BioWorld International articles from June 2004

BioWorld International archives from June 2004

Acambis follows ACAM 2000 trouble with West Nile Glitch.
June 2, 2004... LONDON -- Acambis plc was forced to double the number of subjects in a Phase I study of its West Nile vaccine after two adverse events forced suspension of the trial. The expansion, from 60 to 120 subjects, will delay the results until 2005....

Cerep, molecular engine boards approve share-exchange merger.
June 2, 2004... PARIS -- Cerep SA is taking over Molecular Engine Laboratories (MEL), a Paris-based biotechnology company specialized in identifying targets and developing therapeutics for cancer. Cerep will issue 400,000 shares (about 3.4 percent of its...

Insight into bacterial wall repair proteins could lead to therapies.
June 2, 2004... LONDON -- A pair of bacterial proteins that might play a role in repairing holes in the bacterial cell wall could provide interesting new targets for antibiotics or vaccines to protect against infectious diseases. Curiously, genome...

Cellectricon, InDex raise cash to fund short-term objectives.
June 2, 2004... Two Swedish firms raised modest levels of venture capital finance, evidence that the thaw in the investment climate in the region is tentative at best. Both took in intermediate levels of cash to fund near-term activities and to get them to...

Genfit collaborates with Servier on obesity, metabolic disorders.
June 2, 2004... PARIS -- Genfit and the French pharmaceutical company Servier entered a collaboration to identify drug candidates based on molecular mechanisms of action in obesity and related metabolic disorders. The companies are to focus in the first...

American Oriental Bioengineering Inc., of Hong Kong, signed a legally binding letter of intent to acquire Heilongjiang Songhuajiang Pharmaceutical Ltd., a Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical company located in Heilongjiang province.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * American Oriental Bioengineering Inc., of Hong Kong, signed a legally binding letter of intent to acquire Heilongjiang Songhuajiang Pharmaceutical Ltd., a Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical company located in Heilongjiang province....

AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG, of Vienna, Austria, entered a licensing and commercialization agreement for the European development of Moli1901, an investigational treatment for cystic fibrosis from Lantibio Inc., of Chapel Hill, N.C. AOP, which is planning to begin Phase II trials in Germany, will assume full responsibility for the clinical and nonclinical development in Europe.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals AG, of Vienna, Austria, entered a licensing and commercialization agreement for the European development of Moli1901, an investigational treatment for cystic fibrosis from Lantibio Inc., of Chapel Hill, N.C. AOP,...

Ardana raises another 9m [pounds sterling] in Series B, predicts profit in 2007.
June 2, 2004... LONDON -- Ardana Ltd. snapped up a further 9 million [pounds sterling] (US$1 6.1 million) in an extension to its Series B funding, bringing the total for the round to 29 million [pounds sterling] and pushing the amount raised by the company...

Cellectis SA, of Paris, signed a license agreement granting four German academic research centers nonexclusive licenses under its patent family covering a process for the specific replacement or insertion of a gene in a eukaryotic genome by homologous recombination.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... Cellectis SA, of Paris, signed a license agreement granting four German academic research centers nonexclusive licenses under its patent family covering a process for the specific replacement or insertion of a gene in a eukaryotic genome by...

CeNeS Pharmaceuticals plc, of Cambridge, UK, said Addex Pharmaceuticals SA, of Geneva, is to commence a Phase II U.S. smoking cessation trial of CeNeS's dopamine D1 selective antagonist.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... CeNeS Pharmaceuticals plc, of Cambridge, UK, said Addex Pharmaceuticals SA, of Geneva, is to commence a Phase II U.S. smoking cessation trial of CeNeS's dopamine D1 selective antagonist. The license to Addex entitles CeNeS to milestone and...

Ernst & Young.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... Ernst & Young's 2004 report on biotechnology in Germany showed that Munich led the sector in number of companies, employees and compounds in the development pipeline. Regarding companies, Munich topped Berlin-Brandenburg, its closest...

Gamida-Cell Ltd.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... Gamida-Cell Ltd., of Jerusalem, said preclinical studies show that an injection of an expanded population of cord blood-derived AC133 cells directly into the pancreas of mice reversed diabetes. More specifically, the data demonstrated that the...

Genmab A/S.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... Genmab A/S, of Copenhagen, Denmark, said that HuMax-CD4 for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) was designated an orphan drug by the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products. Filing for the status was completed as...

