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Jul31
FDA Approves Barrier Therapeutics' Xolegel™ For Treatment of Seborrheic Dermatitis
Gloria Gamat July 31, 2006
Know More: Drug Regulations & Approval

The USFDA has approved Xolegel™ (ketoconazole, USP) Gel, 2% for the topical treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in immunocompetent adults and children twelve years of age and older.

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, whose cause is still unknown, but is associated with yeast infections, and other genetic and hormonal factors. Individuals with disorders of the central nervous system also appear to be prone to more extensive cases of seborrheic dermatitis.

"There are approximately 8.5 million people in the U.S. that suffer with seborrheic dermatitis and having this new convenient treatment option available to manage the symptoms associated with the disease should be of significant benefit for both physicians and patients," stated Al Altomari, Barrier's Chief Operating Officer.

Xolegel, previously referred to as Sebazole, is a topical formulation of 2.0% ketoconazole, an antifungal agent, in waterless gel. It will be launched during the fourth quarter of 2006, making it the third product to be launched in the US by Barrier Therapeutics (BTRX) this year.

Source: Barrier Therapeutics

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Jul31
Schering-Plough Corp.’s SUBOXONE® (buprenorphine hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride) Sublingual Tablets for the Substitution Treatment of Opioid Dependence, Received Positive Opinion from the EU Advisory Panel
Gloria Gamat July 31, 2006
Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP)’s SUBOXONE® (buprenorphine hydrochloride/naloxone hydrochloride) Sublingual Tablets for the substitution treatment of opioid dependence, has received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), thereby recommending... Continue Reading
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Roche’s Cancer Drug Tarceva (erlotinib), Received Negative Opinion from the EU Advisory Panel
Gloria Gamat July 31, 2006
Roche’s cancer medicine Tarceva (erlotinib), has received a negative opinion from the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for use in combination with gemcitabine chemotherapy for the first line treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. In spite of... Continue Reading
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USFDA Approved sNDA for Novartis Pharma Corp.’s Antiviral Agent Famvir®
Gloria Gamat July 31, 2006
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation's sNDA for Famvir® (famciclovir) tablets has been approved by the USFDA as a single-day treatment for immunocompetent patients with recurrent genital herpes (RGH). "Famvir is the first and only antiviral approved to treat recurrent genital herpes in... Continue Reading
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Jul30
NDA of UCB, Inc.’s Xyzal®, Submitted to the USFDA
Gloria Gamat July 30, 2006
Xyzal® (levocetirizine dihydrochloride) is UCB, Inc. (Public, EBR: UCB)’s new prescription antihistamine for treatment of allergy symptoms, by which the company has recently submitted USFDA New Drug Application (NDA) of. Xyzal®, while already available in many countries around the world,... Continue Reading
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Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Partners With Bristol-Myers K.K. On Anti-Hypertension And Hepatocellular Cancer Drugs
Gloria Gamat July 30, 2006
Japanese firm Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma (DSP) and Bristol-Myers K.K. (BMKK) will collaborate to co-develop and market irbesartan, an anti-hypertension drug and SM-11355 (miriplatin hydrate), a drug for hepatocellular cancer. Irbesartan, one of the top selling an angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB),... Continue Reading
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Gentope Corp.’s MyVax® Personalized Immunotherapy Phase 3 Trial, Recommended to Proceed by DSMB
Gloria Gamat July 30, 2006
Genitope Corporation (Nasdaq: GTOP)’s independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) has recommended after a review, that the company’s pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of MyVax® for treatment of follicular non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (fNHL) should go ahead as planned. The trial which... Continue Reading
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BioProgress Registers HypoSalix Artificial Saliva Spray For Treatment of Xerostomia
Gloria Gamat July 30, 2006
BioProgress plc (BPRG) has registered HypoSalix, an artificial saliva spray, as a medical device in the EU. HypoSalix cotains a polymer that acts as artificial saliva and may be used for the treatment of xerostomia, or dry mouth, a condition... Continue Reading
