Genta

ALSO NOTED: Genta places notes;Vaccine research blasts off; and much more...

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> Genta announced that it has struck definitive agreements with investors to place senior secured convertible notes due in 2010 totaling in aggregate up to $40 million in gross proceeds before fees and expenses. Release

> A Lehman Brothers analyst is bullish on Regeneron's cancer drug aflibercept, saying it compares well to Avastin. That opinion came after investors shaved 20 percent off the value of Regeneron shares after seeing disappointing data for ovarian cancer. Report

> The biotech start-up Iatrica is moving into new space at the John G. Rangos Building in East Baltimore. The building opened in April. Story

> Sangamo BioSciences has completed patient enrollment into its Phase II clinical trial in subjects with moderate to severe diabetic neuropathy. Release

> Topical applications of a naturally occurring fat molecule have the potential to slow down skin aging, whether through natural causes or damage, researchers report. Release

And Finally... Vaccine research is heading to outer space. Report

In survival mode, Genta hunts for funds

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:59:54 -0400

NJ Biz examines Genta, which has gone into survival mode as it seeks a way to gain FDA approval of its lead cancer therapy, Genasense. The FDA turned thumb's down on the therapy in 2004, and the company--which has yet to turn a profit--has been forced to lay off more than half of its staff since the end of 2007. Genta's auditors, meanwhile, have placed a 'going concern' warning on the biotech company and the developer is selling off its only marketed product.

CEO Raymond Warrell takes the view that everything will work out, eventually. "In biotech, you learn to focus on the long term, not on the next calendar quarter." The story also makes the point that biotechs are often cash-hungry concerns that know how to go into "turtle mode" when they need to hunker down and raise funds.

- read the article from NJ Biz

Related Articles:
FDA extends review time for Genta's appeal. Genta report
FDA rejects Genasense. FDA report
Advisory committee rejects Genta cancer drug. Genta report
Genasense hits primary endpoint in late-stage cancer trial. Genta report

ALSO NOTED: Genta inks licensing deal on oncology program; Abbott, et al, target Tarceva gene test; Gilead submits marketing ap

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:59:50 -0500

> Genta has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Daiichi Sankyo for the development and commercialization of tesetaxel
(formerly known as DJ-927), a late Phase II oncology therapy. Release

> Millipore has inked a deal with Solabia to market materials used in manufacturing biologics. Release

> Abbott Laboratories' molecular diagnostics unit has joined with Genentech, OSI Pharmaceuticals and Roche to develop a gene test for Tarceva. Release

> Gilead Sciences has submitted a Marketing Authorization Application for marketing approval of aztreonam lysine 75 mg powder for nebuliser solution (aztreonam lysine) in the European Union. Release

> Hovione has purchased 75 percent of Hisyn Pharmaceutical, a Chinese plant that manufactures drug substances. Story

> Novartis will use biomarker detection technology developed by Singulex for its drug development work. Report

> Shareholders have approved the sale of Pharmion to Celgene. Release

This week's most popular story: Pfizer snaps up Serenex in buyout. Report

And Finally... Genetic mutations involving insulin-like growth factor explain why short women live longer. Report