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JUNE 10th, 2005
Efficient DNA Drug Delivery System Developed for Eye Diseases
Copernicus Therapeutics, Inc. reported very positive results on its DNA drug delivery system
based on its non-viral nucleic acid nanoparticle technology. These results indicated that its gene transfer system has a efficiency
ten times greater for introducing DNA into the cells of the retina than other competing systems. Dr. David Yurek at the University
of Kentucky and Dr. Muna Naash at the University of Oklahoma presented the results at the American Society of Gene Therapy
Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri.
Commenting about the findings was Dr. Mark J. Cooper, Sr. Vice President
of Science and Medical Affairs at Copernicus, "We are most enthusiastic about these findings. Gene transfer in the brain of
animals was highly efficient and non-toxic, suggesting multiple treatment options for serious neurological disorders such
as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. In the eye, a remarkable 99% gene transfer efficiency in the retina was observed.
Treatment of important causes of blindness, including retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and
various viral infections may be possible using our nanoparticle technology."
Elaborating on the possibility for the treatment of more diseases
was Dr. Robert C. Moen, President and CEO of Copernicus, "These findings further demonstrate the platform nature of our nucleic
acid delivery technology which enables us to develop therapeutics for different parts of the body and for multiple diseases.
Our lead program, which already has had a successful clinical trial, involves developing a therapy for a serious disease affecting
the lung, cystic fibrosis."
MAY 13th, 2005
Vantage Oncology, Inc., a company that runs state-of-the-art oncology
centers throughout the United States, has raised $22 million in a Series C funding round. The company plans to use the funds
to acquire cancer treatment facilities as well as to form joint ventures and develop its cancer treatment centers - basically
a continuation of its business strategy. The funding was obtained through Conning Capital Partners, New Enterprise Associates,
Salix Ventures and Versant Ventures.
Michael Fiore, CEO at Vantage Oncology noted the company's expanding
network of centers in the context of the investment, "This indicates the ongoing real excitement about Vantage's potential
in the large and growing radiation oncology market. With 10 centers currently in operation or under development, and several
more in multiple states under letters of intent, Vantage continues to expand its presence nationwide."
MAY 11th, 2005
InSite Vision Incorporated (AMEX:ISV), a ophthalmic company focused
on ocular infections, glaucoma and retinal diseases, announced that it has entered into definitive agreements for a $9 million
private financing of common stock and warrants for common stock. The financing subject to American Stock Exchange approval,
is planned for the development and completion of Phase 3 AzaSite pivotal trials for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.
The company indicates that with the financing, completion of the trials and associated regulatory filings and approvals, AzaSite
(based on the drug azithromycin) would ready to be introduced into the United States market in 2006.
InSite, for the treatment of glaucoma, has focused its attention
on the TIGR gene. InSite offers its OcuGene glaucoma genetic test to detect a genetic marker in the TIGR gene.
MAY 5th, 2005
Solaris Nanosciences Corporation, a company that plans to improve
solar cell technology efficiency with its nanomaterial technology, announced today that it has closed on an investment made
by the Slater Technology Fund. The investment came in the form of a $150,000 convertible note.
Ron Unterman, Ph.D., Managing Director of the Slater Technology
Fund was impressed not only with the solar cell technology but applications of Solaris' technology for eyewear and displays,
"Solaris' technology is one of the most innovative approaches I have seen for improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness
of solar energy. In addition, their core nanotechnology holds tremendous opportunity for other market sectors, including improved
viewing angle for video displays, and enhanced vision for patients with macular degeneration. With its strong IP position
and creative technology team, Solaris will continue to expand on its nanotechnology platform which underlies these and other
potential products for both commercial and military markets."
Solaris's technology is based on an optical absorption phenomena
called plasmons. Plasmons, a type of optical absorption, occurs when metals are dissolved into the glass. Colors different
than the dissolved metals appear in the glass when a plasmon occurs. For a plasmon to occur, the dimensions of the metal particles
must be smaller than the wavelength of light.
APRIL 29th, 2005
Nulens Ltd., an Israeli medical device company focused on lens technology,
has received a $2.8 million investment from Elron Electronic Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: ELRN). Doron Birger, Elron's
CEO indicated that Nulens had significant potential, "The new investment in Nulens is consistent with our strategy of new
investments in companies with innovative technologies that have the potential to create new paradigms in their industry. We
believe that together with Elron, Nulens has the potential to become a major company that will create significant value for
its shareholders".
Nulens' Intra-Ocular Lens (IOL) is currently undergoing pre-clinical
trials. The IOL is primarily designed for cataract and presbyopia procedures.
APRIL 28th, 2005
SurModics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SRDX), a company involved in the drug delivery
market, has obtained an option from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey for the exclusive rights the use of biodegradable
polymers. Bruce Barclay, President and COO of SurModics commented about the relationship between the polymers and its
drug delivery platform, "SurModics continues to expand our technology offerings in ophthalmology following our acquisition
of InnoRx earlier this year. By combining these polymer families with the drug delivery platform technologies acquired from
InnoRx, we expect to be able to deliver a wide variety of drugs and other bioactive agents to the eye, treating such serious
diseases as age related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), two of the leading causes of blindness
in adults today, as well as glaucoma. This relationship with Rutgers demonstrates our commitment to offering leading-edge
proprietary technologies to our customers for this important market."
With the addition of the polymers, SurModics now has seven distinct
families of polymers available. These include PolyActive and OCTODEX, which were licensed by SurModics from OctoPlus,
as well SurModic's internally developed polymer families - Bravo, Encore and Accolade. The Bravo matrix is also used for
ophthalmic applications.
Genentech Drug, Avastin, Improves Vision of Macular Degeneration Patients
The University of Miami's
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, one of the worlds well-known eye medical research and treatment organizations, indicated that
Genentech's Avastin drug when administered to Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) patients showed an improvement of
vision in the order of two lines to three lines. The drug, which has "not" yet been approved by the FDA for vision treatment,
will have to undergo further clinical trials to determine its safety and viability as a vision treatment. The drug has however
been approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.
Macugen, another vision
drug, however was approved by the FDA in December 2004. This drug targets the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEFG), a
protein, in order to improve the patients vision. Carmen A. Puliafito, M.D., M.B.A., professor of ophthalmology, co-investigator,
and chairman of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, indicated that anti-VEFG drugs, which includes Avastin, have the potential to
revolutionize the treatment of AMD. VEGF is believed to be responsible for the blood vessel growth and vision loss in AMD.
It was pointed out that Avastin may not be the right eye treatment solution for all patients, but for patients that it is
suited for, vision improvement was noted to occur in just one week.
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