/ALSO NOTED: Companies compete for microdosing tests; Bayer to expand facility; and much more...
NEWS

ALSO NOTED: Companies compete for microdosing tests; Bayer to expand facility; and much more...

FierceBiotech
2006/06/13

Two small U.S. companies are competing to make the first tests that will register results for newly-allowed microdosing trials. Under new FDA rules, drug developers can test tiny amounts of experimental therapies in humans to get some insight into efficacy before launching expensive studies. The potential specialized drug testing market for microdosing is estimated at $500 million. Report

Bayer is embarking on a $100 million expansion of its East Walpole, MA facility. Report

Bayer and Onyx have received the FDA's fast-track status for Nexavar, an experimental therapy for liver cancer. Shares of Onyx were buoyed by the news. Report

The FDA has fast-tracked Genitope's MyVax cancer treatment. Report

The FDA has granted a priority review of Amgen's panitumumab for patients with metastaic colorectal cancer. Report

GlaxoSmithKline's Wellbutrin XL has been approved for seasonal depression. Report

Beginning in July, Japan's Takeda will deploy its U.S. sales force to co-promote Cephalon's Provigil for sleep disorder. Report

Chutes & Ladders: Germany's DeveloGen says its CEO, Dr. Guenther Karmann, will leave the company by mutual agreement. Release

Galapagos will buy the drug discovery service operations of Discovery Partners International for $5.4 million. Report

The CEO of Belgium's giant UCB told shareholders that the company is exploring "targeted acquisitions." Report

N-Gene has released positive Phase II data for BGP-15, an insulin sensitizer. Release

Rigel has received $1 million in milestone payments from Merck. Release

And Finally… A new study shows that people are generally successful at matching the pictures of drivers with their cars, showing that most people typically project a public profile that is easily recognizable by others. Article

Summary

> Two small U.S. companies are competing to make the first tests that will register results for newly-allowed microdosing trials. Under new FDA rules, drug developers can test tiny amounts of experimental therapies in humans to get some insight into efficacy before launching expensive studies. The potential specialized drug testing market for microdosing is estimated at $500 million. Report > …