avian flu virus

ALSO NOTED: Ambrilia touts data; Amarin raises $60M; and much more...

Wed, 14 May 2008 06:59:50 -0400

> Ambrilia Biopharma reported positive 24-week Phase III top-line results for prolonged-release formulation of Octreotide. Release

> Amarin is raising $60 million through a stock placement. Release

> Acorda Therapeutics CEO Ron Cohen has exercised stock options for 31,432 shares. Report

> A federal proposal requiring drug and device makers to disclose payments to doctors got a boost yesterday when Eli Lilly became the first Big Pharma to back it. Lilly report

> In an interesting twist on the usual generics news, it's the copycat makers who are predicted to suffer as competitors undercut their products. The source of this competition? None other than China. Generics report

> The NIH's Avastin/Lucentis trial could fundamentally reshape relations between payers and pharma, according to IMS Health. Report

> After weeks of pressure from Congress to request more money for the agency--and weeks of refusals to specify a figure for beefing up FDA's safety operations-FDA commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach has asked lawmakers for $275 million. FDA report

And Finally... South Korean officials have wiped out the poultry population of Seoul in an effort to combat the spread of the avian flu virus. Report

ALSO NOTED: Zogenix sells stock; Pharmasset shares jump on data; Seattle Genetics gains milestone; and much more...

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 06:59:50 -0500

> Zogenix has raised $18 million in a private placement of preferred stock. Release

> Shares of Pharmasset jumped earlier this week after the company announced positive data from an early stage study of R7128 in combination with Pegasys for chronic Hepatitis-C type 1. Report

> AtheroGenics has restructured $17.5 million of its 2008 convertible debt. Release

> Seattle Genetics has snared a $4 million milestone payment from Genentech. Release

> Researchers at UCLA have demonstrated how spinal cord injuries spur a natural ability to reorganize and restore cellular communication using alternative pathways in the nervous system. Report

> Scientists at MIT are reporting that the shape of structures in the avian flu virus closely match sugars found in the respiratory tracts of birds. Report

> A new pharma-funded study shows that lower copays equals higher adherence to drug regimens. The implications is that by spending some money up front on drugs for chronic diseases, companies might save in the long run on complications. Report

> The District of Columbia's governing council voted to require sales reps to obtain licenses, becoming the only jurisdiction in the country to do so. Report

And Finally... It's potential manna from heaven for statin makers: A new study shows the drugs may prevent cancer. Report

Reverse genetics used to create new vaccine

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 20:01:39 -0400

Using reverse genetics, a group of researchers at St. Jude's in Memphis has inactivated the avian flu virus and used it to successfully vaccinate ferrets. Researchers said that the vaccine also worked against two other strains, raising the prospect that the therapy could be used against mutated versions of avian flu. Reverse genetics also offers a new way to produce large amounts of vaccine in relatively short periods of time. No one knows when or if a pandemic may erupt, but avian flu has helped generate an intense burst of new research that may help revolutionize the decades-old technology that is now used in the labor-intensive vaccines business.

- here's the article from UPI on the vaccine research

Peregrine touts early avian flu virus data

Tue, 23 May 2006 20:01:36 -0400

Shares of Peregrine Pharmaceuticals were buoyed this morning by news that an early-stage trial of anti-viral compounds showed signs of efficacy in preventing the avian flu virus from replicating. The company used bavituximab to stop the H5N1 virus from making copies of itself in chicken eggs. Peregrine plans to begin clinical trials next month.

- read the AP report for more

PLUS: The death of seven members of the same Indonesian family is raising fears of human-to-human transmission. Article

ALSO: The cluster isn't likely to persuade the WHO to raise the alert level for a pandemic. The reason: The virus hasn't mutated yet. Report (WSJ sub. req.)

ALSO NOTED: Inspire licenses antihistamine;Antisoma wins orphan drug status; and much more...

