Ventrus rises on trial of anal fissure treatment

The Burrill Report submits: Shares of Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Curis (CRIS) fell nearly 50 percent on news that its experimental drug in combination with Avastin and chemotherapy failed in a mid-stage trial in metastatic colorectal cancer.

By Markus Aarnio:Ventrus Biosciences (VTUS) is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the late-stage clinical development of gastrointestinal products in areas of unmet need, specifically hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and fecal incontinence. (Click to enlarge) I see at least 4 reasons to buy the stock 1. Promising pipeline

The Burrill Report submits: A late-stage failure for GenVec's (GNVC) pancreatic cancer gene therapy TNFerade sent investors fleeing March 30. Shares of GenVec fell nearly 75 percent to 80 cents a share from $2.81 on news the Gaithersburg, Maryland company would discontinue a last-stage trial of TNFerade.

The Burrill Report submits: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to Pfizer (PFE) about overdosing of at least 13 children in a clinical trial of its antipsychotic drug Geodon, Reuters reported. The FDA told Pfizer that it failed to ensure proper monitoring of the trial in which several children given overdoses experienced tremors, restless legs and other complications.

M.E. Garza submits: Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (ASTM) announced that the final analysis of data from its RESTORE-CLI trial showed that the trial met its primary safety and efficacy endpoints, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in the time to first occurrence of treatment failure at 12 months.

The Burrill Report submits:

ByElias Simpson:Either you know the history behind a Paramount company, or you don't. That seems to be the rule in the market. Paramount is owned by Lindsay Rosenwald, and is involved with financing and founding biotechnology companies. Those who know the reputation are likely to steer clear of Paramount.

The Burrill Report submits: Antisoma (ATSMY.PK) discontinued a late-stage trial of its experimental drug for previously untreated non-small cell lung cancer patients saying a continuation of the trial “would be futile, as there is little or no prospect of demonstrating a survival benefit with ASA404 in this setting.” The news sent shares in the company tumbling down 75 percent and was followed by the departure of the company’s COO Ursula Ney.