kidney cancer

Idera's cancer drug disappoints in Phase II

Maureen Martino — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:58:58 -0400

Cambridge, MA-based Idera Pharmaceuticals is reporting disappointing preliminary results from a Phase II trial of IMO-2055. The primary endpoint--tumor response based on RECIST (response evaluation criteria in solid tumors)--wasn't met. Idera looked at the bright side, however, noting that IMO-2055 was well-tolerated for prolonged treatment durations in many patients. "The progression-free survival data are comparable with other studies of immunotherapies used for this hard-to-treat RCC patient population," said Alice Bexon, MBChB, Vice President of Clinical Development. "This study has provided us with valuable experience with IMO-2055 and will help guide the clinical development of IMO-2055."

The drug is also being tested in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Merck KGaA is Idera's partner on the drug.

- see Idera's release

Related Articles:
Idera shares surge on Merck KGaA pact
Idera inks $455M pact for Merck vaccines (Dec. 2006)

A deluge of pre-ASCO data hits the market

Fri, 16 May 2008 06:59:57 -0400

As we mentioned earlier this week, data from almost 5,000 clinical studies was released last night in preparation for next week's ASCO meeting. And some of the most interesting data won't be released until the conference. In the meantime, here's a sampling of the trial results that are making waves today.

Kidney cancer patients taking Novartis' RAD001 (everolimus) had progression of their disease delayed by a year, a significantly better result than in those taking placebo. Release
Amgen's brain tumor drug AMG-102 may only work on a subset of patients. The data is from a small Phase II study of the drug. On a better note, Amgen said denosumab cut the risk of bone fractures in cancer patients, outperforming Novartis' Zometa in an early stage trial. Release
A Phase III trial of Avastin for early-stage colon cancer will be available sooner than previously thought, said Genentech, because of faster data collection and more patients with the disease. Data will be available in 2008--a full year earlier than previously planned. Release
BioVex said data from a Phase II trial of OncoVEX demonstrated an impressive rate and durability of response in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma. Release
Nektar Therapeutics announced results form a Phase I study of NKTR-102. The data shows significant anti-tumor activity in patients with refractory solid tumors. Release

Report: Wilex, GPC nearing merger pact

Wed, 07 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Two German biotech companies which share a very big investor are preparing to merge, according to a prominent German newspaper. Wilex and GPC Biotech, both involved in developing new cancer therapies, are each backed by SAP founder Dietmar Hopp. Analysts say that a merger would suit both biotechs. GPC is well funded but doesn't have the late-stage therapeutics that investors love, while Wilex has a compelling late-stage project for kidney cancer. GPC's satraplatin recently failed in a clinical trial, adding to its motivation to merge.

The companies, though, aren't talking about any of it. Complicating the rumors: A third Hopp-based biotech--Heidelberg Pharma--has also been touted as a potential partner for GPC and Wilex. Hopp owns 15 percent of GPC, 28.52 percent of Wilex and 75 percent of Heidelberg. Wilex was a 2005 Fierce 15 company.

Just days ago GPC announced a new round of layoffs, with some of its top execs headed out the door.

- read the AFX report

Antigenics gets world's first cancer vaccine approval

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 06:59:57 -0400

Russia has improbably emerged as a world leader in new cancer vaccines. The country's regulatory body approved the use of Antigenics' new kidney cancer vaccine, Oncophage--a world first. And shares of little Antigenics swiftly soared 23 percent on the news.

The FDA has not approved the therapy, one of the first of a wave of treatments that is intended to train the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer. Oncophage failed a clinical trial, but researchers found in a follow-up analysis of the data that patients taking the therapy lived 1.7 years longer without the cancer reoccurring. This is the first time Russia has approved a drug that was not yet OK'd in its country of origin.

- check out the release
- read the article from CNBC
- here's the AP story

Related Articles:
Big Pharma takes an interest in cancer vaccines. Report
Antigenics' cancer vax gets mixed Phase III results. Report
Antigenics reports positive data in brain cancer trial. Report
Antigenics shares punished on Oncophage failure. Report
Antigenics slashes staff in bid to conserve cash. Report

Novartis ends cancer trial early after hitting endpoint

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:59:58 -0500

Novartis has brought a late-stage study of its kidney cancer drug everolimus to a premature close after an independent review committee determined the therapy had extended patients' lives without disease progression--the primary endpoint. The oral drug--formerly code named RAD001--works by inhibiting the mTOR protein, which regulates cell division in tumors, much like Wyeth's Torisel. Complete data will be presented at the ASCO meeting in May. And Novartis plans to examine the therapy's use in other cancers.

