Isotechnika news from FierceBiotech

Shares of Canada's Isotechnika were in meltdown mode this morning after Roche announced that it was dropping its rights to license the developer's experimental drug for solid organ transplant. Its Read more...

> Isotechnika's ISA247 has demonstrated significant efficacy against psoriasis. Report > Romark Laboratories Read more...

Osprey Pharmaceuticals has appointed Jack M. Anthony as CEO. Dr. Philip Coggins, who previously held the position of CEO, will continue as president and assume the new role of chief science officer. Read more...

> Device maker Integra LifeSciences is buying IsoTis for $49.3 million. Read more...

> Upstart biotech CoGenesys has inked a licensing deal with Australia's Vegenics covering the rights to intellectual property in the field of vascular endothelial growth factors. Report

> Oscient Pharmaceuticals has completed the buyout of Reliant Pharmaceuticals' cholesterol drug Antara. Report

> The UK's drug …

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Lux Biosciences has increased its $36 million first round of venture capital by $13 million, bring the total round to $49 million. New investor Prospect Venture partners kicked in $12 million, with the rest coming from HBM Partner, Novo and SV Life Sciences. The company targets ophthalmic diseases such as Uveitis, Dry Eye Syndrome and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The company's lead product is LX-211, a Phase III compound licensed from Isotechnika.

- check out this …

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FoldRX lands $43M in VC

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Lux Biosciences has raised $36 million in its first round and inked a licensing deal for a Phase III drug from Isotechnika. HBM Partners, Novo A/S and SV Life Sciences participated in the round for Lux Biosciences, which is concentrating on ophthalmic therapies. To that end, it licensed Isotechnika's Phase III candidate ISA247, a calcineurin inhibitor which is being developed for uveitis, an inflammatory eye disease. Lux believes the drug has other applications as well. Lux plans to begin a pivotal trial in 2007.

- read this release on Lux's first round

Isotechnika is reporting improved data from a Phase III trial of its lead drug for psoriasis. Researchers are reporting interim data on ISA247 that shows a higher dose raised average improvements to 64 percent from 41 percent. The Canadian company said that 101 patients have dropped out of the trial, 15 because of adverse reactions, one of which was serious. Isotechnika said that most of the dropouts were the result of "trial fatigue." ISA247 is also in a Phase IIa trial for kidney …

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Catalyst Biosciences has named Nassim Usman, Ph.D., as its new CEO.

Progen Industries hired Justus Homburg as its new CEO.

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals named Ronald C. Renaud, Jr. as senior vice president, CFO and treasurer. 

Conforma Therapeutics has named John E. Crawford …

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