Life Sciences News Brief
Vol. 6 no. 06 - March 22, 2006
　

Inex Licenses Three Targeted Chemotherapy Products to Hana Biosciences

Inex Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Vancouver) announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent to license three products from its Targeted Chemotherapy pipeline to Hana Biosciences, Inc. INEX has granted Hana a worldwide license to develop and commercialize Marqibo(TM) (sphingosomal vincristine), INX-0125 (sphingosomal vinorelbine) and INX-0076 (sphingosomal topotecan). The two companies expect to close the transaction in the second quarter of 2006 after the completion of legal agreements. Upon closing of the transaction, Hana will pay INEX US$11.5 million in an upfront payment, consisting of cash and Hana shares. INEX will receive an additional US$30.5 million if development and regulatory milestones are achieved and will also receive royalties on product sales. Hana will be responsible for all future development of the three products including all future expenses. http://www.inexpharm.com

Interim Results Confirm That Microbix' Flu Vaccine Technology Works

Microbix Biosystems Inc. (Toronto) announced that interim findings of an independent evaluation have confirmed that its proprietary technology delivers a significant increase in the yield of influenza virus used in the manufacture of flu vaccine. The independent laboratory found that Microbix' technology results in more than a two-fold increase in the amount of human influenza virus produced through conventional industry methods. More experiments are scheduled, and the Company expects to announce final results in the near future. Once this phase is completed, the study will focus on the application of the technology to avian flu virus, which should be completed this summer. http://www.microbix.com

Transition Therapeutics Acquires Exclusive License to GLP-1

Transition Therapeutics Inc. (Toronto), announced the signing of an exclusive license agreement to a patent portfolio for the use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 analogues in the treatment of Type I diabetes. The Patent Portfolio includes two issued US patents (US No. 6,989,148 & US No. 6,899,883). The claims in these issued US patents cover the use of GLP-1 analogues alone or in combination with insulins for the treatment of Type I diabetes. The addition of this patent portfolio strengthens the overall intellectual property protection of Transition's GLP1-I.N.T.(TM) regenerative product. The license also provides Transition with exclusivity to key claims necessary for GLP-1 analogue therapy to extend to Type I diabetes in the United States. http://www.transitiontherapeutics.com

Bioniche Granted First Composition Patent for Oligonucleotide Technology

AnorMED announces AMD070 is active in HIV patients

AnorMED Inc. (Vancouver) announced that preliminary clinical data on AMD070, an HIV entry inhibitor, shows the drug candidate is active, generally safe and well tolerated in HIV patients. The open label dose finding study, XACT, funded by AnorMED, involves dosing of AMD070 twice daily for 10 consecutive days. There are up to 4 cohorts with a total of 12 patients per cohort. Activity and safety data from the first 8 HIV patients enrolled in the first dose cohort, show 4/8 had significant reductions in CXCR4 viral load with an average reduction of 1.3 log. Based on this data, enrollment into the first cohort will be completed and the next dose cohort will be initiated. More detailed activity and safety data from XACT will be submitted for presentation at ICAAC in September 2006. "Given that this is the first dose cohort in our dose finding study we are very pleased to see such significant activity in 50% of the patients enrolled to date in XACT, with no serious safety concerns to date in any of the patients in this study. Based on these results we hope to move as quickly as possible into our next dose cohort and toward identifying the clinically optimal dose," said Dr. Stephen Becker, Director of Clinical Development, AnorMED Inc. http://www.anormed.com

Stem Cell Therapeutics Reports Positive Results of Phase I Clinical Trial

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (Calgary) reported positive results from its Phase I pharmacokinetic clinical trial in support of its lead therapeutic program for stroke, NTx(TM)-265. The trial demonstrated that, for the two drugs administered to healthy volunteers, no drug related adverse events were encountered and both drugs were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) following intramuscular administration. The study was conducted on SCT's behalf by Medicon A/S of Birkerod, Denmark. This Phase I clinical trial permitted characterization of the relationship between intramuscular administration, passage into blood and subsequent transport into the CSF. The study also generated new evidence that these two neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation-inducing drugs reach the CSF when administered to human subjects with an intact blood-brain barrier. The results of this clinical trial demonstrate that: No drug related adverse events were observed for either NSC proliferation inducing drug at the administered dose; Transport of the two different NSC proliferation inducing drugs into the CSF was detected in healthy subjects; When comparing the two NSC proliferation inducing drugs, there was no statistically significant difference in the pharmacokinetic distribution or transport of drug into the blood and CSF. http://www.stemcellthera.com

BioMS plans relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis trial

BioMS Medical Corp (Edmonton), a leading developer in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), announced that it is expanding the clinical development program for its lead drug candidate MBP8298. The drug is currently undergoing an international pivotal phase II/III clinical trial with secondary progressive MS patients (SPMS). BioMS now plans to initiate a clinical trial for MBP8298 in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients in the second half of 2006. "We have good scientific rationale to believe that MBP8298 has the potential to provide a benefit to MS patients at any stage of the disease," said Kevin Giese, President and CEO of BioMS Medical. "If our drug is able to show efficacy in relapsing-remitting MS patients as it has in trials with secondary progressive MS patients, then it would represent a great benefit for this equally large MS population." http://www.biomsmedical.com