"This progression-free survival benefit demonstrates the possibilities of continuous mTOR inhibition as a promising target in oncology," said David Epstein, head of Novartis' oncology unit. "Everolimus is the first compound in our dynamic oncology late-stage pipeline with six compounds in registration trials to show exciting clinical data this year."

- check out the release
- see the report from MarketWatch

ALSO: Investors are wearing frowns over Novartis' pipeline prospects. Article

PLUS: Novartis has been making an argument for use of its experimental flu vaccine ahead of any potential outbreak. Report

Related Articles:
CEO: Novartis plans big restructuring. Report
Lagging sales spur Novartis layoffs. Report
Novartis--Top 15 R&D Budgets. Report

ALSO NOTED: Biogen snares first start-up for incubator; Alkermes gains from Reliance sale; Galapagos inks deal with Lilly; and

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:59:50 -0500

> Biogen Idec has announced the first "occupant" in its Biogen Idec Innovation Incubator (bi3): Escoublac, a startup founded on the discovery of a new link between bone biology and metabolism. The company's goal is to translate this newfound biological link into new treatments for metabolic disorders like Type II diabetes and obesity. Report

> Alkermes announced that it had pocketed $166 million from the sale of its stake in Reliant Pharmaceuticals. Release

> Galapagos is pocketing a €3 million up front from Eli Lilly after signing a collaboration deal to develop new therapies for osteoporosis. Release

> Immusol has changed its name to ItherX Pharmaceuticals and named Jeffrey McKelvy as its new CEO. Report

> Several teams of scientists have been working away at creating new life forms from artificial DNA. Report

> Bioserve is hopping on the pharmacogenomics bandwagon. Report

> Scientists at London's Imperial College have developed a patch made from embryonic stem cells to repair damaged hearts. Report

> The complex genetic machinery that manages our internal body clock is controlled by a single amino acid, which could prove to be one of the biggest new drug targets of the year. Report

> AstraZeneca is plowing ahead with a new distribution deal in the UK, despite opposition from regulators there. Report

> The flip side of Big Pharma's angst over generic competition is growing exuberance about generics makers. Report

> Pfizer's Sutent is "showing the most promise" as a first-line therapy for kidney cancer, according to a new report from Datamonitor. But ironically, the most-prescribed second-line treatment--Nexavar--may not be the most effective choice in patients who started out on Sutent. Report

And Finally... By genetically engineering mice, scientists in Japan were able to switch off their fear of cats. Report

ALSO NOTED: Anadys names new CEO; Pfizer, Amgen gives to candidates; and much more...

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 06:59:50 -0400

> In the midst of a restructuring, Anadys Pharmaceuticals has named Steve Worland CEO. He had been head of pharmaceuticals. Release

> Amgen may have hit the ropes, but its ranks include some top donors to the presidential campaigns. Of course, a troubled Pfizer also made the top-donor list. Report

> Bayer and Onyx ended a late-stage trial of Nexavar for liver cancer in order to dispense the therapy to all the volunteers. Nexavar is approved for kidney cancer. Report

> India's Venus Remedies has inked a joint venture with Pharma Match R&D to sell a new generation carbapenem injectable in Europe. Report

And Finally… A slate of presidential candidates will use forums in Iowa next week to discuss cancer research. Report

Press Release: Bayer and Onyx Submit Supplemental New Drug Application for Nexavar to Treat Liver Cancer

Maureen Martino — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:30:06 -0400

Bayer and Onyx Submit Supplemental New Drug Application for Nexavar to Treat Liver Cancer

Nexavar is First Drug Therapy to Demonstrate Significant Survival Benefit in Liver Cancer

WAYNE, N.J. and EMERYVILLE, Calif., June 27, 2007 -- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that a Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Nexavar(R) (sorafenib) tablets has been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. Nexavar is currently approved in more than 50 countries for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer. The companies also confirmed that they are planning a company- sponsored Phase 3 study of Nexavar in the adjuvant treatment of HCC following the complete removal of early stage liver cancer.

The sNDA submission is based on positive data from the international, Phase 3, placebo-controlled Sorafenib HCC Assessment Randomized Protocol (SHARP) trial which demonstrated that Nexavar extended overall survival by 44 percent in patients with HCC (HR=0.69; p=0.0006) versus placebo. There were no significant differences in serious adverse event rates between the Nexavar and placebo-treated groups with the most commonly observed adverse events in patients receiving Nexavar being diarrhea and hand-foot skin reaction. Currently, there are no FDA-approved drug therapies that significantly extend survival of patients with liver cancer.

