Novavax

Novavax VLP technology wins kudos

John Carroll — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:53:46 -0500

The Cleveland Clinic has recognized Novavax's use of genetically engineered virus-like particles in new vaccines as one of the year's top 10 medical innovations at its annual innovation summit. Novavax develops recombinant structures that essentially look like a virus but don't have the genetic material needed to make them dangerous. Report

Novavax bird flu vaccine shows promise in trial

John Carroll — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:08:11 -0400

A new bird flu vaccine developed by Novavax from insect cell cultures proved effective in spurring an immune response in a human trial. The Rockville, MD-based developer has been pursuing a partnership with General Electric to advance a new flu vaccine that could be swiftly produced in large quantities. Researchers were testing its virus-like particle vaccine candidate in the second stage of a Phase I/II trial involving 160 patients.

Among those individuals in the 15 mcg arm, 72 percent had a neutralizing antibody titer of 1:20 or greater (four-fold rise from baseline) against the H5N1 A/Indonesia strain as did 73 percent of subjects in the 45 mcg arm and 94 percent of subjects in the 90 mcg arm.

"These data are exciting because they demonstrate that recombinant VLPs are a valid and potent vaccine approach against influenza. Combined with our innovative manufacturing approach, our VLP vaccine candidate has the potential to address an unmet need in pandemic influenza preparedness efforts being planned by health authorities around the world," said Dr. Rahul Singhvi, president and CEO of Novavax.

- check out Novavax's release

ALSO NOTED: Solvay drug 'approvable'; ChemGenex touts trial results: Asuragen raises $18.5M in venture cash; and much more...

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:59:50 -0500

> FDA staffers say that Solvay's experimental therapy for atrial fibrillation is approvable--with conditions. Report

> Shares of ChemGenex, a biotech with facilities in the U.S. and Australia, were boosted on the news that its experimental therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia showed promise in a clinical trial. Speaking at ASH, researchers said that omacetaxine triggered a response in 91 percent of the 21 patients taking the drug. The patients were selected after the T3151 mutation made them resistant to existing therapies. Release

> Austin-based Asuragen, a molecular diagnostics company and molecular biology service provider, has raised $18.5 million in Series B financing. Release

> Fundamental Applied Biology has completed a $21 million Series B financing. Release

> ZymoGenetics is touting positive early stage data on its cancer therapy IL-21. The drug may boost the effectiveness of Rituximab in killing cancer cells. Report

> The Jordanian pharma company Arab Pharmaceutical Manufacturing has accepted a $163 million cash offer from Hikma. Report

> Acura Pharmaceuticals has received a $30 million cash payment from King Pharmaceuticals Research and Development. Release

> GE Healthcare and Novavax have agreed to collaborate on the development of a manufacturing process for a pandemic influenza vaccine. Release

> The rise of generic drugs has been bad news for Big Pharma, but not so bad for copycat makers like Mylan. Report

> Third time's the charm? Merck is going to the FDA again, hat in hand, asking for approval to sell the statin drug Mevacor over the counter. Report

> News flash: Experts are using the words "Velcade" and "blockbuster" in the same sentence. Report

And Finally… Scattered in the American Southeast, you'll find pockets of some of the country's highest mortality rates. Release

Press Release: Novavax Licenses Wyeth's Virus-Like Particle Technology

Maureen Martino — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 11:01:51 -0400

Novavax Licenses Wyeth's Virus-Like Particle Technology

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 9 -- Novavax announced today that is has signed a non-exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Wyeth, to obtain rights to a patent application covering virus-like particle (VLP) technology for use in human vaccines in certain fields of use. The agreement provides for an upfront payment, annual license fees, milestone payments and royalties on any product sales. Payments under the agreement to Wyeth could aggregate $5 million through the end of 2008.

Novavax is developing pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines based upon the VLP technology. VLPs mimic the three-dimensional structure of a virus but do not contain genetic material. Therefore, they cannot replicate and are believed to be incapable of causing infection or disease. Because VLPs maintain functional properties of two influenza surface proteins, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, they have been shown to activate multiple responses in the immune system. The licensed patent application supplements Novavax's extensive patent portfolio in the VLP field.

