EU gives positive opinion on EpiCepts Ceplene in AML

EpiCept have received a positive opinion from the CHMP for Ceplene (histamine dihydrochloride), for the remission maintenance and prevention of relapse in adult patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in first remission.

Shire to acquire Jerini adding Bradykinin antagonist Icatibant to portfolio

Shire has proposed the acquisition of biotechnology company Jerini AG with which it will acquire hereditary angioedema product, Icatibant (Firazyr). Icatibant is a peptide Bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist

FDA recommends approval of Tolvaptan for Hyponatremia

The FDA Advisory Committee on Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs has voted to recommend the approval of Otsuka’s V2-vasopressin receptor antagonist tolvaptan for the treatment of  hyponatremia.

ChemoCentryx complete enrollment in Traficet-EN Phase II/III trial for Crohns

ChemoCentryx have completed enrollment in a Phase II/III trial of its CCR9 antagonist Traficet-EN (CCX282-B) in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease.

EpiCepts Ceplene improves Leukemia Free Survival in Acute Myeloid Leukemi

Data presented at the European Hematology Association Congress show EpiCept’s Histamine H2 agonist Ceplene to improve leukemia free survival (LFS) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.

Lilly license TransPharmas transdermal Parathyroid Hormone

Lilly have licensed TransPharma’s Trandermal Parathyroid Hormone (hPTH (1-34)) for the treatment of Osteoporosis. The product is currently in Phase II clinical trials. Lilly will initially pay a $35 million upfront payment, to be followed by development and sales milestones and royalties on sales if the drug is marketed

Epix initiate second Phase IIb trial of 5HT4 agonist PRX-03140 for Alzheimer’s disease

EPIX Pharmaceuticals have initiated a second Phase IIb trial of its 5-HT4 agonist PRX03140 in Alzheimers disease. The trial will evaluate PRX-03140 when adminstered as a monotherapy and in combination with donepezil

Researchers from the Italy publish series of Pyrrolidinylfuran Muscarinic M2 agonists

Researchers from the University of Florence, University Camerino and the Inst Sup di Sanita have published a series of Pyrrolidinylfuran Muscarinic M2 agonists

EPIX trigger milestone in GPCR drug discovery collaboration with GSK

EPIX Pharmaceuticals has achieved a key milestone in its collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline. EPIX has delivered a third GPCR candidate into lead optimization

FDA Advisory committee recommends against expanded use of Fentora

An FDA Advisory Committee has recommended against the expanded use of Fentora for the management of breakthrough pain in opioid-tolerant patients with chronic pain conditions.