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 19:00:50 -0500

> Inspire Pharmaceuticals has paid Boehringer Ingelheim $2.5 million up front to license an antihistamine to treat nasal allergies. Boehringer retains marketing rights outside of the U.S. and Canada. Report

> The University of Liverpool is contributing funds toward the creation of a new research center to focus on zoonosis, diseases like bird flu that start in animals and migrate to humans. Article

> France and The Netherlands have received EU permission to begin vaccinating bird flocks against the avian flu virus. Report

> Shares of the UK's Antisoma were on the rise after the company announced it had received EU orphan drug status for its aptamer drug AS1411 for the treatment of renal and pancreatic cancers. Report

> Shares of Antares Pharma of Exton, PA jumped after the biotech announced plans for a Phase III trial of its gel therapy for overactive bladder. Report

> India's Lupin is ending a deal with Cornerstone Biopharma for the distribution of its antibiotic Suprax in the U.S. Report

> CuraGen has released new data from its failed trial for velafermin as a treatment for cancer-related mouth sores. Report

> Rigel Pharmaceuticals of South San Francisco is planning new trials of R788 following the positive early results of a Phase I trial. Release

> The FDA has approved less restrictive labeling for Tasmar. Release

And Finally… A retired doctor from Austin filed suit against GlaxoSmithKline, saying that he lost $14 million in Las Vegas after doses of Requip and Mirapex turned him into a compulsive gambler. Article

ALSO NOTED: Pliva to buy generics division; Avian flu virus spreading fast; and much more...

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 19:00:50 -0500

> Fresh from wrapping a deal to sell its R&D arm to GlaxoSmithKline, Croatia's Pliva has inked a deal to buy the Spanish division of Novartis' generics division for 21.5 million euros. Report

> The avian flu virus has now penetrated Germany and Austria with a suspected case in Denmark. Report

> Abbott has selected two additional cancer targets from Celera Genomics. Celera now has seven antigens in the research pipeline with partners. Release

> Pro-Pharmaceuticals of Newton, MA is raising $10 million through a private placement. Report

> The FDA has accepted Merck's NDA for Januvia, an experimental therapy for Type 2 diabetes. Release

> Ranbaxy has reportedly made a bid for German generic manufacturer Betapharm. Report

> Emisphere Technologies of Tarrytown, NY has hit a second milestone in its collaboration with Roche on bone-related diseases. Release

> Progenics Pharmaceuticals announced positive top-line results from the second pivotal phase 3 clinical trial of methylnaltrexone for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced medical illness. Release

> Insurers are looking at big savings as generics replace a host of blockbusters this year. Report

> The FDA plans to investigate the deaths of four women who took the abortion pill RU-486. Report

> Eli Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim are restructuring their deal for Yentreve. Release

And Finally… A psychiatrist doubts that new addiction drugs will replace therapists anytime soon. Article

Editor's Corner

Sun, 05 Feb 2006 19:01:40 -0500

Rarely a day goes by that I don't see a raft of new reports related to the avian flu virus and new drug development. Today the U.S. is increasing its stockpile of experimental vaccines. As the bird flu virus steadily spreads, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and elsewhere have been working away in the lab looking for some effective means to protect the world's population. Drug developers have been working too, trying to test new therapies for treating the disease.

What's lacking here, though, is a much more effective effort by the U.S. government to bankroll research that will not only offer new ways to fight the flu virus, but radical new methods for vaccine development. We're at a stage where we can spot a pandemic before it breaks out, but with current vaccine manufacturing methods, millions may well die before new therapies can be made available. Despite its talk, the Bush administration has not set aside the funds necessary to spur this transformation. The right effort now will make a big difference for the entire world, whether this particular pandemic hits or not. This is one call to action that would enjoy support from around the globe. - John Carroll

Avian flu virus appears to be mutating

Thu, 12 Jan 2006 19:01:36 -0500

British researchers say that the Turkish strain of avian flu virus that has killed at least two children has begun to mutate toward a more infectious structure that can be more easily passed among humans. "Research has indicated that the Hong Kong 2003 viruses preferred to bind to human cell receptors more than to avian (bird) receptors, and it is expected that the Turkish virus will also have this characteristic," said Sir John Skehel, director of the MRC's National Institute for Medical Research, and the World Health Organization. Those viruses, he added, appear very close to the Turkish strains as well as the strain found near Qinghai Lake in remote western China, an area where migratory birds routinely flock to and which may prove to be a critical point for the evolution of the virus and its spread around the globe.

