GlaxoSmithKline related Press Releases

GSK Upbeat on Solid Results - Interviews with CEO and CFO

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:20:59 -0500

LONDON, February 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

In an online video interview with MerchantCantos, GlaxoSmithKline CEO Sir Andrew Witty talks about the pharmaceutical group's special dividend, solid results and why the company is so well positioned to continue to deliver.

Sir Andrew said "adversity isn't all downside for everybody" and that the market offered opportunities for companies who had strengthened and had changed their exposure to places of growth.

"This is a time where we should feel optimistic. And certainly at GSK we do feel optimistic. We feel like are moving into a new era for the company and we now need to focus on absolute disciplined execution to make sure that we take advantage of all of the opportunities that we've worked so hard to try and create for ourselves."

CFO Simon Dingemans admitted there had been some margin pressure in Q4 but that he expected margins to improve gradually. "We expect only a very gradual increase in operating margin, and by that I mean a few tens of basis points and more in 2013 and further thereafter."

The interviews and transcripts are available now on http://www.cantos.com/company/GlaxoSmithKline.

MerchantCantos produces in-depth interviews, documentaries and webcasts with senior company executives. If you would like to contact us, please email prnsupport@merchantcantos.com or phone +44-207-936-1352.

SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline

Prosensa Raises €23 Million in New Equity Financing Led by New Enterprise Associates

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:20:38 -0500

LEIDEN, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Prosensa, the Dutch biopharmaceutical company focusing on RNA-modulating therapeutics for rare diseases with high unmet needs, announced today that it has raised €23 million in new equity financing.

The financing was led by new investor New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and was supported by existing Prosensa investors, Abingworth, Life Sciences Partners, Gimv, Idinvest Partners and MedSciences Capital. David Mott, General Partner of NEA, will join Prosensa’s Supervisory Board. The fundraising will enable Prosensa to advance its portfolio of RNA-modulating therapeutics for the treatment of rare diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Myotonic Dystrophy (DM1) and Huntington’s disease (HD).

Hans Schikan, CEO of Prosensa, commented: “Over the past few years, we have made substantial progress in our research and development pipeline. Our lead drug candidate for Duchenne muscular dystrophy is in Phase III clinical trials in partnership with GlaxoSmithKline. We have advanced the development of five additional compounds in DMD and have announced preclinical testing for a compound for DM1. This financing will help us to further strengthen our position in rare diseases and will allow us to deliver on our promise of accelerated development of treatments for patients in need.”

“We are excited by the opportunity to invest in Prosensa, one of the most promising emerging European biopharmaceutical companies,” said David Mott, General Partner of New Enterprise Associates. “Prosensa has world-class science, management and co-investors, and most importantly is developing therapies for rare genetic diseases which may offer tremendous benefits to patients. Their progress to date, particularly with the Phase III Duchenne muscular dystrophy program, is very encouraging.” Mr. Mott added, “While NEA is one of the largest venture firms in the world, with more than $11 billion in capital under management, Prosensa is our first biopharma investment in Europe and signals our openness to selectively consider investing in truly exceptional innovation in Europe as well as in our traditional geographies in the U.S., China and India.”

Daan Ellens, Chairman of Prosensa’s Supervisory Board commented: “Prosensa welcomes NEA to its investor base and David Mott to its Supervisory Board. David’s impressive track record, and his prior experience at MedImmune and AstraZeneca, will be a valuable extension in the Supervisory Board’s expertise, thereby helping Prosensa reach its next milestones.”

Prosensa has the most advanced portfolio of drug candidates for DMD in the industry, with two compounds in clinical trials in partnership with GSK (PRO051/GSK2402968 and PRO044) and four additional compounds in preclinical development, as well as preclinical compounds for DM1 and HD. Prosensa’s DMD compounds are based on its proprietary exon-skipping technology that uses antisense oligonucleotides to restore expression of a functional dystrophin protein and to provide potential treatment for patients affected by this progressively debilitating neuromuscular disease.

Notes to editors:

About DMD

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severely debilitating childhood neuromuscular disease that affects 1 in 3,500 live male births. This rare disease is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, resulting in the absence or defect of the dystrophin protein. As a result, patients suffer from progressive loss of muscle strength, often rendering them wheelchair-bound before the age of 12. Respiratory and cardiac muscle can also be affected by the disease and most patients die in early adulthood due to respiratory and cardiac failure.