"We are delighted to have completed this license agreement with Wyeth and see this license as another important step in building a strong intellectual property position for our influenza vaccine programs," stated Rahul Singhvi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novavax, Inc.

About Novavax

Novavax Inc. is committed to leading the global fight against infectious disease by creating novel, highly potent vaccines that are safer and more effective than current preventive options. Using the company's proprietary virus-like particle (VLP) and Novasome® adjuvant technologies, Novavax is developing vaccines to protect against H5N1 pandemic influenza, seasonal flu and other viral diseases. Novavax's particulate vaccines closely match disease-causing viruses while lacking the genetic material to cause disease, which provides potential for greater immune protection at lower doses than current vaccines. With an exclusive portable manufacturing system that allows for rapid mass-production of vaccines, Novavax is uniquely positioned to meet global public health needs.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements herein relating to future financial or business performance, conditions or strategies and other financial and business matters, including expectations regarding product sales, operating expenses, and clinical developments are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Novavax cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or historical experience include risks and uncertainties, including the failure by Novavax to secure and maintain relationships with collaborators; risks relating to the early stage of Novavax's product candidates under development; uncertainties relating to clinical trials; risks relating to the commercialization, if any, of Novavax's proposed product candidates; dependence on the efforts of third parties; dependence on intellectual property; competition for clinical resources and patient enrollment from drug candidates in development by other companies with greater resources and visibility, and risks that we may lack the financial resources and access to capital to fund our operations. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect Novavax's business, financial conditions and results of operations, is contained in Novavax's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at http://www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Novavax assumes no duty to update forward- looking statements.

SPOTLIGHT: Wyeth in licensing deal

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:01:33 -0400

Wyeth could gain up to $5 million through next year in a licensing deal with Novavax covering its virus-like particle technology for use in vaccine development. The technology creates viruses that mimic the disease-causing virus but lacks genetic material needed to make it a threat. Release

C&L: Lichter tapped to run Akesis

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 20:01:32 -0400

Akesis Pharmaceuticals has appointed Jay Lichter, Ph.D., a veteran biotechnology and pharmaceutical business executive, as its new president and CEO. Dr. Lichter replaces Edward B. Wilson, who has resigned from the company to pursue other opportunities.

Todd Pope has left his post as CEO of Liquidia Technologies to take the worldwide president's post at Cordis Cardiovascular, a J&J company. Board member Steve Nelson will take the interim position until a permanent replacement is found. Liquidia also named Robert "Bob" L. Henn as chief technology officer and Christopher "Chris" H. Price, Ph.D. as head of life sciences.

William "Obi" Greenman has been named to the newly-created position of president, Cerus Europe.

Cubist Pharmaceuticals announced the death Sunday of Francis P. "Frank" Tally, the company's chief scientific officer.

John Ratliff has been appointed as Quintiles Transnational's new COO.

Norway's DiaGenic ASA has appointed Erik Christensen, MD PhD, as its new managing director.

James E. Dentzer has been appointed CFO of Amicus Therapeutics.

ORIDIS Biomed has appointed Wolfgang Senne as CFO.

Innovive Pharmaceuticals has named J. Gregory Jester vice president and CFO.

Plexxikon has named Fletcher Payne to the position of vice president and CFO.

Penny Heaton, M.D., has been appointed to the newly-created position of chief medical officer at Novavax.

Archemix has named James Gilbert, M.D., chief medical officer and senior vice president of clinical and regulatory affairs.

Cerimon Pharmaceuticals has named Timothy J. McBride senior vice president of business development.

InforSense announced that David Hadfield has joined the company as COO.

Helix BioMedix announced that Lori H. Bush has been named COO.

China's Renhuang Pharmaceuticals has appointed Edith Kong as CFO.

Peter Powchik, M.D., has been chosen as senior vice president of clinical development at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals announced that Joe A. Young has been appointed senior vice president, marketing.

Transport Pharmaceuticals has named Navneet "Tony" Sharma vice president of quality systems and operational excellence.

