NeuroPhage Pharmaceuticals, a privately held company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has been quietly advancing novel approaches to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, and now has gained attention by landing $12.4 million in new venture funding. It will use the funds to begin preparations for a Phase I trial of its lead candidate to treat Alzheimer's disease, NPT001, which disaggregates existing beta amyloid plaques.

Palatin Technologies has appointed Dr Jeffrey Edelson chief medical officer. He has more than 15 years' leadership experience in the clinical development of medicines for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, having previously served as executive vice-president of R&D and chief medical officer of Ikano Therapeutics.

The dealmaking column is a survey of recent transactions, including strategic alliances, mergers & acquisitions, and financings, in the life sciences industries. Deals are listed by the following industry sectors: in vitro diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and research/analytical instrumentation and reagents. All transactions are excerpted from Elsevier's Strategic Transactions database, providing comprehensive transaction coverage from 1991 to the present.

Despite a generally low level of innovation in the anticonvulsant sector, there are some novel products in the pipeline. We look at some of the candidates nearing the market.