News

Additional Data from Multiple Phase 1 and 2 Studies of S*BIO’s Novel JAK2

Date : Fri, 03/06/2011 - 00:45 — Yvette Flanigan

 3 June 2011 - S*BIO Pte Ltd, a Singapore based company, today announced that additional data from multiple Phase 1 and 2 clinical studies of its novel JAK2 inhibitor SB1518 further confirmed safety and efficacy for the treatment of patients with symptomatic myelofibrosis (MF) and enlarged spleens. In the studies, SB1518 alleviated MF-associated splenomegaly and showed no evidence of myelosuppression and no exacerbation of cytopenias. Results will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2011 Annual Meeting in Chicago and the 16th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in London. “Data pooled from the two Phase 1 trials demonstrate sustained clinical benefit in MF patients when treated with SB1518,” said John Seymour, Head of the Department of Haematology at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, “The once-daily dosing was well tolerated for over 2 years in on-going patients with no long-term toxicities observed.” Ruben A. Mesa, M.D., principal investigator at Mayo Clinic, said, “The new data from the Phase 2 study clearly showed durable responses in both spleen volume reduction and in relieving MF related symptoms. More importantly, these treatment effects were observed in MF patients with significantly impaired hematopoiesis without further exacerbating cytopenias. These results show that treatment with SB1518 is particularly important for MF patients with impaired hematopoiesis. The side effects were generally low grade, easily manageable and there were no discontinuations due to GI toxicities.” Dr. Jan-Anders Karlsson, CEO of S*BIO, added, “The data are further evidence that SB1518 is safe, effective and well tolerated in MF patients including those who present with severe splenomegaly. The convenient once daily dose was well tolerated with manageable side effects across all studies. In light of these positive and encouraging results, we are rapidly advancing our JAK2 inhibitor through later-stage clinical studies.”
 SB1518 is a small molecule JAK2-selective kinase inhibitor, which has demonstrated high potency in preclinical models against both the wild type JAK2 kinase and the JAK2 kinase with the V617F mutation. The V617F mutation is found in high frequencies in myeloproliferative disorders such as MF. It is estimated that approximately 50% of patients with MF possess the JAK2 mutation.

Kinesis Pharma Trains Korean Pharm & Biotech Industries (KDRA)

Date: Thurs 23/6/11

Kinesis Pharma has organized a very successful training in Drug Development for the Korean Pharmaceutical & Biotech Industry in Seoul, Korea in collaboration with the Korean Drug Research Association (KDRA). About 160 participants from the Korean pharmaceutical industry were present and evaluated the course as extremely valuable. After the training, Kinesis Pharma offered another 3 days of plenary sessions and consulting, which was highly appreciated. The training was supported by the Korean Ministry of Health & Welfare, Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) and SCH BioPharm Human Resources Development Center.

The training guided the participants through the complete drug development process, from discovery up to filing, with focus on early drug development. Topics as Discovery and Lead Optimization, Non-Clinical Development, Pharmaceutical Development, Bridging Non-Clinical to Clinical Development, Early Clinical Development/Phase I and Pharmacokinetics, Regulatory, Biopharmaceuticals: Key Differences with Small Molecules, and Project Management were thoroughly discussed.

The training was given by Dr Annemiek Stijnen and Patricia Baede from Kinesis’ headquarters in Breda, the Netherlands, and Dr Kees Bol, General Manager of the regional office in Singapore. For more information regarding this training or other training possibilities, please feel free to contact Kinesis Pharma at info@kinesis-pharma.com or info@kinesis-pharma.com.sg

AMRI Inaugural Winner of BioSpectrum-BioSingapore Special Award 2011

Date : Tue, 22/03/2011 - 02:55 — Yvette Flanigan

AMRI (NASDAQ: AMRI) announced that it is the inaugural winner of the BioSpectrum-BioSingapore Special Award 2011. AMRI was honored for its contributions to the creation of employment opportunities in the life sciences segment in Singapore .
 AMRI established its first research center in Singapore in 2005. Growing from 4 to 20 employees in its first year, AMRI's research facilities now employ more than 130 individuals dedicated to delivering biology and chemistry services to customers in the biopharmaceutical industry. The company's business in Singapore continues to undergo facility expansion and hiring, and anticipates being twice its current size by 2013 in an effort to keep up with continued strong demand for services from its customers.
 “We are very pleased to receive this award,” said Raymond Yeung, managing director for AMRI's site in Singapore . “One of the challenges and successes in growing a research and development business in Singapore has been the ability to source enough scientific talent. It has been a pleasure to work with the Singapore 's Economic Development Board and local universities to foster the growth of a talented pool of employees to support our continuing expansion.”

