Isotechnika

Isotechnika shares plunge after Roche dumps rights

John Carroll — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:56:23 -0400

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 stock was down 64 percent in early trading. The Natinal Post reports that the company swiftly rushed to put the best possible spin on the announcement.

"While we are disappointed about Roche's different priorities, we feel that this represents the first time since 2002 that we can offer a more comprehensive licensing package including both transplant and autoimmune indications to a focused and strong global partner," said Isotechnika chairman and CEO Robert Foster.

Phase IIb data supported the safety and efficacy of voclosporin but some analysts had questioned if the data was strong enough to keep Roche in the game.

- check ou Isotechnika's release
- read the story from the National Post

ALSO NOTED: Isotechnika reports psoriasis success; Romark enrolls hep C patients; and much more...

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> Isotechnika's ISA247 has demonstrated significant efficacy against psoriasis. Report

> Romark Laboratories has begun enrolling patients in a U.S. clinical trial to evaluate nitazoxanide for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Preliminary data from the study is expected in the second half of 2008. Release

> It was inevitable: All the chit-chat about drug safety and the FDA's shortcomings had to result in legislation. Rep. John Dingell's House Energy and Commerce Committee released a "discussion draft" yesterday, planning to convene hearings over the next few weeks and draw up the real bill after that. Report

> Pfizer shares hit a 10-year low yesterday. And who can blame investors who sold, considering the Eeyore tone Wall Street analysts took after the drugmaker announced its falling sales and earnings? Report

> Call it the backlash against the backlash. In the wake of the recent Vytorin and Vioxx marketing scandals, drugmakers are banding together to prevent a Congressional crackdown on their power to promote. Report

And Finally… Researchers at Purdue say they're on to a new bird flu vaccine that offers broader protection over a longer period of time. Article

C&L: Osprey taps Jack Anthony as CEO

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 06:59:52 -0400

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.

Titan Pharmaceuticals named Marc Rubin as CEO and president. Founder and former CEO Louis Bucalo will continue as chairman.

Dr. Randall Yatscoff is retiring from his position as president and CEO of Isotechnika.

Morria Biopharmaceuticals has appointed Rosemary Mazanet M.D., Ph.D. as its interim CEO.

Dyadic International fired its CEO, Mark Emalfarb, following an investigation into financial improprieties.

Christopher Henney has been named chairman of the board of startup CG Therapeutics. He'll be particularly engaged in attracting venture capital to the company.

Galea Life Sciences announced that it has appointed Paul Zuromski as president.

Neopharm announced the appointment of Dr. Shahid Ali to executive vice president, research and development.

Panacos Pharmaceuticals Executive Vice President and CFO Peyton Marshall resigned in order to pursue other opportunities and outside personal interests.

The CFO of Celsion is stepping down. Anthony P. Deasey will be replaced by Controller Paul Susie, who will become interim chief accounting officer.

F-star has named Dr. Geert Mudde as chief scientific officer.

Cardio3 BioSciences has named of Vinciane Gaussin, Ph.D., as its chief scientific officer.

Shire announced that Sylvie Gregoire has been appointed president of its Human Genetic Therapies business.

Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that Robert S. Fishman, MD, FCCP has joined the company as vice president, medical affairs.

Niels Borgstein, M.D., has joined Acceleron as vice president, medical research.

Med BioGene has named Melanie M. Mahtani, Ph.D. as executive advisor, commercial development.

Gen-Probe announced that John C. Martin, Ph.D., president and CEO of Gilead Sciences, has been elected to its board of directors.

GenVec reported the departure of Harold Werner from the company's board of directors.

Ceapro has named Gilles Gagnon to its board.

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals has named Michael P. Tarnok to its board of directors.

BioVex has appointed Dr. Leonard Post to its board of directors.

Pharmacyclics has named Robert W. Duggan to its board of directors.

ImaRx Therapeutics has named Richard Love as chairman succeeding Richard Otto, who will remain on the board.

Opexa Therapeutics has named Dawn McGuire, M.D., to its clinical advisory board for multiple sclerosis.

ALSO NOTED: Integra buys IsoTis for $49.3M; MannKind searches for insulin drug partner; and much more...

