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 -

Alkermes : Positive Data on Proprietary Molecules Targeting Opioid Receptors

July 1, 2008 - Alkermes, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALKS) announced positive preclinical results for three proprietary molecules targeting opioid receptors, including ALKS 33. Data from two preclinical studies demonstrated that the three molecules showed statistically superior oral efficacy as well as evidence for improved metabolic and pharmacokinetic profiles compared to an active control. The data were presented at the 2008 Research Society on Alcoholism/International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism (RSA/ISBRA) Joint Scientific Meeting in Washington, D.C.

"We are encouraged by the compelling preclinical profiles emerging for this series of orally active, proprietary molecules, which represent multiple opportunities to advance novel drug candidates into our pipeline," stated Daniel Deaver, Ph.D., vice president, non-clinical development of Alkermes. "These findings support the continued development of next-generation therapeutics to treat a broad range of diseases, including central nervous system disorders and brain reward disorders, such as addiction, obesity and other impulse-control disorders.".. Alkermes' Press Release -

EnteroMedics : ISO 13485:2003 Certification for the Maestro(TM) System

Jun 27, 2008 - EnteroMedics Inc. (NASDAQ: ETRM), the developer of medical devices using neuroblocking technology to treat obesity and other gastrointestinal disorders, announced that it has received ISO 13485:2003 certification from KEMA Quality B.V. for the design, manufacture and distribution of surgical implants and associated accessories for nervous impulse modulation for the purpose of regulating gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders. EnteroMedics is in pivotal testing of VBLOC(TM) vagal blocking therapy, delivered via the Maestro(TM) System, for the treatment of obesity... EnteroMedics' Press Release -

Palatin Technologies : AMENDMENT EXPANDING ASTRAZENECA OBESITY COLLABORATION

July 1, 2008 – Palatin Technologies, Inc. (AMEX: PTN) announced that AstraZeneca and Palatin have amended their exclusive global licensing and research collaboration agreement to discover, develop and commercialize compounds that target melanocortin receptors. The original agreement was effective in January 2007.
Under the amendment, Palatin has agreed to license additional compounds and associated intellectual property to AstraZeneca. Palatin will receive development and regulatory milestone payments if any additional compound advances into human clinical trials, and sales target milestone payments and stepped royalties if any additional compound is commercialized.


Research scientists at AstraZeneca and Palatin are working to complete election of a lead drug candidate for initial clinical evaluation. Under the agreement, AstraZeneca is responsible for product commercialization, product discovery and development costs... Palatin Technologies' Press Release -

Elixir Pharmaceuticals : Exclusive Sirtuin Intellectual Property License Agreement with Boston University.

July 1, 2008 - Elixir Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced the Company has entered an exclusive license agreement with Boston University to key intellectual property covering discoveries regarding the use of modulators of SIRT1, a member of the sirtuin class of protein deacetylase enzymes. SIRT1 is the human equivalent of Sir2, a gene identified in yeast that has been recognized to play a key role in the control of lifespan, metabolism, resistance to stress and other cellular regulatory pathways. Th agreement with Boston University encompasses therapeutic applications for SIRT1 modulators in metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes, as well as therapeutic modulation of SIRT1 for anti-angiogenic activity to treat cancer... [PDF] Elixir Pharmaceuticals' Press Release -