ASLAN Pharma completion of our Series A fundraising

Date : Tue, 26/04/2011 - 20:02 — Yvette Flanigan

Singapore, 26 April 2011 ASLAN Pharmaceuticals completes Series A fundraising providing US$12 million to develop first compounds. ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Pte Ltd, an Asia-enabled pharmaceutical company based in Singapore develops novel medicines for global markets. Today, announces the completion of a Series A financing led by BV Healthcare II. This provides ASLAN with US$12 million to develop its first in-licensed compounds. Other investors include Sagamore Bioventures and entrepreneurs from China, Hong Kong and the United States.“This investment represents strong support for the world class team we have assembled and the portfolio of compounds we are building,” said Dr Carl Firth, CEO of ASLAN. “BioVeda has a strong portfolio of global companies through this and earlier funds. With this investment, we can progress our first compounds through to late stage trials.” Damien Lim, General Partner at BioVeda Capital said, “ASLAN is the first company of its kind to take advantage of the high quality capabilities, efficiencies and innovations in Asia in clinical development. The team has a level of experience in global and Asian development rarely seen in this region that will allow it to successfully execute its development strategy.”
 Mr Beh Kian Teik, Director of Biomedical Sciences at the Singapore Economic Development Board said,“We congratulate ASLAN on the completion of its fundraising to develop its first compounds. Through this pioneer project, ASLAN will be able to further its work in clinical development here in Singapore for its global partners. This investment reflects the strong partnership between Singapore and ASLAN, and a shared vision of building a vibrant biomedical sciences industry in Singapore”.About ASLAN ASLAN Pharmaceuticals is an Asia enabled pharmaceutical company that develops novel medicines for global markets, headquartered in Singapore. ASLAN licenses preclinical and early clinical compounds from global pharmaceutical companies, focusing on oncology, respiratory and inflammation diseases, and uses the high quality and efficient development resources available across Asia to progress the drugs through clinical development. ASLAN will partner with pharmaceutical companies for late phase global development and commercialisation.About BV Healthcare IIBV Healthcare II is a life science fund managed by BioVeda Capital, a venture capital firm focused exclusively on investing in healthcare. It has invested in many biomedical companies with leading proprietary technologies and outstanding scientific and management talent. With its headquarters in Singapore and a deep international network, BioVeda has a strong combination of broad scientific and medical expertise, and financial and investment experience to assist partner companies. Its portfolio includes companies in Singapore, China, Britain and the United States – one of which was acquired by Pfizer, another by Roche, and two that went public on NASDAQ.

MerLion Signs License Agreement with Alcon to Develop and Commercialize Novel Finafloxacin Otic Product

Date : Tue, 22/03/2011 - 17:06 — Yvette Flanigan

Singapore – MerLion Pharmaceuticals Pte Ltd, a privately held company headquartered in Singapore with clinical development operations based in Berlin, Germany, in January announced the signing of an agreement with Alcon Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. an affiliate of Alcon, Inc., by which Alcon obtains exclusive rights from MerLion for the development and commercialization in North America of finafloxacin specifically for treating ear infections.
 
The agreement provides for an upfront payment, milestone payments associated with clinical progress, and sales-based royalty payments to MerLion. It grants Alcon an exclusive license to finafloxacin in North America for use in treating ear infections, including acute otitis externa (outer ear and ear canal) and acute otitis media (middle ear). The agreement also provides Alcon with options to expand the compound’s use for ophthalmic applications and to include additional geographic territories.
 
