NEWS: DECEMBER 2003

-12/22/2003 through 01/02/2004-

No news due to Holiday Season Brake. Happy new 2004 !

-12/19/2003-

Press Release: Guava Technologies has announced a series of updates to its comprehensively featured website. To read press release click here.

Paradigm Genetics Inc. and Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. from collaboration to identify plant genes that influence important crop traits. To read article click here.

ArQule Inc. reaches milestones in research collaboration with Pfizer Inc. To read article click here.

Genaissance Pharmaceuticals Inc. to acquire Lark Technologies Inc. To read article click here.

Genmab A/S files IND in the USA and England for HuMax-CD20 to treat Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. To read article click here.

-12/18/2003-

Press Release: Revolutionary L-Hydantoinase Enzymatic Process Wins Degussa the 2003 Frost & Sullivan Product of the Year Award. To read press release click here.

Pharmacopeia Inc. to spin off its drug discovery unit by the end March 2004. To read article click here. Pharmacopeia Inc. provides services for drug discovery R&D. For a review of Pharmacopeia's services here at CombiChem Lab click here.

PPD Inc. to acquire patent from Eli Lilly and Co. for Dapoxetine. To read article click here.

Array BioPharma and AstraZeneca Plc form oncology partnership worth up to $85 million. To read article click here.

The Medicines Company acquires intravenous antiplatelet agent Cangrelor from AstraZeneca. To read article click here.

FDA approves Forest Laboratories Inc.'s Lexapro™ (escitalopram oxalate) for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. To read article click here.

Human Genome Sciences Inc. and Pfizer Inc. sign drug development license agreement. To read article click here.

Lexicon Genetics Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. form partnership to develop drugs for depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, pain and Alzheimer's disease. To read article click here.

Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. receives $15 million milestone payment from Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp. for the development of anticancer candidate RAF kinase inhibitor BAY 43-9006. To read article click here.

Chiron Corporation grants nonexclusive hepatitis C virus (HCV) license to Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH. To read article click here.

Exelixis Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. expand cancer research collaboration. To read article click here.

XOMA Ltd. and Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. initiate Phase I clinical trials of MLN2222 (CAB-2). To read article click here.

-12/17/2003-

Press Release: Genetix has announced a series of updates to its comprehensively featured website. To read press release click here.

Press Release: Guava Technologies, Inc., a biomedical products company focused on developing and commercialising cell-based analysis systems for life science research & development and clinical diagnostics, today announced that it has raised $27 million in a Series D private venture financing. To read press release click here.

Press Release: New Millennium Media International announces that it has officially filed its patents---with over 50 claims---protecting its revolutionary technology, a breakthrough in (LED) architecture. To read press release click here.

FDA asks Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. more data for experimental diabetes drug Smylin®. To read article click here.

Exelixis Inc. files investigational new drug (IND) application with the FDA for its lead anticancer compound XL119 (DEAE rebeccamycin). To read article click here.

SEQUENOM Inc. and Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals Inc. form osteoporosis research collaboration. To read article click here.

deCode Genetics Inc. reaches 2 milestones in collaboration with Roche Holding AG . To read article click here.

-12/16/2003-

ComGenex develops Chemical Genomics Screening Platform using its LibrArray™ Chip Technology and the aid of its combinatorial chemistry, QSAR, molecular modeling, affinity labeling technologies. To read article click here. Comgenex Inc. provides services for the synthesis of drug-like compounds for high-throughput screening (HTS) and drug discovery. For a review of Comgenex Inc's services here at CombiChem Lab click here.

A U.S. advisory panel gives tumbs up to Barr Laboratories Inc.'s morning-after pill Plan B. To read article click here.

Genzyme Corp. and Cortical Pty. Ltd. sign agreement to develop oral drugs for arthritis, multiple sclerosis and colitis. To read article click here.

Structural GenomiX Inc. and UroGene S.A. form research collaboration to develop small molecule inhibitors against novel urological cancer kinase targets. To read article click here.

MacroChem Corporation initiates clinical trials for Opterone™ cream for male testosterone deficiency. To read article click here.

La Jolla Pharmaceutical files NDA with the FDA for Riquent™ for lupus treatment. To read article click here.

EPIX Medical Inc. files NDA with the FDA for MS-325 for vascular imaging with magnetic resonance angiography. To read article click here.

