| Roche, Biogen Idec Scrap Development of Arthritis Drug: Biotech's LatestMishaps The Burrill Report submits: Roche (RHHBY.PK) and Biogen Idec (BIIB) say they will discontinue development of late-stage ocrelizumab in rheumatoid arthritis. The decision follows an analysis of the efficacy and safety results from the program that led the companies to conclude the antibody carried too great a risk to rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to benefits and available treatment options. The ocrelizumab rheumatoid arthritis program included four late-stage studies. Ocrelizumab is also being evaluated for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in a mid-stage trial. In March, Roche and Biogen Idec announced the suspension of treatment in the ocrelizumab rheumatoid arthritis program. This decision followed a recommendation from the independent ocrelizumab RA & Lupus Data and Safety Monitoring Board. The data safety monitoring board concluded that the safety risk outweighed the benefits observed in these specific patient populations at that time based on an infection related safety signal that included serious infections, some of which were fatal, and opportunistic infections. Subsequently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration placed the rheumatoid arthritis studies on clinical hold. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (TEVA) said its experimental to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease, failed in a mid-stage trial. The trial was designed to assess efficacy, safety and tolerability of Talampanel (a selective AMPA antagonist) in reducing disease-related functional deterioration in ALS patients. Teva said the trial showed Talampanel was safe for ALS patients, but the study did not meet its primary endpoint. Complete Story » seekingalpha.com |
Alliance HealthCare Services Schedules Conference Call and Webcast to Review Second Quarter 2010 Financial Results (Business Wire) NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.----Alliance HealthCare Services announced today that it will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company’s second quarter 2010 financial results, which are scheduled to be released after the market closes on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. us.rd.yahoo.com |
Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Q2 2010 Earnings Call Transcript Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ISIS)Q2 2010 Earnings Call TranscriptAugust 9, 2010 8:30 am ETComplete Story » seekingalpha.com |
U.S. to Increase AIDS Fund Donation The Obama administration is expected to announce a large increase in its pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and to call for reform of the organization. online.wsj.com |
Pfizer’s Big Generics Bet The Burrill Report submits: By Michael FitzhughPfizer (PFE) is embracing new opportunities in the anticipated $920 billion generic medicines marketplace, leveraging the accomplishments of new partners to fortify its offerings in two key emerging markets, Brazil and India. Complete Story » seekingalpha.com |