Dr. Tony Buss, CEO of MerLion, commented, “We are very pleased to be working with Alcon which has extensive experience in developing and commercializing otic anti-infective products. We believe this is just the first step in developing and commercializing finafloxacin for use in much broader anti-infective indications using IV and oral formulations of the compound, both of which are outside the scope of this current agreement.”
 
“This agreement is part of our overall strategy of increasing access to new compounds that have the potential to treat infections of the eye and ear,” said Stuart Raetzman, Alcon’s Vice President of global marketing and General Manager of its U.S. business. “We will now be able to more fully evaluate the clinical effectiveness of finafloxacin for the treatment of ear infections.”

S*BIO's lung cancer treatment enters Phase II clinical trials in Singapore

Date : Sun, 13/03/2011 - 23:19 — Yvette Flanigan

Singapore S*BIO a Singapore based company announced today - First cancer drug developed in Singapore shows encouraging results in early human clinical trialsNational University Cancer Institute (NUS), Singapore and the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, partner local biotechnology company S*BIO to further develop cancer drug, SB939.
 SB939, a cancer drug developed and tested locally in Phase 1 patients will now be tested in patients with advanced lung cancer. SB939 was Singapore’s first locally developed anti-cancer compound to enter Phase 1 clinical trials.
 The proof-of-concept trials of SB939 will be conducted by clinicians from the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) and the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore). The team had earlier reported encouraging results from the drug’s Phase 1 trial, which was run in conjunction with the compound’s developer and owner, local biotechnology company S*BIO Pte Ltd.
 SB939 is an inhibitor of a group of enzymes called histone deacetylases (HDAC) that is implicated in tumourigenesis. SB939 is designed to be a “best-in-class” HDAC inhibitor and is known to have potent anti-tumour effects in preclinical studies. The primary objective in the Phase 1 study was to assess the safety and tolerability of SB939 and to recommend a dose for Phase 2 trials. In the study, thirty patients with advanced cancer were administered SB939 orally thrice weekly for three weeks in a four-week cycle.
 Director, Haematology-Oncology Research Group, NCIS and lead investigator Dr Goh Boon Cher said, “The study has shown SB939 is well tolerated by patients with advanced cancer. Some patients in the Phase I trial also showed better than expected tumour growth control with few and minor side effects. Further laboratory studies indicated that SB939 displayed even greater potency when combined with several other cancer drugs. SB939’s high potency, good oral bioavailability and tolerability demonstrate its potential to bring additional therapeutic benefits and when combined with other anti-cancer therapies has the potential to treat the major cancers affecting Singaporeans such as lung cancer.”
 In Singapore, 47,579 incident cancer cases were diagnosed among the resident population during the period of 2004-2008. Lung cancer ranks first in frequency of cancer mortality rates in males and second in women. Each week, close to 21 Singaporeans will die from lung cancer.Said “Dr Jan-Anders Karlsson, CEO of S*BIO, “Expanding clinical testing of our HDAC inhibitor SB939 into a new indication such as lung cancer may provide further evidence of our compound’s tolerability, safety and potential efficacy. The new study at NCIS and CSI Singapore is in line with S*BIO’s strategy of exploring new cancer indications where SB939 may potentially be active.” Added Dr Goh, who is also Programme Leader of the Experimental Therapeutics Programme and Deputy Director at CSI Singapore, “SB939 is significant as it demonstrates how far Singapore has progressed in the field of biotechnology drug research. To be able to develop and test a cancer drug from scratch to its current stage is testament to the capabilities of the research team, and the excellent infrastructure and resources at NCIS, CSI Singapore and S*BIO.”

