In brief: Isotechnika, Allergan, Merck, H2N2 flu kits

Isotechnika has said a pivotal trial of its experimental drug, ISA247, to treat psoriasis showed positive preliminary results.

Alberta-based Isotechnika said it saw encouraging results from the first half of its Phase III clinical trial for patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, a skin disease characterised by inflammation, reddish patches and flaky scales.

The primary endpoint being investigated is the number of patients achieving a 75 percent decrease in the "psoriasis area and severity index" score at 12 weeks.

Based on data from 200 patients treated with either ISA247 or a placebo for at least 12 weeks, psoriasis scores were, on average, reduced and comparable to those observed in Isotechnika's successful Phase II trial, the company said.

Allergan to cut 160 jobs, take charges

Allergan is to restructure its European operations, taking between US$40 million to $53 million in charges and cutting about 160 positions. Merck to appeal to US high court over drug patent

Merck & Co will ask the US Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that the patent on its blockbuster osteoporosis drug Fosamax will expire a decade earlier than expected.

Earlier on Thursday, a US appeals court declined to reconsider its January decision that Fosamax's patent would run out by February 2008, handing a victory to generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, which hopes to sell a cheaper, copycat version of the drug.

Most H2N2 flu kits destroyed, no cases seen: CDC

Most of the test kits containing the H2N2 influenza virus that ended up in thousands of laboratories around the world, sparking fears of a pandemic, have been destroyed, US health officials have confirmed