Plexxikon, Roche melanoma drug moves closer to European OK

A European drug review panel recommended that the melanoma treatment Zelboraf, developed by Berkeley-based Plexxikon Inc., be approved by regulators, the company said Friday.
Approval could come as early as February, said Swiss drug maker Roche, which is marketing Zelboraf.
The oral drug is aimed at metastatic melanoma patients who have a specific mutation of a protein called BRAF. That mutation is found in about half of all melanoma cases.

Genentech melanoma drug, Roche companion diagnostic win FDA approval

A groundbreaking drug-diagnostic combination for metastatic melanoma patients was approved by federal regulators, nearly two months before approval was expected.
Zelboraf, developed by Berkeley’s Plexxikon Inc. and marketed by South San Francisco’s Genentech Inc. , will treat patients with the deadly skin cancer who have a specific mutation, known as BRAF V600E. That mutation, found only in cancerous tumors and in a vast majority of malignant melanomas, is detected in a test developed by Roche Molecular Diagnostics of Pleasanton.

Genentech finds diagnostic companions on road to drug development

Perhaps Genentech has a new slogan in the works: Have companion diagnostic, will travel.
The South San Francisco-based U.S. subsidiary of Swiss drug maker Rochefor the past couple years has mandated its research arm to tie in companion diagnostics with drug development. That extends to Genentech partnerships as well, said James Sabry, vice president of partnering for Genentech.

Plexxikon, Daiichi Sankyo complete potential $935 million deal

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. completed its acquisition of Plexxikon Inc., giving shareholders $805 million upfront with the possibility of near-term milestone payments of another $130 million on Plexxikon’s potential melanoma drug.
Plexxikon will retain its name, employees and Berkeley facilities, and it will continue research and development operations as an independent unit of Tokyo-based Daiichi Sankyo.

After earthquake, tsunami, Bay Area biotechs keep close eye on Japan ties

The devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan apparently isn’t halting the biotech wheels of commerce between Asia and the Bay Area, though companies are keeping a close eye on recovery operations.

Plexxikon starts mid-stage Hodgkin trial

Plexxikon Inc., which last week said it will be sold to Daiichi Sankyo Co. for as much as $935 million, has started treating Hodgkin lymphoma patients in a mid-stage trial.
The Berkeley biotech drug developer has drawn much attention for the late-stage melanoma-fighting drug PLX-4032, but the 30-patient Phase II trial in Hodgkin lymphoma patients is with a drug called PLX-3397.

Melanoma drug developer Plexxikon to be sold for $805M to Daiichi Sankyo

Drug company Plexxikon Inc. will be bought by Daiichi Sankyo Co. for $805 million and possible milestone payments of $130 million more.

Berkeley-based Plexxikon has a melanoma drug in late stage clinical development. It’s developing that drug, PLX4032, with partner Roche, which owns South San Francisco-based Genentech. Genentech made a deal to promote the drug with Plexxikon last year and will keep that agreement with Daiichi Sankyo if this merger goes through.