Inviragen and Duke-NUS Form Collaborative Vaccine Research and Development Program

Date : Tue, 01/03/2011 - 17:05 — Yvette Flanigan

Singapore – January 26, 2011 – Inviragen, Inc. and the Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School (“Duke-NUS”) announced today that they have completed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a partnership between the two organizations. The goal of the partnership is to better understand how emerging infectious diseases are transmitted and how transmission can be prevented. Through this collaborative program, Inviragen and Duke-NUS aim to advance the research and development of vaccines against infectious diseases such as dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease and chikungunya. “Scientists in the Duke-NUS Emerging Infectious Diseases Program are conducting world-class research into viral pathogenesis and host immunology, and are pioneering methods to improve detection of emerging viral infections,” said Dr. Joseph Santangelo, Inviragen's chief operating officer. “By working with the researchers at Duke-NUS, we hope to improve public health in Singapore and worldwide by preventing the spread of viral diseases with safe and effective vaccines.” Dr. Patrick Casey, senior vice dean for research at Duke-NUS stated, “Inviragen's proven track record of translating vaccine research from the bench into the clinic was a key factor when considering a collaboration, and one that we believe complements our strengths at Duke-NUS." Dr. Duane Gubler, professor and director of the Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases at Duke-NUS continued, “Our strengths lie not only in the quality of our research, but in our partnerships with institutes, hospitals and organizations such as Inviragen. We look forward to combining our expertise to assist in the testing of Inviragen’s vaccine products and to develop future products arising from infectious disease research at Duke-NUS.”The MOU calls for the formation of a management committee co-chaired by Dr. Casey and Dr.Dan Stinchcomb, chief executive officer of Inviragen, who will oversee the organizations’ collaborative activities. Such activities include initiation of clinical trials in Singapore to studyvaccines designed to protect against dengue fever and hand, foot and mouth disease including Inviragen's lead product candidate, a vaccine to protect against dengue fever.

NewBiomed PIKA announced that their adjuvent PIKA enhances the properties influenza vaccine

Date : Tue, 01/03/2011 - 16:53 — Yvette Flanigan

NewBiomed PIKA Pte Ltd, Singapore announced that their adjuvent PIKA enhances the properties influenza vaccine. The results were published in Vaccine (Vaccine. 2009 Feb 25;27(9):1354-64. Epub 2009 Jan 15.) by Researches from DSO Laboratories.

A*STAR-Maccine collaboration puts Singapore on the world map for Preclinical imaging expertise

Date : Sun, 27/02/2011 - 23:29 — Yvette Flanigan

24 February 2011 - Singapore Bioimaging Consortium (SBIC), a research consortium under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and Maccine Pte Ltd, a contract research organisation (CRO), have announced a collaboration to establish a comprehensive preclinical imaging laboratory. The “Translational Imaging Industrial Lab” (TIIL) will provide global biopharma companies with a state-of-the-art array of preclinical imaging resources directed at enhancing the efficiency and pace of the drug development process.
 
  This collaboration will combine Maccine’s large animal imaging resources with SBIC’s high-level biomedical imaging expertise and small mammal imaging platforms to offer the pharma community a suite of preclinical imaging services that are unmatched in the global commercial research space.
 
  Preclinical imaging has the potential to drastically enhance the efficiency and accuracy of drug target selection and drug safety or efficacy. Additionally imaging biomarkers can provide diagnostics and longitudinal indication of disease progression, without the need for invasive testing or surgery. The potential for significant time and cost savings on bringing a medicine to market is particularly welcome in the biomedical industry. Recent lack of productivity in the sector and spiralling costs has sent estimates of the research and development outlay for a single new drug at over a billion US dollars and the process now typically takes well over a decade to get products to patients. The use of translational technology such as imaging, which bridges laboratory research with research in patients, is seen as critical to the necessary evolution of the industry.
 
  “Imaging now occupies a vital place in the industrial drug development process but it is a constantly evolving field. This tie-up will allow the latest R&D advances achieved through the laboratories of SBIC to be applied directly to practical questions in drug discovery and development”, said Prof Philip Kuchel, Executive Director of the SBIC.
 
  Currently, there are only four to five CROs in the world providing routine preclinical imaging services to biopharma companies. None of these has the advanced scientific R&D capabilities and imaging expertise to customize protocols outside of the standard imaging platforms.
 