Vasogen Announces Results from Phase III SIMPADICO Trial

VSM comments on favourable BpTRU(TM) studies

VSM MedTech Ltd. (Vancouver) commented on two peer-reviewed independent studies and an independent presentation with favourable implications for future market development of the company's BpTRU blood pressure monitoring system. Dr. Mark Gelfer, Medical Director of VSM, said, "The recent independent studies and presentation involving the BpTRU show that the medical community is accepting automated, digital blood pressure monitors as a replacement for antiquated, inaccurate and environmentally toxic mercury-based devices. The results confirm the BpTRU's superior accuracy and ability to reduce the white coat effect, a condition whereby the patient's blood pressure rises abnormally as a result of having it measured by the healthcare professional. The BpTRU can help to ensure that patients with hypertension are correctly diagnosed." http://www.vsmmedtech.com

• Inex Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Vancouver) announced that the Appeal Court of British Columbia upheld the B.C. Supreme Court decision to dismiss a bankruptcy petition brought forward by Stark Trading and Shepherd Investments International Ltd. The original bankruptcy petition was filed on September 27, 2005 and dismissed on October 27, 2005. The appeal was heard February 13, 2006. http://www.inexpharm.com
• DiagnoCure Inc. (Quebec City), a leading developer and provider of innovative high-value cell-based assays and molecular diagnostics for early detection of cancer, has been confirmed exclusive rights to PCA3, its highly prostate-cancer specific gene. http://www.diagnocure.com
• PreMD Inc. (Toronto) announced that it has retained Rx Communications Group, LLC, a New York-based investor relations firm that specializes in the life science and healthcare industries, to provide the company with strategic investor relations services in the U.S. marketplace. http://www.premdinc.com
• QLT Inc. (Vancouver) announced that the Court of Appeal has informed QLT USA, Inc. that the injunction against promoting, manufacturing, selling and offering for sale Eligard(R) has been stayed pending its decision to grant a permanent stay of the injunction. Also, QLT USA's marketing partner for Eligard in the U.S., Sanofi-Synthelabo, Inc., has advised QLT USA that it is suspending sales of Eligard in the U.S. until the expiry of TAP Inc.'s patent, U.S. Patent No. 4,728,721 ("the '721"), on May 1, 2006. http://www.qltinc.com
• Patheon Inc. (Toronto) announced the appointment of Mr. Douglas L. Ludwig to the position of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice-President. http://www.patheon.com
• Stressgen Biotechnologies Corporation (Victoria) announced that the corporate reorganization involving Stressgen and 0747036 B.C. Ltd., an affiliate of Madison Group, a diversified investment firm, has been approved by Stressgen's securityholders. Following completion of the transaction, Newco (which will then be named Stressgen Biotechnologies Corporation") will continue to carry on the business currently carried on by Stressgen, but will have the benefit of up to an additional $9.25 million non-dilutive capital. In addition, as part of the reorganization, Newco will retain Stressgen's current listing and stock symbol (SSB) on the Toronto Stock Exchange. http://www.stressgen.com
• Response Biomedical Corp. (Vancouver), announced that it has accepted a proposal received from potential new investors. The proposal requires the Company to arrange a brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $10 million and to undertake a restructuring of its Board. http://www.responsebio.com
• Novadaq(R) Technologies Inc. (Toronto), a developer of medical imaging systems for the operating room, announced that its lead product for cardiac imaging has been recognized for excellence in the medical device industry. Arun Menawat, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novadaq, accepted the award for Cardiac Imaging Technology Innovation of the Year at last night's Frost & Sullivan Annual Excellence in Medical Devices & Healthcare Awards Banquet at the Grand Hyatt in San Francisco. http://www.novadaq.com
• NAEJA Pharmaceutical Inc., (Edmonton) is being given the opportunity to help discover the next innovative medicine for pain control after receiving a significant investment from AstraZeneca Canada. Under the terms of the deal announced, AstraZeneca Canada will invest $10.2 million over the three-year partnership that will create 20 new jobs at NAEJA, and focus on accelerating the development of novel pain control compounds. http://www.naeja.com
• Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Mississauga) announced that it has closed its previously announced sale of 2,500,000 common shares at a price of $4.80 per common share for aggregate proceeds of $12,000,000. http://www.cipherpharma.com
• Adaltis Inc. (Montreal), an international in vitro diagnostic company, announced that it has initiated a private placement of $15 million of unsecured convertible debentures, to be led by its main strategic shareholder, Picchio Pharma Inc. which, directly and through affiliated companies, has committed to buy a minimum of 30% of this offering. Moreover Picchio Pharma Inc. and its affiliated companies have also committed to buy any debentures not otherwise purchased by other investors. http://www.adaltis.com

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