Bionovo

Bionovo Logo

Bionovo, Inc. was a pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of drugs derived from botanical sources. The company was headquartered in Emeryville, California, and was publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol BNVI.

History

Bionovo was founded in 2002 by Dr. Isaac Cohen and Dr. Mary Tagliaferri. The company aimed to develop novel treatments for cancer and women's health, leveraging traditional Chinese medicine and modern scientific techniques.

Research and Development

Bionovo's research primarily focused on two main areas: oncology and women's health. The company's lead product candidates included:

• Menerba - A drug candidate for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
• Bezielle - An investigational drug for the treatment of breast cancer.

Menerba

Menerba was designed to treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. It was a selective estrogen receptor beta agonist, which aimed to provide the benefits of estrogen without the associated risks of hormone replacement therapy.

Bezielle

Bezielle was developed for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. It was derived from a botanical source and aimed to induce cancer cell death without harming normal cells.

Clinical Trials

Bionovo conducted several clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its drug candidates. The company faced challenges in advancing its products through the clinical trial phases, which ultimately impacted its financial stability.

Financial Challenges and Closure

Despite initial promise, Bionovo struggled with financial difficulties. The company faced challenges in securing sufficient funding to continue its research and development activities. In 2012, Bionovo announced that it was suspending its clinical trials due to a lack of funds. The company eventually ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy.

Legacy

Bionovo's work contributed to the understanding of botanical sources in drug development, particularly in the areas of oncology and women's health. Although the company did not succeed in bringing its products to market, its research efforts provided valuable insights for future studies.

Related Pages

• Pharmaceutical company
• Oncology
• Menopausal symptoms
• Breast cancer
• Clinical trial
• Bankruptcy