Conference Reports
Cowen and Company 7th Annual Global Health Care Conference
London, the UK, 7th - 8th November 2006
The Landmark Hotel in London provided five star luxury for this year's 2-day Cowen and Company Annual Global Health Care conference. It was an early start for the 400 attendees who gathered in the Music Room for continental breakfast before they embarked on a day of 35-minute presentations in four parallel sessions, focused therapeutic panels and pre-arranged personal meetings. Representatives from the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, device and diagnostic sectors as well as the all-important investors gathered to appreciate their peers' efforts and achievements. Pharmaprojects began the morning in the stylish Champagne room for Massachusetts-headquartered oncology and ophthalmology company OXiGENE.
President and CEO Dr Richard Chin presented preclinical and clinical trial results and milestones of its synthetic compounds, derived from the root bark of Combretum caffrum tree. In development for the lead indication of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, CA4P is expected to enter US Phase III development in the first half of 2007.
It is also undergoing optimization and formulation for ophthalmological uses including myopic macular and age-related macular degeneration. The second generation compound, OXi-4503, a vascular disrupting agent and direct cytotoxic, was reported as being in the Phase I segment of a Phase I/II trial for advanced solid tumours, with topline results slated for the first half of 2007. Positive preclinical results both alone and in combination with other anticancer agents were also reported.
Biotechnology company Viacell proposed that the future treatment of disease that has previously progressed from protein-based therapeutics to monoclonal antibodies, would soon advance to cellular therapies, and offered a pipeline of early-stage stem cell candidates. Preclinical results of its Type I diabetes programme partnered with another Cambridge MA company, Genzyme, and consisting of expanded islet cells - adult stem cells derived from pancreatic tissue - will be available next year. Progress with other compounds was noted, including two stem cell therapies for haematopoietic transplantation in collaboration with Amgen, and unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) intended for functional remodelling of the heart.
Enzyme replacement therapies were an integral part of Shire's session. Angus Russell, of Shire's Human Genetic Therapies subsidiary, highlighted preclinical programmes in development for lysosomal storage disorders that Shire gained from the acquisition of Transkaryotic Therapies (TKT). Proof-of-concept for direct CNS delivery was demonstrated in canine and murine models for a sulfamidase replacement therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome, also known as mucopolysacchoridosis IIIA, that occurs in approximately every 1/70,000 births. Metachromatic leukodystrophy, a disorder resulting from arylsulfatase A deficiency, was the second TKT programme discussed and is in proof-of-concept murine studies. A line extension to US launched Elaprase for direct CNS delivery was also reviewed, with Phase I trials planned for 2007/8.
Bringing Tuesday's proceedings to an end was smallmolecule vascular biology-focused company Encysive, with President & CEO Bruce Given fresh from the Rodman & Renshaw 8th Annual Healthcare that was held concurrently in New York. He enthusiastically announced the first launch of its endothelin A receptor antagonist Thelin in the UK for the improvement of exercise capacity in patients with class III pulmonary arterial hypertension. Further European launches including France, Italy and Spain are expected in 2007.
One company taking a Wednesday slot was Dyax, which offered positive data for its 60-amino-acid recombinant peptide kallikrein inhibitor ecallantide (DX-88), in development for hereditary angioedema. It also disclosed that it is seeking partners worldwide for the programme, in particular to assist with pivotal Phase III trials for inflammation and haemorrhaging in cardiothoracic surgery.
UK-based Alizyme was one of the companies to exploit the last afternoon session on Wednesday and shared Phase III trial plans for the potential Type II diabetes and obesity therapy cetilistat (ATL-962). This is the lead compound in the AZM-119 programme and a trial in 4000 patients is expected in the first half of 2007. The 5-HT4 agonist/5-HT3 antagonist already in Phase III trials for the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome is scheduled to enter an EU Phase III trial to assess on-off-on regimens.
Recently undergoing major refurbishment, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club provided Tuesday evening's entertainment with free-flowing drinks and canapés served in the members-only bar, followed by a dinner performance in the main club that culminated in an outstanding performance by Curtis Stigers (pictured). Eager for the night to continue, many delegates found their way to a nearby salsa club to dance their way into the early hours!
The 7th Annual Global conference once again proved to be an excellent event, with companies traveling worldwide to seek investors and to share successes and future endeavours with colleagues. Building on the success of the 6th conference held in Barcelona in 2005, the 2007 global meeting will no doubt be a much anticipated date for all delegates.
The Cowen 8th Annual Global Health Care Conference will be held in early November 2007, location to be confirmed.
The Cowen 27th Annual Health Care Conference will be held in Boston, MA, the US on 12th-15th March 2007.
Jo Woodcock
Pharmaprojects Analyst