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Resource Centre.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * A national Human Embryonic Stem Cell Resource Centre was formed at Sheffield University in the UK to provide researchers with access to expertise, facilities and training related to stem cell research. Funding is part of a new 1 6.5 million...

Innogenetics NV, of Ghent, Belgium, entered an agreement to gain access to a microarray technology platform from PamGene International BV, of s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, for the development of next-generation nucleic acid and protein-based tests.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * Innogenetics NV, of Ghent, Belgium, entered an agreement to gain access to a microarray technology platform from PamGene International BV, of s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, for the development of next-generation nucleic acid and...

Microsens Ltd., of London, developed a technology called Seprion to directly identify abnormal prion proteins that could form the basis of a diagnostic test for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and for screening blood donations.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * Microsens Ltd., of London, developed a technology called Seprion to directly identify abnormal prion proteins that could form the basis of a diagnostic test for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and for screening blood donations. Microsens said its...

Mologen AG.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * Mologen AG, of Berlin, named Gregor Kunz and Hans Lutz to its supervisory board. Kunz is an accountant and tax adviser, and a partner with Dr. Roever & Partner KG, of Berlin. Lutz is a professor of internal medicine at the University of...

NeuroSearch A/S, of Ballerup, Denmark, said it completed enrollment in a Phase II study of NS2359 for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * NeuroSearch A/S, of Ballerup, Denmark, said it completed enrollment in a Phase II study of NS2359 for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The trial includes 126 adult patients, with half treated with 0.5 mg of the compound once a day...

Opperbas Holding BV.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * Opperbas Holding BV, of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is conducting a Phase II trial of its PEGylated liposomes to prolong the half-life and hemostatic efficacy of recombinant Factor VIII, a protein used to treat hemophilia A. The delivery...

Oxford BioMedica plc.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * Oxford BioMedica plc, of Oxford, UK, announced the results of a preclinical study of MoNuDin in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). MoNuDin uses Oxford's LentiVector system to deliver a vascular endothelial growth factor gene. The research,...

Protherics plc.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * Protherics plc, of Runcorn, UK, is now profitable, recording its first full-year profit for the 12 months leading up to March 31. The company made a pre-tax profit of 800,000 [pounds sterling] (US$1.5 million), compared to a loss of 600,000...

responsif GmbH.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * responsif GmbH, of Erlangen, Germany, began the first clinical trials of an immunotherapy it has developed for renal-cell carcinoma. The new therapeutic concept, which is made of tumor cells collected from patients during routine operations,...

Sanofi-Synthelabo SA, of Paris, said the expiration date of its U.S. offer for Aventis SA, of Strasbourg, France, was extended to June 30.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * Sanofi-Synthelabo SA, of Paris, said the expiration date of its U.S. offer for Aventis SA, of Strasbourg, France, was extended to June 30. Holders of Aventis securities eligible to participate in the U.S. offer may tender, or withdraw their...

Serono SA.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * Serono SA, of Geneva, said its board authorized the repurchase of up to CHF750 million (US$591 million) worth of bearer shares through a share buyback program expected to start in June. Lasting a maximum of five years, the shares will be...

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., of Jerusalem, and Strasbourg, France-based Aventis SA's multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone was the subject of a review by the Cochrane MS Group.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., of Jerusalem, and Strasbourg, France-based Aventis SA's multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone was the subject of a review by the Cochrane MS Group, which concluded the therapy might provide no significant...

Vectura Ltd.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * Vectura Ltd., of Chippenham, UK, announced positive results for VR004 (inhaled apomorphine) in erectile dysfunction. VR004 was absorbed following inhalation with onset of effect between 3 minutes and 8 minutes. All treatment-related adverse...

Wilex AG.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * Wilex AG, of Munich, Germany, and Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia began a Phase I trial of WX-UK1 to target tumor-cell invasion, metastasis and primary tumor growth. It marks the first of two clinical trials of the company's compound...

Xerion Pharmaceuticals AG.(Other News To Note)
June 2, 2004... * Xerion Pharmaceuticals AG, of Munich, Germany, reported positive results from its investigation into the role that heat-shock protein 90 (hsp 90) plays in tumor invasion. Researchers from Xerion, together with collaborators from the Tufts...

