The Burnham Institute for Medical Research was in the national media spotlight with Nature Structural & Molecular Biology’s publication of a paper written by Robert Liddington, Ph.D.  The paper summarized the work of researchers with Burnham, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control in identifying human monoclonal antibodies that neutralize a wide range of influenza viruses, including avian influenza A (H5N1). Russo Partners coordinated embargoed media outreach for Dr. Liddington that resulted in extensive print and broadcast coverage.

Cougar Biotechnology reported positive data from two Phase II trials of lead compound CB7630, abiraterone acetate, in patients with prostate cancer. Under the leadership of a former top biotech analyst, Alan Auerbach,this Los Angeles-based biopharmaceutical company is turning heads with its impressive data reports for a drug that has potential in multiple treatment settings. Russo Partners’ PR team has secured a radio interview for Alan Auerbach with Bruce Japsen, a Chicago Tribune healthcare business reporter who produces segments for satellite radio news program ReachMD.

Ambrx, a San Diego life sciences company, expanded its relationship with Merck Serono, a division of Merck KGaA, through a collaboration for the development of ARX424, a preclinical product candidate for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. This is the second collaboration between the two companies.  The first involves the development of a long-acting growth hormone that is in Phase II studies. Russo Partners’ PR program for Ambrx has helped to raise the profile of the company’s protein-optimization technology, ReCODE, among the pharma community.

Paris-based Fovea and Cambridge, Mass.-based Dyax entered into a development and commercialization agreement for the ocular formulation of DX-88 for the treatment of retinal diseases.  Fovea is one of the many European companies for which Russo Partners provides U.S. communications support.

Other February highlights included:

-Our coordination of media and investor meetings for multiple clients at the BIO CEO & Investor Conference in New York City

-The taping of an interview segment with Geron’s Tom Okarma and Nightly Business Report’s Susie Gharib for a special 30 Top Innovations episode    

-The handling of media relations for the third consecutive year at the Stem Cell Summit in New York City, where we set up CNBC for live broadcasts that featured interviews of CEOs with presenting companies

-Our coordination of a lengthy science/medicine story planning meeting with one of 60 Minutes’ senior producers

-Our participation in annual investor day events for two market-leading companies: St. Jude Medical and QIAGEN

-The welcoming of several new clients — Amira Pharmaceuticals, Calixa Therapeutics and Savara Pharmaceuticals – to our family of healthcare companies