Vitex R&D, business developments
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Data safety monitoring board clears manufacturer to continue Phase III trial of Inactine pathogen inactivation system to treat red blood cells under an acute-only indication. In 2003, the firm stopped a Phase III trial in red blood cells that supported a chronic transfusion claim, citing problems with antibody formation in sickle cell anemia patients. The firm is seeking shareholder approval for a merger agreement with Panacos Pharmaceuticals...
You may also be interested in...
Pathogen inactivation trial suspended
Vitex "temporarily" halts patient enrollment in a Phase III study exploring use of its Inactine pathogen inactivation system with red blood cells for an acute-only indication. The decision to suspend enrollment comes a little over a month after a data safety monitoring board cleared the trial despite antibody problems found in Vitex' earlier Phase III trial, which supported a chronic infusion claim (1"The Gray Sheet" Oct. 18, 2004, In Brief). The latter trial was halted a year ago. The acute-only study was suspended because of one patient's immune response to Inactine-treated red cells, Vitex says. Antibody issues also have posed hurdles to clinical development of Baxter/Cerus' Intercept...
News We’re Watching: AI Safety Partnership; Boston Scientific Recalls; New Cancer, STI Tests; VR
This week, the US and UK announced a partnership to promote AI safety. Boston Scientific recalls embolic agent. LumiCell received FDA approval for its imaging agent to detect residual cancer. Scout receives an award to develop an STI test; and Osso VR leverages the Apple Vision Pro for VR medical training.
Finance Watch: Canaan, Regeneron Reveal New Funds For Start-Ups
Private Company Edition: Regeneron launched a $500m venture fund and Canaan added $100m, bringing the venture firm’s recent total to $1bn-plus. Also, incubators plan to grow over the next decade and in recent financings Avenzo raised $150m and Nvelop launched with $100m.