SEQUENOM Inc. signs gene expression agreement with The Institute for Genomic Research and the University of Michigan Medical Center. To read article click here.

Bioreason Inc. releases Version 3.1 of its ClassPharmer™ system for predictive modeling and structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis. To read article click here.

-12/15/2003-

Press Release: A new technical brochure is now available from Genetix Ltd. (www.genetix.com ) describing their purpose built low-volume liquid dispensing system - the aliQuot. To read press release click here.

Press Release: Available from Porvair Sciences the Ultravap is an affordable and high-speed system for concentrating samples in 96 or 384-well microplates. To read press release click here.

Press Release: Available from INTEGRA Biosciences are a range of affordable Hand Operator Sets that convert almost any commercial vacuum pump into a flexible system for aspirating liquids. To read press release click here.

Chemical Diversity Labs Inc. (ChemDiv) and ESBATech AG sign screening agreement. To read article click here. Chemical Diversity Labs Inc. (ChemDiv) offers diverse compound libraries and services for drug discovery research. For a review of ChemDiv's compound libraries and services here at CombiChem Lab click here and here, respectively.

Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. stops Phase III clinical trials of its cancer drug Velcade this time due to positive results. To read article click here.

NitroMed Inc. and Boston University School of Medicine form multi-year research collaboration to develop nitric oxide enhancing drugs. To read article click here.

FDA grants orphan drug status to Dyax Corp. and Debiopharm's DX-890 for anti-inflammatory cystic fibrosis treatment. To read article click here.

CuraGen Corporation publishes in journal Nature Biotechnology novel method for the prioritization of Important genes for drug development from genomics, proteomics, and genetic data. To read article click here.

Cytopia and Myomatrix Therapeutics sign research collaboration agreement for heart failure and hypertension treatments. To read article click here.

3rd Millennium releases its knowledge management system to the public domain. To read article click here.

-12/12/2003-

Press Release: The Mirror Rack from Porvair Sciences provides a unique, high productivity sample processing system for use with automated pipetting systems. To read press release click here.

Press Release: Ergonomically contoured to fit perfectly into even small hands the lightweight PIPETBOY Comfort Colour from INTEGRA Biosciences offers high-throughput laboratories a pipette they can use all day and remain fatigue-free. To read press release click here.

Helix BioMedix and Pyxis Genomics form research collaboration for non-antibiotic peptides. To read article click here.

Genzyme Corporation initiates Phase I clinical trials of small molecule Genz-29155 for multiple sclerosis. To read article click here.

Bovine Genome Sequencing Project launched. To read article click here.

-12/11/2003-

Press Release: Available from Radleys Discovery Technologies (RDT) the new improved Carousel Stirring Hotplate is precision engineered for maximum reliability and performance, and incorporates the latest temperature control features. To read press release click here. Radleys has a line of workstations and also offers the Lollipop Phase Separator for the removal of aqueous layers for parallel synthesis, combinatorial chemistry and drug discovery. To read a review of Radleys' systems and the Lollipop Phase Separator here at CombiChem Lab click here and here, respectively.

Press Release: Guava Technologies: Early detection of cell health. To read press release click here.

Press Release: Guava Technologies: Rapid screening of individual cells for green fluorescent proteins. To read press release click here.

Press Release: Guava Technologies: Streamlining Cell Based Assays. To read press release click here.

Press Release: Guava Technologies: CFR Part 11 Compliant Cell Culture Monitoring. To read press release click here.

Press Release: Viscotek, the leader in multiple detector characterisation of polymers and proteins, has announced the availability of two technical applications articles that demonstrate how technological advances are expanding the frontiers of macromolecular analysis by GPC. To read press release click here.

Protein Design Labs Inc. initiates Phase I/II clinical trial of visilizumab (Nuvion®) in patients with severe ulcerative colitis. To read article click here.

King Pharmaceuticals Inc. initiates Phase I clinical trial program for T-62 for neuropathic pain. To read article click here.

Genaissance Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S sign pharmacogenomics agreement. To read article click here.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s R112 experimental compound for allergic rhinitis gives good results in Phase I clinical trials. To read article click here.

deCODE genetics Inc. discovers 2 new genes associated with obesity. To read article click here.

Beckman Coulter Inc. acquires the assets of Q3DM Inc. To read article click here.

