MDRNA : Patent Allowance Covering Intranasal Formulations for Y2-Receptor Agonists

Apr 12, 2010 - Allowance Broadens Portfolio for the Treatment of Obesity and Related Diseases - MDRNA, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA), a leading RNA interference (RNAi)-based drug discovery and development company, announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for patent application U.S. 12/234,547 covering formulations for the intranasal delivery of Y2 receptor selective agonists.

Y2-receptor agonists are a family of peptides (pancreatic polypeptide, peptide YY, and neuropeptide Y) that play a central role in caloric intake. The natural release of these peptides in association with meals directly influences how efficient and effective the body utilizes sugars, carbohydrates and other nutrients. Y2-receptor agonists can regulate food intake at the level of the brain, pancreas, and intestinal tract, and may provide treatment to prevent overeating and excessive weight gain, and the numerous adverse health effects associated with obesity.

"MDRNA's focus remains the development of therapeutic products based on RNAi, however we believe that our legacy nasal assets have significant value,"... MDRNA's Press Release -

Orexigen Therapeutics and Patheon : Exclusive Manufacturing Agreement for Contrave(R)

March 12, 2010 - Orexigen(R) Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of obesity, and Patheon Inc. (TSX: PTI), a global provider of drug development and manufacturing services, announced a long-term agreement for commercial manufacturing of Contrave(R) (naltrexone HCL sustained release (SR)/bupropion HCL SR) as well as development of future formulations of Orexigen products. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.


"Patheon's manufacturing capabilities provide us a proven platform to help ensure successful market entry and stable commercial supply of Contrave in the event it is approved,"... [PDF] Patheon's Press Release - Orexigen's Press Release -

Amylin and Takeda : Decision to Advance Development of Pramlintide/Metreleptin Combination Treatment for Obesity

February 22, 2010 – Phase 2 Extension Study Demonstrated Sustained Weight Loss - Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMLN) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) announced that the companies have selected the combination treatment of pramlintide, an analog of the natural hormone amylin, and metreleptin, an analog of the natural hormone leptin, for advancement toward Phase 3 development. The decision to advance the program followed encouraging results from a 52-week blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 2 extension study. The pramlintide/metreleptin combination met the key target criteria of sustained and robust weight loss.


“There is an enormous unmet need to help reduce the individual and economic burden of obesity,”... Takeda's Press Release - Amylin's Press Release -

Ipsen Grants Rhythm Exclusive Worldwide License for Two Programs in the Field of Metabolic Disorders

March 12, 2010— Ipsen (Euronext: FR0010259150; IPN), a global biotechnology specialty care group, and Rhythm Pharmaceuticals (Rhythm), a biotechnology company developing peptide therapeutics for metabolic diseases, announced that they have concluded a license agreement for Ipsen’s proprietary peptide therapeutics targeting obesity, metabolic diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders. Under the terms of the agreement, Ipsen has granted Rhythm an exclusive worldwide license for research, development, and commercialization of its melanocortin and ghrelin programs originating from Ipsen research.


“The agreement with Rhythm is a clear catalyst for the development of proprietary molecules from Ipsen in promising indications within the area of metabolic diseases, which are outside of our core strategic focus... Rhythm Pharmaceuticals' Press Release - [PDF] Ipsen's Press Release -

Envoy Therapeutics : Diabetes and Obesity Collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc.

January 26, 2010 - Envoy Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has entered into a multi-year research collaboration agreement with an affiliate of Merck & Co., Inc. to discover novel diabetes and obesity drug targets.

Under the agreement, Envoy will use its proprietary bacTRAP® technology to identify proteins expressed specifically in certain cell types. Merck will then work to identify and develop compounds that modulate protein targets with therapeutic potential for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Merck will pay Envoy an upfront fee and research funding. In addition, Envoy is eligible to receive payments upon achievement of certain milestones associated with development of drug candidates and royalties on any products derived from the collaboration... [PDF] Envoy Therapeutics' Press Release - Merck's Press Release -