Assay Designs and VWR International enter new distribution agreement
Assay Designs, Inc. and VWR International, LLC have entered into a new distribution agreement via which VWR will offer Assay Design's products to northern American customers. The agreement will benefit both companies by tapping into a larger customer base. VWR's collaborations with top customers in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries will help Assay Designs provide excellent customer service, wider product distribution, and it will also help Assay build stronger customer relationships. Assay Designs develops manufacturing and marketing immunoassay (ELISA) kits, antibodies, and proteins that are used for life sciences research. The company sells these products under the "Assay Designs" and "Stressgen" brand names. VMR International is a leading name in the global research laboratory industry.
Tramiprosate designated as a Fast Track Product by U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Neurochem, Inc. announced that its investigational product candidate, tramiprosate, has been designated as a Fast Track Product for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Fast Track designation program facilitates quicker reviewing of drugs developed to treat serious and life-threatening conditions, especially if those drugs display potential to meet medical needs for such conditions. Neurochem will hold a meeting with the FDA's neurology products division in August 2007. The agenda for the meeting is to discuss the tramiprosate (ALZHEMEDTM) Phase III program and to give an update on the work accomplished so far on the North American Phase III clinical trial. Neurochem, Inc. emphasizes development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics to address medical needs that demand immediate attention.
Two new appointments to Trimeris board
Trimeris, Inc. has appointed Stephen R. Davis and Barry D. Quart, Pharm.D., to the company's board of directors. Davis is currently serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Neurogen Corporation, and Quart is associated with Ardea Biosciences, Inc. in his capacity as president and chief executive officer. The appointments will help Trimeris maximize the value of its FUZEON franchise and develop the next-generation fusion inhibitor, TRI-11404, said Larry Hill, Jr., president and chief operating officer of Trimeris. Hill also said that the extensive biotechnology experience of the two directors, as well as their expertise in product development, commercialization, and corporate finance, will help Trimeris achieve its strategic and financial objectives. A biopharmaceutical company, Trimeris, Inc. focuses on development and commercialization of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of viral diseases.
