Salix gets global license for Photocure's colon cancer diagnostic test

Norwegian specialty pharmaceutical company Photocure (OSE: PHO) said Wednesday it has signed a global agreement with Salix Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SLXP) for the development and commercialization of Lumacan, a diagnostic test for colon cancer.

Colon cancer is traditionally diagnosed through colonoscopies with white light, which is increasingly known for its limitations in detecting cancer.

Lumacan is being developed to increase the detection rate for precancerous polyps and colon cancer through fluorescence diagnosis. In the US, it is estimated that approximately 14 million colonoscopies are done annually for diagnosis of colon cancer.

According to Photocure, earlier studies have shown a near 40% increased detection rate when Lumacan-colonoscopy diagnostic was used and the test is currently in Phase I/II trials.

Under the terms of the agreement, Salix will obtain an exclusive worldwide license to Lumacan, excluding the Nordic region, where Photocure has retained its rights.

In exchange for this, Photocure will receive a signing fee of US$4 million and is entitled to receive additional milestone payments totalling up to US$126.5 million, if certain conditions are satisfied.

In addition to the milestones, Salix will pay Photocure tiered double digit royalties on net sales and pay a percentage of all Salix sublicense revenue worldwide, outside of the US.

As a result of the deal, Salix will control and cover development, registration and commercialization costs for Lumacan globally, with Photocure covering certain costs of formulation development up to US$3 million, it said.

Aside for the indication of colorectal cancer, Salix will as well have the right to explore and develop products for additional indications involving the diagnosis of gastrointestinal dysplasia and cancer. Payments for products in respect to these indications will be negotiated in the future, said the companies.

"We believe Lumacan is truly an innovative and groundbreaking diagnostic which should complement our portfolio of gastrointestinal offerings. Lumacan's efficacy results thus far have been promising and show great potential if approved for marketing by the FDA," said CEO of Salix Carolyn Logan.

Salix said that Lumacan will target high risk screening patients and diagnostic patients in follow-up of colon cancer.

Via : proactiveinvestors

Multivitamins have no effect in colon cancer, study says

Despite the general belief, a new study suggests that taking multivitamins regularly does not reduce the risk of death in patients suffering from colorectal cancer.

Previous studies have reported a high mortality rate among postmenopausal women who carry extra weight before being diagnosed with colon cancer. Colon cancer sufferers, therefore, were urged to shed off pounds to live longer.

"The exact mechanism of this effect is unknown, but abnormal glucose tolerance, high levels of insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, and leptin, and increased oxidative stress, typical for patients with abdominal obesity, are known to promote colon cancer progression and increased mortality of colon cancer patients," scientists said.

Many also believed taking multivitamins would help treat colon cancer and prolong life in the sufferers.

According to the study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, multivitamin does neither increase the rate of disease-free survival among colon cancer sufferers nor protect them against possible relapses.

Taking the supplements during chemotherapy increased the life span of obese patients with colon cancer who aged 60 and less. After chemotherapy, however, taking the vitamins does not boost the survival rate among these individuals.

"This study adds to a growing body of research that questions the purported benefit of multivitamin use, and it underscores the need to investigate the use of individual vitamins, such as vitamin D, which may, in fact, provide real benefit," said senior author Charles Fuchs.

Via : presstv.ir