Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA) : Research and Supply Partnership with the Institut Curie in Paris

July 1, 2010 - AAA has signed an agreement with the Institut Curie to build, install and operate a pharmaceutical laboratory for radiopharmaceuticals production at the Institut Curie's René Huguenin specialist cancer hospital in Saint-Cloud, Paris.

The cyclotron will guarantee the supply of high quality radiopharmaceuticals for the hospital's two PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scanners, which are increasingly used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers, enabling clinicians to track the progress of treatments such as chemotherapy as well as the appearance of secondary tumors and metastases.

René Huguenin is AAA's fifth production center in France. It will allow AAA to supply other hospitals in western France. The new cyclotron is expected to be fully operational in 2013...

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...About Advanced Accelerator Applications:

Founded in 2002, Advanced Accelerator Applications is a European pharmaceutical group. It develops and commercializes innovative diagnostic and therapeutic applications and products. AAA’s main research focus is on molecular imaging and personalized medicines for the treatment of diseases where there is a clear and not met medical need, including cancer. The Company is a European leader in the production and commercialization of PET (Positron Emission Tomography) radiopharmaceuticals. PET is the most sophisticated diagnostic technique currently available and is used mainly in clinical oncology, cardiology and neurology. The Company has an interdisciplinary team of 130 employees, working in 10 production and R&D facilities in France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and the USA. It has a particularly strong market position in France with its laboratories in Saint Genis Pouilly, also AAA’s headquarters, in Troyes and in Béthune...[PDF] Advanced Accelerator Applications' Press Release - PDF du communiqué de presse AAA -

AB Science and its partners : €10m from OSEO

Paris, 29 June 2010 - as part of the APAS‐IPK project for the development of a new generation of anti‐cancer drugs – AB Science SA (NYSE Euronext ‐ FR0010557264‐ AB), pharmaceutical company specialised in research, development and marketing of protein kinase inhibitors (PKI), Bull, specialist in information technologies and particularly high performance computing solutions, Genomic Vision SA, biotechnology company specialised in molecular diagnosis, and Skuld‐Tech, biotechnology company specialised in the discovery of biomarkers and the development of diagnostic tools and companion tests, established formed a partnership for the development of new targeted cancer treatments.

The partnership will carry‐out of the APAS‐IPK (Amélioration de la Prédictivité de l’Activité et de la Sélectivité des Inhibiteurs de Protéines Kinases en Oncologie [Improvement in Predictiveness of the Activity and Selectiveness of Protein Kinase Inhibitors in Oncology]) project, supported by OSEO’s Industrial Strategic Innovation (ISI) programme.

OSEO, through its programme supporting Industrial Strategic Innovation, will grant the project a total amount of €10m (including notably €6.2m to AB Science, €2m to Bull, €0.7m to Genomic Vision and €0.3m to Skult‐Tech) in the form of repayable advances and subsidies... [PDF] AB Science's Press Release -PDF du communiqué de presse d'AB Science -

HRA Pharma : FDA grants approval of ella® for emergency contraception

August 13, 2010 – HRA Pharma announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for ella® (ulipristal acetate) as a prescription-only emergency contraceptive indicated for use within 120 hours (five days) of unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure. ella is not intended for routine use as a contraceptive.
The approval is based on two Phase 3 studies that showed that ella significantly reduced the risk of pregnancy in women who used it after unprotected intercourse. A progesterone agonist/antagonist that potently inhibits follicular rupture when taken just before ovulation is to occur, ella has been shown to be consistently effective when used up to five days after intercourse. Currently-marketed emergency contraceptives based on levonorgestrel are labeled for use within 72 hours or three days of intercourse.
“As a pioneer and a leader in the field of emergency contraception, HRA Pharma is committed to providing women and their health care providers highly effective contraceptive options...

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...The product will be launched and marketed in the US by HRA Pharma’s partner Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The two companies announced their license agreement earlier this year...

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...About HRA Pharma

HRA Pharma is a privately-held European pharmaceutical company that designs products, devices and supporting services in niche areas of health and makes them available to doctors and patients worldwide. The company targets therapeutic gaps in the areas of reproductive health and endocrinology, and uses innovative marketing solutions and socially-conscious programs, such as contraception education in developing countries, to promote healthy management of drugs and diseases. A pioneer in emergency contraception, its product ulipristal acetate can be taken for up to five days after unprotected sexual intercourse and is the only product licensed in the European Union (ellaOne®) and the U.S. (ella®) for this indication. Headquartered in Paris, France...[PDF] HRA Pharma's Press Release -

BioRéalités raises 1.3 M€

June-July 2010 - BioRéalités raises 1.3 M€ - The company just finalized a new fund raising round again with private investors and Business Angels. Another PhD has been hired in february 2010... BioRéalités' News - Actualités de BioRéalités -

About BioRéalités
BioRéalités develops novel therapeutic and diagnostic tools to improve the life of colorectal cancer patients.
The company was created as an SAS in february 2007, and has been furthering the work of its founders in the field of oncology, with a particular focus on the characterization of a novel target for colorectal cancer therapy.
BioRéalités currently employs 17 staff and recently moved in their own facility, which include a 200 m2 laboratory area.
The company has been granted an exclusive international license to exploit a PCT patent lodged by INSERM, CNRS, and the University of Montpellier 1 in 2007... About BioRéalités - Société BioRéalités -

Minvasys : CE mark approval for its Amazonia Pax® Coronary Drug Eluting Stent system

Gennevilliers, January 6th 2010 - Minvasys announced that the company has received CE Mark approval for its Amazonia Pax® Polymer Free Drug Eluting stent. The Amazonia Pax® is the third generation of coronary DES; abluminal polymer free elution applied on an ultra-thin chromium cobalt platform.

This CE approval was authorized by the LNE /G-MED (French Notified Body) and AFSSAPS (French Health Competent Authority) according to the new European Union directive 2007/47/EC.


The latest ultra-thin chromium cobalt stent Amazonia Croco®, recognised for its excellent deliverability, has been designed by Minvasys to optimize arterial wall coverage, offering an outstanding support as drug carrier. Polymer free abluminal Paclitaxel coating developed for Amazonia Pax® combines the proven safety and efficacy of the Paclitaxel to a non-polymeric microdropped spray process releasing the loaded drug within 45 days...

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...About Minvasys
Minvasys created in May 2003, is an international privately held company based in the Paris area, France. Minvasys focuses on bifurcation treatment with dedicated devices. Nile Croco/Pax® for coronary bifurcations and Twin-One® for carotid bifurcations. Next products generations are in progress with the Pax program (Paclitaxel Polymer Free Coating) and an integrated embolic protection system with a self-expendable stent for carotid applications... Minvasys' Press Release -