BioHouston http://www.biohouston.org/en/rss BioHouston RSS Feed. BioHouston http://www.biohouston.org/tresources/en/images/icons/tendenci34x15.gif http://www.biohouston.org Copyright 2008 BioHouston Tendenci Association Software by Schipul - The Web Marketing Company en-us noemail@biohouston.org Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:40:57 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?110 July 1, 2008 -- Fifteen students are spending the summer at NASA Johnson Space Center, working alongside space life scientists and space medicine researchers as part of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute’s Summer Internship Program. As the International Space Station nears completion, these young scientists are getting a taste of health and medical research related to living in space for long periods and to sending humans back to the moon. The 10-to-15 week program provides the opportunity for undergraduate, graduate and medical students to join ongoing research activities at NASA. The 2008 NSBRI Summer Interns and their home institutions are: -Teresa Ai, Duke University -Justin Barba, Texas A&M University -Michelle Bruner, Mars Hill College -John Cackler, Stanford University -Pushan Dasgupta, Harvard University -James Fiedler, Iowa State University -Lauren Frost, West Virginia University -Jennifer Hirt, University of Kansas Medical Center -Stephanie... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?110 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?107 June 30, 2008--Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting marketing approval for ADVEXIN(R) p53 therapy to treat recurrent, refractory head and neck cancer. Simultaneously, Gendux Molecular Limited, an Introgen subsidiary, submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) for the same indication. ADVEXIN represents the first of a new class of tumor suppressor cancer therapy and is the first of its kind to be submitted for regulatory approval in the United States and Europe. Introgen has requested Priority Review from the FDA for ADVEXIN. Priority Review is typically granted to compounds that provide significant medical benefit compared to existing treatments for a disease. If Priority Review is granted, the FDA will have up to six months from submission date to take action on the dossier. ADVEXIN is considered an Orphan Drug in the US for... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?107 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:30:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?108 June 30, 2008 -- Repros Therapeutics Inc. reported today that the clinical sites have been initiated for its Phase 2b clinical study monitoring the effects of Repros’ oral drug Androxal® on male fertility and testicular function in patients being treated for low testosterone as compared to Testim®, a popular marketed topical testosterone medication. Enrollment of the 24 patients will commence at two sites in the New York City area shortly. The study is being conducted by Dr. Jed Kaminetsky in New York City and Dr. Michael Werner in Purchase, NY. All subjects will have been previously diagnosed with secondary hypogonadism and treated with topical testosterone for at least 6 months but not more than 2 years. Patients will be instructed to discontinue their topical testosterone use and return to the clinic within 7 to 21 days. If their morning testosterone is less than 300 ng/dl, they will be randomized to either Androxal or Testim. Patients will be treated for 6 months with results... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?108 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?103 June 16, 2008 -- Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., a cell therapy development and commercialization company, today announced a recent poster presentation at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research held in Philadelphia June 11 – 14, 2008. The poster, titled Ex vivo differentiation of adult human peripheral blood monocyte-derived cells into functional insulin-producing cells for the treatment of diabetes was presented Friday, June 13th by Glenn Winnier, Ph.D., Director of Stem Cell Research. The presentation described further characterization of the Company’s monocyte-derived islet technology (MDI). Opexa has previously shown that its proprietary monocyte-derived stem cells (MDSCs) can form into islet cell-like clusters that express pancreatic specific markers, including pdx-1, insulin, glucose transporter 2, glucagon and somatostatin as determined by immunocytochemistry. Using gene array technology, upregulation of numerous genes involved in the insulin... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?103 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?105 June 16, 2008 – Freescale Semiconductor and Monebo Technologies announced a partnership to deliver a comprehensive platform solution for medical equipment using electrocardiogram (ECG) technology. The ECG-on-a-chip solution combines Monebo’s Kinetic™ ECG software with Freescale’s embedded processing technology to enable medical equipment manufacturers to develop easy-to-use ECG monitoring tools. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. An estimated 17.5 million people died from cardiovascular disease in 2005, representing 30 percent of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 7.6 million were due to heart attacks and 5.7 million were due to stroke. By 2015, an estimated 20 million people will die from cardiovascular disease every year, primarily from heart attacks and strokes. Many of these deaths will occur with no previous symptoms of cardiovascular disease. ECG monitors are vital tools used by healthcare providers to... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?105 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?104 June 16, 2008 -- PLx Pharma Inc. announced today that it has successfully completed a clinical trial of PL 2100, also known as Aspirin-PC and demonstrated it’s bioequivalence with regular aspirin. This trial demonstrates PL 2100 Aspirin-PC may bridge to the safety and efficacy of aspirin for prescription (Rx) treatment and prevention of secondary prevention of stroke and myocardial infarction and over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic and fever indications. This trial is a first step in a clinical development program that will investigate PL 2100 Aspirin-PC as an aspirin formulation that is potentially safer for the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Unlike other approaches to GI safety, such as enteric coated aspirin products which markedly delay the antiplatelet effects, PL 2100 is being investigated for rapid anti-platelet, analgesic and anti-pyretic efficacy with potentially improved gastrointestinal safety. Aspirin is a widely used drug available OTC for pain and fever relief and as... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?104 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?106 June 16, 2008 -- LDR, a total spine solution company, announced today that it has begun to market its ROI-A™ partial vertebral body replacement device following 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration in April. The ROI-A™ system incorporates the innovative verteBRIDGE™ anchoring technology. The ROI-A™ is a stand-alone implant system with zero profile, self-locking anchoring plates designed for initial and long-term stability. The surgical technique is a direct anterior approach, with the curved anchoring plates inserted along the sagittal plane thus requiring no additional exposure to the vertebral bodies. The ROI-A™ device is made of PEEK-Optima® for biocompatibility and radiolucency along with Tantalum markers for verification of implant positioning. The system is comprised of multiple footprint sizes, lordotic angles and heights for optimized fit per anatomical requirements. An innovative inserter holds the implant, protecting vascular structures and... