Evoke Pharma Study Reports Positive Results of Metoclopramide Nasal Spray for Gastroparesis in Diabetics

Evoke Pharma, Inc. (EVOK), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on treatments for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, today announced the publication of a study that found intranasal delivery of metoclopramide to be more effective in managing symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis compared to the marketed oral tablet formulation of metoclopramide.

The Phase 2b study, which was published online ahead-of-print for an upcoming issue of Neurogastroenterology & Motility, enrolled 89 patients from six study sites throughout the United States. The multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel design study was the first to compare the efficacy and safety of metoclopramide nasal spray to oral tablets in diabetic patients with symptoms of gastroparesis when dosed four times a day for 6 weeks.

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Announces Marketing Approval of Ferric Citrate
in Japan

Marketing Approval Triggers Milestone Payment to Keryx

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (KERX) today announced that its Japanese partner, Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT), has received manufacturing and marketing approval of ferric citrate from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Ferric citrate, to be marketed in Japan by JT's subsidiary, Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., under the brand name Riona^®, is indicated as an oral treatment for the improvement of hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including dialysis and non-dialysis dependent CKD. 

OncoMed Pharmaceuticals Presents Data From Demcizumab Phase 1b Clinical Study in Pancreatic Cancer at the 2014 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium

Updated Data Set Includes Demcizumab in Combination With Abraxane(R) (nab-paclitaxel) and Gemcitabine

OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OMED), a clinical-stage company developing novel therapeutics that target cancer stem cells (CSCs), or tumor-initiating cells, presented data today from its ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial of demcizumab (OMP-21M18; anti-DLL4) in first-line Stage IV pancreatic cancer patients at the 2014 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium being held in San Francisco, California. These are the first reported data from the Phase 1b study of demcizumab with gemcitabine to include the addition of Abaxane^(R) (nab-paclitaxel). Demcizumab is part of OncoMed's collaboration with Celgene Corporation.

Tekmira Signs Development Agreement on Delivery Technology for Agricultural Applications

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation (TKMR) (TKM.TO), a leading developer of RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics, announced today that it has signed an Option Agreement with Monsanto, pursuant to which Monsanto may obtain a license to use Tekmira's proprietary delivery technology. The transaction will support the application of Tekmira's proprietary delivery technology and related intellectual property (IP) for use in agriculture. Tekmira noted that the potential value of the transaction could reach up to US$86.2 million following the successful completion of milestones. Tekmira expects to receive a near term payment of net US$16.5 million.