Chiltern International has named Paul Westnedge to head up Chiltern Integrated Resourcing Solutions UK.

Aptuit has named Dr. Marcello DiMare to the new position of senior director, chemistry development within the company's active pharmaceutical ingredient business line.

Frank Xu has been chosen as national sales manager for China at Beijing Med-Pharm.

Calvert Research Institute announced that it has hired Sara Shen as a business analyst.

Lorus Therapeutics has named Georg Ludwig and Dr. Michael Moore as directors of the company.

Ligand Pharmaceuticals has elected Jason M. Aryeh, founder and general partner of JALAA Equities, LP, to its board of directors.

CardioVascular BioTherapeutics has named Grant Gordon vice chairman of its board of directors.

PharmaNet Development Group announced that Peter Tombros and Rolf Classon have been appointed to its board of directors.

NanoBio has named Robert C. Moellering, Jr., M.D., to its board.

Dorothy H. Bray, Ph.D., will chair the Scientific Advisory Board at CytoDyn.

Viral Genetics has added two Harvard Medical School immunology and virology specialists to its Scientific Advisory Board: Drs. Marcus Altfeld and Todd M. Allen.

C&L: Momenta taps Wheeler for top post

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 20:01:32 -0400

Momenta Pharmaceuticals has tapped Craig Wheeler, the former president of Chiron BioPharmaceuticals, to be its next CEO. Alan Crane, who's stepping down from the post, will stay on the board.

Fresh from raising $60 million in new venture funds, Prestwick Pharmaceuticals has named George F. Horner III president and CEO.

Howard D. Goldstein has accepted the top position at Arcxis Biotechnologies, signaling the company's move into commercial development of its technologies for rapid, diagnostic gene and protein identification.

The Supervisory Board of Epigenomics and CEO and founder Alexander Olek have mutually agreed to end his term as CEO. Olek will continue to act as an advisor to Epigenomics.

Chiltern International has appointed Glenn Kerkhof as CEO.

4-Antibody has named Sijmen de Vries MD, MBA as its new CEO.

Avantogen Oncology has named Angela Bronow Davanzo CFO.

Novavax has named Jeffrey Church, who left GenVec, vice president, CFO and treasurer.

Celera Genomics Group has appointed Joel Jung as vice president of finance.

Renato Fuchs has been named senior vice president, manufacturing and technical operations for Altus Pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Peter Hnik has been named chief medical officer of iCo Therapeutics.

Seaside Therapeutics has appointed Timothy D. Ocain, Ph.D., to the position of senior vice president, research & development.

Omeros Corp. has hired J. Greg Perkins, Ph.D., as vice president, regulatory affairs.

Caliper Life Sciences has appointed Dr. Peter Lassota as the divisional vice president of oncology.

Joachim Schupp has been appointed to the newly created position of vice president of medical affairs for ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals.

Samir Roy, Ph.D., has joined New River Pharmaceuticals as vice president, formulation and manufacturing.

Novo Nordisk has promoted Camille Lee to vice president of diabetes brand marketing.

Amazon Biotech has hired Rohit Phansalkar to serve as business and financial advisor.

Ambrilia Biopharma has named Luc Tanguay to its board of directors.

Dr. Steve Toon has joined Simcyp's board as executive director.

Osteotech has named Robert W. Gunn to its board of directors.

Daniel S. Lynch was elected to serve as a director of US Oncology Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, US Oncology.

Dr. Rosemary Mazanet has joined the board of directors of Cellumen.

American Oriental Bioengineering has added Lawrence Wizel to its board of directors, where he will act as chairman of the audit committee.

Dr. Clem Persaud, a former fellow at the World Health Organization and microbiologist, has joined Medistem's medical advisory board.

VisEn Medical announced that Dr. Markus Rudin has joined its Scientific Advisory Board.

Flu deaths trigger rise of biotech stocks

Wed, 24 May 2006 20:01:36 -0400

Recent headlines about a cluster of avian flu deaths in Indonesia could be felt among biotech companies working on the virus. A host of stocks, from Novavax to BioCryst to Generex and more, saw their stocks go up as investors reacted to the headlines by buying up shares. Analysts say that every time a new headline hits newspapers and the Internet, we're likely to experience gyrations on the stock market.