-12/10/2003-

IBC announces 2nd Annual Advances in Cancer Research. To read article click here. IBCUSA is an institution dedicated to organize conferences in different fields including combinatorial chemistry. For more information about IBCUSE here at CombiChem Lab click here.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Andrx Corporation form collaboration for oral contraceptive pharmaceutical products. To read article click here.

4SC initiates Phase I clinical trials of small molecule experimental candidate SC12267 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. To read article click here.

Repligen Corporation initiates Phase II clinical trials for RG1068 for the treatment of refractory schizophrenia. To read article click here.

Tularik Inc. initiates Phase II clinical trials of T487 for psoriasis. To read article click here.

-12/09/2003-

Press Release: Genevac Ltd., as part of their ongoing commitment to continual improvement in customer service and training, has announced a new remote online training service. To read press release click here. Genevac Ltd. provides high-throughput centrifugal evaporation systems for combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput screening (HTS) and drug discovery. To read a review of Genevac's systems here at CombiChem Lab click here.

Press Release: ESA, a leading manufacturer and supplier of analytical instruments for the life science, clinical diagnostic, drug discovery and pharmaceutical industries has appointed Dr Darwin Asa, to the position of Drug Discovery Business Development Manager. To read press release click here.

Press Release: ESA Analytical have announced a series of new applications briefs demonstrating the utility of its ChromaChem Evaporative Light Scattering Detector for the analysis of a range of natural products. To read press release click here.

Sigma-Aldrich deploys chemical search engine developed by Synthematix® Inc. To read article click here. Sigma-Aldrich offers a broad range of supplies for combinatorial chemistry. For a review of Sigma-Aldrich's chemicals here at CombiChem Lab click here.

Genta Inc. submits NDA to the FDA for Genasense for cancer treatment. To read article click here.

Tularik Inc.-Sankyo Company Ltd.'s G-protein coupled receptors collaboration moves forward selecting target for further development. To read article click here.

-12/08/2003-

Press Release: Novartis enters into research collaboration with Morphochem for use of its MOREsystem™ in lead discovery. To read press release click here.

Tripos Inc. and Biovitrum discovery research collaboration affords positive results expanding their collaboration towards the development of improved tools for drug discovery. To read article click here. Tripos Inc. provides a suite of software tools for combinatorial chemistry and drug discovery. For a review of Tripos' software tools here at CombiChem Lab click here.

CV Therapeutics Inc.'s experimental angina drug Ranexa could cause serious heart risks. To read article click here.

CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc. appointes Colin W. Stewart as President and CEO. To read article click here.

FDA grants Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s blood protein Eculizumab orphan drug status. To read article click here.

SCYNEXIS and GeneCare Research Institute Co Ltd form anti-inflammatory drug discovery collaboration. To read article click here.

-12/05/2003-

Press Release: Available from Radleys Discovery Technologies (RDT) the Carousel Work-Up Station is designed to make post synthesis work-up quick and easy, avoiding downstream bottlenecks. To read press release click here. Radleys has a line of workstations and also offers the Lollipop Phase Separator for the removal of aqueous layers for parallel synthesis, combinatorial chemistry and drug discovery. To read a review of Radleys' systems and the Lollipop Phase Separator here at CombiChem Lab click here and here, respectively.

Press Release: Two lucky scientists were drawn from those who entered Genevac's "Swap a Card for a Car" competition held at International Biotech 2003 in London last week. To read press release click here. Genevac Ltd. provides high-throughput centrifugal evaporation systems for combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput screening (HTS) and drug discovery. To read a review of Genevac's systems here at CombiChem Lab click here.

Introgen Therapeutics Inc. to take its vaccine therapy INGN 225 to Phase I/II clinical studies for advanced breast cancer. To read article click here.

Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s small molecule AP23464 can treat leukemia in patients resistant to Gleevec (imatinib). To read article click here.

GlaxoSmithKline PLC to take Human Genome Sciences Inc.'s compound 480848 to Phase III clinical trials for atherosclerosis treatment. To read article click here.

-12/04/2003-

Press Release: Genevac introduced at International Biotech 2003 a brand new concept in centrifugal evaporation - upgradeable instruments. To read press release click here. Genevac Ltd. provides high-throughput centrifugal evaporation systems for combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput screening (HTS) and drug discovery. To read a review of Genevac's systems here at CombiChem Lab click here.

