Pharming biomanufacturing, cardiovascular news
Pharming said it closed its U.S.-based transgenic cattle research operations as part of cost containment measures to focus on its transgenic rabbit platform. The company said the closure reflects the "declining importance of transgenic cattle research." Last month, Pharming said it began a comprehensive review of strategic options, which could include a merger, equity investment or sale. The company also said that an undisclosed "internal oversight" could delay the report of top-line data by three months to 4Q12 from 3Q12 from the U.S. Phase III Study 1310 trial of Rhucin conestat alfa to treat acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE). Subsequently, the company announced that Rienk Pijpstra will resign as CMO, effective Sept. 1. At March 31, Pharming had €8.8 million ($11.7 million) in cash and a three-month operating loss of €4.6 million ($6.1 million). The company had a 2011 operating loss of €18.2 million ($23.5 million) (see BioCentury, June 18 & June 25). ...