IDM seeking 92 million [euro] in IPO to fund programs in cancer.
June 9, 2004... PARIS -- Immuno-Designed Molecules SA proposed an IPO on the Nouveau Marche of the Euronext stock exchange in Paris last week, offering 8.1 million shares at 10.50 [euro] to 12.20 [euro] per share. The offering may be extended by 1.215...

UK researchers discover mutant gene's role in Type II diabetes.
June 9, 2004... LONDON -- After years of searching, researchers finally have identified a new genetic mutation that causes an insulin-resistant form of adult-onset diabetes in humans. The mutant gene encodes a molecule that plays a crucial role in the...

Countries throughout the world promoting biotech development.(BIO 2004 International Convention)
June 9, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Delegations from more than 60 countries gathered here this week at the BIO 2004 International Convention, vying for investment and promising to create the most favorable regulatory and fiscal regimes for biotechnology. ...

UK officials continue campaign to improve biotech environment.(BIO 2004 International Convention)
June 9, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- The UK government announced further steps to promote UK bioscience, promising a "hearts and minds" campaign to persuade institutional investors to look more kindly on biotechnology and beef up legislation to curtail the...

Serono abandons emfilermiun, setting back Amrad program.
June 9, 2004... SYDNEY, Australia -- The share price of Amrad Ltd. fell sharply last week after the company revealed that Serono SA abandoned development of one of its lead compounds. Investors cut Melbourne-based Amrad's share price by A$0.22 to A$0.67...

Active Biotech AB, of Lund, Sweden, signed an agreement with Strathmann Biotec AG, of Hamburg, Germany, involving process development and manufacturing of Active Biotech's cancer product TTS (Tumor-Targeted Superantigens) CD3, for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Active Biotech AB, of Lund, Sweden, signed an agreement with Strathmann Biotec AG, of Hamburg, Germany, involving process development and manufacturing of Active Biotech's cancer product TTS (Tumor-Targeted Superantigens) CD3, for the...

Affitech AS.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * Affitech AS, of Oslo, Norway, raised NOK30 million (US$4.5 million) in a fourth financing round to fund discovery and development of human therapeutic antibodies and to continue the development of its antibody discovery and screening...

Anadis Ltd.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * Anadis Ltd., of Melbourne, Australia, said it is in a joint project with a U.S. institute to further develop and conduct clinical trials of its inhaled spray that offers protection against anthrax and plague. The company also is working with...

IQ Corp., U.S. Navy enter deal to develop biodefense agents.
June 9, 2004... IQ Corp. entered a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center to develop antibody-based therapeutics against anthrax, botulism and, potentially, other bioterrorist threats. IQC focuses on...

Shareholders accept deal to close shop at PPL Therapeutics.(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... LONDON -- The protracted demise of PPL Therapeutics plc reached a conclusion as shareholders agreed to accept 6.2 pence per share, valuing the company that brought Dolly the cloned sheep into the world at 7.35 million [pounds sterling] (US$13.5...

Private Australian companies Cerylid, Kinacia merge efforts.(Cerylid Biosciences Ltd. )(Kinacia Pty. Ltd.)
June 9, 2004... SYDNEY, Australia -- Two unlisted biotechnology companies have merged in order to get better access to funds for what would have been the third round of financing for both companies, and to develop two lead compounds. Cerylid Biosciences...

Ark Therapeutics Group plc.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Ark Therapeutics Group plc, of London published data from a second Phase II study of Cerepro in malignant glioma that showed an 81 percent increase in mean survival time, from 39 to 71 weeks, compared to standard care. Magnetic resonance...

Atugen AG.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * Atugen AG, of Berlin, appointed Peter Buckel CEO. Buckel previously was CEO of Xantos Biomedicine AG, a company he co-founded. He also has worked at Roche Diagnostics, and for more than 20 years at Boerhinger Mannheim. In addition, Buckel is...

BASF Plant Science GmbH, of Ludwigshafen, Germany, licensed the enzyme database Brenda from BioBase GmbH, of Wolfenbuttel, Germany.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * BASF Plant Science GmbH, of Ludwigshafen, Germany, licensed the enzyme database Brenda from BioBase GmbH, of Wolfenbuttel, Germany. The electronic encyclopedia contains data on 83,000 enzymes from 9,800 organisms and additional metabolic...

CellCentric Ltd.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * CellCentric Ltd., of Cambridge, UK, completed its first round of venture funding. The company was founded to commercialize the intellectual property and research of Azim Surani at the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute at the...

