PRT062607 - SYK inhibitor in trial

[Guest guest]

This appeared in a Google news search today:

http://biomedreports.com/2011033165557/portola-pharmaceuticals-announces-initiat\

ion-of-phase-1-multiple-ascending-dose-trial-of-oral-syk-specific-inhibitor.html

or http://tinyurl.com/5sk3he5

Ellen

[Guest guest]

CA--Portola Pharmaceuticals as well as it's SYK inhibitor

trials is involved in developing therapeutics for thrombosis

and inflammation. (cardiovascular disease and autoimmune /

inflammatory) diseases. Rights to develop it's promising

blood thinner have been returned.

http://tinyurl.com/42wsr4r or

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704425804576220523004764308.html

MARCH 25, 2011

Merck Returns Betrixaban Rights Amid Pipeline Review

" The Whitehouse Station, N.J., company said Thursday that it

is returning rights to betrixaban to closely held Portola

Pharmaceuticals Inc. Merck had obtained those rights in

2009, paying Portola $50 million up front in a deal the

South San Francisco, Calif., firm said could have been worth

up to $420 million if all milestones were met. ...Merck &

Co. is pulling out of a partnership to develop a promising

blood thinner, saying it wants to focus on bigger priorities

in its pipeline amid broader industry concerns about the

growing cost of bringing new drugs to market. "

This must be a considerable blow to the company. Will this

have some influence on it's development projects involving

SYK inhibitors and CLL treatment?

Nick