Cambridge, MA-based Ariad Pharmaceuticals ($ARIA) is axing about 90 staffers--25% of its total workforce--in an ongoing restructuring of the business. The biotech is also reviewing its R&D portfolio and other aspects of the business, saying it plans to unveil more changes in Q2. Ariad says it is concentrating efforts around its once-suspended cancer drug Iclusig as well as the late-stage drug brigantinib. Brigantinib, its only other clinical asset, is in pivotal studies for non-small cell lung cancer. Ariad laid off 40% of its staff in 2013 when it was forced to yank its leukemia drug off the market. Release
@FierceBiotech: Pitt team redesigns an epilepsy drug, from FierceBiotechResearch. Item | Follow @FierceBiotech
@JohnCFierce: Sanofi-Genzyme helps cancer biotech ImmuneXcite close $8.6M financing round. News | Follow @JohnCFierce
> Fremont, CA-based Zosano Pharmaceuticals ($ZSAN) is cutting 24 staffers. "As a result of our focus on the ZP-Triptan program, we are restructuring the organization to manage our cash while creating value for the company by driving towards the completion of a near-term clinical milestone for ZP-Triptan such as the pivotal efficacy study," commented CEO Konstantinos Alataris. Release
> Opko Health ($OPK) shares slid 7% after the biotech reported that the FDA handed out a complete response letter rejecting its treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease and vitamin D insufficiency. The Miami-based biotech says the agency had problems with its third-party manufacturer. Release
> Denali Therapeutics has struck a deal to collaborate with the ALS Therapy Development Institute on researching new drugs. Release
> Pain Therapeutics ($PTIE) has resubmitted its NDA for Remoxy, an abuse-deterrent formulation of extended-release oxycodone (CII) capsules. Release
Medical Device News
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Pharma News
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Biotech Research News
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Vaccines News
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Pharma Marketing News
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