About exon skipping

The dystrophin gene is the largest gene in the body, consisting of 79 exons. Exons are small sequences of genetic code which, via an intermediate step involving RNA, lead to the assembly of sections of protein. In DMD, when certain exons are mutated/deleted, the RNA cannot read past the fault. This prevents the remainder of the exons from being read, resulting in a non-functional dystrophin protein and the severe symptoms of DMD. RNA-based therapeutics, specifically antisense oligonucleotides inducing exon skipping, are currently in development for DMD. These antisense oligonucleotides skip an exon next to a defective exon and thereby correct the reading frame, enabling the production of a novel, functional dystrophin protein.

About Prosensa

Prosensa is an innovative Dutch biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of RNA-modulating therapeutics correcting gene expression in diseases with significant unmet need, in particular neuromuscular disorders. Prosensa’s current focus is on developing treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Myotonic Dystrophy and Huntington’s disease. In 2009 Prosensa entered into a strategic alliance for part of its DMD exon skipping program with GlaxoSmithKline. Prosensa’s lead compound (GSK2402968/ PRO051), being developed by GSK, entered Phase III clinical trials in January 2011. Prosensa is a privately held biopharmaceutical company, backed by a consortium of Abingworth, Gimv, Idinvest Partners, Life Sciences Partners, MedSciences Capital and New Enterprise Associates. For more information, please visit www.prosensa.com.

About NEA

New Enterprise Associates, Inc. (NEA) is a leading venture capital firm focused on helping entrepreneurs build transformational businesses across multiple stages, sectors and geographies. With approximately $11 billion in committed capital, NEA invests in information technology, healthcare and energy technology companies at all stages in a company’s lifecycle, from seed stage through IPO. The firm's long track record includes more than 170 portfolio company IPOs and more than 290 acquisitions. In the U.S., NEA has offices in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area; Menlo Park, California; and New York City. In addition, New Enterprise Associates (India) Pvt. Ltd. has offices in Bangalore and Mumbai, India and New Enterprise Associates (Beijing), Ltd. has offices in Beijing and Shanghai, China. For additional information, please visit www.nea.com.

Prosensa recently won the 2011 Most Innovative Biotech SME Award by EuropaBio

CONTACT:

Prosensa enquiries:
Luc Dochez, +31 71 332 2085
Hans Schikan, +31 71 332 2100
or
For Media enquiries:
College Hill Life Sciences
Nicole Yost/Anastasios Koutsos
+44 20 7457 2020
or
Rebecca Skye Dietrich (US enquiries)
+1 857 241 0795
prosensa@collegehill.com

KEYWORDS: Europe Netherlands

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Genetics Pharmaceutical

MEDIA:

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Impax Pharmaceuticals Submits New Drug Application for IPX066 in Parkinson's Disease

Mark Hollmer — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:38:26 -0500

Impax Pharmaceuticals Submits New Drug Application for IPX066 in Parkinson's Disease

HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Impax Pharmaceuticals, the branded products division of Impax Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPXL) today announced the submission of Impax's New Drug Application (NDA) for IPX066 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). IPX066 is a patented extended release capsule formulation of carbidopa-levodopa (CD-LD). IPX066 is being developed in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for territories outside the U.S. and Taiwan.

"This represents an important part of our strategy to diversify our business model to branded products, with the objective of improving long-term shareholder value."

"In just three and a half years, Impax's brand research and development team has successfully advanced IPX066 from an Investigational New Drug (IND) through multiple clinical studies of efficacy and safety, culminating in our NDA submission," said Michael Nestor, president of Impax Pharmaceuticals. "This event demonstrates our strong internal capability to develop neurology products to fulfill unmet clinical needs of the PD community. IPX066 represents a significant commercial opportunity for Impax in the U.S., which if approved we plan to commercialize with our specialty neurology sales team."

IPX066 has undergone extensive clinical development, including multiple studies in early and advanced PD in the U.S. and in Europe. As agreed with the FDA, the NDA is being submitted as a 505(b)(2) application and includes data from three controlled Phase III studies and two open label extensions of IPX066 in early and advanced PD. In these studies, IPX066 has been studied in about 900 PD subjects. Impax held an end of Phase III meeting with the U.S. FDA in the third quarter of 2011 and is submitting its NDA consistent with the guidance it received.

