Adolor

Progenics, Wyeth drug fails late-stage trial

Thu, 22 May 2008 06:59:55 -0400

There's more bad news for Wyeth and Progenics Pharmaceuticals for their late-stage drug Relistor. Researchers say the drug failed to hit a primary endpoint in restoring gastrointestinal function following surgery. Just as in another late-stage trial, preliminary data revealed no significant reduction in recovery time to a first bowel movement after surgery. Relistor won approval from the FDA for treating opioid-induced constipation. The companies say they'll study the data before deciding how to proceed with their research plans.

In a separate Phase II trial involving 122 patients with chronic, non-malignant pain who were receiving opioids for pain management, "the once daily oral formulation of Relistor showed statistically significant activity as assessed by the occurrence of spontaneous bowel movements and other efficacy measures."

Earlier this week Adolor and GSK won approval for Entereg for post-operative ileus, making it the only such drug on the market.

- read the press release
- here's the AP story

FDA OKs Adolor's Entereg in first approval

Wed, 21 May 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Exton, PA-based Adolor hit a major milestone with the FDA's approval of Entereg for postoperative ileus, a common condition following surgery that can extend a patient's hospital stay. This is the first approval for Adolor, which partnered with GlaxoSmithKline to get the drug through the approval process. Adolor gained $50 million up front from its pact with GSK and signed on to up to $220 million more in milestones.

The FDA's approval marks "the culmination of a substantial collaborative effort among Adolor, GlaxoSmithKline, and our clinical investigators," Adolor CEO Michael R. Dougherty said in a statement. "Entereg is the first and only product that has demonstrated the ability to address this serious condition, which has negative consequences for patients, and imposes considerable expense on the health-care system."

It wasn't easy. Researchers had to deal with two approvable letters from the FDA, in 2005 and 2006, and a three-month delay at the beginning of the year.

- check out this release
- read the report from the Triangle Business Journal

FDA delays Entereg decision

Fri, 09 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

GlaxoSmithKline and Adolor's seemingly never-ending effort to win approval for Entereg has hit yet another delay. The FDA informed the companies that it would not make a decision by Saturday, the drug's PDUFA date. No date was given but the FDA said it would provide further details soon in an action letter.

GSK and Adolor have been attempting to gain FDA approval for Entereg since 2006, when the agency issued an approval letter and asked the companies for additional safety data. If approved, Entereg will be used to treat postoperative ileus in bowel resection.

- here's the release

GSK, Adolor face another Entereg delay

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:59:58 -0500

The FDA has told Adolor and GSK that it will take three more months to review Entereg, a anti-constipation drug candidate. The agency is now expected to announce its decision on May 10. Recently, an FDA advisory committee narrowly endorsed the drug, saying that the benefits of the drug outweigh the potential risk of heart attacks that has been associated with Entereg. Adolor also submitted an updated risk management plan for the drug today.

GSK and Adolor have been attempting to gain FDA approval for Entereg since 2006, when the agency issued an approval letter and asked the companies for additional safety data.

- see this release for more

Related Articles:
Entereg wins key FDA advisory committee vote. Report
Adolor shares rise on NDA news. Report
Investors cheer FDA's acceptance of Entereg response. Report
FDA wants more safety data on Entereg. Report
Adolor shelves Entereg studies; shares plunge. Report
FDA needs more data on Adolor drug. Report
Adolor hit by FDA's approvable letter for Entereg. Report

Entereg wins key FDA advisory committee vote

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:59:56 -0500

The FDA's gastrointestinal drug advisory committee narrowly endorsed Entereg, a new drug for postoperative ileus in bowel resection. The vote came down 9 to 6 in Entereg's favor. The FDA is considering an NDA for the drug, which is being developed by Adolor and GlaxoSmithKline. There are currently no drugs approved for this indication.

"A majority of the committee agreed that Entereg produced clinically meaningful acceleration in [gastrointestinal] recovery in bowel resection patients," said Yvonne Greenstreet, senior vice president of the medicine development center at Glaxo, in a statement. "Postoperative ileus can be uncomfortable for the patient, hinder post surgical recovery and delay hospital discharge in bowel resection patients."

