Biotech/Biomedical/Health News

Thursday, May 23, 2013

• Cardinal Health Selects Datameer for Healthcare Data Discovery --- SAN MATEO, Calif., May 23, 2013
  Posted at 5:00 AM
  Datameer announced today that Cardinal Health has selected the company to enable data discovery on their big data platform. Datameer gives Cardinal Health's business users the self-service tools they need to quickly and easily visualize and understand data to make meaningful decisions. A Fortune 19 company, Cardinal Health is one of the world's largest healthcare services companies. It provides pharmaceuticals and medical products to more than 60,000 locations and helps their customers focus on patient care while reducing costs, improving efficiency ... read more
• Biogen Idec Appoints Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas Chief Scientific Officer --- WESTON, Mass.
  Posted at 5:00 AM
  

  Biogen Idec (NASDAQ:BIIB) today announced that Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas, Ph.D., has been named the company’s Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Dr. Artavanis-Tsakonas had served as interim CSO while on sabbatical from Harvard Medical School. He will now continue in this role in a permanent ... read more
• miRagen Therapeutics Achieves First Milestone in Strategic Alliance with Servier --- SURESNES, France & BOULDER, Colo.
  Posted at 5:00 AM
  

  Servier, a privately-run French research-based pharmaceutical company and a major player in Europe and emerging markets having expertise in the development of treatments for cardiovascular diseases, and miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative microRNA-based therapeutics, announced today that Servier has elected to ... read more
• Takeda Initiates TOURMALINE-MM2 Pivotal Phase 3 Trial of MLN9708 in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma --- CAMBRIDGE, Mass.
  Posted at 5:00 AM
  

  Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502) today announced the initiation of an international phase 3 clinical trial evaluating once a week MLN9708 in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not candidates for transplant. The multi-center study with MLN9708, an ... read more
• AT&T 4G LTE Takes Top Spot in Ann Arbor in 2013 PCWorld/TechHive Speed Tests --- DETROIT, May 23, 2013
  Posted at 4:59 AM
  The AT&T* 4G LTE network has been ranked fastest for a second consecutive year by PCWorld/TechHive. The tests in 20 U.S. markets including Ann Arbor, Mich. show AT&T wireless customers are benefiting from blazing-fast wireless Internet speeds. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120612/DA23287LOGO) The 2013 PCWorld/TechHive speed tests showed AT&T led all carriers tested in Ann Arbor, Mich. with an average upload speed of 6.7 mpbs and an average download speed of 15.2 mbps. AT&T also outpaced the competition last year in PCWorld/TechHive's 2012 wireless Internet ... read more
• Jennerex Completes $21.6 Million Private Placement --- SAN FRANCISCO, CA
  Posted at 4:30 AM
  

  SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/23/13 -- Jennerex Biotherapeutics, Inc., a private, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of best-in-class targeted oncolytic immunotherapies for solid tumors, today announced that it has completed a successful private placement financing of $21.6 million. Proceeds from this financing will be used to advance the clinical development of Jennerex's lead product candidate, Pexa-Vec (JX-594, pexastimogene devacirepvec), for the potential treatment of liver, colorectal and kidney cancers. Pexa-Vec is an investigational oncolytic ... read more
• Inhibikase Therapeutics to present at Industry Conference on Drug-Induced Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) --- ATLANTA, May 23, 2013
  Posted at 4:15 AM
  Inhibikase Therapeutics, Inc., an emerging leader in infectious disease treatments, announced today that it will present new results on its antiviral program to 'prevent' PML at an industry conference sponsored by the PML Consortium (composed of Pfizer, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Roche and Biogen Idec). JC polyomavirus (JCV) is the causative agent of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML). IkT-001Pro, a host-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitor in an extended release formulation, can clear JC polyomavirus (JCV) infection in at least some patients and is ... read more
• MedVantx Achieves Significant Milestone of Managing $1.5B in Prescription Medications and Completes Facilities Expansion While Upgrading To Offer Current Good Manufacturer Practices (cGMP)-level Quali --- SAN DIEGO, May 23, 2013
  Posted at 4:10 AM
  MedVantx, Inc., the company that has pioneered a unique direct to consumer pharmaceutical distribution channel announced today the Company has completed a major expansion of its home delivery platform to manage $1.5B in pharmaceutical products and the upgrade of its systems to offer a level of quality akin to cGMP facilities in its specialty home delivery pharmacy in Sioux Falls, SD. The Company provides leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, physicians, health systems and payors novel distribution services, as well as home delivery ... read more
• Isis Pharmaceuticals to Present at the Deutsche Bank 38th Annual dbAccess Health Care Conference --- CARLSBAD, Calif., May 23, 2013
  Posted at 4:00 AM
  Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISIS), the leader in antisense therapeutics, today announced that management will present a company overview at the Deutsche Bank 38(th) Annual dbAccess Health Care Conference on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 8:40 a.m. ET in Boston, MA. A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available on the "Investors & Media" section of the Company's Web site, www.isispharm.com. A replay will be available on the Isis Web site within 48 hours and will be archived ... read more
• Investigational New Drug Application Cleared by FDA for OMS824 in Huntington's Disease --- SEATTLE, May 23, 2013
  Posted at 4:00 AM
  Omeros Corporation (NASDAQ: OMER) today announced that its Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to evaluate OMS824 in Huntington's disease has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). OMS824 selectively inhibits phosphodiesterase 10 (PDE10), an enzyme expressed in areas of the brain linked to a wide range of diseases that affect cognition, including Huntington's disease and schizophrenia. OMS824 has shown promising results in animal models directly relevant to Huntington's disease and, as previously announced, OMS824 was well tolerated ... read more
• Alkermes plc Reports Financial Results for Fiscal Year 2013 and Provides Financial Expectations --- DUBLIN
  Posted at 4:00 AM
  

