News

Ultrasound to be explored for delivery of RNAi therapies

Country
Netherlands

Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV of the Netherlands has signed an agreement with the US discovery-stage company, RXi Pharmaceuticals, to explore the use of ultrasound for the delivery RNA interference compounds in cells.

 

New angle on the CD95 receptor in cancer

Country
Germany

A team of researchers in the US has reported that the CD95 receptor promotes tumour growth, a finding that advances work done at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, and at its spin-out, Apogenix GmbH.

Sanofi to establish joint-venture generics business in Japan

Country
France

Sanofi-Aventis said that it has reached an agreement to set up a joint venture in Japan with Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co Ltd to develop genetic medicines. Sanofi will have a controlling interest in the venture to be called Sanofi-Aventis Nichi-Iko KK.

AstraZeneca cancer drug doesn’t show survival benefit

Country
United Kingdom

AstraZeneca Plc said its treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer, Recentin (cediranib), showed no improvement in overall survival in a Phase 3 trial, the second of two pivotal studies for this indication. A regulatory filing will not be made.

Noxxon raises €33 million in Series D round

Country
Germany

Noxxon Pharma AG said that it has raised €33 million in a Series D round of financing to support the ongoing clinical and preclinical development of its mirror-image oligonucleotides known as Spiegelmers. The round was led by NGN Capital.

Novartis cancer trial fails to meet endpoint

Country
Switzerland

The Novartis Group said that a Phase 3 trial of a drug for ovarian cancer failed to meet its primary endpoint and will not be submitted to the regulatory authorities. The drug, EPO906 (patupilone), did not show a significant overall survival advantage.

 

Data from cell procedure certified by the EMA

Country
United Kingdom

The European Medicines Agency has given its backing to data generated by a company which is developing a new cell therapy. It is the first time the regulator has formerly certified early-stage data for an advanced therapy product.

Funxional Therapeutics raises €10 million

Country
United Kingdom

The privately-owned UK pharmaceutical company, Funxional Therapeutics Ltd, has raised €10 million in a Series B funding to advance its lead, small molecule drug candidate into Phase 2 for inflammatory conditions including asthma.

Sanofi-Aventis in alliance with MIT

Country
France

Sanofi-Aventis SA said that it has entered into a research alliance with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Biomedical Innovation that will support the translation of basic research into new healthcare products.