@FierceBiotech: Biotech takes top spot in Q2 VC investment. Article | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Vivus is down 57% from yesterday's close. Orexigen is down 10% and Arena is up 15% with analysts scurrying to support the cleanest safety data. Follow @JohnCFierce
> Who's the biggest HIV drug seller of all? Report
> A U.S. subsidiary of Eisai has announced that the FDA has accepted for review Eisai's NDA for Banzel (rufinamide) oral suspension (40 mg/mL). The proposed indication is for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in children four years and older and adults. Release
> A record 313 new medicines to treat mental health disorders are now being developed by U.S. pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, says a new industry report. Report
> Encorium Group on Monday acquired Progenitor Holdings, a vaccine-focused clinical research organization based in Switzerland, and several of its wholly owned subsidiaries in a cash and stock deal valued at $2.2 million. News
> FIT Biotech announced results today from a Phase II clinical trial. The company's immunomodulator FIT-06 showed unprecedented long-term reductions in viral load (approximately 0.5 log) and statistically significant CD4 cell count increases in HIV-infected, previously untreated patients. The effect lasted longer than two years in the absence of any anti-retroviral therapy. Release
> A new biotech company has grown out of laboratory and clinical studies at the Medical College of Georgia with the goal of improving the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and cancer. Dr. Jin-Xiong She is president and CEO of the new Jinfiniti Biosciences, housed in the MCG's Life Sciences Business Development Center, a turnkey incubator for these type of startup companies. Release
> Phase II data for TBR-652, a novel compound being developed by Tobira Therapeutics for the treatment of HIV infection, demonstrate that the dual CCR5/CCR2 antagonist provides potent antiviral activity and inhibition of the CCR2 receptor and is generally safe and well-tolerated in treatment-experienced patients with HIV. Release
> Medical researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are currently testing if a long-used vaccine--a simple shot or series of shots over time--could reverse Type 1 diabetes, NewsCenter 5's Bianca de la Garza reported Sunday. Report
> Oncolytics Biotech has received a No Objection Letter from Health Canada to conduct its Phase III trial examining Reolysin in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with platinum-refractory head and neck cancers. Release
And Finally... A new vaccine-delivery patch based on hundreds of microscopic needles that dissolve into the skin could allow persons without medical training to painlessly administer vaccines--while providing improved immunization against diseases such as influenza. Report