 that covers non-embryonic pluripotent stem cells, their isolation, expansion, and usage.
Sequenom licenses worldwide rights to develop age-related macular degeneration diagnostic test
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ: SQNM), today announced an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Optherion, Inc. Under the agreement, Sequenom’s CAP accredited and CLIA-certified laboratory, Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine (Sequenom CMM), obtained the rights to develop and commercialize diagnostic tests to predict genetic predisposition to late stage age- related macular degeneration (AMD).
BioMarin to acquire LEAD Therapeutics
NOVATO, Calif., Feb 04, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRN) announced today that it has entered into a stock purchase agreement to acquire LEAD Therapeutics, Inc. (LEAD), a small private drug discovery and early stage development company with key compound LT-673, an orally available poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor for the treatment of patients with rare, genetically defined cancers.
Liquidia Technologies Raises $20 Million Financing
Research Triangle Park, NC – April 20, 2010 – Liquidia Technologies, a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing particle‐based vaccines and therapeutics, today announced it has completed a $20 million round of Series C financing. Canaan Partners led the Series C round, which also included Pappas Ventures and Morningside Venture Investments Limited as new investors. Previous investors, including New Enterprise Associates and Firelake Capital, also participated in the financing round. The funds will be used to accelerate Liquidia’s lead vaccine candidate through initial clinical evaluation and expand development of particle‐based solutions for siRNA delivery and inhaled therapeutics.
Athersys Strikes Deal With Pfizer to Develop Stem Cell Technology for Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
CLEVELAND, Dec 21, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Athersys, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATHX) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Pfizer Inc. (PFE) to develop and commercialize MultiStem(R) for the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease ("IBD"). MultiStem is an investigational stem cell therapy currently in development by Athersys for several other conditions, including acute myocardial infarction, bone marrow transplant support, and ischemic stroke.
Roche Licenses First-in-Class Treatments for Chronic Pain to Afferent Pharmaceuticals
Pappas, Third Rock, Domain and New Leaf Launch New Company Centered on Novel Pain
Management Technology; Afferent to Initiate Clinical Trials in First Half of 2010
Basel, Switzerland and Palo Alto, Calif., 16 December 2009 – Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today it has licensed its P2X3i receptor program aimed at developing first-in-class treatments for chronic pain to Afferent Pharmaceuticals. Afferent was co-founded by Anthony Ford, Ph.D., Pappas Ventures, and Third Rock Ventures, and is focused on developing compounds that treat chronic pain by targeting a novel biological pathway. In conjunction with this announcement, Afferent successfully closed a $23 million Series A financing, which was led by Third Rock Ventures and Pappas Ventures, and included Domain Associates and New Leaf Venture Partners. Proceeds from the financing will be used to accelerate the development of P2X3 receptor targeted pain therapies.
Plexxikon announces first patient dosed in first of two pivotal trials of PLX4032 for metastatic melanoma
Berkeley, CA - September 30, 2009 - Plexxikon Inc. announces that enrollment has been initiated and the first patient has been treated in the first of two pivotal trials of PLX4032 (RG7204) in patients with metastatic melanoma. PLX4032 is a novel, oral and highly selective drug that targets the BRAFV600E cancer-causing mutation occurring in about 50 percent of melanomas and about eight percent of all solid tumors. This single arm Phase 2 B-Raf Inhibitor in Melanoma (BRIM2) trial for previously-treated metastatic melanoma patients, along with a randomized, controlled Phase 3 trial (BRIM3) expected to start by the end of 2009 in first-line patients, are part of the planned registration program for PLX4032. The initiation of the Phase 2 trial has triggered a significant milestone payment to Plexxikon from Roche. Plexxikon is entitled to receive additional payments for milestone achievements as well as royalties on sales of PLX4032. Plexxikon and Roche are co-developing PLX4032 under their 2006 license and collaboration agreement.
LEAD Therapeutics presents new antibiotic with potent activity against drug resistant bacteria at the 49th ICAAC
SAN BRUNO, Calif. & SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LEAD Therapeutics, a privately held drug discovery company, announced the discovery of a novel antibiotic with potent activity against many of the most common antibiotic resistant bacteria. LEAD will present the new glycopeptide antibiotic, LT-29, for the first time at the 49th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC). LT-29 is in preclinical development to treat serious infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other gram-positive bacteria.
NC Biotech Center building $10M HQ addition
To continue the state life science industry’s record-setting growth rate, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, with the help of statewide partners, is building an addition to its Research Triangle Park headquarters.