- see this release
- check out the report from AFX

Related Articles:
Adolor shares rise on NDA news. Report
Investors cheer FDA's acceptance of Entereg response. Report
FDA wants more safety data on Entereg. Report
Adolor shelves Entereg studies; shares plunge. Report
FDA needs more data on Adolor drug. Report
Adolor hit by FDA's approvable letter for Entereg. Report

Pfizer, Adolor ink pain drug deal

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Continuing on its deal-making quest, Pfizer has signed an agreement with Exton, PA-based Adolor for ADL5859 and ADL5747. The two pain drugs treat a range of conditions, including inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain. ADL5859 is currently in Phase II trials and ADL5747 is set to begin Phase I trials in the first quarter of 2008. Adolor gains an upfront payment of $30 million along with $1.9 million reimbursement for previous development costs. The company could earn up to $232.5 million in milestone payments.

"This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to executing against the R&D plan we outlined, including expanding our Phase 2 portfolio with a strong focus in our key therapeutic areas," said Dr. Martin Mackay, president of Pfizer Global Research and Development. "Pfizer has a strong history in bringing to market novel pain solutions including Lyrica, Neurontin and Celebrex. However, there still remains a significant unmet medical need for patients suffering from a variety of debilitating pain conditions."

- see this release for more

ALSO: Take a look at Pfizer's pipeline. Report

Related Articles:
Speculation soars over Pfizer's interest in biotech. Report
Pfizer tops the charts in global R&D spending. Report
Pfizer hires new R&D chief, launches biotech center. Report
Investors cheer FDA's acceptance of Adolor's Entereg response. Report

ALSO NOTED: Adolor shares rise on NDA news; Indevus plans Phase III; Exelixis earns milestone; and much more...

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:59:50 -0500

> Shares of Adolor surged on the news that the FDA's Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee will review the new drug application for the pain drug Entereg on Jan. 23. Report

> Backed by a fresh batch of positive, mid-stage data for its experimental therapy to treat a rare hormone condition, Indevus says it will launch Phase III by mid-2008. Release

> Exelixis has earned a $5 million milestone payment from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Report

> Belgium's Galapagos wins up to $2.4 million in upfront fees and research funds in a development deal with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics. Up to $5.7 million in milestones is also on the table. Report

> Protein therapy company Medgenics has raised £3.28 million from a share placing with investors. Report

> AstraZeneca got a bit of a windfall today from the FDA, which granted six extra months of exclusive marketing rights to its Arimidex cancer drug. Report

> New warnings and warning recommendations are flying out of the FDA this week like geese flying south for the winter, partly because of an FDA advisory panel is meeting. Report

> Talk about an outpouring of adverse-event reports. After WFAA-TV in Dallas reported musician Carter Albrecht's violent death--perhaps under the influence of Pfizer's smoking-cessation drug Chantix--more than 5,000 complaints about the med's side effects poured into the FDA. Report

And Finally… Hospital superbugs that can break down antibiotics are so widespread throughout Europe that doctors increasingly have to use the few remaining drugs that they reserve for emergencies. Release

ALSO NOTED: Vernalis reports "striking" weight loss in trial; Genmab shares surge on Phase III; FDA wants more time on Entereg;

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 06:59:50 -0400

> Vernalis is reporting "striking" weight loss results in its Phase I trial of the obesity drug V24343. Release

> Shares of Genmab surged today after the company reported that it's pushing HuMax-EGFr (zalutumumab) into Phase III for head and neck cancer. Report

> Adolor says that the FDA wants more time to review submissions before it decides on whether it will lift a clinical hold on Entereg for postoperative ileus. Report

> A new study of the breast cancer drug tamoxifen demonstrates that it not only works against bipolar disease, it also works faster than many standard therapies. Report

> Sucampo Pharmaceuticals and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America announced that the first patient has been enrolled in a Phase III study of lubiprostone for opioid-induced bowel dysfunction. Release

> Anesiva has initiated a new Phase II study of Adlea for the relief of post-operative pain in patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery. Release

> Trasylol got something of a reprieve yesterday when an FDA advisory panel recommended that it stay on the market. Report

> When does good news feel almost bad? When a blockbuster drug is deemed the juiciest on the market--but the wolves are circling. If this sounds like Lipitor to you, you're right. Report

And Finally… A U.S. biotech company, Yorktown Technologies, is seeking regulatory permission to import and sell fish that have been genetically modified to glow. Researchers have been developing the fish to identify contaminated waters--though it looks like there could be quite a market among exotic fish lovers. Report

Investors cheer FDA's acceptance of Entereg response

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 06:59:54 -0400

Shares of Adolor took off this morning, climbing 18 percent after the company issued a joint release with GlaxoSmithKline that the FDA had accepted their response to the agency's approvable letter for the constipation drug Entereg (alvimopan). The FDA had placed the trials on clinical hold and asked for more data. The companies are waiting on a request to lift the clinical hold so they can resume trials.