Compugen Ltd.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Compugen Ltd., of Tel Aviv, Israel, disclosed two potential therapeutic proteins that it recently added to its research pipeline. CGEN M-3, a soluble kinase receptor, has potential applications in various types of cancer. CGEN P-4, a peptide,...

Crucell NV.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Crucell NV, of Leiden, the Netherlands, said a dose of its vaccine protected monkeys against the Ebola virus in recent studies. Crucell and the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)...

Eiffel Technologies Ltd.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * Eiffel Technologies Ltd., of Sydney, Australia, established a Level 1 American depository receipt program. Its ADR code is "EFFTY." The company uses its Supercritical Fluid technology to re-engineer existing drugs such as insulin and products...

Epigenomics AG, of Berlin, reported positive results from clinical studies showing that its proprietary DNA methylation markers can identify the likelihood of disease recurrence in women following breast cancer surgery.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Epigenomics AG, of Berlin, reported positive results from clinical studies showing that its proprietary DNA methylation markers can identify the likelihood of disease recurrence in women following breast cancer surgery. Presenting at the...

Galapagos Genomics NV.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * Galapagos Genomics NV, of Mechelen, Belgium, identified, validated and filed patent applications on several drug targets in Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Galapagos recently initiated...

Gamida-Cell Ltd.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Gamida-Cell Ltd., of Jerusalem, said preclinical studies show that an injection of an expanded population of cord blood-derived AC133 cells directly into the pancreas reversed diabetes in mice. The data demonstrated that the expanded...

Genmab A/S, of Copenhagen, Denmark, signed an agreement with DSM Biologics to produce a commercial supply of HuMax-CD4, its antibody to treat T-cell lymphoma.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Genmab A/S, of Copenhagen, Denmark, signed an agreement with DSM Biologics to produce a commercial supply of HuMax-CD4, its antibody to treat T-cell lymphoma. DSM will manufacture cGMP batches of HuMax-CD4 for clinical trials and commercial...

Hybrigenics SA, of Paris, enhanced its protein interaction mapping services by integrating the Montage PCRmu384 and SEQ384 kits of Millipore Corp., of Billerica, Mass., in its automated process for analyzing complex cellular pathways.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Hybrigenics SA, of Paris, enhanced its protein interaction mapping services by integrating the Montage PCRmu384 and SEQ384 kits of Millipore Corp., of Billerica, Mass., in its automated process for analyzing complex cellular pathways....

Kudos Pharmaceuticals Ltd., of Cambridge, UK, announced positive data from a Phase I dose-escalation study of AQ4N, a prodrug that is converted to an active cytotoxic when it reaches hypoxic (oxygen-starved) tumor cells, in patients with advanced cancer of the esophagus.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Kudos Pharmaceuticals Ltd., of Cambridge, UK, announced positive data from a Phase I dose-escalation study of AQ4N, a prodrug that is converted to an active cytotoxic when it reaches hypoxic (oxygen-starved) tumor cells, in patients with...

Medivir AB.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * Medivir AB, of Huddinge, Sweden, said it realized gross proceeds of SEK322.5 million (US$43.5 million) from a discounted rights issue. Subscribers took up 4,263,695 newly issued shares, boosting its total number of shares outstanding to...

Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Ltd.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Ltd., of Melbourne, Australia, completed enrollment in its Phase IIb trial of AOD9604 for obesity. More than one-third of patients have finished treatment in the 300-patient study, with all treatment expected to end...

Neuro3d.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * Neuro3d, of Mulhouse, France, said ND1251 is being investigated in Phase I trials to treat depression. The product is an orally active phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor. The goal of the trials is to establish safety, tolerability and...

New Zealand.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * New Zealand and the Australian states formally agreed to drop any rivalry in bidding for overseas investment in biotechnology. Instead, in a pact to be announced at the BIO 2004 conference in San Francisco, New Zealand and the combined state...

Oxford Biomedica plc, of Oxford, UK, agreed to acquire gene therapy patents from Chiron Corp., of Emeryville, Calif.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Oxford Biomedica plc, of Oxford, UK, agreed to acquire gene therapy patents from Chiron Corp., of Emeryville, Calif. At the same time Chiron made an equity investment in Oxford Biomedica, buying 31 6,0126 shares at 17.23 pence per share. The...

Prana Biotechnology Ltd.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * Prana Biotechnology Ltd., of Melbourne, Australia, said that shareholders approved the issuing of securities worth $20 million to institutional and professional investors, led by New York-based global health care fund managers, OrbiMed and...