- here's the report from the Philadelphia Inquirer

PLUS: The World Health Organization is sending a team of experts to study the cluster. Article

ALSO: The feds say a host of avian flu drugs on the market are fake. Report

DEALS: AstraZeneca buys CAT for $1.3B

Wed, 24 May 2006 20:01:32 -0400

AstraZeneca buys CAT for $1.3B

DEALS
WHO	WITH	WHAT	SCOOP
AstraZeneca	CAT	$1.3B buyout	AstraZeneca is buying out Cambridge Antibody Technology for $1.3 billion. The deal adds new antibody therapies to AZ's pipeline.
Quest Diagnostics	Focus Diagnostics	$185M buyout	Quest has agreed to buy Focus for $185M. Focus provides genetic testing along with a host of tests for infectious diseases.
Dishman Pharmaceuticals	Solutia	$74.5M buyout	India's Dishman Pharmaceuticals has inked a deal to buy Solutia's pharmaceutical services division for $74.5M.
Avanir Pharmaceuticals	Alamo Pharmaceuticals	$69M buyout	Avanir Pharmaceuticals has agreed to buy Alamo Pharmaceuticals for $29M up front and another $40M in scheduled sales milestones.
Diatos	Gilead	$4.7M licensing deal	French biotech Diatos has in-licensed the cancer drug DaunoXome from Gilead Sciences and plans to file for European approval to use the drug for acute myeloid leukemia.
Roche	Entelos	Collaboration	The companies have announced a two year collaboration in metabolic disease research. Roche will provide R&D funding and milestone payments.
Esprit Pharma	Novavax	Collaboration	Esprit Pharma has inked a deal to collaborate with Novavax on the development of a mid-stage testosterone therapy for women with sexual dysfunction.
Pharmacopeia	Cephalon	$15M development deal	Pharmacopeia has launched a drug discovery partnership with Cephalon for an up-front fee of $15M. Cephalon will identify compounds and both companies will work together to develop them.
TPG-Axon Capital	Quintiles	Development deal	Hedge fund TPG-Axon Capital has inked a deal to work with Quintiles to develop new drugs. TPG-Axon Capital will help fund drug development work through the CRO's subsidiary, NovaQuest.
China Biopharmaceuticals	RACP Pharmaceutical Holdings	Purchase	China Biopharmaceuticals has reached a deal to purchase all of the shares in RACP Pharmaceutical Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Shenyang Enshi Pharmaceutical.

ALSO NOTED: Esprit to collaborate with Novavax; Novartis touts Diovan data; and much more...

Thu, 18 May 2006 20:00:50 -0400

> Esprit Pharma has inked a deal to collaborate with Novavax on the development of a mid-stage testosterone therapy for women with sexual dysfunction. Report

> Novartis unveiled new data that demonstrates is blockbuster blood pressure drug Diovan also influences a key marker in inflammation linked to higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. Report

> The World Health Organization wants all drug developers to register all human clinical trials so that negative results can no longer be kept secret. Report

> Shares of Arena Pharmaceuticals jumped yesterday on news that the company had started a Phase II trial of its experimental therapy for preventing hardening of the arteries. Report

> Researchers say that adding dipyridamole to aspirin may help patients ward off a second cardiovascular event better than aspirin alone. Report

> The Justice Department has joined a whistleblower lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories and Hospira, which claims they conspired to inflate Medicare and Medicaid bills. The feds claim Abbott inflated its prices to price list groups by up to 1,000 percent over what it charged providers. The tactic allegedly was used to inflate reimbursements and expand market share. Report (Wall Street Journal sub. req.)

> Synthetic Blood International has treated the fourth patient in its eight-patient study of Oxycyte for traumatic brain injury. Release

> France's Flamel Technologies has received a $1 million milestone from GSK. Release

And Finally… Spring has arrived in Alaska, and federal wildlife authorities have begun testing migratory birds for the H5N1 virus. Report

C&L: Kuppers takes over at Pieris Proteolab

Tue, 16 May 2006 20:01:32 -0400

Germany's Pieris Proteolab has appointed Evert Kuppers as CEO. Kuppers joins Pieris from IDEA, where he was vice president and head of business development.