"The FDA informed Adolor that the response is considered a complete class 2 response with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of February 10, 2008," according to the release.

- see the release
- read the report from Hemscott

Related Articles:
FDA wants more safety data on Entereg. Report
Adolor shelves Entereg studies; shares plunge. Report
FDA needs more data on Adolor drug. Report
Adolor hit by FDA's approvable letter for Entereg. Report
Adolor shares in meltdown on trial data. Report

ALSO NOTED: Judge clears Exubera sales; Obagi prices IPO; Novartis sells med nutrition business; and much more...

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:01:30 -0500

> A federal judge has refused a demand from Novo Nordisk to block sales of Pfizer's inhalable insulin Exubera, saying that patients' right to obtain the therapy were more important than its claims that Pfizer had violated its patents. Report

> Obagi Medical Products, which makes prescription skin care products, has priced its IPO at $11 a share. Report

> Nestle is buying the medical nutrition business of Novartis for $2.5 billion. Novartis has made it clear that it intends to focus on healthcare. Report

> Following in Eli Lilly and Merck's footsteps, Adolor is cutting 52 jobs--including 35 in its sales force--after the FDA has asked for more information on its experimental bowel drug Entereg. The company also appointed COO Michael Dougherty as its new CEO. Release

> Novartis says that the FDA has extended its review process for the blood pressure drug Tekturna by three months so it can evaluate new data. Report

> The GAO reports that the FDA has grown lax in its oversight of drug advertising, making fewer citations for false and misleading ads while taking longer to do it. Article (WSJ sub. req.)

> Bristol-Myers Squibb is licensing two patents for experimental diabetes therapies from OSI Pharmaceuticals. Release

> GlaxoSmithKline has begun a late-stage trial of Tykerb to evaluate its effectiveness against breast cancer. Report

> Roche has helped develop a nanomechanical sensing device that can be used to detect a person's response to drug therapy. Report

> Researchers at the University of Buffalo say they have developed a monoclonal antibody that has significantly extended the lives of mice engineered to carry breast cancer tumors. Report

> Scientists in the U.S. and Europe have identified proteins that can serve as an early warning of Alzheimer's, which in turn would allow for better treatment at an earlier stage for many patients. Report

> Researchers have identified an adult stem cell in hair follicles that appears to have the ability to diversify in much the same way that embryonic stem cells can. Report

> The journal Nature examines a remarkable family in Pakistan that is unable to feel pain due to a genetic mutation. Researchers believe that their rare condition could lead to innovative treatments for pain management. Report

> And Finally… Indian scientists are returning home as their country emerges as a leading player in the drug development field. Article (sub. req.)

Adolor hit by FDA's approvable letter for Entereg

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 19:01:36 -0500

Adolor shares took a tumble early this morning after the company announced that the FDA had issued an approvable letter for the postoperative bowel therapy Entereg, a drug it is developing with GlaxoSmithKline. Glaxo shares shed some value in early trading as analysts seemed chiefly concerned that this new delay for Entereg signaled yet another holdup for the big European drug developer. The FDA asked for 12-month safety data including an analysis of cardiovascular risks as well as a risk management plan. An ongoing study of Entereg should wrap in the first quarter of 2007. Data from an Entereg study demonstrated that patients taking the disease who had heart disease were at a high risk of cardiovascular events, an outcome researchers for the companies said was to be expected. Entereg is being developed to treat the nausea, vomiting and other side effects commonly associated with surgery. The ongoing late-stage trial is to determine Entereg's ability to relieve constipation among patients taking opiates for chronic pain.

