Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, Positive Preliminary Data from Ongoing Phase I/II Clinical Trial with TRIOLEX in Obese Insulin Resistant Subjects

March 18, 2008--Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:HEPH) announced positive preliminary data from its ongoing 28-day Phase I/II clinical trial in obese insulin resistant subjects with its investigational drug candidate TRIOLEX (HE3286). TRIOLEX is a first-in-class adrenal hormone insulin sensitizer focused on the regulation of unproductive inflammation. Preliminary data to date indicate that TRIOLEX is safe and well tolerated at all doses studied. In addition, the preliminary data thus far suggest that TRIOLEX is reducing fasting blood glucose levels and improving insulin sensitivity as evaluated through euglycemic/hyperinsulinemic clamps, an industry standard measurement for assessing whole body glucose metabolism and to test compounds as potential insulin sensitizers for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The data were presented at IBC's 6TH Annual Conference, Targeting Metabolic Disorders, being held March 17 through 19 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, by Jaime Flores-Riveros Ph.D., Vice President of Metabolism and Endocrinology at Hollis-Eden... Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals' Press Release -

Bar Harbor BioTechnology : New Line of StellARrays

March 6, 2008 - Bar Harbor BioTechnology Inc. announced the launch of its new line of human StellARray™ products for gene expression research today. This initial offering of 43 different biological pathways for scientists to select from includes many major human diseases. Configured to perform gene expression or gene copy number experiments these new Real-Time PCR arrays are the first of their kind in the field of gene expression research.
"Scientists researching human diseases like obesity, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease have a new method for detecting subtle changes in how a group of genes are expressed. That could lead to a breakthrough in their research," says Robert Phelps, President of Bar Harbor BioTechnology Inc... Bar Harbor BioTechnology's Press Release -

EnteroMedics, Expansion of EMPOWER Pivotal Study for Obesity to 300 Patients

Feb 26, 2008 - EnteroMedics Inc., (NASDAQ:ETRM), the developer of medical devices using neuroblocking technology to treat obesity and other gastrointestinal disorders, announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for the expansion of its pivotal clinical trial, known as the EMPOWER Study, from 220 patients to 300 patients. Full enrollment in the EMPOWER Study is expected in the first half of 2008, consistent with previous projections, despite expansion of the study.

The EMPOWER Study, which is currently enrolling patients at 10 of its projected 15 clinical sites, is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study being conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of investigational VBLOC(TM) vagal blocking therapy using the Maestro(TM) System in obese patients. VBLOC Therapy is designed to empower weight loss by promoting earlier feelings of fullness and reduced hunger while minimizing the side effects and complications associated with existing surgical options and preserving the individual's normal anatomy... EnteroMedics' Press Release -

OREXIGEN Therapeutics, European Patent Office Allows Composition and Use Claims for its Patent on Contrave™ to Treat Obesity

Feb 28, 2008 - Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of central nervous system disorders, including obesity, announced that the European Patent Office has issued a Decision to Grant a Patent covering compositions and uses of bupropion and naltrexone for affecting weight loss. These two drugs are the active constituents in Contrave™, Orexigen's lead product candidate for the treatment of obesity. This development is an important milestone toward an eventual patent validation in individual European countries. This patent, once issued, would provide exclusive rights on this combination in those countries until 2024.

This is the latest in a series of decisions strengthening Orexigen's intellectual property portfolio. A notice allowing the corresponding U.S. patent was received from the United States Patent Office (USPTO) in January, and a notice of allowance from the USPTO was received earlier this month for zonisamide to treat obesity. Zonisamide is a key ingredient in Empatic™, which is in the later stages of Phase II clinical development... Orexigen's Press Release -

Athersys, Results for Phase 1 Safety Study of Its Novel Obesity Drug, ATHX-105

Feb. 27, 2008 - Athersys, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATHX) announced top-line results from its Phase 1 clinical trial of ATHX-105, its orally administered drug candidate for the treatment of obesity. ATHX-105 was well-absorbed, providing good drug exposures, well-tolerated up to high doses, and had no negative effect on cardiovascular, hematology or other clinical parameters.

"We are pleased with the results of our Phase 1 study," said Gil Van Bokkelen, Ph.D., Athersys Chairman and CEO. "The data is in line with our expectations for ATHX-105, a highly selective 5HT2c agonist. As we have previously noted, we believe that high selectivity for 5HT2c relative to other receptors, such as 5HT2b and 5HT2a, is key to safety and tolerability. We believe that these results support the view that better selectivity results in superior tolerability for drugs in this class, which is an important factor for achieving effectiveness and patient compliance."... Athersys' Press Release -