Apogenix GmbH of Heidelberg, Germany has begun recruitment for a Phase 2 study of a compound for treating glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive type of primary brain tumour. Interim results are expected in the first half of 2011.
Sanofi Pasteur has become the second European company in a month to invest in antibody technology in order to discover new treatments for infectious diseases. It is paying €3 million upfront to Vivalis of France for access to the technology.
The French privately-owned immune therapy company, Cytheris SA, has raised €12 million in a Series D financing to accelerate development of its recombinant human interleukin-7 product, CYT107, for cancer and other indications.
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.
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.
Imperial Innovations Group Plc, a UK technology transfer company, said that it has realised £9.5 million in cash following the sale of its portfolio company, Respivert Ltd, to the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, Centocor Ortho Biotech Inc.
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 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 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.
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.