"We are proud to achieve this important milestone in our development of the brand pharmaceutical business," said Larry Hsu, Ph.D., president and CEO of Impax Laboratories, Inc. "This represents an important part of our strategy to diversify our business model to branded products, with the objective of improving long-term shareholder value."

About IPX066

IPX066 is an investigational extended release capsule formulation of CD-LD which is intended to maintain consistent plasma concentration of levodopa for a longer duration versus immediate release levodopa, which may have an impact on fluctuations in clinical response. It is not approved or licensed anywhere in the world.

Results from the pivotal phase III studies of IPX066, APEX-PD (early PD), ADVANCE-PD (advanced PD) and ASCEND-PD (advanced PD) have previously been announced. Results of the ASCEND-PD study and other IPX066 data are planned for submission to the American Academy of Neurology and International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Conference in April and June 2012, respectively.

About the Impax GSK collaboration

Impax Pharmaceuticals and GSK announced an agreement for the development and commercialization of IPX066 in December 2010. Under the terms of the agreement, GSK received an exclusive license to register and commercialize IPX066 throughout the world except in the U.S. and Taiwan.

About Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative movement disorder affecting over three million people in the US, Europe, and Japan.

About Impax Laboratories, Inc.

Impax Laboratories, Inc. is a technology-based specialty pharmaceutical company applying its formulation expertise and drug delivery technology to the development of controlled-release and specialty generics in addition to the development of branded products. Impax markets its generic products through its Global Pharmaceuticals division and markets its branded products through the Impax Pharmaceuticals division. Additionally, where strategically appropriate, Impax has developed marketing partnerships to fully leverage its technology platform. Impax is headquartered in Hayward, California, with a full range of capabilities located in its Hayward, Philadelphia and Taiwan facilities. For more information, please visit the Company's Web site at: www.impaxlabs.com.

GSK receives initial data from the first completed phase lll study of albiglutide in type 2 diabetes

Maureen Martino — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:23:32 -0500

GSK receives initial data from the first completed phase lll study of albiglutide in type 2 diabetes

Issued: Wednesday 16 November 2011, London UK

Head-to-head study primary end point did not meet non-inferiority, but results support progression towards registration

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today announced that topline results have been received from the first of eight Phase III studies of albiglutide to complete in type 2 diabetes.

The study, known as Harmony 7, is a head-to-head study designed to compare albiglutide, an investigational once weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, to once-a-day liraglutide, an approved treatment for type 2 diabetes, in the same class. The primary endpoint of the study was reduction in HbA1c, a marker of the amount of glucose in the blood.

Results showed a reduction in HbA1c of 0.78% for patients receiving albiglutide compared to a reduction of 0.99% for liraglutide. While albiglutide did demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c from baseline (p<0.001), it did not meet the pre-specified primary endpoint of non-inferiority to liraglutide (95% CI: 0.08 - 0.34%).

The most common adverse events observed during this study were associated with gastrointestinal tolerability. Nausea and vomiting rates were lower in patients receiving albiglutide compared to those receiving liraglutide (9.9% versus 29.2% for nausea; 5% versus 9.3% for vomiting). While weight loss was observed for both treatments, the weight loss for patients receiving albiglutide (-0.62 kg) was lower than that observed with liraglutide (-2.21 kg).

"While the pre-specified margin of non-inferiority was not met, these topline data support continued progression towards registration of albiglutide as a possible future once weekly treatment for type 2 diabetes," said Moncef Slaoui, Chairman of R&D at GSK. "This is the first of eight phase III studies to conclude and we continue to look forward to receiving the results of the remaining studies which will provide a more complete assessment of the profile of albiglutide in type 2 diabetes," he added.

Detailed analysis of the full data set from this study will be conducted in the coming months and the data will be submitted for presentation at a scientific meeting in 2012. In addition, initial results from the remaining seven Phase III studies will become available over the course of the next several months. An update on the clinical development programme will be the subject of a future announcement when a more complete view of the programme is available, expected in mid 2012.

About the Harmony 7 study

Harmony 7 is one of eight Phase III studies investigating the efficacy and safety of albiglutide in men and women with type 2 diabetes.

This 32 week, head-to-head, open-label, non-inferiority study, enrolled 841 patients, on single, dual or triple oral antidiabetes medicines, from eight countries. The patients were randomised to receive, via titration, either albiglutide 50 mg weekly or the maximum approved dose of liraglutide, 1.8 mg once daily. The primary endpoint was reduction in HbA1c, while secondary endpoints included other parameters of glucose control, weight, and safety and tolerability.

