Bothell’s Sonus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and OncoGenex Technologies Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical development company, jointly announced the signing of a definitive agreement to merge the two companies.

The combined company will operate as OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. As a result of the merger, the combined company will have a strong oncology pipeline addressing distinct unmet needs in the treatment of cancer, including three candidates in various stages of clinical development. Its lead candidate, OGX-011, is being evaluated in five Phase 2 clinical trials, each of which has completed patient enrollment. Interim study results have previously been presented for each of the five clinical trials.