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Serono Earmarks $10 Billion in Acquisitions
Gloria Gamat July 30, 2006
Swiss biopharmaceutical firm Serono (SRA) is planning to expand through acquisitions, and could spend upt to $10 billion to improve bring more drugs into its pipeline and reduce its dependence on its top-seller, Rebif, a drug against multiple sclerosis. "We... Continue Reading
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Jul29
Annan Urges Pharmaceutical Companies to Review Prices of AIDS Drugs
Gloria Gamat July 29, 2006
Urged by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, nine pharmaceutical companies will review the prices of antiretroviral drugs to make the more affordable and accessible, and appropriate for use in low- and middle income countries. Annan met with the following executives and... Continue Reading
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Merck's Gardasil Gets Positive Recommendation From EU Advisory Panel
Gloria Gamat July 29, 2006
GARDASIL®, the first vaccine against cervical cancer, vaginal and vulvar pre-cancers, and warts, has received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) in Europe. The CHMP recommends that GARDASIL, developed by Merck (MRK), be... Continue Reading
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USFDA Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) Enables Genta Incorporated to Proceed Trial of Genasense® Plus Chemotherapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Gloria Gamat July 29, 2006
Genta Incorporated (Nasdaq: GNTA)’s proposal for a confirmatory trial of Genasense® (oblimersen sodium) Injection in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has completed USFDA Special Protocol Assessment (SPA). This means that the USFDA has agreed with the proposed trial design... Continue Reading
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Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Oral Nalmefene Passed Pilot Phase 2 Study in Smoking Cessation
Gloria Gamat July 29, 2006
Oral nalmefene hydrochloride, an opiate antagonist under development by Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SOMX), demonstrated positive results in a pilot Phase 2 clinical trial for smoking cessation. Smokers dosed with nalmefene 40mg demonstrated numerically higher abstinence rates at all timepoints... Continue Reading
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AstraZeneca’s NEXIUM®: Better than Lansoprazole in Healing Maintenance of Erosive Esophagitis
Gloria Gamat July 29, 2006
NEXIUM® (esomeprazole magnesium) demonstrated better efficacy than lansoprazole (Prevacid®) in preventing a recurrence in patients with healed erosive esophagitis (EE) and is equally effective in reducing its associated symptoms. These findings support the results of previous head-to-head trials demonstrating the... Continue Reading
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Altor BioScience Corp. Received Phase II SBIR Grant for Manufacture of Anti-Cancer Antibody from Transgenic Lettuce
Gloria Gamat July 29, 2006
Altor BioScience Corporation has received a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to support further development of its proprietary processes for making therapeutic antibodies in transgenic lettuce. Lettuce, a self-pollinating, ecologically friendly... Continue Reading
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Genentech, Inc. & Inotek Pharma Corp. Agreed on a Global Strategic Alliance for the Discovery, Development and Commercialization of PARP Cancer Inhibitors
Gloria Gamat July 29, 2006
Genentech, Inc. (NYSE: DNA) and Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation have entered into an exclusive global collaboration to discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) for the potential treatment of cancer. PARP, a nuclear enzyme within cells, directs... Continue Reading
Posted at 12:23 AM | Permalink | Comments
Jul28
FDA Approves Enzon Pharmaceutical's sBLA for Oncaspar Against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Gloria Gamat July 28, 2006
The US FDA has approved of Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s (ENZN) supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Oncaspar (pegaspargase), a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the first-line treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Oncaspar, a PEG enhanced version of L-asparaginase,... Continue Reading
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Avalon Collaborates with ChemDiv To Develop Small-Molecule Drugs Against Cancer
Gloria Gamat July 28, 2006
Avalon Pharmaceuticals (AVRX) is collaborating with ChemDiv to discover, develop and commercialize small-molecule drugs for cancer. Under the terms of the deal, Avalon will use its AvalonRx® platform, and access ChemDiv's Discovery outSource™ services platform, as well. Avalon also gains... Continue Reading