About the Harmony Phase III programme

The Phase III clinical development programme for albiglutide, compromises eight individual studies, known as Harmony 1 to Harmony 8.

The programme is investigating the efficacy, tolerability and safety, including cardiovascular safety, of albiglutide as mono- and add-on therapy, in patients with type 2 diabetes. The primary efficacy endpoint for all studies is the change from baseline in HbA1c compared to placebo and/or active comparators. A majority of the studies will include active comparators, including sulphonylurea, thiazolidinedione (TZD), insulin and a dipeptidyl peptidase four inhibitor (DPP IV).

The individual phase III studies are due to complete from late 2011 through early 2013. In addition to Harmony 7 one other study is expected to complete in late 2011. One study will complete in 2012. The remaining five studies are expected to complete by early 2013; these studies have a primary efficacy endpoint set at between 26 weeks and two years, which is expected to be achieved by mid 2012 for all studies. As per the study protocols, these studies will remain blinded past the primary efficacy endpoint until completion, which for most studies is three years.

About albiglutide

Albiglutide is an investigational biological, injectable form of human GLP-1 - a peptide that acts throughout the body to help maintain normal blood-sugar levels and to control appetite. Normally, GLP-1 levels rise during a meal to help the body utilise and control the elevation in blood sugar levels. However, GLP-1 is rapidly degraded, resulting in its short duration of action. In people with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 secretion in response to a meal is reduced. Albiglutide is an investigational medicine which fuses human GLP-1 to human albumin. It is designed to have the potential to extended duration of action and allow for weekly or less-frequent injections.

GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com

GlaxoSmithKline Enquiries:

UK Media enquiries:

David Mawdsley

+44 (0) 20 8047 5502

(London)

Stephen Rea

+44 (0) 20 8047 5502

(London)

Sarah Spencer

+44 (0) 20 8047 5502

(London)

David Daley

+44 (0) 20 8047 5502

(London)

US Media enquiries:

Kevin Colgan

+1 919 483 2839

(North Carolina)

Mary Anne Rhyne

+1 919 483 2839

(North Carolina)

Sarah Alspach

+1 919 483 2839

(Washington, DC)

Jennifer Armstrong

+1 919 483 2839

(Philadelphia)

XenoPort to Present at the 23rd Annual Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:20:56 -0500

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- XenoPort, Inc. (Nasdaq: XNPT) announced today that it will provide access via the World Wide Web to its presentation at the 23rd Annual Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference. The live presentation will occur at 7:30 a.m. Pacific Time (10:30 a.m. Eastern Time) on Wednesday, November 30, 2011. A replay of the presentation will also be available.

To access the live presentation via the Web, please go to www.XenoPort.com. Please connect to the Web site at least 15 minutes prior to the live presentation to ensure adequate time for any software downloads that may be necessary to listen to the Webcast.

A replay of the Webcast can be accessed for a minimum of one month and will be available approximately 24 hours after the live presentation.

About XenoPort

XenoPort is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a portfolio of internally discovered product candidates for the potential treatment of neurological disorders. Horizant™ (gabapentin enacarbil) Extended-Release Tablets is XenoPort’s first FDA-approved product. GlaxoSmithKline holds commercialization rights and certain development rights for gabapentin enacarbil in the United States. Gabapentin enacarbil is also being developed in partnership with Astellas Pharma Inc. for the potential treatment of restless legs syndrome in Japan. XenoPort holds all other world-wide rights and has co-promotion and certain development rights to gabapentin enacarbil in the United States. XenoPort’s pipeline of product candidates includes potential treatments for patients with neuropathic pain, spasticity and Parkinson’s disease.

To learn more about XenoPort, please visit the Web site at www.XenoPort.com.

XenoPort is a registered trademark of XenoPort, Inc.

Horizant is a trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.

