)  has signed an agreement with Arbor Vita Corporation (Sunnyvale, CA, 

)  to speed the development of a rapid influenza diagnostic based on Arbor Vita’s  proprietary PDZ technology. PDZs are proteins that organize and regulate signaling  pathways in human cells that may be useful for both therapeutics and diagnostics.  Under the terms of the cooperative research and development agreement, NHRC’s  influenza sample archive will be used to validate Arbor Vita’s rapid  flu diagnostic under government pandemic preparedness and avian influenza directives. 

) to develop a  nasal formulation of exenatide, an agent used to treat type 2 diabetes. The  companies will jointly develop the nasal spray formulation using Nastech’s  proprietary nasal delivery technology, and Amylin will reimburse Nastech for  any development activities performed by Nastech, per the terms of the agreement.  Amylin has assumed overall responsibility for the development program, while  Nastech will concentrate its efforts on drug delivery, chemistry, manufacturing,  and controls activities.

A strategic agreement has been formed between 

)  to develop and commercialize multiple treatments for metabolic diseases. Specific  diseases to be covered under the terms of this agreement include type 2 diabetes,  obesity, and dyslipidemia; the agreement fosters development of Metabolex’s  metaglidasen and MBX-2044 compounds, as well as other compounds that Ortho-McNeil  has obtained exclusive worldwide rights to develop. Terms of the agreement  also include a target collaboration in which both companies will work together  to screen metabolic disease targets identified by Metabolex. 

News

The Naval Health Research Center (NHRC); Nastech Pharmaceutical Company Inc.; Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Metabolex Inc.; Ortho-McNeil Inc.