- here's the AP report on Entereg

Related Articles:
Adolor shares in meltdown on trial data. Report
GSK, Adolor upbeat on Phase IIb Entereg data. Report

ALSO NOTED: Adolor to give back pain patch; Dynavax pursues universal flu vaccine; Charles River buys Northwest Kinetics; and m

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:01:30 -0500

> Adolor has decided to stop its work on a pain patch licensed three years ago and will hand it back to EpiCept. Adolor says it wants to devote its resources to other development projects. Report

> The San Jose Mercury News profiles Dynavax's work in developing a universal flu vaccine. Article

> Charles River Laboratories has acquired Northwest Kinetics, a 150-bed facility engaged in branded drug studies, for $29.5 million. Report

> Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' IL-1 Trap hit its primary endpoints in a Phase III trial for CIAS1-related autoinflammatory periodic syndromes, or CAPS Regeneron says its will ask the FDA for approval in the second quarter of next year. Report

> The European Commission has granted CytRx's ALS drug arimoclomol orphan drug status. Release

> Sigma Pharmaceuticals has increased its bid for Australian Pharmaceutical Industries. Report

> Human Genome Sciences is touting positive data from a mid-stage trial of its hepatitis drug Albuferon with ribavarin. Report

And Finally… Harvard biologist Marc D. Hauser believes that evolution has programmed our essential views of morality into our neural circuits. Article

Adolor shares in meltdown on trial data

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 20:01:38 -0400

Researchers at Adolor have received mixed signals from two Phase III trials of alvimopan to treat opioid-induced bowel dysfunction in patients with chronic, non-cancer pain. One study hit its primary endpoint and the other failed to achieve statistical significance. That news sent investors for the exits, sending Adolor's stock down 54 percent. Alvimopan, which is Adolor's lead product and is being developed in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, also failed a Phase IIb trial for cancer pain. Adolor, though, noted that the late-stage failure came in a trial that hit its secondary endpoint for a change in frequency of spontaneous bowel movements. In that study, 63 percent of participants taking alvimopan met the primary endpoint compared to 56 percent of patients taking a placebo.

- here's the report on Adolor from MarketWatch

ALSO NOTED: LAB International plans spinoff; Merck backs off Vioxx analysis; and much more...

Tue, 30 May 2006 20:00:50 -0400

> LAB International plans to spin off its contract research organization through an IPO. Report

> Merck has backed off its assertion that its analysis of a statistical test demonstrated that Vioxx caused damage only after 18 months of regular use. That has been a core part of its defense against an avalanche of lawsuits over Vioxx. Article

> Adolor says the FDA has accepted its response to the agency's approvable letter for Entereg. Report

> The FDA and the EMEA have agreed to joint briefing meetings on the submission of genomic data. Report

> Millennium Pharmaceuticals announced that preliminary results for its monoclonal antibody MLN1202 for atherosclerosis met its primary endpoint in a Phase II trial. Report

> In a head-to-head study, Teva says that a comparison of Copaxone and Biogen Idec's Avonex shows that Copaxone continues to work after patients no longer respond to Avonex. Israel's Teva said that Copaxone reduce annual relapse rates by an additional 57 percent over Avonex, adding that neurologic disability did not deteriorate in 86 percent of patients. Copaxone was originally approved by the FDA 10 years ago. Release

> Regeneron Pharmaceuticals says the FDA has given fast track status to its chronic inflammation therapy. Report

> Cubist Pharmaceuticals plans to sell $275 million in notes to retire debt and help commercialize Cubicin. Report

> Japan's Toyama has filed an application to market its garenoxacin antibiotic, T-3811, in Japan. Report

> Inspire Pharmaceuticals plans to file an INDA for its experimental seasonal allergic rhinitis. Report

> Bio-Bridge Science announced it has finished construction of a research and manufacturing facility in Beijing. Release

> DiscoveRx Corporation announced its new strategic vision to focus on expanding its development of a series of innovative biochemical and cell based assays. Release

And Finally… A new survey suggests that the rate of new HIV infections has begun to fall. Article

GSK, Adolor upbeat on Phase IIb Entereg data

Wed, 03 May 2006 20:01:38 -0400

GlaxoSmithKline and Adolor are reporting positive data from a Phase IIb study of Entereg (alvimopan) for negating the side effects of opioids like morphine. "Millions of people worldwide take opioids chronically to treat moderate to severe pain and about half of them will suffer from associated constipation, abdominal pain, discomfort and bloating. Constipation can lead to serious complications and in some cases can be life threatening. Often patients cannot receive enough opioid to manage their pain due to constipation. The findings from this study suggest that alvimopan may play an important role in treating these GI side effects in patients by blocking the effects opioids have on the gut without adversely impacting the effect on pain control," said Dr. Lynn Webster, Lifetree Clinical Research and Pain Clinic, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

- here's the release on Entereg

New trial data adds support for Entereg

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 19:01:39 -0500

Shares of Exton, PA-based Adolor soared on positive data from a pivotal trial for Entereg, a drug in development with GlaxoSmithKline to speed gastrointestinal recovery following surgery. Entereg had been the subject of an FDA "approvable" letter last July, though the agency had requested more data on the drug before it could be approved. The new data on a trial involving 654 patients showed that patients taking Entereg demonstrated a statistically significant improved response compared to patients receiving a placebo. Researchers say they will file a full response to the FDA by June.

