La Jolla Pharmaceutical pharmaceuticals news
La Jolla said it is seeking to in-license or acquire small molecules indicated for cancer, dermatology, gastrointestinal diseases, rare or orphan diseases and infectious diseases, excluding HIV, HCV and HBV. The company expects to complete candidate identification by Sept. 30. La Jolla, which started a strategic review in February 2009, also has engaged consultants to determine the potential for further development of Riquent abetimus for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The company stopped the Phase III ASPEN trial of the carrier plus 4 double-stranded oligonucleotides that bind to anti- dsDNA antibodies on B cells last year after an independent DMC determined that continuing the study would be futile based on an interim efficacy analysis (see BioCentury, Feb. 16, 2009 & March 2, 2009). ...