NovAliX acquires a majority interest in Graffinity

Strasbourg, France -- November 16th, 2010 - GRAFFINITY'S PROPRIETARY FRAGMENT-BASED SPR DRUG DISCOVERY TECHNOLOGY WILL BE ADDED TO NOVALIX'S INTEGRATED CHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICAL CAPABILITIES - NovAliX SAS (“NovAliX”) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in Graffinity Pharmaceuticals GmbH ("GRAFFINITY") of Heidelberg, Germany, a leading fragment based drug discovery services company. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

NovAliX’ President, Stephan Jenn stated: "The acquisition of Graffinity will be a significant step toward our goal of providing integrated drug discovery services. With a unique and diverse small molecule library and patented SPR-imaging technology, the Graffinity platform is fully complementary to NovAliX’ offerings in X-Ray crystallography, supramolecular mass spectrometry and liquid-/solid-state NMR. With this second technology-oriented acquisition in 2010, we are forming a group of more than 120 scientists developing and applying cutting edge research capabilities in discovery and development of innovative medicines. We are an external innovation partner for our pharmaceutical clients."...

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...About NovAliX SAS

Strasbourg, France based NovAliX Group is focusing on the development of enabling chemistry and biophysical technologies to support the pharmaceutical industry’s outsourcing needs from discovery to manufacturing. With X-ray protein crystallography, supramolecular mass spectrometry and organic chemistry NovAliX offers comprehensive integrated services in small molecule drug discovery. With advanced NMR technologies, NovAliX provides fine characterization of biologics, thorough analysis of APIs and polymorphism studies to support pharmaceutical development and manufacturing teams.
NovAliX Group, a team of 120 scientists, is located in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities in the Strasbourg-Illkirch BioParc and throughout Europe... [PDF] NovAliX's Press Release -

Deinove : Deinobiotics' project labelled

March 22nd, 2010 - Deinobiotics, project led by Deinove in partnership with biotech company Nosopharm and two expert laboratories, CPBS (CNRS - University of Montpellier 1) and IGS (CNRS Marseille), was labelled by the Eurobiomed pole and has been selected for funding under the 9th call for projects of the French Competitiveness Clusters. Deinobiotics is aimed at screening the antibiotic and antifungal potential of Deinove's unique microbial library and at developing new molecules for treating resistant microbial infections, a high-priority medical need. The objective of this programme is to deliver at least one or two new compounds at the pre-IND stage... Deinove 's Press Release - communiqué de presse Deinove -

Deinove in brief

...Research of new antibiotics

Deinove discovered that several Deinococcus strains in its library produced antibiotics and antifungal agents. These preliminary results were encouraging enough to prompt the company to screen its whole collection. In fact, bacteria (and notably certain genera like the actinomycetes) are responsible for most of the currently marketed antibiotics. Infectious disease represents the world's leading cause of mortality. The dramatic increase in antibiotic resistance means that is is essential to rapidly discover and develop a new therapeutic arsenal... Deinove in brief -

About Nosopharm

Nosopharm is a young biotech company who develops a novel biotecnological platform for the optimal exploitation of the exceptional medicinal potential of the microbial biodiversity. This platform affords us to:

- Discover and develop novel antibacterial molecules to cure antibiotic-multiresistant nosocomial infections, especially respiratory infections due to Gram-negative pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, …)
- Make partnerships with companies willing to profit from their microbial bioresources for medicinal purpose, or willing to discover and characterize bioactive natural molecules that have never been described... About Nosopharm - à propos de Nosopharm -

Cytheris : ORVACS Phase II Clinical Study Combines Immunomodulatory Intervention with Interleukin-7 (CYT107) and Antiretroviral Intensification...

Paris – November 8, 2010 - ORVACS Phase II Clinical Study Combines Immunomodulatory Intervention with Interleukin-7 (CYT107) and Antiretroviral Intensification with Raltegravir and Maraviroc to Attack the Viral Reservoir of HIV Patients - Main hypothesis of this European study is that combination of the most potent and synergistic of antiretroviral drugs with immunomodulating agent may result in a decrease in HIV reservoirs and provide a means for the ultimate eradication of the virus – ORVACS (Objectif Recherche VACcin Sida) has launched a Phase II study designed to test the hypotheses that combination therapy with potent antiviral agents and immunomodulator can lead to a decrease in the HIV viral reservoirs and, ultimately, to eradication of the virus. The study is currently being conducted at clinical sites in France, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
Known as ERAMUNE 01, the Phase II clinical trial is scientifically coordinated by Christine Katlama as Principal Investigator, Brigitte Autran, Vincent Calvez and Dominique Costagliola from the University Pierre et Marie Curie and will use Cytheris’ investigative immunomodulatory agent, recombinant human interleukin-7 (CYT107), in combination with two potent antiretroviral drugs represented by the integrase inhibitor, raltegravir (ISENTRESS® - Merck & Co.) and the CCR5 inhibitor, maraviroc (SELZENTRY™ - ViiV Healthcare). The main hypothesis of this study is that by combining the most potent and synergistic antiretroviral drugs, coupled with an immunomodulating agent capable of targeting or inducing activation of latently infected cells, the reservoirs of HIV can be decreased and, in the best case scenario, eradication of the virus may be feasible.
ERAMUNE 01 is sponsored by ORVACS and has been designed by the members of its international scientific advisory board. ORVACS is a non-profit organization based in Paris, France, that is supported and funded by the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation. The mission of ORVACS is to promote and conduct research on therapeutic vaccines and immunotherapeutic approaches in the field of AIDS. Created in 2001, ORVACS has a two-fold objective:
• The development of new therapeutic immunization strategies through clinical trials evaluating the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of new vaccines
• The pre-clinical development of new anti-HIV vaccine approaches
To optimize and further its mission, ORVACS has created a network of international academic research teams that are leaders in the field of immunology and antiretroviral therapy (ART) and on the development of innovative vaccine strategies against HIV. The objective of this vaccine therapy is to stimulate a weakened immune system and to amplify immune response.
The study is under the direction of Prof. Christine Katlama, MD (Principal Investigator), Head of the AIDS Clinical Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hopital Pitie-Salpetriere, Paris, France.... [PDF] Cytheris' Press Release -

Medesis Pharma : Phase I Clinical Trial of NP01

2010-05-31 - Medesis Pharma, the French based pharmaceutical company, announces the successful completion of a phase I clinical trial of NP01, a first in class anti-diabetic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The objective of this randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study was to evaluate the tolerability of NP01 in healthy male volunteers following single and repeat administration of 180ug of the drug’s active ingredient, vanadium.

