Life Sciences News Brief
Vol. 5 no.37 - November 23, 2005
　

YM Biosciences expands development and commercialization program

YM BioSciences Inc. (Mississauga), the cancer drug development company, announced that its majority-owned subsidiary, CIMYM Inc., has partnered with Innogene Kalbiotech Ltd (IGK) of Singapore to expand the development program for its humanized, EGF receptor-targeting monoclonal antibody, nimotuzumab. IGK is the biotech subsidiary of P.T Kalbe Farma Tbk (JK.KLBF), a public company based in Jakarta, Indonesia with more than 8,100 employees and revenues exceeding US$300 million.

Vasogen's VP025 Prevents Detrimental Effects of Beta-amyloid Exposure

Vasogen Inc. (Toronto), a leader in the research and commercial development of technologies targeting chronic inflammation underlying cardiovascular and neurological disease, announced that new preclinical data presented at Neuroscience 2005, the Society for Neuroscience's 35th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, demonstrates the ability of VP025 to prevent the detrimental neurological effects of chronic beta-amyloid exposure in a model of Alzheimer's disease. "We believe that the data presented, demonstrating the ability of VP025 to preserve memory and learning function in the presence of chronic beta-amyloid exposure, provides further evidence supporting the potential of VP025 as a new treatment for Alzheimer's and other dementias," stated Dr. Anthony Bolton, Vasogen's Chief Scientific Officer. "Having successfully completed our phase I program, we look forward to moving VP025 into phase II clinical development in neuro-inflammatory disease."

Vasogen's VP025 Shown to Impact Inflammation-Signaling Pathways

Vasogen Inc. (Toronto), a leader in the research and commercial development of technologies targeting chronic inflammation underlying cardiovascular and neurological disease, announced that preclinical data presented at Neuroscience 2005, the Society for Neuroscience's 35th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, demonstrates the ability of VP025 to modulate key signaling pathways associated with inflammation. "We continue to be impressed by the consistency of the anti-inflammatory effects of VP025 across a number of preclinical neurological studies," stated Dr. Anthony Bolton, Vasogen's Chief Scientific Officer. "The growing body of evidence demonstrating the ability of VP025 to reduce inflammation within the central nervous system, suggests therapeutic potential in a range of neurological disorders and continues to support our plans to initiate phase II development."

Chemokine Therapeutics and Wayne State collaborate to expand research

INEX to Spin Off Targeted Immunotherapy Assets

Inex Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Vancouver) announced that its Board of Directors has approved a Company reorganization that would include the spin-off of its Targeted Immunotherapy technology and product candidates into a new company. If the proposal is approved by shareholders and the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the majority of shares in the new public company would be distributed to INEX shareholders. The reorganization would enable the new company to focus on INEX's Targeted Immunotherapy program and raise the additional capital necessary to advance this technology. The new company would give INEX shareholders a direct investment in a promising early stage area of research, the use of Targeted Immunotherapy products to treat cancer and other diseases. This reorganization would also allow INEX to continue its focus on extracting value from its late stage Targeted Chemotherapy platform including Marqibo(TM), INX-0125 (sphingosomal vinorelbine) and INX-0076 (sphingosomal topotecan).

BLP25 Liposome Vaccine phase 2 study interim results

Biomira Inc. (Edmonton) announced the interim results of a phase 2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) single-arm, multi-centre, open label study of BLP25 Liposome Vaccine (L-BLP25) showing that the new formulation of the vaccine is not different from the previous formulation from a safety perspective. The reformulated vaccine incorporated manufacturing changes intended to secure the future commercial supply of the vaccine.

Procyon reports new data for its lead HIV protease inhibitor, PPL-100,

Procyon Biopharma Inc. (Montreal), a biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics in the fields of cancer and HIV/AIDS, announced results of a one year in vitro resistance selection study showing that its lead HIV protease inhibitor, PPL-100, when subjected to a "forced resistance study" showed a potentially high genetic barrier confirming the potential utility of the drug for resistant HIV. The study was conducted in collaboration with Professor Mark Wainberg of the McGill University AIDS Center.

Canadian researchers' discovery could lead to therapeutic vaccines

CANVAC, the Canadian Network for Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics, reported the discovery of a method to stimulate the immune system of individuals chronically infected with HIV to fight the virus. The team of investigators lead by Dr. Tania Watts, professor at the University of Toronto, publishes the results of their work in the Journal of Immunology, a leading international journal. This work was performed in collaboration with other CANVAC scientists from Université de Montréal and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. Using blood samples, the researchers demonstrated that the stimulation of T-cells from chronically infected donors with a unique combination of two immune stimulating human proteins could restore the ability of these cells to fight the HIV virus. Previous work had shown that T-cells specific to the HIV virus are defective in individuals that have been infected with HIV for many years. In blood samples from these patients, the addition of a combination of stimulating molecules was able to restore their immune response to HIV to a level similar to that found in recently infected patients with relatively intact immune systems.

