News

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 10, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs directed against tumor metabolism and tumor immunology targets for the treatment of cancer, announced today the appointment of Suzy Jones to the company's Board of Directors, where she will be a member of the company’s Audit Committee. Ms. Jones is currently Founder and Managing Partner of DNA Ink, a boutique life sciences advisory firm.

Calithera Biosciences, Inc., a clinical-stagebiopharmaceutical company discovering and developing novel small molecule therapeutics in cancer, today announced the commencement of patient dosing in its first Phase 1 study of CB-839 in patients with advanced solid tumors. CB-839 is a potent, selective, orally bioavailable inhibitor of glutaminase that interferes with tumor metabolism and blocks cancer cell growth and survival.

Calithera Biosciences, a biotechnology company focused on the development of novel cancer therapeutics, today announced the successful completion of a $35 million Series D financing led by Adage Capital Partners, LP.

MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) announced today that they have entered into a global agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to develop and commercialize MOR103. MOR103 is MorphoSys's proprietary HuCAL-derived antibody against GM-CSF, which has concluded Phase 1/2 development in mild to moderate rheumatoid arthritis.

Immune Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (“Immune”), a privately held Israeli company, and EpiCept Corporation (“EpiCept”) (NASDAQ OMX Stockholm Exchange and OTCQX: EPCT) today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement. The transaction is anticipated to close during the first quarter of 2013 and is subject to satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions, including the approval of a majority of EpiCept shareholders.

Life Technologies Corporation today announced the launch of Pervenio™ Lung RS. First-of-its-kind, the molecular test has been documented to reliably identify early stage lung cancer patients who are at high risk for mortality following surgery. It also fulfills an unmet need for prognostic information to guide preventative treatment and improve disease management.

Life Technologies Corporation today announced the acquisition of Pinpoint Genomics, Inc., and its early-stage non-small cell lung cancer test that can help doctors identify those early-stage patients at high risk for progression to late-stage disease. Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, claiming close to 1.5 million lives every year.

The 20-year Genentech Inc. veteran — one of a handful of top executives to leave the South San Francisco-based biotech powerhouse since its acquisition by Roche Group — is launching her own business development firm aimed at helping small biotechs negotiate deals with Big Pharma and Big Biotech.