NPS Pharmaceuticals has appointed its COO and president, Tony Coles, as its CRO. Coles succeeds Hunter Jackson, who stepped down as the company's chairman and CEO.

Rosetta Genomics announced that Amir Avniel has been named president and CEO of the company.

Celldex Therapeutics has named Robert Forbes Burns, PhD, as CEO.

Cobalis Corp. has named Gerald J. Yakatan, Ph.D., as CEO.

Advanced Viral Research has appointed Stephen M. Elliston as the company's president, CEO and member of the board of directors.

Baxter International has named John J. Greisch to the newly created role of corporate vice president and president, international. Robert M. Davis, currently the company's treasurer, succeeds Greisch as corporate vice president and CFO.

PDI has appointed Jeffrey Smith as its executive vice president, CFO and treasurer.

Axcan Pharma has named Alexandre LeBeaut senior vice president and chief scientific officer. LeBeaut will replace Francois Martin.

Acceleron Pharma has appointed Matthew L. Sherman, M.D. as senior vice president and chief medical officer.

Seattle Genetics has named Pamela A. Trail, Ph.D. as its chief scientific officer.

Panacos Pharmaceuticals has named Frederick Schmid, DVM, MBA, senior vice president, commercial operations and business development.

Genitope Corporation has named Mary Rybak, M.D., as the company's vice president of medical affairs.

Biopure Corporation named A. Gerson Greenburg, M.D., Ph.D. as vice president of medical affairs.

Inyx has hired David Zinn, CPA, as vice president, finance.

Esprit Pharma announced that it has appointed Glenn M. Esgro vice president of trade.

Novavax has named Dr. Jinyou Zhang as senior director of bioprocess R & D. Dr. Niranjan Kumar has been named senior director of commercial manufacturing.

Somaxon Pharmaceuticals has appointed Matthew W. Onaitis as vice president of legal affairs.

Genentech announced two vice president appointments: Michael P. Miller to vice president, sales and marketing, HER Family; and David Schenkein, M.D., to vice president, clinical hematology/oncology.

Novo Nordisk has appointed Pamela Harris, vice president of diabetes sales, managed care and government accounts south/west and Patrick Loustau, vice president of diabetes sales, managed care and government accounts north/midwest.

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics has engaged Dr. Holly G. Atkinson as contract director of business development.

GlobeImmune has hired Jeffrey Rona as chief business officer.

IBEX Technologies has elected Robert Heft, PhD as director.

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals has added Sarah E. Nash and Steven C. Wheelwright, Ph.D., to its board of directors.

Immucor has added Michael S. Goldman to its board of directors.

MediciNova has appointed Arlene M. Morris and Alan W. Dunton to its board.

Biotechs benefit as fear of bird flu spreads

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 19:01:37 -0500

If you were wondering exactly what a bird flu program could do to a biotech's stock, check out this report from USA Today. It includes a list of drug developers that could play a role in fighting bird flu and their stock fluctuations so far this year. They include BioCryst (up 14.4 percent), Carrington Labs (up 44 percent), Alnylam (up 29 percent) and Novavax (up 95 percent). Analysts have been putting together various bird flu strategies for investors that includes weighting investments toward drug companies and away from the kind of travel outfits likely to get hammered if, and this is a big if, a human pandemic breaks out. Call it the globalization of the fear factor. Any outbreak of a human-to-human avian flu will likely trigger an economic tsunami that can be far more devastating than anything terrorists could dream up. For the record: Just about every prominent virologist will only say that a pandemic is a possibility.

- read the article from USA Today

PLUS: Any human pandemic, of course, is predicated on a genetic mutation of the virus. New research indicates that right now the virus doesn't easily connect to cells in the nose, throat and upper respiratory tract. The virus needs to get deep into the lungs to infect someone, which is why close exposure to infected birds has been the key characteristic of the people who have been affected so far. Common human flu viruses can swiftly attach themselves to more easily accessible cells. A mutation, of course, could change all of that. Article

ALSO NOTED: Chutes & Ladders: NitroMed CEO, CFO quit; Novavax selling $38M in stock; and much more...

