BioTuesdays

Aurinia readies Phase 2b trial in lupus nephritis

By Len Zehr Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (TSX-V:AUP) is preparing to begin a Phase 2b clinical trial in the first quarter of 2014 with its voclosporin immunosuppressant in combination with CellCept, the standard of care for...

DARA’s sales team goes on a Mission

By Len Zehr A new sales and marketing venture with a unit of Mission Pharmacal gives DARA BioSciences (NASDAQ:DARA) a formidable leg up in the oncology supportive care sector to address ongoing areas of medical need. A...

In conversation with Paul Lem

By Len Zehr As CEO and co-founder of closely-held Spartan Bioscience, Dr. Paul Lem has a diverse background in clinical medicine, molecular biology research and as a biotech entrepreneur. Prior to co-founding Spartan in...

NeoStem completing enrollment in heart trial

By Len Zehr NeoStem (NASDAQ:NBS) is on track to complete enrollment later this year in a Phase 2 clinical trial of a bone marrow-derived cell therapy to treat patients for acute myocardial infarction, with a data...

Heat Biologics readies proof-of-concept studies

By Len Zehr After a successful $27-million IPO in the summer, Heat Biologics (NASDAQ:HTBX) plans to begin two proof-of-concept trials later this year of its platform to transform living cancer cells into pumps that...

CytRx awaiting soft tissue sarcoma data in December

By Len Zehr What if it were possible to deliver a broad range of potent cancer drugs more optimally, enhancing both their safety and efficacy? That’s the question CytRx (NASDAQ:CYTR) hopes to answer this December when...

Aethlon readies U.S. study of the Hemopurifier

By Len Zehr Aethlon Medical (OTCQB:AEMD), sporting FDA approval of an investigational drug exemption (IDE), plans to begin treating patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) early next year in a feasibility study...

In conversation with Kelly Close

By Len Zehr As president and founder of Close Concerns, a healthcare information firm focused on diabetes and obesity, Kelly Close says her passion comes from her extensive professional work as well as her personal...

diaDexus awaiting GSK’s darapladib pivotal results

By Len Zehr Positive data from GlaxoSmithKline’s two pivotal trials of its darapladib cardiovascular drug could provide a huge boost to the utilization of diaDexus’ (OTCQB:DDXS) PLAC test, which is being used on...

In conversation with Zoe Barry

By Len Zehr As founder and CEO of ZappRx, a consumer engagement company focused on improving the electronic prescription process, Zoe Barry began her career as an analyst at hedge fund, Dawson Capital, in New York...

Stereotaxis sees Japanese reimbursement by year end

By Len Zehr After receiving regulatory clearance in Japan of its Niobe Remote Magnetic Navigation system for cardiac ablations last March, Stereotaxis (NASDAQ:STXS) now expects to achieve reimbursement approval by the...

In conversation with Rudy Mazzocchi

By Len Zehr As president and CEO of closely-held ELENZA, Rudy Mazzocchi knows a thing or two about taking startups across the finish line. Among other things, he was the founder of eV3, which is now part of Covidien...

Galectin targets silent epidemic in liver fibrosis

By Len Zehr Fatty liver disease, or the accumulation of fat in liver cells, is a “silent epidemic,” says Dr. Peter Traber, president, CEO and chief medical officer of Galectin Therapeutics (NASDAQ:GALT). In an interview...

RedHill readying Phase 3 trials in Crohn’s

By Len Zehr With a PDUFA target date of Feb. 3, 2014 for its migraine drug, RHB-103, and NDA filing planned for the first quarter of 2014 for the anti-emetic drug, RHB-102, RedHill Biopharma (NASDAQ,:RDHL; TASE:RDHL) is...

Elite eyes home run in abuse-resistant technology

By Len Zehr After reinventing itself in 2011, Elite Pharmaceuticals (OTCBB:ELTP) has bounced back with a line of generic drugs and is banking on the development of abuse-resistant opioids and once-daily opioid products...

In conversation with Todd Wyche

By Len Zehr As CEO and a co-founder of Brinson Patrick Securities, Todd Wyche has championed the use and growth of at-the-market offerings (ATMs) for the past 17 years for REITs, energy companies and most recently...

Avivagen shifts to commercial mindset from R&D

By Len Zehr Cameron Groome, who moved into the executive suite at Avivagen (TSX-V:VIV) in March, has transformed the focus of the animal wellness company to a business and product development engine and away from an...

Oramed readies oral insulin study in U.S.

By Len Zehr Oramed Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ORMP) is awaiting a decision from the FDA, possibly later this week, to conduct a sub-study of the safety of its oral insulin candidate, ORMD-0801, before proceeding to a...

Vaxil trial validates vaccine technology

By Len Zehr Results of a recent clinical trial of Vaxil Bio’s (TASE:VAXL) ImMucin cancer vaccine in patients with multiple myeloma has validated the company’s VaxHit technology by demonstrating safety and a strong...

OnPoint’s Big-Data Equals Big Opportunity

By Len Zehr OnPoint Medical Diagnostics (OTCQB:ONMD) is pioneering a “big-data” platform for delivering measurable, objective and automated quality assurance (QA) solutions for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with...