  Alkermes plc (NASDAQ: ALKS) today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. The company also announced that it has changed its fiscal year-end from March 31 to Dec. 31, and provided financial expectations for the nine-month period ending Dec. ... read more
• Spectrum Pharmaceuticals to Present Corporate Update at the Deutsche Bank 38th Annual Health Care Conference in Boston on May 30th --- HENDERSON, Nev.
  Posted at 4:00 AM
  

  Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in hematology and oncology, today announced that an overview of the Company's business strategy and commercial and development-stage programs will be given at the Deutsche Bank ... read more
• Cancer Genetics to Present at Marcum MicroCap Conference --- RUTHERFORD, N.J.
  Posted at 4:00 AM
  Cancer Genetics, Inc. (OTCQB: CGIX) ("CGI" or the "Company"), an emerging leader in DNA-based cancer diagnostics, will present at the second annual Marcum MicroCap Conference on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. ET at the Grand Hyatt New York in New York City. ... read more
• Second Annual 'Clinical Research in Georgia' Conference Set for December 4th, 2013 --- ATLANTA, GA
  Posted at 3:48 AM
  

  ATLANTA, GA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/23/13 -- The second annual Clinical Research in Georgia Conference will be held on December 4th, 2013, at the Academy of Medicine in the heart of midtown Atlanta. The conference is designed to spotlight innovations that can make clinical trials faster, more efficient and more compliant, and showcase the available resources in Georgia that facilitate effective clinical research initiatives. The inaugural 2012 Conference substantially exceeded attendance goals, with more than 200 people registered. The conference ... read more
• Royalty Pharma Reduces Acceptance Condition to 50% Plus One Share --- NEW YORK, May 23, 2013
  Posted at 3:31 AM
  Echo Pharma Acquisition Limited ("Royalty Pharma") announced today that it has committed to waive down the Acceptance Threshold from 90 percent to 50 percent of Maximum Elan Shares Affected plus one Elan Share in accordance with the terms of the Revised Offer Document issued today, subject to the conditions summarized below. Under the terms of the Increased Offer, Royalty Pharma is offering to acquire Elan (NYSE: ELN) for $12.50 per share in cash. The Increased Offer represents a compelling value of ... read more
• OncoGenex Announces Plans for the Initiation of the Cedar(TM) Clinical Trial Evaluating OGX-427 in Combination with Chemotherapy in Advanced Squamous Cell Lung Cancer --- BOTHELL, Wash. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 23, 2013
  Posted at 3:30 AM
  OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: OGXI) today announced plans for the initiation of the Cedar(TM) clinical trial, an investigator-sponsored, randomized, open-label Phase 2 trial evaluating OGX-427 in previously untreated patients with advanced squamous cell lung cancer. This trial will be the seventh randomized Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating OGX-427 in the treatment of advanced cancers and will investigate whether adding OGX-427 to gemcitabine and carboplatin therapy can extend progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes. Cedar will randomize approximately 140 patients to receive either OGX-427 ... read more
• Controversial Anti-Camera Ticket Website Puts Consumers in the Driver's Seat --- LOS ANGELES, May 23, 2013
  Posted at 3:30 AM
  RedLightCameraTicket.net (http://redlightcameraticket.net/), a new website for drivers victimized by automated traffic enforcement cameras, is providing motorists with the information required to fight and beat red light and speed camera tickets. As municipalities the world over search for new ways to increase revenues, one method has raised the motoring public's ire like no other: automated traffic law enforcement camera citations. Originally touted as a way to make intersections safer, these computer-driven cameras photograph the offending driver's license plate, resulting in a traffic law ... read more
• MobileSmith 3.0 Features Enterprise App Versioning, Streamlined User Experience, Stronger Security, Training Center and More --- DURHAM, N.C., May 23, 2013
  Posted at 3:18 AM
  MobileSmith, a leading provider of innovative mobile software solutions for enterprise customers, announced MobileSmith 3.0 - a major new release of its Mobile App Development Platform. The new version features Enterprise App Versioning, a streamlined, more intuitive UI, important security enhancements, improved Training & Support center, and many exciting new features. "MobileSmith 3.0 will completely transform your enterprise mobile app development and management experience," said Bob Dieterle, Senior VP and COO of MobileSmith. "Not only does our Platform enable rapid prototyping ... read more
• PAREXEL International To Present At Jefferies Healthcare Conference --- BOSTON, May 23, 2013
  Posted at 3:00 AM
  PAREXEL International Corporation (NASDAQ: PRXL) announced today that it will be presenting at the Jefferies Healthcare Conference in New York. James Winschel, Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will be making a presentation on PAREXEL and discussing business developments at 1:30 p.m. ET on Monday, June 3, 2013. A live webcast of the presentation will be available through the "Investors" section of PAREXEL's website at www.PAREXEL.com in the Upcoming Events portion of the main page, and a replay of ... read more
• Marketo Financial Management Makes Managing Budgets Easier for Marketers --- SAN MATEO, Calif., May 23, 2013
  Posted at 2:30 AM
  Marketo, (MKTO) the provider of a leading cloud-based marketing software platform, today announced Marketo Financial Management (MFM), the first application in its new Marketing Management product family. This fifth new family of applications is aimed squarely at meeting the broad needs of marketing operations. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070917/AQM011LOGO) Marketing teams struggle to track the spending across all the marketing programs they have in flight, making it hard to stay on budget. Marketo Financial Management does away with that by giving marketers an up-to-date view ... read more