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 19:00:50 -0500

> Chutes & Ladders: NitroMed CEO Michael Loberg and CFO Lawrence Block resigned today. No reason for their sudden departure was given. The company's stock has slid 44 percent this year. Report

> Novavax, which is developing avian and seasonal flu vaccines, is selling $38 million in stock. Report

> Anaclim, an Indianapolis-based clinical trial firm launched by two Lilly veterans, intends to do a better job recruiting minorities for drug studies. Article

> Codexis has signed a research collaboration pact with Schering-Plough. Release

And Finally… A debate has developed over the aggressive use of drugs to deal early on with schizophrenia. Article

Novavax shares boosted on bird flu vaccine hopes

Mon, 13 Mar 2006 19:01:35 -0500

Shares of Novavax surged on Monday after an analyst touted its experimental bird flu vaccine as "the best." Company shares have soared 58 percent since the beginning of this year.

- read the AP report

PLUS: More than half of the U.S. budget for bird flu will be devoted to developing new vaccines. Report

ALSO: Health officials confirmed that three people in Azerbaijan have died of bird flu, pushing the global death toll past 100. Report

Bird flu money triggers new look at antivirals

Sun, 05 Mar 2006 19:01:37 -0500

The surge of interest in bird flu research has caused a host of researchers to focus on new therapies for viral diseases. While many new programs are getting started to find treatments specifically for a potential outbreak of avian flu among humans, the sudden spotlight is forcing a broad review of therapies for all types of viral ailments. As long as more money flows into antivirals, look for researchers to regear accordingly.

- here's the report from the Boston Globe for more information

ALSO: Novavax has partnered with India's Bharat Biotech to develop a bird flu vaccine for south Asia. Release

PLUS: The rapid spread of the bird flu virus around the globe is stumping the experts. Article

ALSO NOTED: BMS ends deal with Merck; Nucryst prices IPO; federal study highlights blood sugar control;and much more...

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 19:00:50 -0500

> Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck have formally ended a collaboration over the troubled diabetic therapy Pargluva. The FDA concluded last October that the drug needed further study before it could be approved. Report

> Nucryst Pharmaceuticals has priced its IPO of 4.5 million shares at $10 each. Report

> A 17-year federal study has concluded that tight control of blood sugar levels can reduce by half the risk of heart attacks and strokes among diabetics. Report

> Novavax of Malvern, PA has filed a shelf registration to sell up to $100 million in shares and securities. Release

> Toronto-based Vasogen has filed a shelf prospectus to sell up to $100 million in shares and securities. Release

> Cubist Pharmaceuticals has released new data from a Phase II study of HepeX-B, an experimental therapy to prevent reinfection with hepatitis B in patients with liver transplants. Release

> Large Scale Biology of Vacaville, CA has announced that its shares are subject to delisting from Nasdaq on December 27. The company is appealing the decision. Release

> Affymetric and Applied Biosystems have announced a licensing deal on the use of microarrays. Release

> SCOLR and Wyeth have executed a licensing agreement. Release

And Finally… Pfizer has outlined plans to grow in the Indian market. Report

ALSO NOTED: CombiMatrix, Novavax develop vaccine tracking; Chemokine sees positive early results; and much more...

Tue, 08 Nov 2005 19:00:50 -0500

> CombiMatrix and Novavax are developing a process to improve synthetic vaccine production. The technology will monitor the genetic fidelity of the genes encoding the vaccine in the fermentation process. Release

> Chemokine has received positive results from its preclinical testing of CTCE-9908 for prostate cancer. Release

> India-based Dr. Reddy's Laboratories has purchased Roche's manufacturing site in Cuernavaca, Mexico, including all employees and business supply contracts. Release

> UK-based iQur, a liver disease company, has secured ₤2.6 million in financing. Release

And Finally... Is the next Bill Gates already among us? BusinessWeek explores the possible synergy between nanotechnology, genetic engineering and computer technology that could make them all blockbuster industries. Article