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Shanghai Genomics Collaborates with Centocor on Drug Discovery Project
Gloria Gamat July 28, 2006
China-based Shanghai Genomics, Inc enters a one-an-a-half year collaboration with US biopharmaceutical company Centocor, Inc. to develop drugs focusing on inflammation and oncology. Shanghai Genomics will use its expertise in protein purification and cell-based interaction assays to explore receptor protein... Continue Reading
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Schering-Plough Corp.’s Once-Daily Broad Spectrum Antibiotic: AVELOX®, Equally Effective as Multi-dose Combination Therapy for Intra-abdominal Infections
Gloria Gamat July 28, 2006
According to the results of a study involving 681 patients published in the current issue of the Annals of Surgery, monotherapy with Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP)’s once-daily, broad-spectrum antibiotic AVELOX® (moxifloxacin HCl) was as effective and well tolerated as a... Continue Reading
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Genzyme Received USFDA Approval for Additional Manufacturing at its Ireland Plant
Gloria Gamat July 28, 2006
The USFDA has approved Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq: GENZ)’s fill/finishing, packaging and labeling of Thymoglobulin® (anti-thymocyte globulin, rabbit) at its state-of-the-art Waterford, Ireland facility. This approval allows Genzyme to commence the manufacturing and distribution of Thymoglobulin, Genzyme Corp.’s product for the... Continue Reading
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TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc.’s NGX267, A Selective M1 Agonist for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Passed Phase 1 Study
Gloria Gamat July 28, 2006
TorreyPines Therapeutics, Inc. has recently completed the second Phase 1 study of its NGX267 in clinical development for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. NGX267 is a selective cholinergic muscarinic (or M1) receptor agonist that previously demonstrated potential in providing both... Continue Reading
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Jul27
Debiopharm Group’s Sanvar® Applied for First European Marketing in France
Gloria Gamat July 27, 2006
The Debiopharm Group (Debiopharm) has filed a French Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Sanvar® in the treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB). Following this application, Debiopharm intends to further apply for wider European approval through the Mutual Recognition Procedure (MRP)... Continue Reading
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L'Oreal USA’s New Sunscreen Formula Containing Mexoryl™ SX, USFDA Approved
Gloria Gamat July 27, 2006
The U.S. subsidiary of the global beauty company L'Oreal SA (Public, EPA:OR), L'Oreal USA, has been granted USFDA approval for its new sunscreen formula containing Mexoryl™ SX (a unique organic filter that is highly protective against short UVA waves) –... Continue Reading
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Cobalis Begins Twin Phase III Clinical Trials for PreHistin Against Ragweed Allergies
Gloria Gamat July 27, 2006
Cobalis Corp. (CLSC) has started enrolling patients for its twin Phase III clinical trials to assess the efficacy and safety of its anti-allergy drug, PreHistin™, as a pre-seasonal treatment of ragweed allergies. Approximately 1,600 to 2,000 patients in total will... Continue Reading
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7th Annual Drug Discovery and Technology Leaders Summit
Gloria Gamat July 27, 2006
What: 7th Annual Drug Discovery and Technology Leaders Summit When: November 13-15, 2006 Where: JW Marriott, Grande Lakes, Orlando, USA This exclusive event expects over a hundred senior-level R&D and information management decision-makers from leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including... Continue Reading
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Novartis/Sandoz Enters Agreement with Momenta Pharmceuticals to Develop Generic Biotech Drugs
Gloria Gamat July 27, 2006
Sandoz, the generics arm of Novartis (NYSE:NVS), has entered into an agreement with Momenta Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: MNTA) to develop generic versions of four existing recombinant biotechnology and complex drugs. As part of the deal, Sandoz is making an $75 million equity... Continue Reading
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Novartis’ Immunosuppressant Neoral® Demonstrated Equal Efficacy with Tacrolimus in Kidney Transplant Patients
Gloria Gamat July 27, 2006
In a large-scale head- to-head study, Neoral® (cyclosporine) and tacrolimus demonstrated equal efficacy in the prevention of organ rejection in kidney transplant patients. However, those treated with Neoral had a significantly lower incidence of new-onset diabetes. These study results, suggesting... Continue Reading