XNPT2G

CONTACT:

XenoPort, Inc.
Jackie Cossmon, 408-616-7220
ir@XenoPort.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Pharmaceutical

MEDIA:

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ChemoCentryx Reports Clinical Efficacy for CCX354, a Novel CCR1 Inhibitor in a Phase II Study in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthri

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:20:52 -0500

Results Presented in Late-Breaker Oral Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ChemoCentryx, Inc., today announced that it reported positive Phase II results for CCX354 at the Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). CCX354 is an orally-active small molecule that specifically targets and inhibits the chemokine receptor known as CCR1, which is implicated in the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Results showed that CCX354 was safe and well tolerated by patients with RA in this clinical trial, and demonstrated clinical and biological activity at a dose of 200 mg once daily. These data were highlighted today in a late-breaker oral presentation in Chicago entitled "Safety and Efficacy of Oral Chemokine Receptor 1 Antagonist CCX354-C in a Phase II Rheumatoid Arthritis Study".

"The initial cloning and characterization of CCR1 as well as the chemokine known as RANTES, one of the main ligands for CCR1, was accomplished by the founder of ChemoCentryx over twenty years ago," stated Paul-Peter Tak, M.D., Ph.D., Lead Investigator and Professor at AMC/University of Amsterdam, currently also Senior Vice President/Head, Therapy Area ImmunoInflammation at GlaxoSmithKline. "Although there has been strong evidence implicating CCR1 in the pathology of RA, this is the first time that an investigational CCR1 antagonist has successfully demonstrated clinical efficacy in patients with this disease."

The results reported from this study, known as the CARAT-2 clinical trial, show that patients who met inclusion criteria at the start of dosing (Day 1 eligible) had an ACR20 response at Week 12 of 56% in patients receiving 200 mg CCX354 once daily compared to 44% in patients receiving 100 mg twice daily, and 30% in patients receiving placebo. The difference between 200 mg once daily and placebo was statistically significant (p=0.014). The decrease in CRP, a marker of inflammation, was statistically significant in the 200 mg QD group compared to placebo at Week 12 (p=0.023). ACR50, ACR70, DAS28-CRP, and ACR component results indicated greatest efficacy in the 200 mg daily dose group. Decreases in bone turnover markers C-telopeptide (CTx), procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), and osteocalcin were more pronounced in the CCX354-C groups compared to placebo, and reaching statistically significant improvements at many time points during the study. Clinical responders had higher plasma CCX354 concentrations than non-responders. CCX354 was well tolerated by patients in this study.

Study Design

This Phase II study named CARAT-2 (CCR1 Antagonist in Rheumatoid Arthritis Trial-2) was a 160-patient multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled RA clinical trial. Patients had moderate to severe RA, were on stable methotrexate treatment for at least 8 weeks, had >/= 8 swollen and tender joint counts, and CRP >/= 5 mg/L at study entry. Patients received double-blind placebo twice daily (N=54), 100 mg CCX354 twice daily (N=53) or 200 mg CCX354 once daily (N=53) orally for 12 weeks. Safety and tolerability were primary endpoints, and secondary endpoints included RA disease response measurements: ACR, DAS28, CRP, and ESR, as well as bone turnover markers, CTx, PINP, and osteocalcin.

CCX354 and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

CCX354 is a potent and selective antagonist of CCR1, a chemokine receptor that drives the recruitment of certain inflammatory cells including populations of monocytes and macrophages into the joints of patients with RA. By selectively blocking the CCR1 receptor, CCX354 is designed to reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the joints of RA patients and inhibiting the inflammation, swelling, pain and associated joint destruction while minimizing the potential for off-target effects, thus providing a wider therapeutic window than currently approved therapies. RA is estimated to affect more than two million people in the U.S. and is a leading cause of morbidity, disability and reduced work ability. The exact cause of RA is unknown, but is believed to reflect the body's immune system attack on the synovium, the tissue that lines the joints.

CCX354 is one of four drug candidates that have been discovered and developed by ChemoCentryx that are also part of an alliance between the Company and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Successful completion of CARAT-2 triggered GSK's option rights under the collaboration agreement, and ChemoCentryx expects GSK's decision whether to exercise its option to obtain a license to further develop and commercialize CCX354 by the end of 2011.