Vasogen's ACCLAIM Reaches Target Number of Endpoint Events

Vasogen Inc. (Toronto), a leader in the research and development of technologies targeting the chronic inflammation underlying cardiovascular and other inflammatory conditions, announced that the pivotal phase III ACCLAIM trial of its Celacade(TM) technology in patients with advanced chronic heart failure has reached its pre-specified objective of 701 primary endpoint events. Achieving this key objective allows for the 2,400-patient, multi-national ACCLAIM trial to be completed by year-end, with results of the study to be made available following data analysis. In North America and Europe, chronic heart failure affects over ten million people, is associated with more than 600,000 deaths each year, and is the leading cause of hospitalizations in people over the age of 65.

Isotechnika's Phase III trial achieves safety and efficacy endpoints

Isotechnika Inc. (Edmonton) announced the unaudited 24-week data for the Company's Canadian Phase III psoriasis trial for its lead immunosuppressive drug, ISA247. A summary of the results is as follows: All primary and secondary efficacy endpoints were achieved at 24 weeks; Efficacy endpoints were achieved with minimal side effects; In the mid- and low-dose groups, continued improvement in PASI scores were observed from 12 to 24 weeks; No clinically significant differences in mean serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were observed amongst the four treatment groups at 24 weeks.

Angiotech announces positive interim safety data with Vascular Wrap(TM)

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Vancouver) announced positive interim 12-month safety results from its novel and proprietary Vascular Wrap(TM) paclitaxel-eluting mesh trial presented at the VEITHsymposium(TM) in New York. This European first-in-man pilot study is designed to evaluate the safety of a novel and proprietary drug-loaded Vascular Wrap in the prevention of stenosis after peripheral bypass surgery. This single-blind study enrolled a total of 109 patients at nine clinical centers in Europe as well as the Dutch Antilles and randomized patients with peripheral vascular disease in a 2:1 fashion. The treatment arm enrolled patients with a synthetic bypass graft plus the Vascular Wrap(TM) paclitaxel-eluting mesh and the control arm enrolled patients with a synthetic bypass graft alone. The primary endpoint of the study was safety. The assessment at twelve months indicated that the Vascular Wrap(TM) was safe in this high risk patient population. Patients will continue to be monitored at 18 months and 24 months to ensure safety of the product.

Novadaq Announces Data Published in the JACC

• Hemosol Corp. (Toronto) announced that on November 3, 2005 it received notification from The Nasdaq Stock Market indicating that for the previous 30 consecutive business days, the bid price of Hemosol's common stock closed below the minimum US$1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4450(b)(4)……
• Protox Therapeutics Inc. (Vancouver) announced that it completed a non-brokered private placement of 9,091,600 units at a price of $0.50 per unit for total gross proceeds of over $4,500,000…….
• Innodia Inc. (Montreal) announced that it has been selected as one of Canada's 10 Ten Life Science Companies by the Ottawa Life Sciences Council (OLSC). Innodia was chosen because of its standing as a quality investment and potential partner…….
• Tm Bioscience Corporation (Toronto), a leader in the commercial genetic testing market, announced that it has concluded a non-binding term sheet with a leading U.S. based investment fund to provide a three year $8.0 million U.S. convertible note which the Company will use to retire its current debenture which matures in May 2006. The financing transaction is subject to customary conditions for closing, including approval of the TSX……
• Neurochem Inc. (Montreal) announced that it has closed the sale and leaseback transaction for its campus located in Laval, Quebec, including its head office and research facility, with an affiliate of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. The transaction generated gross proceeds to Neurochem of C$32 million and net proceeds of approximately C$22 million after repayment of the related debt in the amount of approximately C$9.8 million, as well as transaction expenses……
• Protox Therapeutics Inc. (Vancouver) announced that it completed the second and final tranche of a non-brokered private placement, under which Protox issued an aggregate of 11,743,600 units at a price of $0.50 per unit for total gross proceeds of over $5.8 million…..
• Labopharm Inc. (Laval) announced that its marketing partner for Germany, HEXAL AG, has launched the Company's once-daily tramadol product in that country. More than 400 sales representatives will market the product under the brand name Tramadolor(R) einmal taeglich…….
• BioMS Medical Corp (Edmonton), a leading developer of products for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), announced the appointment of Mr. Bryan McKnight to the Company's Board of Directors and Chair of the Audit Committee and Mr. Gordon Politeski as an advisor to the Board pending his nomination as a Director at the Company's next annual meeting of shareholders…….
• Isotechnika Inc. (Edmonton), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel immunosuppressive therapeutics, announced that effective immediately, Joseph Koziak, who served as Executive Vice President is no longer an officer of the company…….
• Biophage Pharma Inc. (Montreal) announced a new development in its PDS(R) Biosensor technology. The Biosensor unit is now able to detect toxins. This is the first step towards a new application of the PDS(R) Biosensor technology in the field of toxicity testing, as an alternative to animal testing…….
• ChondroGene Limited (Toronto) announced that a paper entitled "Comparative gene expression analysis of blood and brain provides concurrent validation of SELENBP1 up-regulation in schizophrenia" has been published in the October 25th issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS). The paper outlines a study that compared gene expression profiles observed in brain tissue of patients with schizophrenia and controls, and related these changes in the brain to gene expression changes observed using ChondroGene's Sentinel Principle in blood. The abstract is available on the PNAS website at www.pnas.org.

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