Press Release: GlaxoSmithKline Drug Discovery and Development Research Grant Program 2003. To read press release click here.

Discovery Partners International Inc. (DPII) and Allergan Inc. sign lead finding collaboration for multiple GPCR and enzyme targets. To read article click here. DPII has 2 subsidiaries, ChemRx and IRORI, to provide support to drug discovery. ChemRx offers a diverse set of services for combinatorial chemistry and drug discovery. For a review of ChemRx's services here at CombiChem Lab click here. IRORI offers its radio-frequency tagged product line for combinatorial chemistry. For a review on IRORI's Accutag system here at CombiChem Lab click here.

Allos Therapeutics Inc. files NDA to the FDA for its breast cancer drug RSR13 (efaproxiral). To read article click here.

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. completes the acquisition of STS Biopolymers Inc. for $23 million in cash. To read article click here.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. sells some instrumentation assets of its Aurora Instruments LLC unit to Aurora Discovery Inc. To read article click here.

Affymetrix Inc. and Arcturus Bioscience Inc. form collaboration to enable gene expression analysis on paraffin-embedded tissues. To read article click here.

FDA grants fast-track status to Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s prostate cancer drug MLN2704. To read article click here.

Tularik Inc. receives milestone payment from Eli Lilly and Company for taking to Phase II clinical trials orally available Factor Xa inhibitor for the prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases. To read article click here.

NitroMed Inc. receives milestone payment from Merck & Co. Inc. for taking lead nitric oxide-enhancing compound into Phase I clinical trials. To read article click here.

Vicuron Pharmaceuticals Inc. receives milestone payment from Novartis Pharma AG for the discovery of peptide deformylase inhibitor antibacterial candidates. To read article click here.

Caliper Technologies Corp. to cut 12% of its workforce. To read article click here.

Corgentech Inc. goes IPO. To read article click here.

-12/03/2003-

Press Release: Tecan UK has announced the launch of AutoLoader, the latest addition to its Aquarius multi-channel pipetting system. To read press release click here. Tecan provides the ChemSystem workstation and the TECAN MiniPrep systems for combinatorial chemistry and drug discovery. To read a review of TECAN's systems here at CombiChem Lab click here.

Lexicon Genetics Inc. receives U.S. patent 6,653,113 entitled "High Efficiency Gene Targeting in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells." To read article click here.

Affymetrix Inc. launches its new GeneChip® Mouse Genome 430 2.0 Array. To read article click here.

ZymoGenetics clear to initiate clinical studies with recombinant human Thrombin. To read article click here.

-12/02/2003-

Press Release: SciTegic and Molecular Networks Announce the Integration of CORINA into Pipeline Pilot. To read press release click here.

Press Release: Genetix have announced that the QArray2 and QArrayMax microarrayers can be supplied with an alternative bed to allow the printing of arrays in the wells of standard format microplates. To read press release click here.

Pharmacopeia Inc.-Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. collaboration outputs compound for clinical trials. To read article click here.

FDA grants fast-track status to Pharmacyclics Inc.'s cancer drug Xcytrin™. To read article click here.

FDA grants fast-track status to Telik Inc.'s drug Telcyta™ for small-cell lung cancer. To read article click here.

Elan Corp. completes sale of four pain products to AaiPharma Inc. for $101.8 million. To read article click here.

Sepracor Inc. stops the development of experimental allergy drug Soltara™. To read article click here.

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company discovers orally-active small molecules for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. To read article click here.

Maxim Pharmaceuticals licenses MX90745 compound series to Myriad Genetics Inc. for cancer treatment. To read article click here.

SkyePharma and Novartis Pharma AG sign development agreement for new product for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To read article click here.

FDA approves Serono's Zorbtive™ for short bowel syndrome. To read article click here.

-12/01/2003-

Press Release: Just published, issue 3 of the Tecan Journal, provides a customer focused global insight into the way that the Freedom EVO laboratory workstation. To read press release click here. Tecan provides the ChemSystem workstation and the TECAN MiniPrep systems for combinatorial chemistry and drug discovery. To read a review of TECAN's systems here at CombiChem Lab click here.

Merck and Co. Inc. and Neurogen Corp. form collaboration for the development of pain treatments. To read article click here.

Celltech Group plc gets back rights to its PEGylated anti-TNF-alpha antibody fragment CDP 870 from Pfizer. To read article click here.