"These results are particularly meaningful considering that death rates from liver cancer continue to increase," said Susan Kelley, M.D., vice president, Therapeutic Area Oncology, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals. "After more than 100 clinical studies of many agents over three decades, Nexavar is the first drug therapy to demonstrate a significant survival benefit for patients with HCC, and, if approved, may fulfill a serious unmet need with a manageable toxicity profile."

HCC, the most common form of liver cancer, is responsible for about 90 percent of the primary liver cancers in adults.(1,2) It is the fifth most common cancer in the world(3) and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally.(4) Over 600,000 cases of HCC are diagnosed globally each year(4) (about 19,000 in the United States(5) and 32,000 in the European Union(6)) and in 2002 approximately 600,000 people (about 13,000 Americans and 57,000 Europeans) died of HCC.(7)

"This filing exemplifies our commitment to providing valuable therapeutic options for significant unmet needs in cancer treatment," said Hank Fuchs, M.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer of Onyx. "We believe that Nexavar will become the reference standard of care in HCC, and will help advance our development program, which includes clinical trials studying Nexavar alone and in combination with other therapies across many different cancer types, including melanoma, non-small cell lung and breast cancer."

Nexavar's Differentiated Mechanism

Nexavar targets both the tumor cell and tumor vasculature. In preclinical studies, Nexavar has been shown to target members of two classes of kinases known to be involved in both cell proliferation (growth) and angiogenesis (blood supply) -- two important processes that enable cancer growth. These kinases included Raf kinase, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, PDGFR-B, KIT, FLT-3 and RET. Preclinical models have also demonstrated that Raf/MEK/ERK has a role in HCC; therefore blocking signaling through Raf-1 may offer therapeutic benefits in HCC.

Important Safety Considerations for U.S. Patients Taking Nexavar

Based on the currently approved package insert for the treatment of patients with advanced kidney cancer, hypertension may occur early in the course of therapy and blood pressure should be monitored weekly during the first six weeks of therapy and treated as needed. Incidence of bleeding regardless of causality was 15% for Nexavar vs. 8% for placebo and the incidence of treatment-emergent cardiac ischemia/infarction was 2.9% for Nexavar vs. 0.4% for placebo. Most common treatment-emergent adverse events with Nexavar were diarrhea, rash/desquamation, fatigue, hand-foot skin reaction, alopecia, and nausea. Grade 3/4 adverse events were 38% for Nexavar vs. 28% for placebo. Women of child-bearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant and advised against breast-feeding. In cases of any severe or persistent side effects, temporary treatment interruption, dose modification or permanent discontinuation should be considered.

For U.S. Nexavar prescribing information, visit www.nexavar.com or call 1.866.NEXAVAR (1.866.639.2827).

About Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies that target the molecular mechanisms that cause cancer. The company is developing Nexavar(R), a small molecule drug, with Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Nexavar is approved for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer in more than 50 countries. For more information about Onyx's pipeline and activities, visit the company's web site at: www.onyx-pharm.com.

About Bayer HealthCare

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals unit of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a division of Bayer AG. One of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry, Bayer HealthCare combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions. In the US, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals comprises the following business units: Women's Healthcare, Diagnostic Imaging, Specialized Therapeutics, Hematology/Cardiology and Oncology. The company's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

About Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany

Bayer Schering Pharma is a worldwide leading specialty pharmaceutical company. Its research and business activities are focused on the following areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Hematology/Cardiology, Oncology, Primary Care, Specialized Therapeutics and Women's Healthcare. With innovative products, Bayer Schering Pharma aims for leading positions in specialized markets worldwide. Using new ideas, Bayer Schering Pharma aims to make a contribution to medical progress and strives to improve quality of life.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including its Form 20-F). Bayer assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

This news release also contains "forward-looking statements" of Onyx within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include without limitation, statements regarding the timing, progress and results of the clinical development, regulatory processes, and commercialization efforts of Nexavar. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those anticipated. Reference should be made to Onyx's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading "Risk Factors" and Onyx's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for a more detailed description of such factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements that speak only as of the date of this release. Onyx undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date of this release except as required by law.

Galil Medical gains $52M in VC

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 19:01:34 -0500

Thomas, McNerney and The Vertical Group have led a $52 million venture round for Israel's Galil Medical. Galil Medical develops and markets a cryotherapy platform that uses freezing technology and proprietary needle design for treating prostate and kidney cancer as well as other conditions. Galil has more than $20 million in annual revenue.

"We are now well positioned both organizationally and financially, to expand our global sales and marketing activities as well as to invest in R&D and clinical programs required to support existing and new applications for our cryotherapy technology," says CEO Chen Barir.

