Anthill Technologies : Agreement with Zafgen

August 25, 2008 - Anthill Technologies, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Zafgen, Inc. to apply its high-speed chemistry technologies and capabilities to Zafgen’s obesity program. Zafgen, Inc. is a Boston-based biopharmaceutical company which develops obesity therapy based on the vascular targeting of adipose tissue.
Under the agreement, Anthill will use its ACOS™ high-speed synthesis and on-demand purification capabilities to assist Zafgen in the development of lead compounds for its obesity therapy programs...
Anthill Technologies' Press Release -

GlaxoSmithKline and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute : unique collaboration to enable the discovery of new medicines

24th July 2008 - GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) announced that they have entered into a five-year, $25 million-plus collaborative agreement to build a unique alliance in stem cell science, leading to the development of new medicines.

GSK’s investment, one of the largest by a pharmaceutical company in stem cell science, will support innovative research at Harvard University and in at least four Harvard-affiliated hospitals in the areas of neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases and obesity. In addition, GSK will fund an annual grant, which supports early stage research in stem cell biology, as part of HSCI’s seed grant program

This agreement marks the beginning of an exciting collaboration with multiple researchers at multiple Harvard institutions, making it possible for academic and industrial scientists to work side-by-side to develop treatments in areas of unmet medical need... GlaxoSmithKline's Press Release -

MDRNA : Phase 2 Trial of PYY(3-36) Does not Meet Weight Loss Endpoint

July 31, 2008-MDRNA, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNA) announced results from a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating PYY(3-36) Nasal Spray (PYY) for the treatment of obesity. The data indicate that PYY did not meet the primary efficacy endpoint of a dose response of weight loss vs. PYY dose, nor did PYY meet the secondary efficacy endpoint of greater weight loss than the active control, sibutramine (Meridia(R))... MDRNA's Press Release -