- read this article from the Philadelphia Inquirer for more

ALSO NOTED: Vasopharm raises $11.8M; Adolor delays trial; Nuvelo prices shares;and much more...

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 19:00:50 -0500

> Germany's Vasopharm Biotech has closed its second round of venture capital with $11.8 million. Release

> Adolor says it will have to delay human studies of an experimental pain therapy after the FDA demanded more safety data and more input on the planned trial. Report

> Nuvelo of San Carlos, CA, has priced an offering of 6.5 million shares of common stock at $16 each. Release

> Cytori has received an $11 million milestone from its joint venture with Olympus. Release

> With its stock on the rebound, Schering-Plough says it's ready to go on the hunt for new acquisitions. Report

> SGX has cut the asking price on its IPO to $6 to $7 a share. Report

> Vyteris Holdings is cutting its work force by one-third. Release

> The FDA has granted fast track review status for Schering-Plough's oral hepatitis C protease inhibitor that is currently in Phase II. Report

> Vion Pharmaceuticals of New Haven, CT, plans to conduct a pivotal Phase II trial of its anticancer agent Cloretazine in elderly patients with acute myelogenous leukemia. Release

> AEterna Zentaris has regained the exclusive rights to its lead Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone antagonist product candidate. Release

> Codexis will receive an undisclosed milestone payment from Bristol-Myers Squibb and has extended the terms of an earlier announced research agreement. Release

> GTx and Gen-Probe will collaborate on a research-stage diagnostic test. Release

And Finally... The New York Times examines how the drug industry lobbies in all 50 state legislatures, where drug initiatives are commonplace. Article

C&L: Herrera named NeoPharm CEO

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 19:01:32 -0500

NeoPharm named Guillermo A. Herrera as president and CEO. Herrera spent 24 years at Abbott Laboratories and most recently served as senior vice president, international operations and president of Abbott International.

N. Anthony Coles, M.D., M.P.H., has been appointed as president and COO of NPS Pharmaceuticals. He had been senior vice president, commercial operations for Vertex.

Talecris Biotherapeutics has made three top appointments: Alberto Martinez, M.D., has assumed the position of president and CEO; John Hanson has assumed the position of CFO, and Mel Asbury has been named senior vice president of human resources.

Encysive Pharmaceuticals has named Gordon H. Busenbark CFO. Busenbark joins Encysive from Baxter Healthcare.

Adolor has hired Thomas Hess, CPA, as vice president, finance and CFO. Hess had been corporate controller at Vicuron Pharmaceuticals.

Metabolex hired Paul Quinlan as general counsel. He joins Metabolex from Maxygen, where he served as chief corporate securities counsel.

Neurocrine Biosciences has appointed Chris O'Brien, M.D., senior vice president of clinical development. Dr. O'Brien most recently held positions at Elan Pharmaceuticals and Prestwick Pharmaceuticals.

Clinical Data appointed two new key members of the company's senior management team: Carol Reed, M.D., as senior vice president and chief medical officer; and John A. Schultz as senior vice president, corporate development.

Timothy Moses has resigned as an officer and director of Nova Biogenetics.

Athenagen announced that co-founder (Ken) M. Kengatharan, Ph.D., joined the company in a full-time capacity as vice president, pre-clinical R&D.

GlaxoSmithKline made three senior appointments to lead its UK-based clinical-imaging and experimental-medicine research programs: Paul Matthews has been appointed vice president, imaging; Ed Bullmore has been appointed vice president, experimental medicine; Marc Laruelle has been appointed vice president for clinical molecular imaging.

Bentley Pharmaceuticals hired Fred Feldman, Ph.D., as vice president of research and development.

Ramkumar Mandalam, Ph.D., has joined Cellerant Therapeutics as vice president of pharmaceutical operations. Dr. Mandalam was formerly executive director of product development for Geron.

