Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have created a molecular cage that can house different molecules for drug-delivery applications. The cage’s hollow structure, made up of sub-cages, enables researchers to load different molecules and design them to react only when the cages are surrounded by particular environments. The team’s work was published in Nature Communications. “We have […]
Pharmaceuticals
Synspira raises $8m for inhaled pulmonary therapies
Privately-held Synspira said today that raised $8 million from an unnamed private investor to bring its inhaled cystic fibrosis therapy into a Phase I safety study. The Boston-based company was founded earlier this year and is focused on developing inhaled therapies for pulmonary diseases, including cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia. Synspira holds […]
MetaStat lands $7m for personalized cancer diagnostic, therapy tech
MetaStat (OTC:MTST) said this week that it closed the 1st tranche of a $7 million private placement. The round, which was led by Perceptive Advisors, is slated to bring in approximately $2.1 million, according to the Boston-based company. The private placement consisted of an aggregate of 690,816 shares of common stock and 196,216 shares of […]
Topical post-herpetic neuralgia treatment fails to meet primary endpoint in Phase II
Teva Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:TEVA) and Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NSDQ:XENE) said this week that the Phase II study of a topical post-herpetic neuralgia treatment did not meet its primary or secondary endpoints. The small-molecule inhibitor, TV-45070, was licensed by Xenon to Teva in December 2012. The Phase II trial enrolled 300 patients and randomized them to receive 4% […]
NY Rep. Collins loses millions on Innate flop
Earlier this year, Rep. Chris Collins’ (R-NY) 16.8% stake in Innate Immunotherapeutics (ASX:IIL) was worth $45.5 million. But since the Australian biotech’s lead drug failed in a 93-patient trial this week, shares in the company dropped to 4¢ apiece and Collins’ holdings are now valued at just $1.5 million. As the company’s largest investor and […]
Dissolvable microneedle patch for flu vaccine succeeds in Phase I
Dissolvable microneedle patches that deliver the flu vaccine could provide a safe and cost-effective alternative to traditional immunization methods, according to the results from a Phase I trial published in The Lancet this week. The study enrolled adults ages 18 to 49 and randomly assigned them to receive a single dose of inactivated flu vaccine via […]
Mersana Therapeutics prices $75m IPO
Cambridge-based startup Mersana Therapeutics said today that it raised $75 million in an initial public offering. The company sold 5 million shares of common stock at $15 apiece. Mersana, which debuted on the Nasdaq exchange listed under “MRSN”, also gave underwriters a 30-day option to buy up to 750,000 more shares at $15 per share. […]
Insulin assay from Ortho Clinical Diagnostics nabs FDA nod
Ortho Clinical Diagnostics said yesterday that its Vitros insulin assay and calibrators won 510(k) clearance from the FDA. The Raritan, N.J.-based company reported that the diabetes and pre-diabetes diagnostic test is slated to be commercially available in the 3rd quarter of this year. The Vitros insulin assay is part of Ortho’s diagnostic platform for diabetes, […]
Semnur touts Phase I/II trial of non-opioid pain-killer
Semnur Pharmaceuticals touted data today from a Phase I/II pharmacokinetic trial of its injectable, non-opioid pain-killer, SP-102. The trial enrolled 12 patients with radicular pain. The trial met its primary endpoint and showed that single epidural injection of SP-102 could provide a sustained analgesic effect for 1 month. The company touted its product, which is […]
Tiny bubbles get past blood-brain barrier for targeted drug delivery
The blood-brain barrier plays an important role in protecting the human brain from harmful toxins. But it also stops potentially helpful drugs from reaching the brain. Now, researchers believe that tiny bubbles loaded with drugs and delivered using ultrasound could overcome the obstacles presented by the protective network of vessels. Researchers at the University of […]