- read the release on the round

Bayer, Onyx announce disappointing Nexavar results

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 19:01:37 -0500

In a late-stage disappointment, Bayer and partner Onyx Pharmaceuticals have announced that their skin cancer drug Nexavar did not meet the primary endpoint of progression-free survival. Nexavar, which has received both Fast Track and Orphan Drug Status, was approved last year as a therapy for advanced renal-cell carcinoma. Previously, Bayer and Onyx also announced that a late-stage trial of Nexavar for kidney cancer failed to demonstrate increased survival rates. It is still being tested for the treatment of liver and lung cancer.

"This trial does not change our commitment to, and belief in, Nexavar. We hope to demonstrate utility in a wide variety of tumors and we will continue to broaden our clinical program, including increasing our attention to the more common malignancies in which anti-angiogenics have demonstrated activity," said Hollings C. Renton, Onyx's chairman, president, and CEO.

- see the press release on the trial results

ALSO NOTED: Nektar closes UK site; Martines resigns from NSP; and much more...

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 20:00:50 -0400

> Nektar Therapeutics has closed a site in the U.K. that employs 35 workers. Report

> Chutes & Ladders: Sergio Martines has resigned as a director, president and CEO of NSP Pharma. Release

> Inspire Pharmaceuticals has launched a Phase III clinical trial to evaluate its drug candidate, denufosol tetrasodium Inhalation Solution, in patients with mild cystic fibrosis lung disease. Release

> Pfizer has won conditional marketing approval from the EU for Sutent as a therapy against a type of advanced kidney cancer. Report

> UCB has submitted an NDA for the approval of Xyzal (levocetirizine dihydrochloride), a new prescription antihistamine for treatment of allergy symptoms. Release

> Glaxo is seeking marketing approval in the U.S. and Europe for a new medicine to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis. Release

And Finally… Researchers say they've found a second DNA code which may help illuminate how cells activate genes. Article

Big pharmas reveal flood of cancer drugs at ASCO

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 20:01:39 -0400

New York Times biotech scribe Andrew Pollack takes a look at the work GSK, Pfizer and Wyeth are doing to muscle their way into the lucrative cancer market. All three are offering up advancements in oncology at this year's ASCO meeting in Atlanta. None were very active in cancer research several years ago, but with Genentech and ImClone making big headlines and big profits in the field, this is one market niche that can no longer be ignored. Pollack cites figures from PhRMA that show that 178 drug developers have some 400 new cancer therapies in the pipeline, three times the number being studied for heart attack and stroke. Doctors welcome the "flood," but the sudden arrival of competing therapies could finally drive down prices. For now, of course, the primary trend continues to be finding how high prices can go.

- read the article from The New York Times

PLUS: Antigenics reported that Oncophage failed to demonstrate it was better than other therapies for melanoma. The biotech says it will now test the therapy in combination with others. Report

ALSO: New data for Sutent, Tykerb and temsirolimus all made headlines over the weekend. Report

AND: Shares of Sanofi-Aventis were buoyed after researchers issued positive new survival data on Taxotere at ASCO. Report

PLUS: Bayer and Onyx announced that a late-stage trial of Nexavar for kidney cancer failed to demonstrate increased survival rates. Report

FINALLY: Combination cancer therapies may replace chemotherapy as a primary method for treating cancer. Report

Antigenics shares punished on Oncophage failure

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 19:01:39 -0500

Antigenics' stock took a beating this morning after the biotech reported that its experimental cancer drug, Oncophage, flunked a late-stage trial. The primary endpoint was an increase in the duration of recurrence-free survival among kidney cancer patients who are at a high risk of the disease after surgery. Researchers said that Oncophage showed a trend toward recurrence-free survival but not enough to show a significant gain. Investors punished the company, sending shares down 44 percent. Antigenics says it will suspend the second phase of the trial as it analyzes the data and determines how best to proceed.

The company also announced an immediate restructuring plan. "This restructuring will involve temporarily discontinuing all late-stage clinical programs and concentrating on Phase I and preclinical programs, including Aroplatin, AG-707, higher-activity Oncophageand AU-801," the company announced. "In addition, Antigenics will continue to support and develop its QS-21 business partnerships, with the goal of generating royalties as early as 2009."

- here's the release for more information

PLUS: Banc of America analyst Lei Zhong hit it on the head a month ago. Report

FDA approves Pfizer's Sutent for cancer

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 19:01:37 -0500

The FDA has approved Pfizer's cancer drug Sutent for advanced kidney cancer and a rare stomach cancer, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. Pfizer says it expects to make the drug available February 3, with a six-week regimen of the therapy costing $4,000 and an annual supply priced at $38,000.