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Mylan Technologies Inc. Received US Patent Covering EMSAM® Transdermal Product
Gloria Gamat July 27, 2006
Mylan Laboratories Inc. (NYSE: MYL)’s subsidiary, Mylan Technologies Inc. (MTI), has been recently issued with U.S. Patent No. 7,070,808, a patent containing one or more claims covering the EMSAM® transdermal product that is indicated for the treatment of major depressive... Continue Reading
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Pharmaxis Ltd. Filed Marketing Application for Aridol in Switzerland
Gloria Gamat July 27, 2006
Pharmaxis Ltd. (Nasdaq: PXSL) has recently lodged the registration documents for marketing approval of its asthma management product (Aridol) with the Swiss regulatory agency for therapeutic products, Swissmedic. Trimedal AG, a specialist respiratory and allergy pharmaceutical company based in Zurich... Continue Reading
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Jul26
Shire plc’s ELAPRASE™, USFDA Approved for Treatment of Hunter Syndrome
Gloria Gamat July 26, 2006
The USFDA has granted approval to Shire plc (NASDAQ: SHPGY)’s ELAPRASE™, a human enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of Hunter syndrome. Hunter Syndrome, also known as Mucopolysaccharidosis II (MPS II), is a rare, life-threatening genetic condition that results from... Continue Reading
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USPTO Issued Patent for Method to Manufacture Immtech Pharma Inc.’s Drug Candidate Compounds
Gloria Gamat July 26, 2006
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently issued to Immtech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Amex: IMM) a patent related to the manufacturing of Immtech's drug candidate compounds. The patent, entitled "Process for the synthesis of bis-aryl diamidoxime compounds," claims... Continue Reading
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Shire plc Submitted NDA for SPD465, Treatment of Adult ADHD
Gloria Gamat July 26, 2006
Shire plc (NASDAQ: SHPGY) has submitted a new drug application (NDA) to the USFDA for SPD465, an investigational amphetamine compound for the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the adult population. SPD465, though containing the same active ingredient as ADDERALL... Continue Reading
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Lilly and Alcon Signed Marketing Collaboration for Arxxant™, A Potential First Oral Medication for Diabetic Retinopathy
Gloria Gamat July 26, 2006
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and Alcon, Inc. (NYSE: ACL) have recently signed a long-term agreement to co-promote ruboxistaurin mesylate (proposed brand name, Arxxant™, pronounced ark-ZONT) in the United States and Puerto Rico. The above co-promotion agreement is subject... Continue Reading
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Carrington and Brookwood Pharmaceuticals Joined Forces to Expand The Development of GelSite® Drug Delivery Technology
Gloria Gamat July 26, 2006
DelSite Biotechnologies, Inc. (a subsidiary of Carrington Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq:CARN)) has entered into a joint development initiative with Brookwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in order to carry out an expanded evaluation of GelSite® (a DelSite patented drug-delivery technology) as a matrix for... Continue Reading
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Foamix's Valerate 0.12% foam Demonstrated High Efficacy in Psoriasis Treatment and 85% Better Usability over Cream in Phase I/II Study
Gloria Gamat July 26, 2006
Foamix Ltd. recently announced the results of its Phase I/II study of Betamethasone Valerate 0.12% foam, for the treatment of psoriasis which demonstrated efficacy and safety. The foam was also found better than other creams with respect to skin absorption,... Continue Reading
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Oscient Pharmaceuticals To Acquire US Rights to Cardiovascular Drug ANTARA For $78 Million
Gloria Gamat July 26, 2006
Oscient Pharmaceuticals (OSCI) has acquired US commercialization rights to cardiovascular drug Antara 130 mg (fenofibrate) capsules from Reliant Pharmaceuticals. Oscient will pay Reliant an upfront fee of $78 million for the agreement. "Acquiring ANTARA, a product that achieved approximately $35 million... Continue Reading
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TissueGene, Inc. Commences Phase I Clinical Trial of its Tissue Regenerator, TG-C
Gloria Gamat July 26, 2006
TissueGene, Inc.’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application and for the initiation of its Phase I clinical trial evaluating a single dose of TG-C for the treatment of degenerative joint diseases, has been accepted by the USFDA. The said clinical trial... Continue Reading
