Numerous companies are evaluating CXCR4 antagonists in early-stage clinical studies for their potential in stem cell transplantation, acute myeloid leukemia and other disorders, and BioLineRx's lead compound appears to be a frontrunner in the race to market.

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, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, 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.

BioLineRx has met a recent goal of adding an oncology asset to its pipeline and continued to fulfil its stated mission of filling the gap between basic research and late-stage development - especially among its Israeli colleagues - by licensing the worldwide rights to Biokine Therapeutics' BKT-140, now known as BL-8040.

Pharmaxon aims to control cell mobility to fight disorders of the central nervous system and cancer. For glioblastoma, it has developed a neural cell mobility inhibitor that blocks cell migration in vitro and limits glioblastoma proliferation in animal models.