TargeGen successfully completed enrollment of a multi-center clinical trial of TG101348

Anthera's varespladib meets primary endpoint in phase 2 FRANCIS trial for the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome

 
- Favorable results for secondary endpoints support outcomes benefit

HAYWARD, CA – May 6, 2009 – Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing anti-inflammatory drugs, announced today that FRANCIS (Fewer Recurrent Acute coronary events with Near-term Cardiovascular Inflammation Suppression), a clinical trial designed to examine the impact of 500mg of varespladib when administered to patients within 96 hours of an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) event, met its primary endpoint of a reduction in Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C). All patients in the FRANCIS trial received once daily doses of 80mg of Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium), plus 500mg of varespladib or matching placebo. Varespladib is a potent and highly selective oral inhibitor of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), an inflammatory enzyme implicated in ACS, vascular inflammation, atherosclerosis and adverse lipid profiles.

Cardiac "Jackhammer" Destroys Arterial Plaque

 
LAKEWOOD RANCH, March 30, 2009 — Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is the first acute care center in the area to offer a new high-tech procedure that can take the place of bypass surgery for some patients.

A vibrating catheter blasts its way through stoney plaque deposits the same way a jackhammer cuts through concrete, says Dr. Erick E. Calderon, of Lakewood Cardiovascular Consultants, one of the first doctors in Florida trained to use the new device.

Anthera to continue impacts trial for the prevention of acute chest syndrome in patients with sickle cell disease

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.

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.

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.