- read this AFX report for more information

PLUS: As of late Friday morning Pfizer was still awaiting final word from the FDA on the fate of Exubera. Report

FDA approves Nexavar for kidney cancer

Tue, 20 Dec 2005 19:01:39 -0500

The FDA has approved Nexavar for advanced renal cell carcinoma, a common form of kidney cancer. The drug was developed by Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Onyx Pharmaceuticals. In trials, Nexavar extended the time for tumor progression or death from 84 days to 167 days. The active ingredient in Nexavar--sorafenib--works by inhibiting enzymes that play a role in the growth of tumors.

- read this AP report for more information

ALSO: Despite all the attention commanded by new cancer drugs, experts at the FDA have been worried by the steady slowdown in the pace of new approvals for oncology therapies. The FDA wants to see a commitment to using better science to find better therapies. But so far, most of the new cancer drugs we've been seeing are radically expensive and provide only marginal gains in survival. The most recent approval--Nexavar--underscores the challenges faced by drug makers. Article

Antigenics slashes staff in bid to conserve cash

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 19:01:39 -0500

Antigenics is slashing one-third of its staff and focusing on its "highest potential products" in a bid to fashion a successful new drug development strategy while conserving cash. The New York-based biotech says that it will eliminate approximately 81 jobs. Data analysis for its Oncophage kidney cancer trial should be completed in March of 2006. "We have elected to take decisive and prudent actions now in order to preserve our cash and position the company to maximize the full value of our diverse portfolio," said Garo H. Armen, Ph.D., chairman and CEO of Antigenics.

- read this release for more information

ALSO NOTED: FDA wants more safety data on Pargluva; Genentech disappointed by Tarceva, Avastin combo; Schering takes stake in S

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 20:00:50 -0400

> The FDA issued an "approvable" letter for Bristol-Myers Squibb's Pargluva but wants more safety data before it allows the drug to be marketed. An expert panel had recommended approval despite staff concerns about cardiovascular problems. Report

> Genentech has decided to abandon studies of a combined regimen of Tarceva and Avastin for kidney cancer after finding the response rate was similar to Avastin alone. Article

> Germany's Schering is taking a 15 percent equity stake in Sonus Pharmaceuticals in exchange for the global license to its Tocosol Paclitaxel cancer drug. Report

> Xencor of Monrovia, CA, recently closed on a $20 million venture round led by Zen Investments. Release

> Kosan Biosciences dropped a Phase II trial of a cancer drug after too few patients responded to treatment. Report

> GSK's Havrix has gained expanded approval for use in preventing hepatitis A in children 12 months and older. Release

> Eli Lilly says that an experimental anti-clotting drug in development with Sankyo outperformed Plavix in head-to-head tests. Report

> The University of Minnesota plans to pull licenses to its gene therapy work from the startup Discovery Genomics after the company failed to meet funding benchmarks. Article

> Chutes & Ladders: Zelos Therapeutics has named Brian MacDonald, MB, ChB, PhD, as CEO. Release

And Finally... Voters in California are being presented with rival drug plans for the poor. Article

ALSO NOTED: Sorafenib NDA to get priority review; BioSante inks licensing deal; GTx to use FDA recommendations in trial; and mu

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 20:00:50 -0400

> An NDA from Bayer and Onyx Pharmaceuticals for the kidney cancer drug Sorafenib has been given priority review status by the FDA. The status should lead to a decision on the drug within six months. Story

> BioSante Pharmaceuticals of Lincolnshire, Illinois, has signed a licensing deal with an undisclosed company that it said will be worth up to $10 million. Report

> GTx said it will implement FDA recommendations in the design of its Phase III trial of its experimental prostate cancer therapy. Release

> Teva Pharmaceutical said the FDA has granted final approval for its ANDA for Leflunomide Tablets, a generic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Release

And Finally... M.D. Anderson is resuming a study to see if the Cox-2 inhibitor Celebrex can prevent lung damage. Researchers say they'll be on the alert for any cardiovascular risks. Article

EpiCept to buy Maxim for $136M

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 20:01:36 -0400

EpiCept is buying San Diego-based Maxim Pharmaceuticals for $136 million in stock. The deal will add Maxim's 55 workers and Ceplene, an experimental drug for acute myeloid leukemia and kidney cancer. Maxim is also collaborating with Schering-Plough on a drug for hepatitis C. EpiCept, which has operations in New Jersey and Germany, is expected to retain Maxim's San Diego research facility.

- read this article from New York Business for more