The company reported that there were no serious adverse events and that the drug was well tolerated both after single and repeat administration...

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...About Medesis Pharma

Medesis Pharma is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company specialising in the development of a wide range of therapeutic agents based upon propriety Aonys® drug delivery technology. Aonys® is particularly applicable to metal and oligonucleotide active ingredients... Medesis Pharma's Press Release -

LFB Biomédicaments : New Liquid Intravenous Immunoglobulin CLAIRYG® Available in France as of August 30

09/09/2010 - CLAIRYG®, a new 5% concentrated, ready-to-use liquid intravenous immunoglobulin, is being launched in France in September 2010. CLAIRYG® is indicated for the treatment of primitive and secondary immunodeficiency and certain autoimmune and systemic deficiencies.
About CLAIRYG®
CLAIRYG® is an intravenous immunoglobulin produced through a purification process involving state-of-the-art technological innovations to ensure high levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) purity and biological safety.
LFB Biomédicaments obtained marketing authorisation from AFSSAPS for CLAIRYG® in December 2009.
Manufacturing stages particularly include caprylic acid fractionation, combined with ion exchange chromatography, accounting for CLAIRYG®’s great IgG purity and its very low anti-A and anti-B hemagglutinin content. The functional wholeness and physiological distribution of IgG sub-classes of CLAIRYG® are maintained in a unique, proprietary excipient formulation...

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...About LFB:
LFB is a biopharmaceutical group that develops, manufactures and markets medicinal products for the treatment of serious and often rare diseases in several major therapeutic fields, namely Immunology, Intensive Care and Hemostasis. The LFB Group is the leading manufacturer of plasma-derived medicinal products in France and 6th worldwide and is also among the leading European companies for the development of monoclonal antibodies and new-generation proteins based on biotechnologies. With its strong focus on research, the LFB Group is pursuing a growth strategy that seeks to extend its activities internationally and develop innovative therapies. In 2009, LFB invested €76 million in research & development, i.e. 20% of its €376 million turnover. LFB Group is chaired by Christian Béchon and employs 1,700 people... LFB's Press Release - communiqué de presse LFB -

Venn Life Sciences : Acquisition of DCI France

October 19th 2010 – Venn Life Sciences a multinational Clinical Research Organisation (CRO) announced that it has acquired French CRO, DCI.

DCI, a Paris based CRO, was founded by Dr. Frédérique Cabrières in 1989 and offers two types of specialised services to clients: clinical trial management services for Phase I-IV and contract placement solutions for clinical research projects. DCI bring quality and value to client’s clinical trial programs by offering flexibility of services coupled with extensive knowledge of the French clinical trial industry. With over 20 years experience DCI counts some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies among its clients... Venn Life Sciences' Press Release -

Nutriset : Malnutrition, The Plumpy’nut® patent now accessible on-line

Rouen/Marseille, October 13, 2010 – Just before World Food Day, the French Institute of Research for Development (IRD) and Nutriset intensify their action against malnutrition in developing countries.

They announce a simple and innovative system, online, to access their patents to promote the production of ready-to-use foods of the Plumpy’nut® type.

Henceforth, in developing countries where Nutriset and the IRD have registered a patent, local companies will be able to obtain a “Patent Usage Agreement” in just a few clicks. This agreement will enable them to use the patent to develop and market their own products with humanitarian aid organizations.

This simplified mechanism is consistent with the mutual objective of Nutriset and the IRD of strengthening the nutritional autonomy of countries and populations affected by malnutrition.

The original Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), Plumpy’nut, developed in 1996, is the result of joint research conducted by Michel Lescanne, founder of Nutriset, and André Briend, a doctor and nutritionist conducting research at the IRD. “Our aim was to make the management of severe acute malnutrition easier, more efficient and accessible to a greater number of children” recalls Michel Lescanne. “We also wanted it to be possible to produce our product in developing countries with initial local production experiments conducted as early as 1997.”

Derived from this innovation, Nutriset developed a range of products for the prevention or treatment of different forms of malnutrition: Supplementary’Plumpy®, Plumpy’doz®, Plumpy’soy®, Nutributter®, QBmix®, etc. The Plumpy® range products are currently massively used by humanitarian organisations and health ministries that aid populations affected by malnutrition. Since their development, it is estimated nearly 7 million children benefitted from the Plumpy® range products... Nutriset's Press Release - communiqué de presse Nutriset -

Nutriset, an overview

25 years of experience, research and innovation for the benefit of children; an operation 100% dedicated to humanitarian and welfare initiatives in developing countries.
An ambitious mandate for the company set by its founder, Michel Lescanne:
To invent, produce and make accessible solutions for the treatment and prevention of malnutrition and so contribute to the nutritional autonomy of developing countries.
A major innovation in 1996: Plumpy’nut®, the first ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), made possible a revolution in the management of malnutrition, increasing the number of children treated and improving the recovery rate.... Nutriset, an overview - Nutriset, en bref -