Pro2Kem Ltd.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * Pro2Kem Ltd., of Dundee, UK, is opening an office in Chelmsford, Mass., in an effort to expand its marketing base in bioanalysis tools. Its first offering, the AggreKem Protein Aggregation Monitor, was launched last year.

Sanofi-Synthelabo SA, of Paris, said French regulatory authorities set June 30 as the expiration date of its revised offer for Aventis SA, of Strasbourg, France.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * Sanofi-Synthelabo SA, of Paris, said French regulatory authorities set June 30 as the expiration date of its revised offer for Aventis SA, of Strasbourg, France. The company's French, German and U.S. offers will expire simultaneously on that...

Serono SA.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * Serono SA, of Geneva, initiated a Phase III trial of Serostim (somatropin [rDNA origin] for injection) as a potential treatment and maintenance therapy to reduce excess visceral fat accumulation in patients with HIV-associated adipose...

SkyePharma plc, of London, entered an alliance with Vectura Ltd., of Chippenham, UK, in the area of pulmonary delivery technologies.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * SkyePharma plc, of London, entered an alliance with Vectura Ltd., of Chippenham, UK, in the area of pulmonary delivery technologies. SkyePharma will acquire rights to use Vectura's Aspirair dry-powder inhaler device for certain macromolecules...

Solbec Pharmaceuticals Ltd.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 9, 2004... * Solbec Pharmaceuticals Ltd., of Perth, Australia, said its lead compound, SBP002, destroys existing tumors and boosts immunity against mesothelioma. The drug is derived from a native weed called Devil's Apple. Studies conducted by the...

Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., of Tokyo, acquired an exclusive license to develop and market licofelone in Japan to treat osteoarthritis.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., of Tokyo, acquired an exclusive license to develop and market licofelone in Japan to treat osteoarthritis. The company will begin clinical trials in Japan to confirm the efficacy and safety of licofelone,...

Tripep AB.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Tripep AB, of Stockholm, Sweden, obtained approval to commence the first human dosing studies of its HIV drug candidate alphaHGA. The company has engaged the services of a contract research organization in the UK to conduct microdosing...

Xcellsyz Ltd., of Newcastle, England, formed a nonexclusive deal to license its human skeletal muscle-cell lines to Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, of Ingelheim, Germany, for evaluation and drug discovery research.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Xcellsyz Ltd., of Newcastle, England, formed a nonexclusive deal to license its human skeletal muscle-cell lines to Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, of Ingelheim, Germany, for evaluation and drug discovery research. The cell lines are produced...

Xenova Group plc.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * Xenova Group plc, of Slough, UK, said the Pediatric Oncology Branch of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md., presented data from a Phase I trial of tariquidar as an adjunctive treatment to chemotherapy, in children with a range of...

XTL Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., of Rehovot, Israel, and Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Lexington, Mass., agreed to a worldwide development and commercialization license of an investigational monoclonal antibody belonging to XTL.(Other News To Note)
June 9, 2004... * XTL Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., of Rehovot, Israel, and Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Lexington, Mass., agreed to a worldwide development and commercialization license of an investigational monoclonal antibody belonging to XTL. Known as...

Vectura, Evolutec file to try IPO luck on London market.(initial public offering )
June 16, 2004... LONDON -- There are further signs that the UK's initial public offering drought might be nearing an end, as Vectura Ltd. and Evolutec Group plc announced plans to float on London's Alternative Investment Market, looking for 20 million [pounds...

Active Biotech, Teva in potential $92m deal for oral MS product.
June 16, 2004... Active Biotech AB needed a partner for its oral multiple sclerosis drug, laquinimod, and found one with multiple sclerosis experience in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., as they formed a deal that could earn Active Biotech up to $92 million...

Tags can hide antibody-directed enzymes from immune system.
June 16, 2004... LONDON -- A promising new cancer therapy now might be more effective with the discovery that a "molecular patch" can hide part of the therapeutic agent from the patient's immune system. The therapy, known as antibody-directed enzyme prodrug...

Strakan, ProSkelia merging, building 'company to last'.(Company Profile)
June 16, 2004... LONDON -- Strakan Group Ltd. is merging with ProSkelia SA, a spinout from Aventis SA, forming a company with 220 employees, cash of 60 million [euro], marketed products and a pipeline of clinical candidates in bone and hormone-related...

