Novacea cancer, hematology news

Novacea restructured and reduced headcount by about 25 (~63%) to about 15 to manage capital while it evaluates strategic alternatives, including M&A, a new development program for Asentar or in-licensing. Schering-Plough Corp. (NYSE:SGP, Kenilworth, N.J.) returned rights to Asentar (DN-101) in April. Trials of the high-dose, oral formulation of calcitriol hormone were suspended last November after “an imbalance of deaths” was seen between treatment arms in the Phase III ASCENT-2 trial to treat androgen-independent prostrate cancer (AIPC) (see BioCentury, Nov. 12, 2007, & April 14, 2008). ...