another IPO...

Following the lead of some moderately successful IPO's over the past few months, Ironwood pharmaceuticals is looking to raise some case with a Nasdaq IPO. Ironwood right now has a very promising new drug called Linactolide for IBS, constipation, and other GI problems. The drug is in the midst of critical phase III testing, so if the results look good, expect a NDA to be filed sometime in the near future. Ironwodd has also already set up marketing partnerships with Astellas to help with overseas commercialization of Linactolide, if/when it's approved.

Read more on the IPO here

....and Linactolide here

Speaking of IPO's...Cumerland, which held its own IPO earlier this year, has announced positive results of its injectable ibuprofen, Caldolor, in second or third degree burn patients. Caldolor would offer a new treatment alternative to those patients who may have persistent pain/fever after being severely burned. As far as I'm concerned, any new treatments to help alleviate the pain associated with burns is a good thing...

Here's the FierceBiotech piece on the results if you're interested


Finally, good news for vaccine production in the United States: A new flu vaccine plant finally opens in Holly Springs, North Carolina after several years of construction and monetary incentives from the city and state. This new plant, built by Novartis, will utilize cell based technology to produce flu vaccines more efficiently than the current chicken and egg method, but not until it clears the 3 year regulatory filing/inspection process with the FDA.

Check it out in the News & Observer