Acorda Therapeutics (NSDQ:ACOR) said today that the phase III clinical trial evaluating its inhaled formulation of Parkinson’s drug levodopa met its primary endpoint. The drug was studied as a therapy for people with Parkinson’s disease experiencing “off” periods, or a re-emergence of symptoms. The randomized phase III trial enrolled 339 patients to evaluate the efficacy […]
Neurological
Federal investigators subpoena Biogen over MS drug prices
Biogen (NSDQ:BIIB) said on Thursday that it received a subpoena in December last year from federal investigators about the prices of its top-selling multiple sclerosis drugs, Tecfidera, Avonex, Tysabri and Plegridy. In its annual regulatory filing, the company wrote that the investigators inquired about “government price reporting, rebate payments and Biogen’s co-pay assistance programs.” While Cambridge, Mass.-based Biogen said […]
Early research shows shark antibodies carrying drugs across blood-brain barrier
Danish pharmaceutical company Lundbeck made an undisclosed milestone payment to biotech Ossianix Inc., after experiments showed that shark antibodies effectively shuttled potential drugs across the blood-brain barrier in mice. The 2 companies established a research collaboration in 2014, focusing on technology development and the delivery of antibody-based therapies across the blood-brain barrier. Ossianix said that […]
Study shows Alzheimer’s drug activates stem cells in teeth
Researchers from King’s College London have shown that an Alzheimer’s drug can stimulate the stem cells found in tooth pulp and generate a protective material, dentine, in large cavities. The team’s work was published yesterday in Scientific Reports. If the soft pulp of a tooth becomes infected after a traumatic event, a thin layer of dentine is […]
Neurelis closes Series B for intranasal diazepam spray
Neurelis, Inc. said today that it closed a Series B financing round, led by HBM Healthcare Investments. Other investors included LYZZ Capital, which previously led a Series A funding round for the company. Neurelis will use the funds to complete clinical trials for its intranasal diazepam spray and prepare a new drug application to submit […]
Neurelis wins fast track designation from FDA for intranasal diazepam spray
Neurelis, Inc. said today that it won fast track designation from the FDA for its intranasal diazepam spray. The nasal formulation of diazepam, which is being developed for pediatric and adult epilepsy patients who experience repititive or cluster seizures, is in the final stage of clinical development, according to Neurelis. The company expects to submit […]
Brainstorm’s NurOwn stem cell treatment for ALS readies for phase III
Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (NSDQ:BCLI) said today that it’s preparing for a phase III trial of its NurOwn stem cell treatment, after meeting with the FDA about a biologic license application. The company is developing adult stem cell therapies derived from autologous bone marrow cells to treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS. Hackensack, N.J.-based Brainstorm is planning […]
Evotec, Celgene ink drug development deal for stem cell treatments for neurodegenerative diseases
Evotec (ETR:EVT) said today that it inked a 5-year drug discovery and development deal with Celgene (NSDQ:CELG) to identify stem cell therapies for a range of neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. According to the agreement, Hamburg, Germany-based Evotec will receive an upfront payment of $45 million and Celgene will hold exclusive […]
Bayer, Versant close $225m Series A to launch stem cell company
Bayer (ETR:BAYN) and Versant Ventures said today that the 2 groups closed a $225 million Series A financing round to launch BlueRock Therapeutics, a regenerative medicine company focused on developing induced pluripotent stem cell therapies. The funds are estimated to support the company for 4 years as it advances cell therapy clinical programs for cardiovascular and degenerative diseases. “Accessing […]
Sunovion launches clinical trial for anti-epileptic drug with wearable tech
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals said today that it will soon begin enrollment for a Phase IV study of its anti-epileptic drug Aptiom with Empatica‘s Embrace watch. The Marlborough, Mass.-based company touted its study as the 1st to incorporate a wearable seizure device with an anti-epileptic drug into the design of a clinical trial for partial-onset seizures. The Embrace watch […]