About ChemoCentryx

ChemoCentryx, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing orally-administered therapeutics that target the chemokine and chemoattractant systems in order to treat autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders and cancer. The chemokine system is a biological network that regulates inflammation via a collection of secreted chemokine molecules, or ligands, and their specific cell surface receptors. Based on its proprietary drug discovery and drug development platform, ChemoCentryx has generated multiple clinical and preclinical-stage programs, each targeting distinct chemokine and chemoattractant receptors with different small molecule compounds. ChemoCentryx's most advanced drug candidate, CCX282-B (Traficet-EN, now designated GSK1605786, also known as GSK'786), a specific CCR9 inhibitor, completed a multi-national clinical trial, called PROTECT-1, in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease, where it demonstrated the ability to induce a clinical response and to maintain clinical remission, and is now in Phase III clinical development. ChemoCentryx's lead independent drug candidate, CCX140-B, a CCR2 inhibitor, has been shown to be safe and well tolerated while demonstrating clinical activity on glycemic indices in a Phase II clinical trial in type 2 diabetics, and is now in Phase II clinical development for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Other clinical programs include CCX354, a CCR1 inhibitor which successfully completed a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; CCX168, a C5aR inhibitor, in Phase II clinical development for the treatment of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis; and CCX832, a ChemR23 antagonist in Phase I clinical development. ChemoCentryx also has several programs in advanced preclinical development.

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements". These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


Contacts:
Susan M. Kanaya	Burns McClellan
Senior Vice President, Finance and	Media Inquiries
Chief Financial Officer or	Kathy Nugent, Ph.D.
Markus J. Cappel, Ph.D.	212-213-0006
Chief Business Officer	knugent@burnsmc.com
650-210-2900
investor@chemocentryx.com

SOURCE ChemoCentryx, Inc.

Prosensa Named Most Innovative European Biotech SME

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:21:22 -0500

Company wins prestigious EuropaBio Award

LEIDEN, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Prosensa, the Dutch biopharmaceutical company focusing on rare diseases with a high unmet medical need, has won EuropaBio’s Most Innovative European Biotech SME Award 2011, presented at a ceremony in Brussels earlier today. The award comes with prize money of €10,000 and two years’ membership of EuropaBio.

The EuropaBio Award recognises Prosensa’s pioneering role in helping patients and their families affected by rare, progressively debilitating diseases. Prosensa’s lead product, PRO051 (GSK2402968), is currently in Phase III trials in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This is a rare, genetic, childhood disease that afflicts approximately 1 in 3,500 newborn boys. As early as the age of 2, boys begin to show signs of muscle weakness, they are often wheelchair bound before the age of 12 and few become older than 30 years. There is currently no available therapy for DMD.

Prosensa’s technological approach, RNA modulation through ‘exon skipping’, applies some of the most advanced techniques known in modern genetics and molecular biology.

“Over the last three years Prosensa has more than tripled its workforce, to 80 people, all of whom share one mission: to find a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy,” said Hans Schikan, CEO of Prosensa. “We are very proud to receive this award, which is a recognition for all employees of Prosensa and our many partners, without whom we would not have come to this stage.”

Integral to Prosensa’s business model are the close collaborations with its academic partners, with GSK, as well as the many DMD patient organizations that are active in raising both awareness of the disease and funds for research and development.

The selection process for the award was judged by G. Steven Burrill, Founder and CEO of Burrill & Company, Tom Saylor, CEO of Arecor and Chairman of EuropaBio’s SME Platform, Paul Ruebig, MEP and Chair of the SME Union and Nathalie Moll, Secretary General of EuropaBio.

--ENDS--

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Prosensa

Prosensa is an innovative Dutch biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of RNA modulating therapeutics correcting gene expression in rare diseases with a high unmet medical need. Prosensa’s focus is on developing a treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Prosensa’s technology is based on a collaboration with Leiden University Medical Center. In 2009 Prosensa entered into a strategic alliance for part of its DMD exon skipping program with GlaxoSmithKline. Prosensa’s lead compound (PRO051/GSK2402968), being developed by GSK, entered phase III clinical trials in January 2011. Prosensa is a privately held biopharmaceutical company, backed by a consortium of Abingworth, GIMV, Idinvest, LSP and MedSciences Capital. For more information about Prosensa, please visit www.prosensa.com

About DMD

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severely debilitating childhood neuromuscular disease that affects 1 in 3,500 live male births. This rare disease is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, resulting in the absence or defect of the dystrophin protein. Patients suffer from progressive loss of muscle strength due to the absence or defect of the dystrophin protein, often making them wheelchair bound before the age of 12. Respiratory and cardiac muscle can also be affected by the disease and most patients die in early adulthood due to respiratory and cardiac failure.

