Biolex raises $10M for hep C work; Biovail boosts R&D budget;

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> Pittsboro, NC-based Biolex Therapeutics says that it has raised an additional $10 million to support its work on a new hepatitis C therapy. Biolex scrapped plans for an IPO two years ago and raised $60 million in venture capital in 2008. Biolex uses a genetically engineered aquatic plant to make the active ingredient for Locteron. Report

> Ra Pharmaceuticals has raised $10.3 million, according to SEC documents. Xconomy reports that Doug Treco, entrepreneur in residence at Morgenthaler Ventures, is listed as the CEO. Story

> Biovail says it has boosted its R&D budget this year to $130 million as it pushes new therapies into late-stage trials. Story

> Lower R&D expenses helped Alnylam trim fourth quarter losses. Report

> Daiichi Sankyo's influenza drug worked better than Tamiflu in saving mice from the lethal H5N1 bird flu in a recent test. "Importantly, a single dose of CS-8958 conferred a more potent and long-lasting protective effect to mice against H5N1 influenza viruses than that of oseltamivir phosphate," wrote Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin. Story

> Belgium's Ablynx plans to sell shares to fund new product development work. Report

And Finally... UCLA researchers have discovered what they describe as a biochemical link between misery and death. Release