Lawrence R. Moreau has been elected to the board of directors of Sequenom.

HistoRx named Dr. Ronald M. Lindsay, Ph.D., former chief scientific officer and vice president of research and development at diaDexus, to its board of directors.

Admiral William J. Crowe has retired from the board of directors of Emergent Biosolutions.

Adams Respiratory Therapeutics named John N. Lilly to its board of directors.

SGX Pharmaceuticals has elected Karin Eastham to the company's board of directors.

C&L: Alethia BioTherapeutics names Cornellier new CEO

Tue, 02 Aug 2005 20:01:32 -0400

Alethia BioTherapeutics has appointed Yves Cornellier as president and CEO. He had been senior vice president, business development for LAB International since October 2003, subsequent to the acquisition of Seyvika Pharmaceuticals, of which he was the founder.

David R. Brennan will take over as CEO of AstraZeneca on January 1 when Sir Tom McKillop resigns. Brennan is an executive director of AstraZeneca and executive vice president, North America, responsible for the company's business in the US and Canada.

Eric J. Leire, MD, MBA, was named CEO of ParinGenix. He previously served as president and CEO of APT Therapeutics.

Adolor CEO Bruce Peacock is leaving the company to run a chain of low-cost health clinics. David Madden, the current chairman of the company's board of directors, was elected the interim president and CEO to replace Peacock.

Gary Schweikhardt, co-founder and CEO of Epigenomics' US subsidiary, in Seattle, will retire at the end of 2005 due to personal reasons.

MTM Laboratories has named Robert Silverman president of its new US subsidiary. For the past 18 months, Silverman has provided strategic management consulting services to MTM through his company, RS Consulting.

Jack Armstrong, Jr., executive vice president and COO of Genaera, has been promoted to president and COO.

Michael Cross, Viventia Biotech's COO, has resigned from his position for personal reasons.

Mark H. Burroughs, Osteotech's vice president, finance and treasurer, has been named to succeed Michael J. Jeffries as executive vice president, CFO and secretary.

Structural GenomiX has named James Rotherham as CFO and Peter Myers, PhD, as vice president of drug discovery.

Loretta M. Ucelli, executive vice president for communications and external affairs at Columbia University, and former White House communications director, has been named senior vice president, corporate communications of Pfizer.

Gilead Sciences has promoted Gregg Alton to senior vice president and general counsel and Taiyin Yang, PhD, to senior vice president, pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.

Dr. Michael N. Helmus has been named to the position of senior vice president, BioPharma for Advance Nanotech. Before joining Advance Nanotech Dr. Helmus served as the vice president, advanced biomaterials at Boston Scientific.

ImClone Systems has named Dvorit Samid, PhD, vice president, medical affairs.

Xoma has appointed Alan M. Solinger, MD, as vice president of clinical immunology. Dr. Solinger was director of clinical research at Amgen.

Acorda Therapeutics has made two new senior management appointments. Gerard A. Cignarella has joined the company as vice president of business development and Herbert Henney III, PharmD, has joined the company as vice president of medical affairs.

Schering-Plough promoted Jacqueline Crew, PhD, to vice president, pharmaceutical sciences quality, Schering-Plough Research Institute. Schering-Plough has also promoted Paul Medeiros vice president, global licensing.

Northwest Biotherapeutics has named Paul Zeltzer, MD, as medical director for the company. Dr. Zeltzer previously directed National Cancer Institute-sponsored clinical trials for leukemia and brain tumors and has edited two major text books in oncology and neuro-oncology.

Stephen G. Sudovar, former president and CEO of EluSys Therapeutics and former president of Roche Laboratories, has been elected to the board of Aastrom Biosciences.

Inhibitex has named Robert A. Hamm to its board of directors.

ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals has named Patrick Burns and Peter Bradfield to its board of directors.

R. Scott Greer has joined CombiMatrix as an advisor. Greer is managing director of Numenor Ventures.

RheoGene has added three new members to its Scientific Advisory Board: Fred H. Gage, PhD, Richard Gregory, PhD, and Inder Verma, PhD.

Chutes & Ladders: Peacock resigns top post at Adolor

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 20:01:37 -0400

Adolor CEO Bruce Peacock has turned in his resignation, announcing he will leave to become CEO of a chain of low-cost healthcare clinics. He joined the company in 2002. Chairman David Madden will take over as interim CEO while the company searches for a replacement.

- read this AP report for more