About the EuropaBio SME Award

EuropaBio's Most Innovative Biotech SME Award aims to reward European Biotech SMEs that have developed an innovative solution to technical, social and environmental problems. The aim of the prize is to promote and support outstanding and innovative ideas of biotechnology in small and medium enterprises across European countries. A panel of highly respected and independent luminaries produces a shortlist of nominees and chooses the winner.

CONTACT:

Prosensa
Luc Dochez, +31 71 332 2085
or
Hans Schikan, +31 71 332 2076
or
Media enquiries
College Hill Life Sciences
Nicole Yost / Anastasios Koutsos
+44 20 7457 2020
prosensa@collegehill.com

KEYWORDS: Europe Netherlands

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Pharmaceutical

MEDIA:

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Seattle Genetics to Present at Two Upcoming Investor Conferences

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:21:12 -0500

BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seattle Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGEN) announced today that management will present at the following upcoming investor conferences.

Credit Suisse Healthcare Conference
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. Mountain time in Phoenix, AZ

Lazard Capital Markets 8^th Annual Healthcare Conference
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time in New York, NY

The presentations will be webcast live and available for replay from Seattle Genetics’ website at http://www.seattlegenetics.com in the Investors and News section.

About Seattle Genetics
Seattle Genetics is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. ADCETRIS™ was approved by the FDA on August 19, 2011 for two indications. ADCETRIS is being developed in collaboration with Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company. In addition, Seattle Genetics has three other clinical-stage ADC programs: SGN-75, ASG-5ME and ASG-22ME. Seattle Genetics has collaborations for its ADC technology with a number of leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including Abbott, Bayer, Celldex Therapeutics, Daiichi Sankyo, Genentech, GlaxoSmithKline, Millennium, Pfizer and Progenics, as well as ADC co-development agreements with Agensys, an affiliate of Astellas, and Genmab. More information can be found at www.seattlegenetics.com.

CONTACT:

Seattle Genetics, Inc.
Peggy Pinkston, 425-527-4160
ppinkston@seagen.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Arizona New York Washington

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Genetics Oncology Pharmaceutical

MEDIA:

Anacor Pharmaceuticals Announces Third Quarter 2011 Financial Results Conference Call and Webcast

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:21:18 -0400

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Anacor Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ANAC) will release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011, on Thursday November 10, 2011 at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT. The announcement will be followed by a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT during which management will discuss the company’s financial results and recent developments. The call can be accessed by dialing (877) 291-1367 (domestic) and (914) 495-8534 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call and providing the conference ID 23319907. The call will also be webcast live and can be accessed on the Events and Presentations page, under Investors, on the company’s website at www.anacor.com and will be available for three months following the call.

About Anacor Pharmaceuticals

Anacor is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel small-molecule therapeutics derived from its boron chemistry platform. Anacor has five compounds in clinical development, all of which were internally discovered, including its three lead programs: AN2690, a topical antifungal for the treatment of onychomycosis; AN2728, a topical anti-inflammatory PDE-4 inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis; and GSK 2251052, or GSK ‘052 (formerly referred to as AN3365), a systemic antibiotic for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, which has been licensed to GlaxoSmithKline under the companies' research and development agreement. In addition, Anacor is developing AN2718 as a topical antifungal product candidate for the treatment of onychomycosis and skin fungal infections, and AN2898 as a topical anti-inflammatory product candidate for the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. For more information visit http://www.anacor.com.

CONTACT:

Anacor Pharmaceuticals
DeDe Sheel, 650-543-7575
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
dsheel@anacor.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Research Science

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XenoPort to Present at the Credit Suisse Healthcare Conference

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:21:05 -0400

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- XenoPort, Inc. (Nasdaq:XNPT) announced today that it will provide access via the World Wide Web to its presentation at the 2011 Credit Suisse Healthcare Conference. The live presentation will occur at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time (5:30 p.m. Eastern Time) on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. A replay of the presentation will also be available.

A replay of the Webcast can be accessed for a minimum of one month and will be available approximately 24 hours after the live presentation.

About XenoPort

To learn more about XenoPort, please visit the Web site at www.XenoPort.com.

XenoPort is a registered trademark of XenoPort, Inc.

Horizant is a trademark of GlaxoSmithKline.

XNPT2G

CONTACT:

XenoPort, Inc.
Jackie Cossmon, 408-616-7220
ir@XenoPort.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Biotechnology Pharmaceutical

MEDIA:

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