Cardiome and Merck release pivotal data for Brinavess IV

In a new Phase 3 study, Brinavess (vernakalant) intravenous, an investigational compound being developed in the European Union by Cardiome Pharma (NASDAQ: CRME; TSX: COM) and Merck (NYSE: MRK) to treat atrial fibrillation, was shown to be superior to amiodarone injection in converting patients’ heart rate from AF to sinus rhythm within 90 minutes of [...]

Tekmira and Bristol-Myers in validation program

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals (TSX:TKM) has signed a four-year agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) to validate certain cellular targets using its stable nucleic acid-lipid particles (SNALP) technology in exchange for an upfront payment of $3 million (U.S.). Under the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb will use RNA interfering molecules formulated by Tekmira in SNALP to silence target genes of [...]

MDS buys back 44.1% of stock outstanding

MDS (TSX:MDS; NYSE:MDZ) has released results of its modified Dutch auction and will purchase for cancellation 52.9 million shares at a price of $8.50 (U.S.) each or $450 million. The shares represent 44.1% of the common stock currently outstanding, which will reduce the company’s shares outstanding to about 67.2 million.  RBC Capital Markets acted as [...]

Intellipharmaceutics in patent settlement for generic Focalin XR

Intellipharmaceutics International (TSX:I; NASDAQ:IPCI) announced patent settlements over a generic version of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug Focalin XR in the U.S. In a statement, the company said Novartis Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:NVS) and Celgene (NASDAQ:CELQ) have settled their patent suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.  Also, Elan Pharma International [...]