HAYWARD, Calif., June 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANTH), a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs to treat serious diseases associated with autoimmune disorders, today announced it has initiated the BRIGHT-SC Phase 2 study of blisibimod, a novel inhibitor of B-Cell Activating Factor (BAFF) for the treatment of IgA nephropathy. IgA nephropathy is a chronic autoimmune renal disease characterized by proteinuria and progression to end stage renal disease.
Anthera Announces Initiation of BRIGHT-SC Phase 2 Clinical Study in IgA Nephropathy with Blisibimod
Repurposing a cholesterol drug candidate for cholestatic liver disease
June 19, 2013
Lumena Pharmaceuticals Inc. is converting a compound previously tested as a cholesterol-lowering agent into an experimental treatment for cholestatic liver diseases. The molecule inhibits a so-called transporter that normally helps the body recycle bile acid.
Liquidia Technologies Announces Extension of Collaboration with PATH to Develop Next Generation Pneumococcal Vaccine
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC– May 21, 2013 – Liquidia Technologies today announced that its collaborative agreement with PATH, a global health nonprofit organization, has been extended. The extension of this agreement allows for the continuation of preclinical proof-of-concept studies on a next generation pneumococcal vaccine. If successful, the vaccine could potentially allow for broadened efficacy and manufacturing efficiencies that translate to greater access to the vaccine by the global population. Pneumonia kills approximately 1.3 million children under the age of five years every year—more than any other illness. Nearlyhalf of these deaths are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium that has many variations globally and is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.
“We are exceptionally proud of the work we have done with PATH and excited about the opportunity to continue this work with them,” said Neal Fowler, Chief Executive Officer at Liquidia Technologies. “Our shared goal to improve vaccine performance and reduce manufacturing costs using our transformative technology remains unchanged as does our confidence that this collaboration has the potential to significantly impact the spread of pneumonia in the developing world.”
Art Pappas Elected to NVCA Board of Directors
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., May 15, 2013 — The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) today announced the election of Arthur M. Pappas, managing partner of Pappas Ventures, to its board of directors. He will serve a four-year term. The appointment was made official at the association’s annual meeting – VentureScape 2013 – in San Francisco.
Mr. Pappas has over 30 years of operating experience as a pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry executive and venture capital investor in life science companies. He founded Pappas Ventures in 1994, and works with a team that has invested in numerous life science companies that have created novel innovative products addressing unmet medical needs. Prior to forming Pappas Ventures, he held senior level leadership positions at several multinational pharmaceutical companies, for which he led operations and was responsible for the development, licensing and launch of a number of global products.
The NVCA serves as the venture capital community’s trade association, representing more than 400 members by advocating for policies that encourage innovation and reward long term investment.
Ultragenyx Advances Clinical Development of UX003 for the Treatment of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type 7 (MPS 7)
NOVATO, CA – May 15, 2013 - Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for rare and ultra-rare genetic disorders, today announced a Phase 1/2 study of UX003 for mucopolysaccharidosis type 7 (MPS 7, or Sly Syndrome). UX003 is a recombinant human β-glucuronidase intended as an enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for the treatment of MPS 7, an extremely rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme β-glucuronidase and a severe multi-system disease. MPS 7 has no approved therapies.
Independent Study Shows Significant Decline in Cardiac Device Infections with TYRX® Antibacterial Envelope
New Data in High Risk Patients Presented at Heart Rhythm Society
Shows a 70% Reduction in CIED Infections
Denver, CO (May 10, 2013): Use of TYRX, Inc.’s AIGISRx® Antibacterial Envelope significantly reduced device infection rates in patients at high risk for device infection who received cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) implants, according to a study presented today at Heart Rhythm 2013, the Heart Rhythm Society’s 34th Annual Scientific Sessions.
TYRX® Announces First EverImplantation of AIGISRx® R Fully Resorbable Antibacterial Envelope
Monmouth Junction, NJ. (April 15, 2013): TYRX, Inc., the leader in the commercialization of implantable medical devices intended to help reduce surgical site infections, announced today that the first implantation of its new AIGISRx R Fully Resorbable Antibacterial Envelope has taken place at the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute in Quebec City, Canada by Dr. François Philippon. TYRX announced on January 31, 2013 that it had received a license from Health Canada to market its AIGISRx R Fully Resorbable technology.
Chimerix stock pops 34% after IPO at $14 per share
DURHAM, N.C., April 12, 2013 — Chimerix's debut as a public company produced a whopping climb in stock price.
The Durham company went public at $14 per share, raising $102 million for the antivirals company.
But Chimerix’s public debut proved to be even stronger and the stock marched upward throughout the day topping the $18 per share mark in afternoon trading. Chimerix (Nasdaq: CMRX) closed its first day of trading at $18.79 per share, up 34 percent from its offering price.
The closing price was the high for the day. Some 4.5 million shares were traded.
Chimerix sold 7.3 million shares, which is some 20 percent more than the 6.1 million shares that the company had originally planned to sell. Morgan Stanley and Cowen and Company are joint book-running managers for the offering. William Blair and Lazard Capital Markets are co-managers.
Chimerix can raise even more money. Underwriters have 30 days to purchase up to an additional 1 million shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any. The offering is expected to close on April 16.
Chimerix Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, Apr 11, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Chimerix, Inc. CMRX 0.00% , a biopharmaceutical company developing novel, oral antivirals in areas of high unmet medical need, announced today the pricing of its initial public offering of 7,320,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $14.00 per share. The shares of Chimerix's common stock are scheduled to begin trading on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "CMRX" on April 11, 2013. All of the shares of common stock are being offered by Chimerix. In addition, Chimerix has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,098,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any. The offering is expected to close on April 16, 2013, subject to customary closing conditions.
Morgan Stanley and Cowen and Company are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. William Blair and Lazard Capital Markets are acting as co-managers.
A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 2013. The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2 Floor, New York, NY 10014, or by calling toll free 1-866-718-1649 or emailing at prospectus@morganstanley.com; or Cowen and Company, LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, Attn: Prospectus Department, by calling (631) 274-2806, or faxing (631) 254-7140.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.
Ultragenyx Initiates Novel Disease Monitoring Program for Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy
First patient enrolled in integrated program designed to improve knowledge of rare disease
NOVATO, CA –April 8, 2013 -Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. today announced the launch of a unique Disease Monitoring Program (DMP) for Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy (HIBM), also known as GNE Myopathy. The goal of the HIBM-DMP is to improve the body of knowledge about this rare disease and its typical course. This novel program is being conducted in partnership with the University of Newcastle's TREATNMD organization, a global neuromuscular physician network in Newcastle, England.The main objectives of the HIBM-DMP are to expand knowledge of the clinical presentation, progression and variation of HIBM patients; identify and qualify biomarkers and other efficacy measures; inform the design and interpretation of clinical studies of investigational products for HIBM and eventually to optimize patient management.
