Articles Published in 2011

ICON to acquire BeijingWits Medical Consulting

Monday, December 12, 2011 01:21 PM

ICON has agreed, subject to closing conditions, to acquire BeijingWits Medical Consulting, a CRO in China. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2012.

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ChemoCentryx initiates phase II CCX140 trial

Monday, December 12, 2011 12:40 PM

ChemoCentryx has initiatied a phase II clinical trial for CCX140, an orally-administered small molecule for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy). CCX140 is a novel CCR2 inhibitor with a pharmacological profile unlike that of other CCR2 compounds that have been known to be tested by other sponsors. CCX140 works by blocking the infiltration and activation of certain populations of monocyte and macrophages and other cells bearing CCR2 that occurs during inflammation. This mechanism of action provides selective treatment of the disease without compromising other immune functions.

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Groove Biopharma closes $6 million Series B financing round

Monday, December 12, 2011 11:41 AM

Groove Biopharma has raised $6 million in a Series B financing. Participating in the financing was Alexandria Venture Investments, ARCH Venture Partners, OVP Venture Partners, Versant Ventures, and WRF Capital. Proceeds from the financing will be used to bring forward development of Groove’s proprietary MGB-based miRNA delivery platform. The company has also promoted David L. McElligott, Ph.D. to chief scientific officer.

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CeNeRx completes $4.85 million financing round

Monday, December 12, 2011 11:28 AM

CeNeRx BioPharma has completed a $4.85 million financing. Existing investors Perseus Soros Biopharmaceutical Fund, L Capital Partners, Pappas Ventures and Omega Funds all participated in the financing. CeNeRx plans to use the proceeds to complete its ongoing phase II trial of the improved formulation of its novel antidepressant TriRima as monotherapy in treatment resistant depression, as well as to support advancement of its pipeline for a variety of CNS disorders.

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Researchers call for pragmatic trials to better identify and treat statin-intolerant patients

Monday, December 12, 2011 09:13 AM

Next year marks the 25th anniversary of statins, best known as the blockbuster drug that carries low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often called “bad cholesterol,” out of the blood to help millions of people reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and slow the progression of coronary artery disease.  

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Survey: Sponsor’s choice of central lab affects investigator’s satisfaction with trial experience

Monday, December 12, 2011 09:04 AM

The choice of a central lab can greatly affect a principal investigator’s satisfaction level while conducting a clinical trial. 

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Furiex's phase II PPD-10558 trial does not meet primary efficacy endpoint

Friday, December 9, 2011 12:49 PM

Furiex Pharmaceuticals has reported top-line results from the phase II trial of the investigational drug PPD-10558 in patients with statin-associated myalgia, or SAM. PPD-10558 did not meet its primary efficacy endpoint in this randomized, double-blind, proof-of-concept study. The study enrolled patients with high cholesterol and a prior history of SAM, and evaluated recurrence rates for SAM over a twelve-week treatment period across the following three different treatment regimens: placebo; PPD-10558; and atorvastatin (Lipitor). Patients did not report any significant differences in muscle symptoms, nor did they drop out due to SAM in significantly different percentages, among the three regimens. As expected, however, PPD-10558, a novel statin, did significantly lower LDL-cholesterol compared with placebo, and the compound also had a favorable safety profile.

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BioSpecifics names Gould to board of directors

Friday, December 9, 2011 10:48 AM

BioSpecifics Technologies has named George Gould to its board of directors effective December 6, 2011. Gould, an attorney, is principal of George M. Gould and of counsel to Gibbons PC.

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IGI Laboratories, Medimetriks form strategic partnership

Friday, December 9, 2011 10:11 AM

IGI Laboratories, a New Jersey based formulation and manufacturing company, has entered into a long term strategic partnership with Medimetriks Pharmaceuticals.

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NanoBio, Merk collaborate in RSV research

Friday, December 9, 2011 09:30 AM

NanoBio has formed a preclinical collaboration with a subsidiary of Merck, focused on the development of a vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The studies will evaluate the combination of Merck’s proprietary RSV antigen with NanoBio’s NanoStat adjuvant technology for use as an intranasal vaccine. As part of the agreement, Merck has the option to negotiate a non-exclusive license to the NanoStat adjuvant for development of a commercial RSV vaccine.

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