 
 
 
  The partnership between SBIC and Maccine in setting up TIIL will fill this gap. With small animal imaging technologies such as microPET (Positron Emission Tomography), microSPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography)/CT and pre-clinical MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to large mammal imaging technologies including PET, CT, and DEXA (Dual-Emission X-ray Absorptiometry) at TIIL, industry players will now be able to access the entire repertoire of preclinical imaging services all in one location. In addition, TIIL will also allow industry players the option of requesting bespoke preclinical imaging protocols suitable for their specific needs in drug development.
 
  Leigh Berryman, CEO of Maccine, expanded on the collaboration. “We are delighted to be able to offer the state-of-the-art facilities and expertise at SBIC to industry. SBIC and their affiliates at A*STAR comprise some of the most accomplished scientists working in the field today. The combined service offering will allow early establishment of imaging methodologies in the drug development process. This presents the exciting possibility of projecting the efficiencies offered by this technology straight into the clinic.”
 
  Prof Kuchel added, “Such a public-private partnership offers a unique opportunity for A*Star to participate in early drug discovery in collaboration with major pharmaceutical industries. It also allows the drug development world to leverage this resource through the auspices of Maccine, an accomplished leader in translational contract research. More importantly, such a partnership will allow SBIC to continue with its core mandate as a scientific research institution dedicated to developing and publishing enhanced imaging techniques while staying relevant to industrial needs.”
 
  Said Prof. Sir George Radda, Chairman of A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council, “A joint industrial lab of this nature between the public and private sector is the first for the Biomedical Research Council in A*STAR. I am confident that this unique partnership will put A*STAR and Singapore on the world map as a centre for world-class imaging expertise.”

