Regulus Therapeutics Inc., of La Jolla, Calif., inked another two deals related to its microRNA technology. Its agreement with London's AstraZeneca plc calls for a $28 million up-front cash and equity payment, plus milestones, for development of three microRNA targets. Read More
With the PDUFA date for Gilead Sciences Inc.'s Quad less than a fortnight off, the company is coming under congressional pressure to reduce the expected price of what is likely to be the next big HIV therapy. Read More
LONDON – Evidence is mounting that methods based on human cells and computer modeling can provide realistic alternatives to animal toxicology testing. Read More
• Antigen Discovery Inc., of Irvine, Calif., said it received a two-year, $600,000 Phase I Small Business Innovation and Research award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to fund a collaborative research effort between the company and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, to develop a fully integrated microfluidic immunodiagnostic platform. Read More
• Senesco Technologies Inc., of Bridgewater, N.J., said it completed the first cohort of patients in its Phase Ib/IIa trial in multiple myeloma, showing that SNS01-T was safe and well tolerated and met the criteria for stable disease in two of the three evaluable patients. Read More
• Renaissance Pharma Inc., of Newtown, Pa., acquired the U.S. rights to manufacture, market and sell Denavir (1 percent penciclovir cream) from investment funds managed by Deerfield Management Co. and New American Therapeutics Inc., of Cranford, N.J. Read More
• AcelRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Redwood City, Calif., was issued U.S. Patent No. 8,226,978, "Small-Volume Oral Transmucosal Dosage Forms Containing Sufentanil for Treatment of Pain," and U.S. Patent No. 8,231,900, "Small-Volume Oral Transmucosal Dosage Forms." '978 deals with a dosage form for the oral transmucosal delivery of sufentanil, and '900 relates to a small-volume solid tablet that is a single dose of sufentanil for oral mucosal delivery. Read More