Oxagen : Completion of Recruitment in Phase IIb Dose Range-Finding Clinical Trial in New Oral Treatment for Asthma

9th December 2009 – Oxagen Limited, a drug discovery and development company specializing in inflammation, announced that the recruitment for its double blind, randomised, placebo controlled Phase IIb clinical trial in asthma with OC000459, its lead oral CRTH2 (DP2) antagonist, has now been completed.

The study, which was initiated in mid May 2009, is expected to complete by the end of Q2 2010. It involves 440 asthmatic patients with moderate persistent asthma who will be randomised to one of three possible dose levels of OC000459 or placebo by oral tablet for a 12 week dosing period, with lung function (improvement in clinic FEV1) being the primary end point.

The purpose of the study is to determine the magnitude of further improvement in lung function and asthma symptoms on longer term therapy and to define the optimal once daily oral dose of OC000459... Oxagen's Press Release -

Genta : to Support Initiation of New Clinical Trial using Ganite® as Treatment for Life-Threatening Infections in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

December 2, 2009 - Genta Incorporated (OTCBB: GETA) announced that the Company will supply Ganite® (gallium nitrate injection) for a new clinical trial that will be initiated in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who may develop serious infections.

Infection is the most common cause of death in CF patients. Frequently, these infections are due to bacteria known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and patients are commonly treated with years of antibiotic therapy to control such infections. However, prolonged antibiotic use has greatly increased resistance due to genetic mutations. In addition, Pseudomonas has evolved protective mechanisms known as "biofilms" that encase colonies of bacteria and prevent antibiotics from reaching infection sites. Bacteria in biofilms are far more resistant to being killed. Recent information has suggested that gallium may be used as an anti-bacterial agent against Pseudomonas, in part due to its ability to disrupt biofilms... Genta's Press Release -

Eurand : ZENPEP(TM) (Pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules

Nov 30, 2009 - First and Only FDA-Approved Pancreatic Enzyme Product Clinically Proven in Patients as Young as One Year Old - Eurand N.V. (NASDAQ: EURX), a global specialty pharmaceutical company, announced the commercial availability of ZENPEP(TM) (pancrelipase) Delayed-Release Capsules, a pancreatic enzyme product (PEP) indicated for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) due to cystic fibrosis (CF) or other conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ZENPEP on August 27, 2009.

Eurand has also completed the hiring, training and deployment of its sales organization to promote ZENPEP, including a specialty CF sales force composed of 16 Eurand sales people targeting the 120 accredited cystic fibrosis centers, satellites and other specialists who treat CF. In addition, the Company has contracted with Innovex, a Quintiles company, to promote ZENPEP to PEP prescribers who commonly treat patients with EPI associated with other conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and gastric surgery. These 49 Innovex sales professionals will call on key gastroenterologists, internal medicine specialists, family-practice physicians and oncologists... Eurand's Press Release -

Chart's CAIRE : Acquisition of Covidien's Oxygen Therapy Business

Nov. 30, 2009 - Chart Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:GTLS) announced that CAIRE, which operates under Chart's BioMedical segment, has completed the previously announced acquisition of Covidien's (NYSE:COV) oxygen therapy business, including the design, manufacturing, and sales and service functions worldwide. The acquisition includes products sold under the leading Companion(TM) and HELiOS(TM) brands. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed... Chart Industries' Press Release - Covidien's Press Release -