Oncothyreon Announces Merck Serono Decision to Continue the Development of Tecemotide in Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Oncothyreon Inc. (ONTY) today announced that Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA, has decided to continue clinical development of the investigational MUC1 antigen-specific cancer immunotherapy tecemotide (also known as L-BLP25 and formerly known as Stimuvax®).  Merck Serono, which is developing tecemotide under a license agreement with Oncothyreon, will conduct a new Phase 3 trial called START2 for patients with unresectable, locally advanced Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This decision is based on the outcome of the prior START trial.

Omeros Chosen to Present at NewsMakers in the Biotech Industry 2013 Conference

Omeros Corporation (OMER), a biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing and commercializing products focused on inflammation, bleeding and disorders of the central nervous system, today announced that Gregory A. Demopulos, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer, is scheduled to present at the NewsMakers in the Biotech Industry 2013 Conference in New York City next week.  The presentation is scheduled for Friday, September 27, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. EDT.

The presentation will be webcast. The live and archived webcasts can be accessed on the "Events" page of the Company's website at www.omeros.com.  

Synthetic Biologics Responds to Recent CDC Report on Threat of "Super Bugs"

Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SYN), a developer of biologics focused on the prevention and treatment of serious infectious diseases, has issued a response to the recent report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier this week that detailed the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant "super bugs" (see here: Untreatable: Report by CDC details today's drug-resistant health threats).

Below is a statement from the Company:

"We applaud the CDC for taking the step forward in acknowledging the major public health crisis surrounding drug-resistant "super bugs."

Verenium Enters Agreement To Be Acquired By BASF

-- BASF to offer Verenium's shareholders $4.00 per share in cash --

Verenium Corporation (VRNM), a leading industrial biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of high-performance enzymes, today announced it has entered into a definitive merger agreement with BASF Corporation, a leading chemicals company, under which BASF will commence a cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Verenium's common stock.  This agreement has been unanimously approved by both Verenium's and BASF's Boards of Directors.