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Cytokinetics Receives 2.9M from NINDS to Help Advance Development of CK-2017357
July 26, 2010
Cytokinetics, Inc announced recently that the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) awarded the company $2.9 million to support research and development of CK-2017357, their fast skeletal muscle troponin activator currently in Phase II trials for ALS, for the potential treatment of the rare neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis.


Actelion Pays €10M for Option to Buy Trophos for up to €195M
July 20, 2010
Swiss biopharma firm Actelion has announced it will pay French entity Trophos €10 million for an exclusive option to buy the company and acquire its late-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) drug olesoxime. A Phase III study evaluating the mitochondrial pore modulator is currently underway and is due to report by the end of 2011. Depending on the results of this study, Actelion will have the right to purchase Trophos outright for between €125 million and €195 million in cash, dependent on regulatory approvals and the clinical progress of Trophos' CNS drug pipeline.


Amorfix and Biogen Partner to Develop ALS Therapy
July 14, 2010
Amorfix Life Sciences Ltd. announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement granting Biogen Idec exclusive worldwide rights to Amorfix's lead amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) monoclonal antibodies. The antibodies have shown efficacy in animal models of ALS and Biogen Idec will now, at its expense, complete the development and prepare for clinical trials.


iPerian Snags Google Venture Funding
July 12, 2010
The quickly expanding biotech, iPerian, is forging ahead with their plans to use patient-derived iPS cells for drug discovery efforts. Google Venture, a like-minded organization driven by innovative technology, is backing iPerian with $22 million dollars in Series B funding.


Emergence of Orphan Drugs in the United States: a Quantitative Assessment of the First 25 Years (Nature Subscription Required)
July 1, 2010
Since the launch of the US Orphan Drug Act in 1983, more than 326 drugs have been approved to treat more than 200 rare diseases. The remarkable impact that this act over the past 25 years is discussed here.