Two independent exome sequencing studies have identified new genetic subtypes of prostate cancer. Presenting its findings in Nature, a University of Michigan Medical School-led team identified CHD1 mutations in 8% of heavily pretreated lethal metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancers (CRPCs). Notably, CHD1 mutations were almost always found in tumors that didn’t...

Scientists have identified a factor in the conditioned medium of mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) cultures that appears to play a key role in the therapeutic effects of MSC-based therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS). Studies by Case Western Reserve University researchers in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS...

Girindus has obtained the exclusive rights to develop, supply, and commercialize certain oligonucleotide constructs using Marina Biotech’s conformationally restricted nucleotide (CRN) chemistry. In return Marina will receive royalties from the sale of CRN-based oligonucleotide reagents as well as a robust supply of cGMP material for Marina and its partners’ preclinical,...

Roche’s Ventana Medical Systems co-exclusively sublicensed IP from Gen-Probe granting the firm in vitro diagnostic rights relating to the immunohistochemical measurement of ERG protein expression in prostate tissue. Ventana says the licensed IP complements its existing co-exclusive sublicense to IP covering in situ hybridization measurements of ETS gene rearrangements (including...

BioDelivery Sciences received a $2.5 million prelaunch milestone payment from Meda, triggered by the first national regulatory clearance and pricing approval for Breakyl/Onsolis (fentanyl buccal soluble film) in the EU. Breakyl is indicated for the management of breakthrough pain in opioid-tolerant adult cancer patients. BioDelivery will receive another, final $2.5...

Osiris Therapeutics’ adult stem cell therapy Prochymal® received approval from Health Canada for the treatment of acute graft-vs-host disease (GvHD) in children who failed to respond to steroids. The company will have to carry out certain post-launch confirmatory studies. The decision gives Osiris the distinction of being the first company...

Scientists have adapted the algorithm used by Google’s web search engine to develop a computational program that can identify panels of biomarkers for cancer prognosis. Google’s PageRank algorithm takes into account the network of hyperlinks between web documents as well as the search terms themselves to determine which pages are...

Janssen Pharmaceuticals reported Phase III results demonstrating the efficacy of Nucynta® ER (extended release tapentadol) in managing pain associated with chronic diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Janssen says the data is consistent with that of a separate study reported in 2011 in patients with DPN. Nucynta ER is a centrally acting...

Targeted cancer drug developer Ruga negotiated rights to Selexagen Therapeutics’ RAF kinase program. The firm claims the acquired technology addresses the drawbacks to BRAF inhibition as an approach to cancer therapy. Data has demonstrated that BRAF inhibition can actually induce adaptation in RAS-activated cells and promote the development of secondary...

XenoBiotic Laboratories established a partnership with Hungary-based Solvo Biotechnology to offer in vitro transporter services in the U.S. Solvo will transfer its efflux and uptake transporter assays to XBL’s research facilities in New Jersey. The services will be made available to American customers through both Solvo and XBL sales channels....