RECENT NEWS
2007
2006
Abgenix (ABGX) delivers fully human monoclonal antibodies for a range of disease targets, several of which are currently in clinical trials. The company leverages its XenoMouse technology platform to support product development, while offering the platform to its strategic partners and licensing customers. Abgenix was acquired by Amgen for cash in 2006.
Affymax (AFFY) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on anemia in kidney disease and cancer. Their Hematide product is a novel peptide-based drug designed to stimulate the production of red blood cells, and is partnered with Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It is currently entering Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure and is in Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of anemia in cancer patients. Affymax went public in 2006.
AGI Therapeutics (AGI) is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on differentiated drug products for gastrointestinal disorders. The company has a portfolio of product candidates derived from its Known Molecular Entity (KME) approach to drug re-profiling and development. AGI went public in Febuary 2006, listed on the Irish Enterprise Exchange of the Irish Stock Market (IEX) and the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM).
Alexza Pharmaceuticals (ALXA) is developing drugs for acute and intermittent medical conditions. Their Staccato system aerosolizes without thermal degradation, enabling convenient delivery and rapid therapeutic onset of many small molecule drugs. The company has product candidates in clinical trials for migraine headaches, acute panic attacks, acute agitation in schizophrenia and acute pain.
ARYx Therapeutics uses retro-metabolic drug design to enhance drug safety, exploiting opportunities provided by the slow and/or toxic metabolism of top-selling drugs. Their products are conceived around well-validated targets, using therapeutic agents with well-characterized structure-activity relationships as models.
Auxilium Pharmaceuticals (AUXL) develops and markets pharmaceutical products that focus on urology and sexual health. This includes commercialization of Testim Gel for male hypogonadism (low testosterone) and development of Xiaflex for connective tissue disorders such as Duputren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease.
Avalon Pharmaceuticals (AVRX) utilizes the AvalonRx Drug Discovery Engine, which uses RNAi gene disruption signatures for the isolation of drugs against previously "intractable" targets. The Engine monitors changes in gene expression which in turn provides a strongly predictive foundation for identifying better medicines. Avalon's oncology pipeline currently has multiple products with novel mechanisms of action and also against targets previously considered "intractable".
AVEO Pharmaceuticals has built inducible, tissue-specific in vivo cancer models with which to discover drugs. Each model contains signature genetic mutations, and natural genetic variation akin to the genetic heterogeneity encountered across different primary tumors. Further, tumors that arise in this model have a number of differing phenotypes, including significant variation in tissue architecture and angiogenic potential.
Bioenvision (BIVN) is an emerging biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and distribution of drugs to treat cancer. Bioenvision has the opportunity to emerge into a leading oncology-focused pharmaceutical company, based on the successful marketing and distribution of its two lead drugs, Evoltra (clofarabine) and Modrenal (trilostane).
Calypso Medical Technologies is a medical device company dedicated to improving the delivery of targeted radiation therapy for cancer. Their FDA-cleared 4-D Localization System accurately detects real-time organ motion during radiation sessions, enabling protection of healthy tissue and stronger radiation of cancerous tissue. It operates without ionizing radiation, and without subjective interpretation of images.
Cambridge Antibody Technology (CATG) is a leader in the development of human monoclonal antibodies as new treatments for disease, having developed a pipeline of novel human monoclonal antibodies. HUMIRA, an antibody for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, developed in collaboration with Abbott, is on the market. Cambridge Antibody Technology was acquired by AstraZeneca for cash in 2006.
Confluent Surgical develops biomaterials that address intra-operative and post-operative complications, including sealants, adhesion barriers, internal and external adhesives, and hemostatic agents. Confluent’s flagship product, DuraSeal Dural Sealant, is the only approved cranial/dural sealant. Confluent Surgical was acquired by US Surgical, a Tyco Healthcare Company for cash in 2006.
Cougar Biotechnology (CGRB) is a biotechnology company established to in-license and develop oncology drugs. Cougar's oncology portfolio includes CB7630, a targeted enzyme inhibitor, which is currently being tested in Phase II clinical trials in prostate cancer; other products are being tested for hematological and solid tumors. In 2006, Cougar completed a reverse merger with public shell company, and became public.
Cytogen (CYTO) is developing, and commercializing a portfolio of oncology products. Caphosol is an approved electrolyte solution for the treatment of oral mucositis and dry mouth that is seen during chemotherapy. Cytogen’s specialized sales force also markets Quadramet (for metastatic bone pain), Prostascint (a prostate cancer imaging agent), and Soltamox (liquid tamoxifen).
Dov Pharmaceutical (DOVP) focuses on novel drug candidates for central nervous system and other disorders, including cardiovascular and urological, that involve alterations in neuronal processing. Insomnia, pain and anxiolytic products have demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials. Other product candidates address the treatment of depression, angina and hypertension.
Gemin X Biotechnologies specializes in the discovery and development of novel small-molecule cancer therapeutics based on the regulation of apoptosis, the body's natural ability to destroy injured or damaged cells. Gemin X's lead product, GX15-070 (obatoclax), is a small molecule, pan-inhibitor of Bcl-2 proteins presently in clinical trials.