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?106 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?99 June 12, 2008 -- Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., a cell therapy development and commercialization company, today announced favorable safety and efficacy data for Tovaxin®, the Company’s investigational T-cell vaccination therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS), in the second year of open-label clinical retreatment studies in patients with MS. The intent to treat population of 22 patients included 13 with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and nine with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). An analysis of disease progression of disability over a two year period, as measured by a 1.0 or greater change in Expanded Disability Scoring Scale (EDSS), showed that 27.3% of patients demonstrated sustained improvement, 59.1% had no disease progression and 13.6% experienced sustained worsening of disability. The improvement in the EDSS scores ranged from 1.0 to 4.5 (average 2.41). During the two-year study period 72.7% of patients remained relapse-free. Brian Loftus, M.D., of... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?99 noemail@biohouston.org Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?101 June 12, 2008 -- The Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) was created by the Texas Legislature at the urging of Governor Rick Perry in 2005 and reauthorized in 2007. The TETF provides up and coming Texas technologies with the support needed to develop and commercialize new technologies, many of which have ties to universities. To date, the TETF has allocated $127.5 million dollars to Texas companies and partnering universities creating a deal flow infrastructure that will serve the state well for many years to come. In Texas, we understand that high-tech companies dont just happen overnight but are a product of forethought, sound vision and planning, and strategic investments by both the public and private sectors. Through our Emerging Technology Fund, we are bringing the best scientists and researchers to Texas, attracting high-tech jobs and helping start-up companies get off the ground faster. - Governor Rick Perry Texas Emerging Technology Fund -- Latest Investment Stats ... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?101 noemail@biohouston.org Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?95 June 11, 2008 -- The first comprehensive publication of international best practices for the use of KCI’s V.A.C.® Therapy was introduced last week at the 3rd Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) in Toronto, Canada. The consensus document, Principles of Best Practice - Vacuum Assisted Closure: Recommendations for Use, A Consensus Document, was developed by an international expert working group to provide guidance on the successful integration of V.A.C. Therapy into clinical practice for the treatment of six selected wound types. The initiative draws on both the significant clinical research evidence and the consensus, best practice opinions of 26 international wound care experts in the group. Studies show that Vacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C.) Therapy has helped to improve wound care outcomes and has led to a number of dramatic changes in clinical practice over the past decade, said Professor Keith Harding, Co-Chair of the Working Group and Head of the Wound... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?95 noemail@biohouston.org Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?93 June 11, 2008--Today, Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. announced the formation of Introgen Technical Services, Inc. (ITS) to pursue contract production, process development and manufacturing services. It is anticipated that ITS will supply Introgens future product inventory needs for development stage and future commercial products. Advances in both scale and flexibility of biologics production have allowed Introgen to build its product inventories and to manufacture under contract for select projects. Aimed at increasing value for shareholders, the creation of ITS will allow for expansion of contract manufacturing and services to utilize Introgens production capacities and assets in its multiple facilities. The Texas A&M University System (A&M System) and Introgen also announced today that they have formed an alliance (the Alliance) to address opportunities for process development and production of therapeutics, vaccines, delivery systems and devices for human and veterinary applications... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?93 noemail@biohouston.org Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:30:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?94 <p>ApoCell Inc. and Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc. have begun work on a phase II clinical trial of Reata RTA 402 for the treatment of diabetic renal disease. </p> <p>RTA 402 is the lead molecule emerging from Reata's platform of Antioxidant Inflammation Modulators (AIMs). RTA 402 has also shown promising activity in a recent cancer phase I study of patients with advanced solid tumors. </p> <p>Houston-based ApoCell develops assays for biomarker expression in circulating tumor and endothelial cells (CTC and CEC). </p> <p>"This is the first non-cancer trial that we are applying our extensive experience in detecting and quantifying expression profiles in circulating rare cells," said ApoCell CEO Darren Davis. </p> <p>"We intend to follow this trend and expand our offering to pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers of treatments for inflammation, cardiovascular, autoimmune and CNS disorders with the ultimate goal of making personalized medicine a reality," said Davis. </p> <p>ApoCell was founded in 2004 to commercialize biomarker technologies developed at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. </p> <p>The proprietary method monitors the effectiveness of cancer drugs by measuring biomarker expression patterns in tumor cells. </p> <p>The company has conducted 38 clinical studies with over 11,000 specimens on 28 investigational drugs and eight FDA-approved cancer drugs. </p> <p>Irving-based Reata Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on translating science into medicines for diseases such as cancer, inflammation and neurodegenerative disease. </p> http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?94 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?98 June 10, 2008 -- The Texas A&M University System, Austin-based Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. and its wholly owned spinout Introgen Technical Services, Inc. (ITS) today announced formation of a far-reaching alliance to develop and produce therapeutics, vaccines and delivery systems for human and veterinary applications. The alliance will work with the biopharmaceutical industry, academic researchers and government clients, including the biodefense and public health sectors. Newly formed ITS, whose principal function will be to provide a steady inventory stream for parent Introgen Technical Services, a biopharmaceutical firm, also will concentrate on enhancing Good Manufacturing Practices protocols at Introgen’s various sites in Texas. Initially that includes two GMP facilities in Houston and future expansions elsewhere in the state. GMP standards, based on regulations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, require manufacturers of drug and related products to take proactive steps... