Portfolio companies news

02 November 2017

Epic Sciences Launches Single-Cell Microsatellite and Chromosomal Instability Genomic Analysis

Epic Sciences, Inc. adds simultaneous microsatellite instability (MSI) and chromosomal instability (CIN) measurements, also known as genomic scarring analysis, to the single cell next generation sequencing (NGS) workflow for clinical research of immuno-oncology therapies. MSI is currently utilized to identify patients who may respond to PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors across multiple cancer indications. 

31 October 2017

Marinus Pharmaceuticals Provides Business Update and Reports Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:MRNS) (the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative therapeutics to treat epilepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders, today provided a business update and reported its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

24 October 2017

Clearside Biomedical Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment in Phase 2 Clinical Trial of CLS-TA Used Together with Eylea in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema

Clearside Biomedical, Inc.  (NASDAQ:CLSD), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class drug therapies to treat back-of-the-eye diseases, today announced completion of patient enrollment in the Phase 2 clinical trial (“TYBEE”) of CLS-TA, Clearside’s proprietary suspension formulation of the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide for suprachoroidal administration (“suprachoroidal CLS-TA”), used together with intravitreally administered EYLEA® (aflibercept) (“intravitreal Eylea”) for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (“DME”).  Patient follow-up in the TYBEE trial is 6 months. 

17 October 2017

Syndax Announces $25 Million Registered Direct Offering of Common Stock

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Syndax," the "Company" or "we") (Nasdaq: SNDX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing entinostat and SNDX-6352 in multiple cancer indications, today announced that it has agreed to sell 2,021,018 shares of its common stock to Biotechnology Value Fund, L.P. and certain of its affiliates ("BVF") in a registered direct offering.  

17 October 2017

Syndax Expands Pipeline with Exclusive Worldwide License to Allergan's Portfolio of Menin-MLL Inhibitors

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Syndax," the "Company" or "we") (Nasdaq: SNDX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing entinostat and SNDX-6352 in multiple cancer indications, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Vitae Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Allergan plc, for a portfolio of preclinical, orally-available small molecule inhibitors of the interaction of Menin with the Mixed Lineage Leukemia ("MLL") protein. These compounds have potential application in the treatment of a genetically-defined subset of acute leukemias with chromosomal rearrangements in the MLL gene ("MLL-r"). Syndax expects to initiate clinical studies in 2019.

17 October 2017

Neothetics, Inc. and Evofem Biosciences, Inc. Announce Merger Agreement to Create Women’s Health Company

Neothetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: NEOT) and Evofem Biosciences, Inc. today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which privately-held Evofem Biosciences will merge with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Neothetics in an all-stock transaction. The merger will position the combined company with an opportunity to become a leading women’s health company that develops and commercializes novel products. Upon closing of the transaction, Neothetics will be renamed Evofem Biosciences, Inc., and will be under the leadership of Evofem Biosciences’ Chief Executive Officer, Saundra Pelletier.

13 October 2017

Liquid Biopsy Test Identifies Androgen Receptor Protein Expression in Circulating Tumor Cells in Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Epic Sciences along with researchers at the MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDA) have recently published their findings on androgen receptor (AR) protein expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with metastatic breast cancer in PLOS One.  The publication, the most comprehensive today in characterizing the AR protein in CTCs of patients with breast cancer, identifies subclonal heterogeneity of AR protein.  

11 October 2017

OCON Medical announces its new successful round of financing & arrival of Chemo Group as shareholder

OCON Medical (Modiin – Israel), the Woman Health Company and inventor of the IUB™ intrauterine platform, is proud to announce that Chemo Group, a global healthcare company and one of the market leaders in Women’s Health, has decided to become an OCON shareholder at the occasion of its new successful round of financing.

05 October 2017

Syndax Announces Dosing of First Patient in Pivotal Trial of Entinostat for the Treatment of Advanced or Recurrent Breast Cancer in Japan by Partner Kyowa Hakko Kirin

Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  ("Syndax," the "Company" or "we") (Nasdaq: SNDX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing entinostat and SNDX-6352 in multiple cancer indications, today announced that Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd (Kyowa Hakko Kirin), its  Japan  and  Korea  sublicensee, has now dosed the first patient in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pivotal Phase 2 trial of entinostat (designated KHK2375 by Kyowa Hakko Kirin), Syndax's oral Class-I histone deacetylase inhibitor, in combination with exemestane versus exemestane plus placebo in Japanese patients with advanced or recurrent hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor two-negative (HER2-) breast cancer. Enrollment of the first patient in this trial triggers a  $5 million  milestone payment to Syndax from Kyowa Hakko Kirin.

03 October 2017

Atlas Genetics Appoints Life Sciences Veteran, Jeffrey Luber, as Chief Executive Officer; Founding CEO Dr John Clarkson Steps Up to Executive Chairman

Atlas Genetics Ltd., the ultra-rapid, point-of-care (POC) testing company for women's and family health, today announced that Jeffrey R. Luber has been appointed Chief Executive Officer effective 1 October 2017. Dr John Clarkson, current founding CEO, will become Executive Chairman and current chairman, Neil Butler, will remain with the Company as a non-executive director of the Board.