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 06:59:50 -0400

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

> MannKind told investors on Friday that it faced an uncertain delay in finding a partner for its inhalable insulin candidate, and investors responded Monday by taking a bite out of the developer's share price. Adding to the uncertainty surrounding the company, MannKind says it is delaying the release of its second-quarter report until Aug. 9 and that CFO Richard Anderson is retiring. The monumental failure of Pfizer's Exubera--an inhalable insulin drug--to find a market niche may be making potential partners particularly skittish. Report

> KineMed has raised $15 million and plans to use the money to advance its lead drug candidate into clinical trials. Release

> Bayer Thai and Schering (Bangkok) have merged. Report

> Isotechnika announced that the FDA has granted fast track designation for its lead drug, ISA247. Release

> Entelos has struck a deal with the FDA to create a computer model for drug-induced liver damage. Release

> Abraxis BioScience has won regulatory approval to sell Oxytocin Injection in a 30 ml vial. Release

> In 2006, Pharma racked up a multibillion-dollar marketing bill. FiercePharma

> PricewaterhouseCoopers has released a study based on interviews with 185 top pharma execs in the Asia-Pacific region. The verdict? Not only are China, India, Singapore and their neighbors poised to become huge pharmaceuticals consumers, but big producers as well. FiercePharma

And Finally… Drinking more than three cups of coffee a day may help women delay memory loss. Report

ALSO NOTED: CoGenesys licenses VEGF rights; Oscient completes Antara buyout; and much more...

Sun, 20 Aug 2006 20:00:50 -0400

> 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 watchdog, NICE, has concluded that a bowel cancer therapy--Cetuximab--does not represent a good use of health dollars. Data suggests the drug extends the lives of cancer patients by about five months. Article

> Human Pheromone Sciences has inked a licensing deal with a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary regarding "certain patents." Report

> MedImmune has filed an INDA for a new therapy for lymphoma. Report

> Dainippon Sumitomo and Pfizer have settled a lawsuit over a licensing deal regarding Amlodin. Report

> Isotechnika announced that an experimental therapy to prevent organ rejection appeared safe in Phase I. Report

And Finally… Human Growth Hormone therapy has been catching on in the U.S., despite the fact that it's illegal and there is clinical data to suggest it may end up damaging many people's health. Report

Lux adds $13 million to first round

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:01:37 -0400

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 press release

PLUS: Device maker EnteroMedics has landed $45.2 million in its third round. The company makes devices for the treatment of obesity and gastrointestinal disorders. Release

VC: FoldRX lands $43M in VC

Wed, 31 May 2006 20:01:32 -0400

FoldRX lands $43M in VC

VENTURE CAPITAL
COMPANY	AMOUNT/ROUND	LEAD INVESTORS	DESCRIPTION
FoldRx Pharmaceuticals Cambridge, CA	$43M Second	Texas Pacific Group Ventures and Alta Partners	The funding will support clinical trials for FoldRx's lead drug compound, Fx-1006A, which is finishing an early-stage trial to treat diseases of protein misfolding in the brain or heart.
Lux Biosciences Jersey City	$36M First	HBM Partners AG, Novo A/S, and SV Life Sciences	Isotechnika has grated Lux rights to develop and commercialize Isotechnika's Phase III product candidate ISA247 for the treatment and prophylaxis of all ophthalmic diseases.
U3 Pharma Germany	$34M Third	Life Sciences Partners	U3 has been developing antibody-based targeted cancer therapeutics. Its lead products are nearing the clinic.

Lux raises $36M, licenses ISA247

Wed, 24 May 2006 20:01:38 -0400

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 reports positive psoriasis data

Sun, 19 Mar 2006 19:01:37 -0500

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 transplantation.

- here's the CP report for more trial information

C&L: Catalyst names Nassim Usman CEO

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 19:01:32 -0500

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 to the newly created position of CFO.

Vitae Pharmaceuticals appointed Tina Fiumenero as senior vice president, finance and administration.

Joseph Spagnardi has been promoted to senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of Inspire Pharmaceuticals.

Akorn has named David White, Ph.D. as vice president, new product development.

IsoTis OrthoBiologics has appointed Alan Donze as vice president sales.

Spectranetics has hired Stephen D. Okland, Jr., 42, as vice president of sales.

Dr Daniel Teper has joined Bionest Partners as managing director, North America.

ARYx Therapeutics named Herm Rosenman to its board of directors.

Synthetech announced that its board of directors has established a strategic development committee and appointed Dr. Daniel Fagan, chairman of the board, as the sole committee member.

Ceragenix Pharmaceuticals has appointed Donald Leung, M.D., Ph.D., to its scientific advisory board.

GlycoFi announced that Gerald Fink, Ph.D. of the Whitehead Institute and MIT has joined GlycoFi's scientific advisory board.

VisualSonics has named Jonathan Lindner, MD, as chief molecular advisor.

Neuro-Hitech Pharmaceuticals has appointed Mark Auerbach chairman of its board of directors.

Isotechnika elected Franklin M. Berger, CFA, to its board of directors.

TaiGen Biotechnology elected William Keller to its board.