S*BIO Announces safety results of phase 1, 1/2 trials for two of their compounds

Date : Sun, 27/02/2011 - 22:42 — Yvette Flanigan

S*BIO’s a Singapore based privately held company annouced in December 2010 the results of phase 1 clinical trials for Oral Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitor SB939 and Phase 1/2 Studies for S*BIO’s Novel JAK2 Inhibitor SB1518
 SINGAPORE, Dec. 7, 2010 - S*BIO Pte Ltd announced that data from a Phase 1 study for its oral histone deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibitor SB939 showed tolerability and safety in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. Results were presented at the 52nd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, Florida. “SB939 was well tolerated with limited toxicities and demonstrated excellent pharmacokinetic properties in patients with hematologic malignancies,” said Guillermo Garcia-Manero, M.D., principal investigator at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. “Response data particularly in higher risk myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia encourage further exploration of the therapeutic benefit of SB939 in combination with other anti-cancer therapies.”Dr. Jan-Anders Karlsson, CEO of S*BIO, said, “We are encouraged by the results of the Phase 1 study and we are moving forward with further testing of this compound. We recently entered into a Phase 2 clinical trial of SB939 for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic prostate cancer.”Phase 1 Study of the Oral Deacetylase Inhibitor, SB939, in Patients with Advanced Hematologic Malignancies SB939 demonstrated excellent pharmacokinetic (PK) properties and target inhibition and was generally very well tolerated. Toxicities were generally mild to moderate in severity and easily managed compared with those associated with other HDAC inhibitors. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) as defined for this regimen of SB939 in subjects with hematologic malignancies was not reached, and 100mg was determined to be the recommended dose. These findings indicate a favorable therapeutic index. The primary objective in the Phase 1, multi-center, open-label, escalating dose cohort study, was to assess the safety and tolerability of SB939, administered orally once every other day 3 times a week for 3 weeks, repeated every 4 weeks, in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. Secondary objectives included establishing the MTD and recommended Phase 2 dose of SB939 when administered as a single agent according to the study regimen, determining the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of SB939, determining the PK profile of SB939, documenting anti-tumor activity and assessing the histone acetylation in PBMCs as well as other biomarkers.SB939 is designed to be a “best-in-class” HDAC inhibitor, and has demonstrated the potential to bring additional therapeutic benefits due to its high potency, superior oral availability and good tolerability. This year, S*BIO anticipates that recruitment will commence for another Phase 2 clinical trial with SB939 in patients with translocation-associated sarcomas. This study will also be conducted in collaboration with the NCIC Clinical Trials Group. In cellular and preclinical models, HDAC inhibitors have been shown to inhibit synovial sarcoma growth. SB939’s favourable side effect profile makes it an excellent candidate to address the urgent medical need for new therapeutic options for the treatment of this condition
 Data from Phase 1/2 studies for S*Bio's novel JAK2 inhibitor SB1518 indicates clinical efficacy and good tolerability for the treatment of patients with symptomatic myelofibrosis (MF) and enlarged spleens was announced on 6 Dec 2010. SB1518 was also well tolerated in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma. “SB1518 showed promising clinical activity with reductions in both splenomegaly and MF-associated symptoms in patients with symptomatic MF and baseline splenomegaly,” said Srdan Verstovsek, M.D., principal investigator at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. “Specifically, 17 of 30 patients, or 57 percent, treated with SB1518 had a 25 percent or greater reduction in spleen volume by MRI. The therapy did not result in appreciable myelosuppression, a side effect typically seen with this class of drugs. Trial results support further development of SB1518 as an effective and safe treatment of symptomatic myelofibrosis.”
 Anas Younes, M.D., principal investigator at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, said, “Data also showthat targeting the JAK2 pathway has therapeutic value in patients with relapsed lymphoma. Clinical benefit was observed in several lymphoma subtypes, including partial responses. SB1518 was well tolerated. Additional clinical studies may further support SB1518’s efficacy and safety in the treatment of selected lymphomas.”
 Dr. Jan-Anders Karlsson, CEO of S*BIO, said, “There is a significant unmet medical need for the treatment of symptomatic MF patients with splenomegaly, especially those with moderate to severe thrombocytopenia. SB1518 can be used to treat symptomatic MF patients and it is potentially the only effective treatment for MF patients who have thrombocytopenia. Our novel JAK2 inhibitor is conveniently administered orally once daily and does not cause myelosuppression andgastrointestinal side effects are readily manageable. We are moving forward with additional testing of SB1518 to demonstrate its potential to treat MF and other disorders.”The primary objective of the Phase 2 trial for the treatment of MF was to assess the spleen response rate in subjects with MF as measured by change in spleen volume by MRI . Secondary objectives included the assessment of the spleen response by physical examination, the duration of spleen response, and evaluating the safety, tolerability and MF symptoms in subjects treated with 400mg of SB1518 orally once daily continuously in 28 day cycles.The primary objective in the Phase 1 single center, open label, dose-escalation lymphoma trial was to establish the maximum tolerated dose of SB1518 as a single agent when administered orally daily in subjects with advanced lymphoid malignancies. Secondary objectives included the testing of the safety and tolerability of SB1518, administered orally once daily in patients with advanced lymphoid malignancies, assessing the pharmacokinetic profile and evaluating the pharmacodynamic activity of SB1518. SB1518 is a small molecule JAK2-selective kinase inhibitor, which has demonstrated high potency inpreclinical models against both the wild type JAK2 kinase and the JAK2 kinase with the V617Fmutation. The V617F mutation is found in high frequencies in myeloproliferative disorders such asMF. It is estimated that approximately 50% of patients with MF possess the JAK2 mutation.S*BIO Pte Ltd and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ONXX) have a development collaborationand option and license commercialization agreement for the JAK2 inhibitors, SB1518 and SB1578,also known as ONX 0803 and ONX 0805, respectively. The development program includesindications for hematologic malignancies and myeloproliferative disorders. Onyx can elect to exerciseits exclusive options for SB1518 (ONX 0803) and SB1578 (ONX 0805) separately and independentlyat certain predetermined stages of development for each compound in all indications in the UnitedStates, Canada and Europe. S*BIO retain rights to develop and commercialize SB1518 and SB1578in the rest of the world.

