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Synta Pharmaceuticals initiates STA-9090 Phase 2 clinical trial for GIST

Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing small molecule drugs to treat severe medical conditions, today announced that it is initiating a Phase 2 clinical study of STA-9090 in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). This is the sixth clinical study of STA-9090, a potent, synthetic, small molecule Hsp90 inhibitor with a novel chemical structure.

23 Dec 2009

Rigel Pharmaceuticals announces milestone payment from Daiichi Sankyo

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has received a milestone payment from Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. as part of their collaboration to research and develop cancer treatments aimed at selectively inhibiting ligases, which are intrinsic to cancer cell growth and proliferation. The compound, as yet unnamed, targets cell division.

23 Dec 2009

SNM urges Congress to implement long-term solution for medical reimbursement rates

SNM is pleased that the U.S. Congress has passed a fix to freeze the conversion factor at the 2009 rate for physicians, which will ensure that millions of patients continue to receive medical coverage for critical diagnostic imaging tests and therapeutics.

23 Dec 2009

National MS Society calls for grant applications to examine the impact of CCSVI hypothesis

2009 saw exciting research progress, unprecedented opportunities on the horizon, and more scientists than ever working on resolving important questions. Despite the year's economic and financial challenges, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society continues to propel research forward to end MS. In 2009 the Society provided over $33.5 million to support 345 new and ongoing projects in its research portfolio, plus $1.5 million for Fast Forward, the Society's drug development subsidiary which continues to attract new funding streams.

23 Dec 2009

Autism study and gene therapy in vision are top scientific achievements in 2009

A landmark autism study and a dramatic success for gene therapy in reversing inherited blindness, both at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, were recognized among the top scientific achievements in 2009, according to three national publications: Time magazine, Discover magazine and the journal Science.

23 Dec 2009

Researchers develop new approach for treating and healing skin abscesses

Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have developed a new approach for treating and healing skin abscesses caused by bacteria resistant to most antibiotics.

23 Dec 2009

Scientists explain how smallpox viruses disrupt immune systems

A team of researchers working in a high containment laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA, have solved a fundamental mystery about smallpox that has puzzled scientists long after the natural disease was eradicated by vaccination.: they know how it kills us.

23 Dec 2009

Viron Therapeutics' three drug candidates granted U.S. patents

Viron Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering the development of virally-derived protein therapeutics, today announced that it has been granted U.S. patents related to three of its drug candidates, VT-111, VT-346 and VT-384.

23 Dec 2009

PTC Therapeutics completes $50M financing

PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (PTC) today announced the completion of a $50 million financing. The round was led by The Column Group - a new investor - and existing investor Delphi Ventures. The co-lead investors were joined by current investors Credit Suisse First Boston, HBM BioVentures, Novo A/S, Celgene, and other existing and new investors. In conjunction with the Delphi investment, general partner Deepa Pakianathan, Ph.D. will join PTC's Board of Directors.

22 Dec 2009

3rd Annual OneMedForum to highlight therapeutic and diagnostic products for cancers

ProActive Capital Resources Group, a company dedicated to the discovery and creation of value in the small and micro-cap marketplace, is proud to announce client presentations at the 3rd Annual OneMedForum held in San Francisco, January 12-13, 2010. ProActive clients presenting are: Access Pharmaceuticals, ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, DataTrak International, Quantum Immunologics, with Protox Therapeutic's presentation pending.

22 Dec 2009

Cell Medica receives second grant for development of adenovirus infection therapy

Cell Medica, a clinical stage cellular therapeutics company engaged in the development and delivery of cellular immunotherapy treatment strategies for infectious disease and cancer, has announced that is has appointed four key staff to drive forwards the Company’s activities in the commercialisation of cell therapy treatments.

22 Dec 2009

TB bacterium does not contain genes needed for spore formation

But a new study by researchers at Loyola University Health System and other centers casts doubt on the TB spore theory. Researchers were unable to detect spores in TB cultures and demonstrated that the TB bacterium doesn't even contain genes related to those needed to produce spores. Researchers also failed to find any spores in frogs infected with TB bacteria, which would have been expected if TB bacteria produced spores in the course of infection.

22 Dec 2009

Cell Therapeutics supports Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. announced today its support of the Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America's (PhRMA) "Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals, revised July 2008" (PhRMA Code). Adherence to the Code is voluntary for commercial biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

22 Dec 2009

Urigen Pharmaceuticals and Oceana Therapeutics jointly prepare for meeting with FDA on URG101

Urigen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of treatments for urological disorders and pain, announced today that the Company and Oceana Therapeutics have agreed to jointly prepare for a meeting with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration regarding the continued development of URG101.

22 Dec 2009

CombinatoRx and Neuromed Pharmaceuticals complete merger agreement

CombinatoRx, Incorporated and Neuromed Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that they have merged. This merger brings together the product assets and financial resources of both organizations, including potential Exalgo™ milestone and royalty revenue, CombinatoRx’s portfolio of product candidates and unique drug discovery capabilities.

21 Dec 2009

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals announce collaboration in cancer therapy

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that they have entered into a global license and collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize OGX-011, as well as an agreement to purchase shares in OncoGenex. OGX-011 is a Phase III cancer therapy designed to inhibit cancer treatment resistance.

21 Dec 2009

Investigation of IDH1 gene mutations in brain cancer receives new funds

Agios Pharmaceuticals, the leading biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel drugs in the emerging field of cancer metabolism, announced today that it has received funding from Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure (ABC2), a non-profit organization that supports brain cancer research. ABC2’s funding will enable new research investigating IDH1 gene mutations in brain cancer, with the goal of supplementing Agios’s ongoing research into the development of new IDH1 therapeutics and diagnostics.

21 Dec 2009

Durata Therapeutics acquires Vicuron Pharmaceuticals

Durata Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it has acquired Vicuron Pharmaceuticals from Pfizer (PFE). Durata is a newly formed biopharmaceutical company that was created by a five-member venture capital syndicate to pursue late-stage clinical development of novel antibiotic programs. The acquisition was funded through a stock purchase by New Leaf Venture Partners, LLC, Domain Associates, LLC, Aisling Capital, Sofinnova Ventures Inc. and Canaan Partners.

21 Dec 2009

Repros Therapeutics receives NASDAQ notification

On December 15, 2009, Repros Therapeutics Inc. received notification from NASDAQ that it has not regained compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rules 5450(b)(2)(C) and 5450(b)(1). The first rule applies to the market value of publicly held shares and the latter is the requirement of a minimum of a $1 share price.

21 Dec 2009

EMEA grants orphan drug designation for pixantrone in Europe

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. ("CTI") announced today that the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has granted pixantrone orphan drug designation for the treatment of DLBCL which accounts for about 80% of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

21 Dec 2009