Silico Research

Isotechnika Pharma terminates licence agreement with Iljin Life Science

silico — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:18:24 +0000

Isotechnika Pharma has announced that it has ended a development, distribution and licence agreement covering the immunosuppressant voclosporin with its second largest shareholder, Iljin Life Science Co. Ltd., so it can explore other partnership options. Isotechnika said it is exercising the right to end the deal returns to it full rights to voclosporin for use in transplant cases and autoimmune treatments in the United States and other regions. Isotechnika already owns full rights in Europe. Isotechnika recentlyannounced changes in its executive offices and board after Iljin indicated it may increase its stake in the company. In March 2011, Iljin announced it had raised its stake in the company to around 14%.

BioSante Pharmaceuticals cuts 25% of its headcount

silico — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:08:42 +0000

BioSante Pharmaceuticals has announced that, in light of the poor top-line results from BioSante’s two Phase III LibiGel efficacy trials, it is re-evaluating its corporate strategy and implementing a headcount reduction of 21 full-time equivalents of employees, representing 25% of BioSante’s headcount. BioSante’s experimental testosterone gel, licensed to Teva Pharmaceuticals, is under FDA review.

BioRestorative Therapies signs license agreement with Regenerative Sciences

silico — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:59:20 +0000

BioRestorative Therapies has announced that it has entered into a license agreement with Regenerative Sciences with respect to certain stem cell-related technology and clinical treatment procedures developed by RS. The treatment is an advanced stem cell injection procedure that may offer relief from lower back pain, buttock and leg pain, or numbness and tingling in the legs or feet as a result of bulging and herniated discs. Under the agreement, BRT will obtain an exclusive license to utilize or sub-license a certain medical device for the administration of specific cells and/or cell products to the precise locations within the damaged disc and/or spine (and other parts of the body, if applicable) and an exclusive license to utilize or sublicense a certain method for culturing cells for use in repairing damaged areas. The agreement supplements a license grant signed in March 2012.

Orexo and Janssen Pharmaceuticals terminate collaboration

silico — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:52:26 +0000

Orexo and Janssen Pharmaceuticals have announced that they have decided to end their research collaboration and license agreement regarding the OX-CLI and OX-ESI programs and a third, undisclosed Janssen program. Each party has regained all commercial rights for its respective drug discovery programs. The collaboration, which was worth up to $585 million to Orexo, was signed in June 2010.

Merck Millipore and Proteomics International sign biomarkers collaboration

silico — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:10:11 +0000

Merck Millipore and Proteomics International have announced a collaboration to validate biomarkers related to diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy is a significant complication of diabetes. Under the collaboration, Proteomics International will assess its thirteen newly identified putative protein biomarkers by using Merck Millipore’s multiplex immunoassays. The biomarkers include proteins involved in metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Once validated, the biomarkers could be used to monitor the progression and prognosis of kidney disease in patients with diabetes.

KineMed signs non-exclusive research collaboration with Pfizer

silico — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:06:23 +0000

KineMed has announced a non-exclusive research collaboration with Pfizer for the advancement of novel approaches towards metabolic disease, in particular Type II Diabetes. The collaboration will employ KineMed’s Dynamic Proteomics technology platform to map the impact of potential drug candidates on specific metabolic pathways. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals withdraws offer to acquire ISTA Pharmaceuticals

silico — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:04:18 +0000

Valeant Pharmaceuticals has announced that it has withdrawn its offer to acquire ISTA Pharmaceuticals. The bid was made in mid-December 2011 and valued ISTA Pharmaceuticals at $327 million.

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative and Abbott expand collaboration

silico — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:42:23 +0000

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative and Abbott have announced that they have signed a four-year joint research and non-exclusive licensing agreement to undertake research on new treatments for several tropical diseases, including Chagas disease, helminth infections, leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness. In the collaboration, DNDI and Abbott scientists will focus initial efforts on discovering and advancing novel antimicrobial agents with activity against these diseases. Abbott has provided compounds since 2009 for DNDi to screen for activity against diseases. The new agreement expands this relationship, and provides DNDi access to selected classes of molecules and accompanying data generated by Abbott that are crucial for the development of effective and accessible new treatments for neglected diseases.

Actavis and Bioton form insulin joint-venture

silico — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:43:48 +0000

Actavis and Bioton have announced that they have formed a joint venture company for the development and registration of insulins, including analogue insulins. In the joint-venture, Bioton will be responsible for the development and manufacture of insulin products, while Actavis will be granted an exclusive licence to commercialise those products under the Actavis brand throughout the European Union and the United States of America and other territories.

Roche executes alliance with Technoclon to co-develop coagulation assays

silico — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:59:16 +0000

Roche has announced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with Technoclon to co-develop a range of coagulation assays. According to the companies, the alliance supports plans Roche announced in October 2011 to develop a new line of analyzers for the central coagulation laboratory. The new line is expected to be introduced in the U.S. and Canada in 2014. Roche will also market Technoclone’s range of products that address the needs of specialists and researchers in the hemostasis research field.