AMRI Appoints New Assistant Director in Drug Discovery Services

Date : Sun, 27/02/2011 - 22:13 — Yvette Flanigan

AMRI Singapore, the Singapore subsiduary of Albany Molecular Research, Inc. AMRI (NASDAQ: AMRI) announced on 27 January 2011 that Takeshi Yura, Ph.D. has joined the company as assistant director, medicinal chemistry, reporting to Managing Director Raymond Yeung at the company’s drug discovery services operations in Singapore.Dr. Yura brings more than 22 years of scientific and leadership experience in discovery chemistry, project management and business development. Most recently, he was a director at Dishman Japan Ltd, responsible for sales and all business development activities for contract manufacture services. Before that, he served as discovery chemistry research head at Pfizer Japan, dedicated primarily to the areas of pain and gastrointestinal drug discovery. Prior to Pfizer, he served as section head, medicinal chemistry at Bayer Yakuhin focusing on urology and asthma. He has held additional scientific roles at both Ciba Geigy Japan and Tanabe Seiyaku (now Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma).
 Dr. Yura earned a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry under the direction of Professor Teruaki Mukaiyama, and M.S. and B.S. in chemistry at the University of Tokyo. He also holds an M.B.A. from the Temple University Tokyo. “We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Yura to our AMRI leadership team,” said Raymond Yeung. “His extensive experience as both a scientist and project leader will contribute significantly to the rapid growth and expansion we are experiencing in Singapore. The addition of Dr. Yura expands further our ability to provide integrated discovery services to our growing base of customers in Japan, throughout Asia and around the globe.”AMRI Singapore opened in 2005.

Healthstats technology validated

Date : Thu, 24/02/2011 - 23:33 — Yvette Flanigan

HealthStats International Pte Ltd. a Singaporean based company, has recently had one of their key technologies, the N-point moving average, validated. The work was published in JACC one of the World’s leading cardiovascular scientific journals (B. Williams et al JACC 2011 57: 951-961). This is a key milestone for HealthSTATS.

Sanofi to buy Genzyme for $20.1bn and Performance-based CVR

Date : Mon, 21/02/2011 - 06:11 — kai_majumdar

 French drugmaker Sanofi Aventis will buy Genzyme after the firms finally agree a valuation based on manufacturing performance, approvals and sales.
 The deal will see Sanofi pay $20.1bn in cash upfront as well as a contingent value right (CVR) that could be worth between $2 and $3 per share based on specific criteria.
 These include that Genzyme: meets production targets for its Gaucher’s and Fabry disease drugs Cerezyme and Fabrzyme; gains US approval for the multiple sclerosis treatment Lemtrada; and achieves certain sales milestones.
 The agreement brings to an end nearly a year of haggling that saw Genzyme repeatedly reject Sanofi's original $18.5bn offer, arguing that its pipeline and dominance of several therapeutic markets was worth $22.5bn.
 Sanofi, in response, maintained that its $69 per share valuation was more realistic in terms of future sales and because it took into account Genzyme’s recent manufacturing problems that interrupted supply of key products.
 This disagreement became increasingly acrimonious, culminating in Sanofi’s launch of a hostile takeover bid in October . However, more positive noises emerged in the months that followed with the companies confirming that discussions had started.
 The real breakthrough came on January 31 when Genzyme granted Sanofi access to its books for due diligence in an effort to agree on a value which, as evidenced by today’s announcement, is exactly what happened.

Market response
 Today's news saw Sanofi’s price rise nearly 3 per cent to $51.61 per share in early morning trading on the Paris exchange.
 In a press statement Sanofi CEO Christopher Veibacher said: “This transaction will create a meaningful new growth platform for Sanofi Aventis, while expanding our footprint in biotechnology.”
 This was echoed by Genzyme chief Henri Termeer who described the takeover as a new beginning for Genzyme, adding that: “Sanofi Aventis believes in what we do, in our people and our potential.”Similar views were expressed by a number of observers who said the deal will help Sanofi mitigate the impact of future generic competition and give it a portfolio of hard to copy products.
 In a research note Leerink Swann analyst Joshua Schimmer said: “Genzyme does have quite a number of attractive assets that synergize nicely with Sanofi,” but also predicted that the merger will lead to job cuts.
 Similarly UBS told the Financial Times that: “Genzyme completes Sanofi’s competencies for a new world pharma order. With Genzyme offering Sanofi new competencies, as well as improved access to an important pool of human capital for R&D, we expect many in the market to embrace this deal.”