Chimerix, DeSimone, Merz, & extra in NC Innovation news
As we kick off the new year, here’s a look at one of the crucial headlines in North Carolina biotech and tech information from the holiday spoil.
—Chimerix’s (NASDAQ: CMRX) lead antiviral drug candidate failed a late-stage clinical trial of its ability to prevent a potentially lethal infection in transplant sufferers, sparking a greater than 80 p.c drop within the Durham firm’s inventory. however Chimerix shares confirmed a small restoration after Point72 Asset administration, led by means of hedge fund billionaire Steven Cohen, disclosed in a securities filing that it owned a 5.three p.c stake within the drug developer.
—The White home named Joe DeSimone, a chemistry professor with twin appointments on the university of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and NC State college, amongst eight recipients of the nationwide Medal of know-how and Innovation. Recipients will receive their medals at a White house ceremony early this yr.
DeSimone’s nanotechnology research has ended in the formation of a few companies, including research Triangle Park-based Liquidia technologies. DeSimone is at the moment on leave from his instructing duties to serve as CEO of Carbon3D, a Silicon Valley-based 3D printing technology firm spun out of UNC.
—Merz North the us got FDA approval to amplify use of considered one of its medication to include upper limb spasticity, a condition that makes muscular tissues in the fingers stiff and flexed. The drug, incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin), was once first approved in 2010 to deal with involuntary neck muscle contractions, as well as involuntary spasm of the eyelids. Raleigh-based totally Merz North the united states is a unit of Merz Pharma staff, a German company.
—Novan Therapeutics raised $ 30 million in funding as the company moves ahead with two nitric oxide-based drug candidates. Durham-based Novan declined to comment on the funding or its investors. however Novan’s lead drug, a potential therapy for acne, is set to launch phase 3 scientific trials in early 2016.
—In other funding news, MapAnything, a company that provides mapping and location-based analytics for Salesforce customers, raised $ 7.three million in a collection A round of financing. Greycroft companions led the funding, which additionally integrated participation from Harbert project companions, Salesforce Ventures, and person buyers Michael Lazerow and David Stern. With the funding, Charlotte-based totally MapAnything plans to increase its gross sales and advertising and marketing efforts in the U.S. and out of the country.
photograph of downtown Durham sunset courtesy of Flickr person David Mooring beneath a creative Commons license.
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