Anesiva

Anesiva drops Zingo, cuts jobs

Maureen Martino — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:00:24 -0500

South San Francisco-based Anesiva released a host of announcements today. First, the company said that a Phase II trial of Adlea narrowly missed the primary endpoint of reducing post-surgical pain following bunionectomy surgery. However, the trial achieved a key secondary endpoint of reducing opioid use for Adlea versus placebo over the four to 32 hour period. Anesiva will announce results from a second Phase III trial of the drug next month.

The company also said today that it would no longer make its transdermal pain patch Zingo. Anesiva cited "continued manufacturing challenges and the need to recall product in the field due to a potential non-safety related shelf life issue from a lot of unreleased product" as the reason for the decision. Fifteen jobs will be cut as Anesiva works to pay back a $20 million loan.

This is Anesiva's second round of cuts. In September, the company axed its preclinical development program as well as other "non-core positions" and reduced its head count by 20 percent.

- see Anesiva's release
- read the article for more

Anesiva axes staff, preclinical work in restructuring

John Carroll — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:08:16 -0400

Anesiva is axing its preclinical development program as well as other "non-core positions" and reducing its head count by 20 percent as it restructures to focus on late-stage products and sales as the company makes its transition to a specialty pain management company. The South San Francisco biotech is also announced that it completed enrollment in two Phase III Adlea trials. Top-line data is expected in the fourth quarter.

"Since joining Anesiva in mid-June, I have conducted an extensive review of our programs, priorities and core competencies, which confirms my confidence in the underlying strength of our assets--namely our people and pipeline," said Michael L. Kranda, president and CEO. "Based on this review we are refining our strategy and restructuring operations to drive the company toward long-term success."

- check out Anesiva's release
- read the report from StreetInsider

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Anesiva inks $114M licensing deal

SPOTLIGHT: Anesiva inks $114M licensing deal

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:59:53 -0400

Transcription Factor Therapeutics has licensed the worldwide rights to Anesiva's NF-kB Decoy program, which includes the clinical drug candidate Avrina. NF-kB Transcription Factor Decoy inhibits NF-kappa B, a protein implicated in the inflammatory cascade in diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma. Anesiva gets an upfront fee and up to $114 million in milestone payments if two products are developed. Release

ALSO NOTED: Zingo data lifts Anesiva stock; Two chemo drugs win approvals; BrainStorm plans trials; and much more...

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 06:59:50 -0400

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FDA approves Anesiva's needle-free pain drug

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 06:59:58 -0400

The FDA has given Anesiva a nod for Zingo, a single-use, needle-free system containing sterile lidocaine powder. Zingo provides rapid relief for pain associated with venous access procedures, such as intravenous insertions or the drawing of blood for tests. "Blood draws and IV insertions are the most frequently reported painful events in hospitalized children. Despite guidelines recommending the use of topical anesthetics prior to venous access procedures, currently available local anesthetics commonly take 20 minutes or longer to act, making their use in today's fast-paced hospital environment difficult. FDA approval of Zingo provides a unique option for healthcare providers who strive to safely and effectively manage children's pain during these procedures," said John P. McLaughlin, CEO of Anesiva.

Anesiva says that its needle-free delivery system may have broader applications, such as administration of insulin, human growth hormone, erythropoietin, calcitonin and other medications, excluding vaccines. Anesiva says it is open to licensing deals for the needle-free tech.

- see this release for more

Related Articles:
Anesiva halts pain drug program after failure. Report
Analysts see a continuing surge of licensing deals. Report