Wilex initiates Phase III study of renal-cell carcinoma drug.
June 16, 2004... MUNICH, Germany -- The long wait for products from German biotechnology companies came closer to ending this week, as Wilex AG, an oncology specialist in Munich, began the pivotal Phase III trial of its lead compound, Rencarex. The study...

Optimata raises $1m to push virtual patient engine progress.
June 16, 2004... ZICHRON YA'AKOV, Israel -- Optimata Ltd., of RamatGan, raised $1 million to launch clinical trials of its Virtual Patient Engine that will tell doctors what the optimum chemotherapy dosage and schedule is for breast cancer patients. "This...

Antisense Therapeutics Ltd., of Melbourne, Australia, and Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Carlsbad, Calif., reported the results of a Phase I study of ATL-1102.(Other News To Note)
June 16, 2004... * Antisense Therapeutics Ltd., of Melbourne, Australia, and Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Carlsbad, Calif., reported the results of a Phase I study of ATL-1 102. It was well tolerated and a specific dose was selected for Phase II development....

Arakis Ltd.(Other News To Note)(started pharmacokinetics study on 96 rheumatoid arthritis patients)(Brief Article)
June 16, 2004... * Arakis Ltd., of Little Chesterford, UK, initiated a Phase IIa trial in 96 rheumatoid arthritis patients to study the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of a range of doses of AD452, a disease-modifying treatment for early stage RA. The...

Mutabilis second round raises 8m [euro] for drug discovery efforts.
June 16, 2004... PARIS -- Mutabilis, developing new drugs to fight nosocomial infections, raised 8 million [euro] in its second funding round. The financing was led by Auriga Partners, of Paris, one of two first-time investors, along with the French bank...

Biovitrum AB, of Stockholm, Sweden, and Maxygen Inc., of Redwood City, Calif., signed an agreement for the manufacture of Maxygen's interferon beta material for Phase I and Phase II clinical development.(Other News To Note)
June 16, 2004... * Biovitrum AB, of Stockholm, Sweden, and Maxygen Inc., of Redwood City, Calif., signed an agreement for the manufacture of Maxygen's interferon beta material for Phase I and Phase II clinical development. The companies said Maxygen has...

Crucell NV, of Leiden, the Netherlands, and its contract manufacturer, DSM Biologics, of Groningen, the Netherlands, signed a PER.C6 research license agreement with PanGenetics BV, of Sittard, the Netherlands.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 16, 2004... * Crucell NV, of Leiden, the Netherlands, and its contract manufacturer, DSM Biologics, of Groningen, the Netherlands, signed a PER.C6 research license agreement with PanGenetics BV, of Sittard, the Netherlands. PanGenetics will use the PER.C6...

Evogene Ltd.(Other News To Note)(signed deal with French agricultural research center CIRAD)(Brief Article)
June 16, 2004... * Evogene Ltd., of Rehovot, Israel, and the French agricultural research center CIRAD signed a multiyear deal to develop abiotic stress-tolerant cotton. Evogene is focused on improving crops and the production of plant-derived products. The...

Evotec OAI AG, of Hamburg, Germany, and Neuronova AG, of Munich, Germany, entered a drug discovery agreement to identify small-molecule compounds that interact with a Neuronova target involved in the treatment of depression and anxiety.(Other News To Note)
June 16, 2004... * Evotec OAI AG, of Hamburg, Germany, and Neuronova AG, of Munich, Germany, entered a drug discovery agreement to identify small-molecule compounds that interact with a Neuronova target involved in the treatment of depression and anxiety....

German Resource Center for Genome Research.(Other News To Note)
June 16, 2004... * The German Resource Center for Genome Research in Berlin said it is providing a service to compile protein-expression profiles by means of dedicated antibody chips. In addition to diagnostic applications, the organization said the chips can...

GPC Biotech AG.(Other News To Note)
June 16, 2004... * GPC Biotech AG, of Martinsried, Germany, filed a registration statement earlier this week with the SEC for an offering expected Tuesday of up to 8.58 million shares. The company will offer up to 8.3 million new shares, including an...

Hadassah Medical Organization.(Other News To Note)(Brief Article)
June 16, 2004... * Hadassah Medical Organization and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem signed an agreement to create a biotechnology park in Ein Kerem, Israel, at which they share a campus for the Hadassah University Hospital and Hebrew University's schools of...