Genelabs Technologies (GNLB) is discovering novel compounds that selectively inhibit replication of the hepatitis C virus, and advancing preclinical development of compounds from this hepatitis C virus drug discovery program, while also developing a late-stage product for lupus. They aim to generate either first-in-class or best-in-class products that will address diseases for which current therapies are inadequate.
Gentium S.p.A. (GENT) specializes in potential therapeutic agents, the active ingredients of which are derived from natural sources. They are developing Defibrotide for severe Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease (VOD), a potential complication of stem cell transplantation. Their other products include heparin calcium and urokinase.
Guilford Pharmaceuticals (GLFD) is a pharmaceutical company engaged in the research, development and commercialization of products that target the hospital market. Guilford’s marketed products include the Gliadel Wafer for brain tumor treatment, and their product pipeline includes a novel anesthetic, Aquavan Injection. Guilford was acquired by MGI Pharma in 2005.
Ilex Oncology (ILXO) brings novel pharmaceutical treatments for cancer patients to market, with its first drug approval in 2001. Building on the successful launch of CamPath and the initiation of clinical trials of clofarabine, Ilex is advancing an innovative pipeline of additional drug candidates. The company was acquired by Genzyme in 2004.
Kosan Biosciences (KOSN) is developing two new classes of anticancer agents: heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitors and epothilones. Hsp90 inhibitors target multiple pathways involved in cancer cell growth and survival and have the potential to overcome resistance after relapse and to synergize the initial activity of existing cancer therapies. Kosan's epothilone program is partnered with Roche through a global development and commercialization agreement.
Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) markets small molecule products in the United States. AVINZA® is their sustained-release product for chronic pain. Ligand's network of major pharmaceutical partners is also developing products for men's and women's hormone-related diseases, osteoporosis, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.
Metabolex is dedicated to the treatment of diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Their lead product candidate, MBX-102 (formerly Metaglidasen) is a second-generation insulin sensitizer designed to lower blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It does so without the edema and weight gain of currently marketed products, is being evaluated in clinical trials.
Micromet (MITI) is focused on biological products for the treatment and control of cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Using its antibody technology platforms, Micromet strives to create novel drugs that are highly specific, effective and well tolerated in patients. Its lead drug candidate is Adecatumumab (MT201),w a human antibody for treatment of solid tumors, phase II completed in breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (NABI) has a broad product portfolio that modulates the immune system. Their research focuses on developing and commercializing novel vaccines and antibody-based therapies that prevent and treat infectious, autoimmune and addictive diseases, such as Staphylococcus aureus and hepatitis infections, and nicotine addiction.
Orthovita (VITA) is an orthopedic device company focused on synthetic biomaterials for spine surgery and fracture repair. It sells VITOSS bone graft substitute, an ultra-porous resorbable bone void filler and VITAGEL, a composite liquid hemostat that combines bovine thrombin and collagen with the patient's autologous plasma. Orthovita is also developing CORTOSS as a safer alternative to PMMA cement in vertebroplasty procedures.
Pharmacopeia Drug Discovery (PCOP) is identifying and developing small molecule drug candidates, with a primary focus on immunological diseases, which offers opportunities in multiple indications. They will invest in their own programs and drive these through to clinical validation before partnering the candidate with pharmaceutical companies, primarily through license fees, milestones and royalties on drug sales.
Pharmion (PHRM) is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on licensing, developing and commercializing therapeutic products for the treatment of hematology and oncology patients. Approved products include Vidaza for myelodysplastic syndromes and Thalidomide for multiple myeloma. Pharmion went public in 2003.
Photomedex (PHMD) offers dermatology products and services including the XTRAC excimer laser and fiber-optic systems for the treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo; medical laser products and services; and ProCyte patented Copper Peptide technology for skin health, hair care and wound care.
Rigel Pharmaceuticals (RIGL) discovers and develops drugs for the treatment of inflammatory/ autoimmune diseases and cancer, as well as viral and metabolic diseases. Their research focuses on intracellular signaling pathways and related targets that are critical to disease mechanisms. Programs include rheumatoid arthritis, immune thrombocytopenia purpura and asthma.
Sunesis Pharmaceuticals (SNSS) is an oncology company developing cell-cycle inhibitors with a proprietary method of discovering drugs in pieces, or fragments. This Tethering® is a process whereby the fragment is built out using the target protein’s surface as a template to make a new full-size therapeutic compound. It is the basis of their five strategic collaborations with Biogen Idec, Johnson & Johnson PRD and Merck.
Salient Surgical provides devices that reduce surgical blood loss, reducing the need for transfusion. Utilizing Salient's saline-enhanced radio-frequency technology allows surgeons to control bleeding without charring and improve patient outcomes. Tissue is being sealed during liver resections, as well as orthopedic and spinal surgeries.
Ventaira Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing products for inhalation by utilizing its novel proprietary electrohydrodynamic (EHD) aerosolization technology and formulation technologies to improve the profile of new or existing drugs. Its proprietary Mystic™ inhalation technology delivers uniformly sized particles to the lungs.