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?98 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?92 June 9 -- Repros Therapeutics Inc. today released initial findings from evaluation of gross necropsies conducted upon completion of the in-life portion of a six-month mouse study conducted to satisfy a portion of the FDA mandated two-species trials to demonstrate the lack of carcinogenic potential for new chemical entities. In the positive and negative controlled study, Proellex showed no gross potential for tumor induction as compared to both controls. Proellex was tested at 10, 40 and 100 times the human dose in this well-recognized and characterized study. As expected the positive control, urethane, yielded easily identifiable tumors on gross necropsy. In a previously completed battery of studies, Proellex showed no genotoxic activity, an early indicator of potential for induction of cancerous tumors. A mouse carcinogenicity study of Proellex was sponsored by Repros Therapeutics at BioReliance in Rockville, Maryland using a breed of mice bearing the rasH2 mutation. These rasH2 mice... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?92 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?85 June 4, 2008 -- Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Jiangsu Aosaikang Pharmaceutical Co., LTD., a premier pharmaceutical company focused on bringing oncology medicines to the China market, today announced the signing of a definitive licensing agreement under which ASK will manufacture, develop and commercialize Access proprietary product ProLindac(TM) for the Greater China Region which includes the Peoples Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan. ProLindac is Access novel DACH platinum prodrug currently in Phase 2 clinical studies which has been shown to be active in a wide variety of solid tumors in both preclinical models and in human trials. Under the terms of the agreement ASK will pay Access an upfront fee and subsequent milestone payments along with a double digit royalty upon commercialization of ProLindac. In addition, in co-operation with Access, ASK has committed to fund and execute two (2) Phase 2... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?85 noemail@biohouston.org Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?82 June 3, 2008 – Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing breakthrough treatments for human disease, announced today that it has received Fast Track status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for development of LX1032, an orally-delivered small molecule drug candidate for managing gastrointestinal symptoms associated with carcinoid syndrome. LX1032 is one of four programs in human clinical trials as part of Lexicon’s 10TO10 program. Fast Track status can accelerate the development and expedite the review of LX1032, said Arthur T. Sands, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at Lexicon. The FDA recognizes the serious unmet medical need of patients with carcinoid syndrome who no longer respond to standard care and the potential benefits that LX1032 could have for those suffering from this disease. Having completed a single-dose Phase 1a clinical trial, Lexicon will initiate a multi-dose Phase 1b clinical... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?82 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 03 Jun 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?81 June 2, 2008 – BioMedical Enterprises, Inc., a privately held medical device company and leader in orthopaedic shape memory implant technology, today announced the launch of the OSSAnchor™ Grip, a nitinol implant designed to approximate soft tissue to bone. The Grip is the first in the family of OSSAnchor™ nitinol soft tissue implants, designed to secure soft tissue to bone. The Grip is a nitinol implant with aggressive barbs on the legs for bone adhesion, and teeth on the underside of the implant for grasping of soft tissue. The Grip is ideal for upper and lower extremity soft tissue procedures, such as the Achilles tendon reattachment, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and biceps tenodesis. Made of nitinol, a biocompatible alloy possessing shape memory and super-elastic properties, the OSSAnchor™ Grip implant is inserted at room temperature. Using BME’s patented OSSforce™ Implant Controller, the implant is safely heated above body temperature. During this process,... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?81 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?86 June 1, 2008 -- Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced results from a first-in-man study of RTA 402 in patients with advanced cancers, presented in an oral session at the annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology. RTA 402 is the clinical lead from Reata’s Antioxidant Inflammation Modulators (AIMs), a new and highly promising category of drugs for the treatment of cancer and inflammation. One of the study’s Principal Investigators, Dr. David Hong from the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, presented data showing that RTA 402 had an excellent safety profile and provided a clinical benefit in a significant percentage of patients. Investigators also confirmed that the drug was active against its biological targets, NF-kappa B and STAT3. These pro-inflammatory transcription factors promote tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Overall, RTA 402 showed a profile of disease control and tumor reduction comparable or... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?86 noemail@biohouston.org Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?80 May 29, 2008 -- Repros Therapeutics Inc. today released encouraging results from its one-year extension safety study of Proellex in the chronic treatment of the symptoms associated with uterine fibroids. To date there have been no findings of abnormal endometrial biopsies post menses after cessation of administration of drug. Repros has described in previous communications that it had developed a unique approach to dosing with Proellex which treats women for four months (16 weeks) and then stops treatment to create an off drug interval until the next menstrual period commences and then recommences treatment for four months. These cyclical treatments are designed to be used for chronic treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. The rationale for this treatment regimen is that most of the reported bleeding events in previous studies occurred after 16 weeks of continuous treatment and were accompanied by endometrial thickening. By allowing a menstrual flow to occur after treatment... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?80 noemail@biohouston.org Thu, 29 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?74 May 29, 2008 -- ArthroCare(R) Corp. announced today that its Opus(R) TwinLock(TM) Knotless Fixation System, launched last year, has earned them the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Innovation. The Award is presented each year to the company that has demonstrated excellence in new products and technologies within their industry. To identify the recipient of the Award, Frost & Sullivan does not accept nominations or submissions. All recipients are selected based upon Frost & Sullivans industry-wide tracking and research. An analyst team tracks new product launches, R&D spending, products in development, and new product features and modifications. All new product launches and new products in development in each company are compared and evaluated based on degree of innovation and customer satisfaction. In its formal Award Recipient write-up, Frost & Sullivan noted that, Since its launch, the TwinLock system has been received well in the market and has been considered a true... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?74 noemail@biohouston.org Thu, 29 May 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?75 May 28, 2008--Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.: Highlights: -- First Phase III Gene Therapy Cancer Trial in the US to Successfully Meet Study Objectives -- Primary and Secondary Efficacy Endpoints Successfully Met, Study Objective Achieved -- p53 Predictive Biomarkers Demonstrate ADVEXIN and Methotrexate Efficacy in Different and Complementary Patients -- Clinical Utility of ADVEXIN in Comparison to Methotrexate Demonstrated Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that ADVEXIN(R) (p53 tumor suppressor therapy) significantly increased survival in end-stage head and neck cancer patients with prospectively identified p53 favorable profiles (7.2 vs. 2.7 months; p less than 0.0001). In the intent-to-treat (ITT) population, including patients with p53 favorable and unfavorable p53 profiles, ADVEXIN and methotrexate had similar overall survival while ADVEXIN had a superior safety profile. ADVEXIN is designed to restore p53 tumor suppression blocked in the majority of tumors. The... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?75 noemail@biohouston.org Wed, 28 May 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?73 May 28, 2008 – Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it is implementing a reorganization designed to reduce costs and increase efficiencies in its research and discovery operations. This action will further focus the company’s resources on its strategic, business, and clinical development initiatives. The cost reductions associated with the reorganization will enable the company to continue to invest appropriately in the development of its expanding pipeline of drug candidates, while maintaining a productive and robust drug discovery operation. This reorganization is a significant milestone in the process we began in early 2007 to transform ourselves into a biopharmaceutical company with a pipeline of innovative drug products that derive from our unique insights into the human genome, said Arthur T. Sands, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer. This action will reduce operating expenses associated with our research and discovery efforts and allow us to... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?73 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 27 May 2008 21:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?78 <p class="implant">May 27, 2008 -- LDR, a total spine solution company, announced today that it has begun to market its ROI-T™ partial vertebral body replacement device following recent 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration. </p> <p class="implant">The ROI-T™ is a transforaminal approach implant with an anatomic shape that conforms to the anterior vertebral body, the minimal width and tapered end of the device facilitating insertion through a small opening. The open interior cavity allows for substantial graft amounts. </p> <p class="implant">The ROI-T™ device is made of PEEK-Optima® for biocompatibility and radiolucency along with Tantalum markers for verification of implant positioning. The system is comprised of multiple lordotic angles and heights for optimized fit per anatomical requirements. An innovative inserter holds the implant, providing full support of the device during impaction. </p> <p class="implant">Christophe Lavigne, CEO of LDR, comments, “The addition of the ROI-T implant to our family of PEEK products provides surgeons with an even greater selection of solutions from LDR. We will continue to increase our range of products before the end of 2008 to support our strategy to aggressively position our company in the US market.” </p> <p class="implant">Dr. Gregory Hoffman of Orthopaedics Northeast in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, comments “The low profile of the implant is perfectly designed for a minimal approach and the implant holder provides full support along the implant and a strong connection for easy maneuverability and placement.” </p> <p class="implant">Dr. Alan McGee of Orthopaedics Northeast in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, adds “The implant’s design conforms well to the anterior vertebral body and with multiple heights and angles of lordosis adapts well to patient anatomy to provide a secure and stable construct.” </p> <p class="implant">LDR works closely with surgeons to develop implantable spine systems and instrumentation that restore optimum stability and mobility to patients and to make spine surgery more reproducible and easier to perform.&nbsp; </p> http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?78 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 27 May 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?79 <p>May 23,&nbsp;2008&nbsp;-- PowerLung, Inc., a Houston-based manufacturer of a patented device to reduce breathlessness by training and strengthening the muscles used for inhale and exhale breathing, has been selected as a 2008 Most Promising Life Science Company at the 7th Annual Life Science Technology Venture Forum. The Forum was sponsored by Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, held at Rice University on May 15, 2008. PowerLung was one of 10 companies selected for the honor.</p> <p>PowerLung was asked to participate in the Elevator Pitch and Corporate Showcase sections of the program. "This event is always exciting and a real challenge" said Carolyn Morse, President of PowerLung. "It is such a fantastic opportunity to present our company, our products and our plans in the company of many other qualified companies." At the end of the program, when PowerLung was announced, "It was a thrill," said Morse, "because we were able to communicate the milestones we have met and set for our new life sciences products."</p> <p>PowerLung product models are currently available for a variety of users with active lifestyles as well as for performing artists. All products are currently registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Class I (Exempt) devices in the category of exercise equipment. PowerLung products are available through specialty retailers and online retailers throughout the world. More information on PowerLung, Inc. and PowerLung products is available at www.powerlung.com</p> http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?79 noemail@biohouston.org Fri, 23 May 2008 05:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?69 May 21 - The Rice Alliance announced the top ten most promising Life Science companies at the 7th Annual Life Science Venture Forum in Houston last Thursday. 50 emerging life science companies from around the United States were hand-picked to present their new ventures for an audience of more than 400 attendees, including investors, venture capitalists, industry representatives, business leaders, advisors/mentors, service providers, researchers, and entrepreneurs. One prominent life science venture capitalist remarked that this was the best group of life science companies that she had seen in her eight years in venture capital. Over 150 life science companies have been showcased at past Rice Alliance Life Science Technology Venture Forums, many of whom have received significant early stage funding. Over a dozen presenters have received funding from the newly formed Texas Emerging Technology Fund alone. The one-day event culminated in an announcement of the Most Promising... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?69 noemail@biohouston.org Wed, 21 May 2008 17:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?62 May 20, 2008. Pharm-Olam International Ltd. and MB Quest, a member of the POI Group, announce the opening of a third Russian office in St. Petersburg. POI is a multi-national full service CRO to pharmaceutical and biotech industries. With offices in Moscow, Novosibirsk, and now St. Petersburg we can offer sponsors cost effective coverage in the three most populated areas in Russia, said Eugene Barg, President of MBQ. We have conducted clinical research in Russia since 1997, and had previously covered sites in St. Petersburg with regional employees. Because of the concentration of state-approved sites for research and the continued interest from sponsors it made sense to establish a permanent office there. We have highly qualified clinical teams throughout Russia and the majority of our staff have medical degrees and PhDs and many of them are specialists. The St. Petersburg office location provides convenient access to several therapeutic hospitals in the second largest metro... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?62 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 20 May 2008 15:45:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?61 May 19, 2008--Kinetic Concepts, Inc. announced today that it has completed its initial tender offer for the outstanding shares of common stock of LifeCell Corporation. More than 91% of the outstanding shares of common stock of LifeCell have been tendered, making LifeCell a majority owned subsidiary of KCI. The initial offering period for the tender offer expired at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on Friday, May 16, 2008, with a total of approximately 31.25 million LifeCell shares being validly tendered in the offer and not withdrawn (including approximately 6.2 million shares delivered through notices of guaranteed delivery), representing approximately 91.3% of the outstanding shares of common stock of LifeCell. Shares tendered through notices of guaranteed delivery are required to be delivered to KCI by Wednesday, May 21, 2008. KCI, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Leopard Acquisition Sub, Inc. (Purchaser), has accepted for purchase all shares that were validly tendered and... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?61 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 19 May 2008 13:45:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?63 May 14, 2008 – Asuragen announced today the CE-mark and European launch of RNARetain™ Pre-Analytical RNA Stabilization Solution, the Company’s clinically validated and cGMP manufactured sample collection and RNA stabilization solution. Based upon patented technology, RNARetain is labeled for the collection, storage, and transport of clinical human cellular and solid tissue specimens and stabilization of intracellular RNA within these specimens for subsequent extraction and molecular analysis. RNARetain was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in conjunction with Agendia BV’s MammaPrint® breast cancer test in June 2007. RNARetain will become a valuable tool in molecular diagnostics and future personalized medicine applications by allowing shipment of fresh tumor biopsies at ambient temperature, thus greatly facilitating the logistical process of sample handling, said Matt Winkler, CEO/CSO, Asuragen, Inc. RNARetain infiltrates tissues and cells, precipitating... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?63 noemail@biohouston.org Wed, 14 May 2008 17:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?59 May 13, 2008 - Kinetic Concepts, Inc., a global medical technology company with leadership positions in advanced wound care and therapeutic support systems, today announced that it has entered into a three-year agreement with The MED Group, a nationwide network of independently-owned home medical equipment (HME), respiratory and mobility companies. Under the terms of the agreement, The MED Group, which has more than 340 member companies and more than 1,000 operating locations nationwide, will be KCIs preferred HME provider network manager and will provide KCI therapeutic support systems referral sources with an efficient and high-quality service to facilitate transfer of patients to the home while ensuring a quicker delivery, more efficient set-up and better patient outcomes. KCI is very pleased to partner with The MED Groups network of independent home medical equipment dealers who have a great reputation for reliable service and high-quality patient care, said Lynne Sly, Global... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?59 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 13 May 2008 17:30:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?67 May 13, 2008 - Seno Medical Instruments, Inc., a company engaged in the development of opto-acoustics, the next generation cancer imaging technology, today announced the appointment of William F. Keane, M.D. to the company’s Scientific Advisory Committee. I am pleased that Dr. Keane has accepted to become a member of Seno’s Scientific Advisory Committee, said Janet Campbell, Chairman and CEO of Seno. His medical background, global business experience, integrity, knowledge and experience in medical innovations will be an asset to our internationally recognized Scientific Advisory Committee. With more than 38 years of professional medical experience, Dr. Keane joins an elite group of medical professionals on Seno’s Scientific Advisory Committee. His most recent professional experience is as Chief Medical Officer at Reliant Pharmaceuticals where he directed all scientific and medical activities for the company. Keane provided guidance for Reliant Pharmaceuticals after it was acquired by... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?67 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 13 May 2008 17:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?64 May 12, 2008 - Mystic Pharmaceuticals, the Austin, Texas-based integrated specialty pharmaceutical company today announced expansion for its management, engineering and scientific team with eight new hires over the past four months. The appointments bring enhanced capabilities to the company’s executive, operations, science and engineering and teams. Timothy Sullivan, President & CEO said, Mystic Pharmaceuticals has experienced tremendous momentum in the past 18 months and welcomes the expertise, energy and commitment of its eight new Mystic team members. Each will play an important role in helping to bring our products toward commercialization and realizing the company’s mission. Four key appointments include: Irach Taraporewala Ph.D joins Mystic as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Research. He brings twenty years experience in drug development and regulatory affairs within the pharmaceutical industry and was formerly senior consultant with PAREXEL... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?64 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 12 May 2008 17:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?55 May 12 - Repros Therapeutics Inc. (NasdaqGM:RPRX) today released encouraging results from its pilot study of the potential for adverse cardiac events associated with administration of doses of Proellex up to four times higher than the intended marketed dose. The study was designed to assess the potential for QT prolongation, an indicator of potential adverse cardiac effects and a major safety consideration for the FDA. Study Results In preparation for conducting a thorough QT study (TQT), Repros has completed a pilot trial dosing healthy female volunteers for seven days with Proellex 200 mg. Formal QT studies are dosed for five days. This Proellex dose is 4 to 8 times the dose shown to be effective in our uterine fibroid and endometriosis trials. Subjects all had baseline electrocardiograms (ECGs) and blood tests for safety and were dosed with Proellex 200 mg daily for 7 days. ECGs were done at baseline and 2 hours after dosing on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. In addition Proellex... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?55 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 12 May 2008 15:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?60 VGX Pharmaceuticals today announced that the Company has signed a multi-year supply agreement to provide plasmid DNA to support the ongoing toxicology and clinical trials of the United Kingdom Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Consortium comprising over 80 scientists and clinicians in Edinburgh, London and Oxford dedicated to the search for effective gene therapy to the lungs of those with Cystic Fibrosis. Under the terms of the agreement, VGX will provide multiple batches of a CFTR product to support clinical studies planned to run through 2010. If all options are exercised, several hundred grams of plasmid DNA will be provided, making this agreement one of the largest contracts for non-viral gene therapy products ever undertaken. Alan Larsen, Director of Research at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said, The CF Trust has committed over £30 million to the Consortiums cutting edge work culminating in a phase II clinical trial planned for 2009, and we are proud to be leading the world in gene... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?60 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 12 May 2008 14:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?57 May 12 - One of the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research’s longest running departments is being spun off as a private, for-profit business enterprise based on the massive body of work the department has accumulated in female reproductive and related health issues. SFBR president John Kerr, who first envisioned the concept, said the new company, Evestra Inc., is receiving all of the assets, personnel, and scientific know-how of the Foundation’s Organic Chemistry Department, an internationally recognized research group in steroid chemistry, together with start-up funding from SFBR. In addition to funding provided by SFBR, which will initially be the majority shareholder of the new company, Evestra is raising a first round of financing primarily from San Antonio-area investors. Evestra is being built on the department’s 30-plus years’ experience in the discovery and synthesis of novel steroid compounds used in a wide range of female healthcare applications, including... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?57 noemail@biohouston.org Mon, 12 May 2008 13:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?48 May 8 -- ULURU Inc. today announced the Companys launch plan for Altrazeal(TM) and the commercial availability of the product commencing the week of May 19, 2008. Altrazeal(TM) is the first wound care dressing to be developed from our nanoparticle aggregate technology. It is an easy to apply and remove powder hydrogel that in the presence of body fluids rapidly converts to a gel material which fills and seals the wound, promoting an optimal moist healing environment and reduces the need for multiple dressing changes. The Altrazeal(TM) launch meeting, including the training of our sales force, has been conducted during the past two weeks. As part of the training, our sales organization attended the American Burn Association (ABA) Annual meeting in Chicago last week where Altrazeal(TM) was demonstrated. The response from the physicians and nurses to the product was very positive and it was seen as a potentially significant improvement to the treatment and patient care of burn victims.... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?48 noemail@biohouston.org Thu, 08 May 2008 15:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?40 May 07, 2008-- ArthroCare Corp., a leader in developing state-of-the-art, minimally invasive surgical products, today announced results from its five-year study evaluating the effectiveness of the TOPAZ MicroDebrider to treat common tendon disorders, and concluded patients who had the minimally invasive procedure were highly satisfied with the procedure and continue to experience pain relief. Five-year study results were presented last month at the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) Annual Meeting in Washington D.C. Initiated in 2003, Radiofrequency Microtenotomy for Epicondylitis: Five-Year Follow-up and Proposed Mechanism of Action evaluated the outcome of 82 patients treated for chronic tendinosis using the TOPAZ MicroDebrider. Assessment of pain relief was monitored over a period of one to five years for each patient and 95 percent of patients reported good to excellent results. All patients had symptoms of intractable medial and lateral epicondylitis where... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?40 noemail@biohouston.org Wed, 07 May 2008 15:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?47 May 6, 2008 – LC Sciences announced today that it has entered into a strategic marketing alliance with DNAVision to increase accessibility to its custom microRNA profiling service and enhance both its customer and technical service to researchers in Europe. LC Sciences’ microRNA profiling service is powered by µParaflo® microfluidic technology and makes use of flexible custom microarrays for expression profiling as well as discovery of novel small RNAs and validation of predicted microRNAs. DNAVision, specialized in molecular biology, provides a wide range of genetic services and products to the pharmaceutical, food, and biotechnology industries. We are very excited about this alliance with DNAVision, clearly one of the quality leaders of microarray and other molecular biology services, says Chris Hebel, Director of Business Development at LC Sciences. Although we are currently serving customers globally from our headquarters in the U.S., we felt is was important to extend our reach... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?47 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 06 May 2008 16:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?51 OncoVista Innovative Therapies Inc., a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development and commercialization of targeted cancer therapies, announced the submission of a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a pre-IDE determination meeting for its AdnaGen AdnaTest Breast Cancer device for the detection of circulating breast tumor cells. AdnaGen is a subsidiary of OncoVista and focuses on the development of innovative tumor diagnostics by utilizing its proprietary technology for the detection and analysis of rare cells. OncoVista’s Chief Executive Officer, Alexander L. Weis, Ph.D., commented: We are very pleased to have submitted this package to the FDA. The AdnaTest is intended for use as a prognostic test for women with metastatic breast cancer, in whom the presence of circulating tumor cells is associated with decreased progression-free survival and decreased overall survival and as such can be of tremendous benefit in determining those patients who can best... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?51 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 06 May 2008 15:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?38 May 2, 2008--Kinetic Concepts, Inc. today announced the closing of the private sale of an additional $90 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2015 pursuant to the exercise in full of the over-allotment option granted to the initial purchases of the notes. This brings the total amount of the notes issued to $690 million. The coupon on the notes is 3.25% per year on the principal amount. Interest will accrue from April 21, 2008, and is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning October 15, 2008. The notes will mature on April 15, 2015, unless previously converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms. The notes are not redeemable by KCI prior to the maturity date. Upon conversion, holders will receive cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the notes being converted and shares of KCI common stock in respect of the remainder, if any, of KCIs conversion obligation in excess of the... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?38 noemail@biohouston.org Fri, 02 May 2008 15:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?39 May 1, 2008--ArthroCare(R) Corp., a leader in developing state-of-the-art, minimally invasive surgical products, announced today that it has acquired OrtoConcept Scandinavia, a medical device distributor based in Aarhus, Denmark, and specializing in the distribution of sports medicine and spine devices to surgeons throughout Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The acquisition of OrtoConcept supports ArthroCares strategic objective of direct representation in key markets outside the United States. It further accelerates long term revenue growth potential, controls in-market focus and brand awareness while enhancing the operating income of the companys international business, said Sten Dahlborg, senior vice president and general manager of international operations for ArthroCare. The establishment of direct sales representation in Scandinavia through OrtoConcepts extremely strong customer relations within the orthopedic community, experienced personnel and an exceptionally customer-oriented... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?39 noemail@biohouston.org Thu, 01 May 2008 15:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?45 <div>April 2008 ----- ThromboVision, Inc., a Houston-based biomedical diagnostics company, has appointed Alberto (Albert) Rodriguez to be director of engineering.<br> <br> Rodriguez will manage final design of ThromboVision’s ThromboGuide® (T-Guide®) Platelet Function Monitor, continue building the engineering/manufacturing team, and oversee the ramp-up of manufacturing when clinical trials are complete.</div> <div><br> Rodriguez comes to ThromboVision from Cyberonics, where he served most recently as senior manager of design engineering. He brings experience with product and technology development, regulatory audits, software development, and strategic planning to support the research and clinical phases prior to market release.</div> <div><br> “ThromboVision sought an engineering director who could both motivate our manufacturing team and prepare the T-Guide for the critical come-to-market phase, and Albert brings that combination of leadership and technical skills,” said Dr. Edward R.<br> Teitel, ThromboVision president and CEO.</div> <div><br> Earlier in his career, Rodriguez worked with McDonnell Douglas/Boeing on communication satellite software and control systems. He holds a BS in computer science from the University of Houston–Clear Lake, is pursuing PMP certification from the Project Management Institute, and is active in the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.</div> <div><br> ABOUT THROMBOVISION</div> <div><br> ThromboVision, Inc., www.thrombovision.com, is a biomedical company committed to enabling people to lead longer and healthier lives. ThromboVision provides easy-to-use, rapid-response, cost-effective, and versatile point-of-care clinical diagnostic discoveries that advance medical diagnosis. The company’s products will improve medical care by assisting physicians in diagnosing and managing critical cardiovascular risk factors, especially those related to platelet function and antiplatelet drug therapy.</div> <div><br> SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT</div> <div><br> This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this release regarding ThromboVision’s business that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements,” which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such statements.</div> http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?45 noemail@biohouston.org Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?37 <p>BioSeek Inc. and Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc. will work together on drug discovery. </p> <p>Lexicon will use BioSeek's technology to test drug candidates in the deal. No financial details were disclosed </p> <p>Lexicon (NASDAQ: LXRX) is based in The Woodlands, Texas, north of Houston. Earlier this month, it reported success in a Phase I trial of a rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Arthur Sands, M.D., is the company's president and CEO. The business was started in 1995 and went public in 2000. </p> <p>The researchers who developed the gene knockout technology used by Lexicon won a Nobel Prize in medicine in 2007. </p> <p>Michael Venuti is CEO of BioSeek, which is based in Burlingame but which will be moving soon to Edgewater Business Park in South San Francisco, where it just signed a deal for 15,000 square feet of space. </p> http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?37 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?36 <p>IDev Technologies Inc., a Houston-based medical device developer, has closed a $25 million Series C round of financing that will be used to expand sales and marketing of an innovative stent for use in treating vascular and non-vascular diseases. </p> <p>The financing came entirely from existing investors, led by Austin-based PTV Lifesciences, Rivervest Venture Partners of St. Louis, Bay City Capital of San Francisco and Heron Capital of Minneapolis. </p> <p>The self-expanding stent -- called the Supera Transhepatic Biliary System -- was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2006 but was launched commercially only in January this year with FDA approval of a related component. </p> <p>The company is developing additional medical devices and has a patent portfolio of more than 30 technologies exclusively licensed from the <a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/imp;v7;j;200312956;0-0;0;17653138;0/0;26089402/26107256/1;;~aopt=2/1/be/0;~okv=;dcopt=ist;abr!ie;~cs=a%3fhttp://m1.2mdn.net/1493685/dell_diversity.html?t=10&amp;cT=http%3A//ad.doubleclick.net/click%253Bh%3Dv8/36ab/2/0/%252a/s%253B200312956%253B0-0%253B0%253B17653138%253B255-0/0%253B26089402/26107256/1%253B%253B%257Eaopt%253D2/1/be/0%253B%257Esscs%253D%253f&amp;l=http%3A//www.bizjournals.com/houston/gen/MD_Anderson%2520Cancer%2520Center_be0eb15fea69493680741081713ea381.html">M.D. Anderson Cancer Center</a>. </p> <p>The latest financing brings the seven-year-old company's total funding so far to $52 million. </p> http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?36 noemail@biohouston.org Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?41 April 23, 2008 – Asuragen, Inc. announced today the launch of the first microRNA (miRNA) test for clinical diagnosis and disease management. The assay utilizes qRT-PCR technology* and differentiates between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma). Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. Chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer present similar symptoms and can be mis-diagnosed in up to 25% of patients. The test was developed following the discovery of novel microRNAs associated with pancreatic cancer in collaboration between Asuragen scientists and Dr. Stephan Hahn and colleagues at Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany as reported in the journal Oncogene in 2007. According to Dr. Hahn, The identification of a microRNA, which as far as we know is specific for pancreatic cancer cells, represents a major step forward in supporting new diagnostic strategies for pancreatic diseases. The definitive... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?41 noemail@biohouston.org Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:45:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?43 April 23, 2008 – Asuragen, Inc. announced today the global launch of Signature® LTx (Leukemia Translocation Panel), a multiplexed reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay that detects nine common leukemiaassociated translocations. The assay is performed on a Luminex cytometer using a multi-probe liquid bead array method. The liquid bead array format provides comprehensive information in a single well, providing efficiency and cost benefits to the laboratory. The product was first launched in the United States late 2005, and is currently utilized by hospitals and cancer centers throughout the United States. The Signature® LTx (RUO) panel is utilized for the rapid detection and identification of the fusion transcripts from common chromosome translocations and abnormalities associated with CML, AML, APL, and ALL. The Signature LTx panel is more sensitive than standard karyotype and FISH analysis, and because it is highly multiplexed, eliminates the need for analysis on numerous... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?43 noemail@biohouston.org Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?34 HOUSTON – April 22, 2008 - Agennix, Inc. announced today that it has initiated a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study of oral talactoferrin alfa in patients with severe sepsis. This is the first clinical trial of talactoferrin in sepsis and is based on both the mechanism of action of talactoferrin, and promising preclinical data demonstrating a significant reduction in mortality by talactoferrin in a variety of animal models of sepsis, including some that cause 100% mortality in untreated animals. The Phase 2 trial, which has started enrollment, will be conducted at approximately 25 leading U.S. centers with investigators who are very experienced in conducting trials in severe sepsis. The study is being supported by a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant awarded from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The total amount of the grant, $3 million, will provide the financial resources necessary to conduct the 190-patient study, which is designed to... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?34 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?26 AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 17, 2008--Introgen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted molecular therapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, today announced the appointment of Robert Bob Pearson to its board of directors. Mr. Pearson brings more than 20 years of management and product experience in the pharmaceutical industry. The addition of Bob Pearson to Introgens Board of Directors ensures the company will continue to benefit from a diversity of knowledge and opinions, said David G. Nance, Chairman and CEO, Introgen. With strong leadership skills, extensive management experience, and proven track record moving investigational compounds to successful pharmaceutical products -- Bob is a perfect addition to our Board. Currently, Mr. Pearson is vice president of Communities and Conversations (digital media) for Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL). Pearsons past experience includes senior... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?26 noemail@biohouston.org Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?27 The Woodlands, Texas, April 17, 2008 – Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leader in genomics-based drug discovery, announced today that it has obtained positive results from its initial Phase 1 clinical trial of LX2931, an orally-delivered, small molecule drug candidate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. LX2931 is one of four programs in human clinical trials as part of Lexicon’s 10TO10 program. Initial results from this single ascending-dose trial in healthy volunteers demonstrated a potent, dose-dependent reduction in circulating lymphocytes, suggesting that the target of LX2931 may represent a new mechanism for regulating the immune response. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that play an important role in the immune system. Inappropriate activation of lymphocytes is often associated with autoimmune diseases, a spectrum of disorders in which the immune system malfunctions and causes the body to attack its own organs, tissues and... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?27 noemail@biohouston.org Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:30:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?23 THE WOODLANDS, Texas, April 15, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leader in genomics-based drug discovery, presented data today describing the target of LX6171 and initial Phase 1 clinical results at the American Academy of Neurology in Chicago. LX6171 is an internally-developed compound under evaluation by the company as a potential treatment for cognitive disorders. LX6171, currently in Phase 2 clinical testing, is one of four programs in human clinical trials as part of Lexicons 10TO10 program. LX6171 is an orally-delivered, small molecule inhibitor of SLC6A7, a high-affinity L-proline transporter found in the brain. SLC6A7 is a member of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter transporter family, and is expressed in regions of the brain that are known to be involved in learning and memory. In preclinical studies, mice treated with LX6171 displayed improved performance in tests of learning and memory, corroborating observations in knockout mice... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?23 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:00:00 GMT Release http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?24 THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., a company involved in the development and commercialization of cell therapies, today announced that Brian Loftus, M.D., of Bellaire Neurology and the Principal Investigator of the Tovaxin Phase I/II studies, presented data titled Autologous Attenuated T-Cell Vaccine (Tovaxin®) Dose Escalation in Multiple Sclerosis Relapse-Remitting and Secondary Progressive Patients Nonresponsive to Approved Immunomodulatory Therapies at the American Academy of Neurology meeting today. The AAN meeting is taking place at the McCormick Place West Convention Center in Chicago, IL. The objective of the Tovaxin Phase I/II dose escalation study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of T cell vaccine (Tovaxin®) in MS patients non-responsive to approved immunomodulatory therapies. The trial results indicate statistically significant improvements from baseline observed using the annualized relapse rate and myelin-reactive T-cell count... http://www.biohouston.org/en/rel/?24 noemail@biohouston.org Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:30:00 GMT