ALSO NOTED: Vital Therapies raises venture funds; HemoSense raising $10M; GTC Biotherapeutics inks development deal; and much m

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 19:00:50 -0500

> Vital Therapies has raised $8 million in a new round of venture capital. Report

> San Jose, CA-based HemoSense is raising $10 million in a private placement. Release

> GTC Biotherapeutics of Framingham, MA, and Denmark's LEO Parma have inked a deal to jointly develop Atryn, GTC's recombinant form of human antithrombin with $73 million in potential milestone payments. Report

> Analysts are expecting Eyetech's Macugen to lose market share to Genetech's Lucentis. Report

> Bristol, TN-based King Pharmaceuticals has agreed to pay $124 million to resolve claims that it overcharged Medicaid and Medicare for drugs over the past nine years. Article

> Novavax has raised $18 million from a private offering of 4.1 million shares. Release

> NicOx has extended its collaboration agreement with Merck. Release

> Canada's Caprion Pharmaceuticals will collaborate with AstraZeneca focused on the discovery of novel targets for the treatment of prostate cancer. Release

> VaxGen plans to catch up on releasing its financial reports in the first quarter of next year. Report

And Finally... Physicians at the AMA are considering how doctors should handle patients in the event of a quarantine triggered by an avian flu pandemic. Article

Investors bid up Novavax shares on news of vaccine success

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:01:38 -0400

Shares of Novavax shot up this morning after the company announced that its experimental vaccine for avian flu protected animals. Investors bid up Novavax shares by 38 percent after learning from a study in Vaccine that the Novavax drug evidently worked by eliciting an immune response without infecting cells. Researchers are studying Novavax technology, which requires shorter lead times than traditional methods for developing vaccines.

"Our VLP technology, based on a scalable process with short production lead times, offers an attractive alternative to the existing egg-dependent and the newer cell-based methods for the manufacture of influenza vaccine and other urgently needed vaccines. These advantages address the challenge of producing large quantities of a pandemic flu vaccine within a short time frame," said Rahul Singhvi, president and CEO of Novavax.

- read this AP story for more

C&L: Dr. Rahul Singhvi tapped to run Novavax

Tue, 09 Aug 2005 20:01:32 -0400

Dr. Rahul Singhvi has been appointed president and CEO of Novavax. Prior to joining Novavax in 2004, Dr. Singhvi had 11 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including serving as a director within the manufacturing division of Merck.

Michael S. Paul, PhD, has been promoted to president of LineaGen Research. Dr. Paul will continue to hold the position of COO. Stephen M. Prescott, MD, who previously held the titles of president and CEO, will continue to serve as LineaGen's CEO.

Richard G. Babbitt, chairman of the board of directors of Lipid Sciences, died unexpectedly on August 6. Babbitt was 79.

David R. Parkinson, MD, formerly vice president and head of global clinical oncology at Amgen, will assume a new role as vice president, oncology development and commercialization.

Genmab has named Bo Kruse as vice president and interim CFO. Kruse was formerly Genmab's vice president finance and chief accounting officer.

Wang Bingyu has been hired as the vice president, sales and marketing of Beijing Med-Pharm. Wang most recently spent five years as director, sales and marketing for Sino-American Beijing HuaJin Pharmaceuticals.

Germany's Merck announced that Thad Evans will join the company on October 1, 2005, and will succeed Joachim Szebel as head of the Pigments Division on January 1, 2006. Szebel, 61, has been with Merck for 33 years and will retire at the end of 2005.

Phyton Biotech has added three scientists to its team: Michael Horn, PhD, Sarad Parekh, PhD, and Guillermo Tous, PhD.

Dendrite International has named Peter Ladell and Peter Tombros to the company's board of directors.

Gemin X Biotechnologies named Timothy J. Barberich and Wayne I. Roe to its board of directors.

Jenne K. Britell, PhD, has been elected to Quest Diagnostics board of directors.

Amarin has appointed Dr. Prem Lachman as non-executive director.

Seattle Genetics has added Richard A. Flavell, PhD, to its scientific advisory board.