Tau Therapeutics LLC and Xdynia LLC have merged into a combined company called Cavion LLC.

Both companies have been developing calcium-channel inhibitors for separate uses. Tau develops them to try to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiation treatments in tumor cancers, while Xdynia focuses on the development to try to treat neuropathic pain and other neurologic diseases.

The combined company will be able to provide both the oncology and neurology offerings.

Cavion is conducting a Phase 1b clinical trial of a calcium-channel blocker called mibefradil, and a Phase 1 trial of mibefradil combined with hypofractionated radiation therapy.

Consolidation among cancer companies has picked up as cancer treatments such as targeted-therapies become more innovative. For more, see "New Cancer Drugs Spark Deal Possibilities." 

Recent transactions include Genentech's acquisition of Seragon Pharmaceuticals Inc. for $725 million and Celsion Corp.'s (Nasdaq: CLSN) $14 million deal for Egen Inc.