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.
Plexxikon and Roche enter second partnership
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.
Methylgene announces the initiation of a Phase 2 trial of MGCD0103
Montreal, Quebec. June 25, 2008 – MethylGene Inc. (TSX: MYG) announced today the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial (Trial 013) evaluating MGCD0103, an isoform-selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor product candidate, in combination with Vidaza(R) (azacitidine for injection), a DNA demethylating agent, in patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Plexxikon announces preclinical data demonstrating dramatic improvement in key symptoms of polycystic kidney disease
BERKELEY, Calif., May 21, 2008 --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Plexxikon Inc. today announced data from preclinical studies of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) demonstrating significantly reduced kidney disease following treatment with Plexxikon’s novel drug candidate. Plexxikon’s novel small molecule kinase inhibitor is a highly selective and potent inhibitor of Raf kinase, a critical mediator of PKD pathology. These data were recently presented at the ISN Forefronts Symposium on Polycystic Kidney Disease in Montreal, Canada by Stefan Somlo, M.D., CNH Long Professor of Internal Medicine and Genetics and Chief of Nephrology at the Yale University School of Medicine.
Dynogen presents results of its positive Phase 2 IBS-d study with DDP225
WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2008 - Dynogen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the presentation of positive results from its Phase 2a trial of DDP225 in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-d) at the Digestive Disease Week 2008 (DDW) scientific meeting. The randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial established clinical proof-of-concept with statistically significant results for the endpoint of relief of abdominal pain or discomfort associated with IBS-d. Dynogen previously reported top-line results from this Phase 2a trial in December 2007. The DDW abstract was co-authored by Dynogen and a team of investigators from leading clinical centers in Canada. The DDP225 results were presented yesterday in a Distinguished Abstract Plenary session on Neurogastroenterology and Motility by Steven B. Landau, M.D., a member of Dynogen’s Scientific Advisory Board.
Genstruct and Sirtris Pharmaceuticals win Bio-IT World's Best Practices Award
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Genstruct Inc., a systems biology company focused on identifying molecular mechanisms, networks and biomarkers to better understand large scale biology, today announced that its joint collaboration with Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRT), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing small molecule drugs to treat diseases of aging, has won Bio-IT World magazine’s 2008 Best Practices Award in the Drug Discovery & Development category. The project was focused on discovering mechanisms of action (MOA) for Type 2 diabetes.