Avian flu has infected 150 people and killed a confirmed 78 in various countries. Disease experts fear that it could mutate into a disease that will spread easily among humans, making it more like the 1918 flu virus that killed millions at the end of World War I. The news about avian flu has shaken the long dormant vaccine business, helping drive a consolidation of the business while spurring efforts to find new ways to develop and manufacture vaccines much more efficiently. It has also spurred governments around the world to stockpile any supplies of Tamiflu they can find.

- read this article from The Daily Mail

ALSO: New cases of bird flu in Turkey has prompted Roche to offer a bigger supply of Tamiflu to Asian countries. Report

Avian flu spreads throughout Turkey

Sun, 08 Jan 2006 19:01:39 -0500

With the death toll from avian flu mounting in Turkey, international health officials now believe the deadly bird virus has been brewing in the country for months rather than weeks. New cases are being reported in Ankara as well as other rural areas of the country. So far, the virus has been linked to the deaths of two children and implicated in a third death in a remote area of the country. Reports of possible bird flu cases in Ankara are fueling concerns that the virus may be much further advanced than experts believed. So far, evidence suggests that the avian flu virus has spread from direct contact with diseased birds, but officials are also examining the possible that these clusters may be the result of a mutation that is making it easier for the super bug to spread among humans.

- read this article from The New York Times for more information

Chinese officials: Bird flu virus has mutated

Sun, 27 Nov 2005 19:01:35 -0500

Chinese health officials said they have found a mutation from the form of H5N1 that has appeared in Vietnam. However, it has not created a virus that can spread from human to human. Health officials around the world are concerned that at some point the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus will mutate into an infectious disease and threaten the lives of millions of people.

- read this report from AFX for more

Viragen shares surge on avian flu results for Multiferon

Sun, 20 Nov 2005 19:01:38 -0500

Viragen of Plantation, FL, announced that an in-vitro study of its drug Multiferon shows that it may work against the avian flu virus H5N1. The Southern Research Institute conducted the early-stage study, concluding that it appeared more active than other products that are being used to combat the virus. Viragen said the results make Multiferon a prime candidate for further study. "Multiferon may represent a different approach to treatment in that it has been shown to exhibit rather broad anti-viral activity," says Viragen CEO Charles A. Rice. "I can also confirm that separate studies are ongoing in a variety of other emerging viral threats in cooperation with a number of independent investigators."

- read this press release for more

ALSO: The news left investors scrambling to buy Viragen stock, sending shares up more than 20 percent late Friday after the company announced the results. Report

PLUS: The US is unprepared for an avian flu pandemic and won't be able to produce sufficient quantities of a vaccine for three to five years, according to the blunt assessment of HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt. Report

FINALLY: Veterinarians warn that Chinese vaccination teams sent to eradicate the avian flu virus may well end up spreading the disease if they aren't extremely careful. Article

Akzo Nobel starts work on avian flu vaccine

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 20:01:38 -0400

Dutch drug developer Akzo Nobel has begun developing a human vaccine for the H5N1 avian flu virus. The company's veterinarian unit already makes a vaccine to protect animals from the virus. The vaccine is still in an early stage, though. Human trials are expected to begin next year.

- read this AFX report for more

ALSO: Roche said it is expanding production of Tamiflu and is ready to engage in talks with any governments or other manufacturers interested in expanding supplies of the antiviral drug. Report

PLUS: Greek officials have confirmed that bird flu has arrived in their country and are testing to see if it is the same H5N1 strain that has now infected birds in Romania and Turkey as it moves westward. Article

FINALLY: British flu experts say that the chances of a pandemic breaking out increase as the virus spreads in bird populations around the world. Report