Biogen Idec and Cardiokine, Inc. have signed an agreement to jointly develop lixivaptan, an oral compound expected to enter a Phase III trial this year for the treatment of hyponatremia in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Lixivaptan is a selective V2 vasopressin receptor antagonist that has demonstrated promising activity in treating hyponatremia, an imbalance of sodium and water in the body. Lixivaptan works by causing water to be excreted from the kidney, without affecting so...