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Jul25
Human Genome Sciences, Inc. Commenced Randomized Phase 2 Clinical Trial of HGS-ETR1 in Combination With Bortezomib in Multiple Myeloma Patients
Gloria Gamat July 25, 2006
Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGSI) recently initiated dosing of patients in a randomized Phase 2 clinical trial of HGS-ETR1 (mapatumumab) in combination with bortezomib (VELCADE®) in advanced multiple myeloma. Bortezomib is a proteosome inhibitor indicated for use in multiple... Continue Reading
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Serono Initiates Large Scale European Clinical Study of Psoriasis Drug, Raptiva®
Gloria Gamat July 25, 2006
Serono (SRA) announced that it has begun with the first large-scale pharmaco-epidemiological study in psoriasis in Europe to study the long-term safety of Raptiva®, a psoriasis drug. There were more than 7,000 adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis recruited for the... Continue Reading
Posted at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments
Multiple Sclerosis Drug Tysabri®, Re-released in US Pharmacies
Gloria Gamat July 25, 2006
After 17 months of being on hold, Tysabri®, a drug for multiple sclerosis, is now available in US pharmacies. According to this article, Tysabri was taken off the market in early 2005 following two deaths resulting from brain inflammation in... Continue Reading
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The U.S. Government Purchased GlaxoSmithKline’s Relenza® for State Stockpiles
Gloria Gamat July 25, 2006
GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Government to provide states with the anti-viral Relenza® (zanamivir for inhalation) in preparation for a potential influenza pandemic. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has guaranteed the initial... Continue Reading
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Spanish Research Provided More Evidence that Red Grape Juice Has Heart Health Benefits
Gloria Gamat July 25, 2006
According to a Spanish research, red grape juice improved the cholesterol levels and inflammatory markers associated with heart disease in both healthy subjects and those that are at a higher risk of cardiovascular complications, the hemodialysis patients. While pervious research... Continue Reading
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YM BioSciences’ Anti-EGFr Drug, Nimotuzumab, Approved in India for Head and Neck Cancer Treatment
Gloria Gamat July 25, 2006
YM BioSciences Inc. (AMEX: YMI) reported that 's Drug Controller General has granted marketing approval to nimotuzumab (an anti-EGFr monoclonal antibody) for the treatment of head & neck cancer. Biocon Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., a joint venture between Biocon (NSE:BIOCON) and CIMAB... Continue Reading
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Jul24
Product Recall: Single Lot of Berlex Inc.’s Ultravist® Injection 370 mgI/mL, 125 mL in the United States
Gloria Gamat July 24, 2006
Berlex, Inc. initiated the nationwide recall of a single lot (No. 41500A) of its intravenous X-ray contrast agent, Ultravist® Injection 370 mgI/mL, 125 mL (iopromide injection) NDC 50419-246-12, EXP 01/2007 because of the presence of particulate matter in conjunction with... Continue Reading
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PhosLo® (calcium acetate) Demonstrated Superior Serum Phosphorus Control Over Sevelamer
Gloria Gamat July 24, 2006
Nabi Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: NABI) recently announced the results of a study that further demonstrated that PhosLo® (calcium acetate) provides superior control of serum phosphorus (a key determinant of morbidity and mortality among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients) when compared to... Continue Reading
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Warning on Dangers of Excess Acetaminophen, Issued by the American Liver Foundation
Gloria Gamat July 24, 2006
The American Liver Foundation (ALF) recently issued a warning based on a recent study on the effects of high doses of the popular pain reliever acetaminophen on one’s liver. The recent study (published in the Journal of the American Medical... Continue Reading
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VivaGel ™’s Clinical Development IND for Prevention of Genital Herpes Cleared by USFDA
Gloria Gamat July 24, 2006
Starpharma Holdings Limited (SPL)’s Investigational New Drug application (IND) for the clinical development of SPL7013 gel (VivaGel™) for prevention of genital herpes has been cleared by the USFDA. The company can now proceed with the first microbicide clinical development program... Continue Reading
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Ovation Pharmaceuticals Launches NeoProfen For the Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Gloria Gamat July 24, 2006
Ovation Pharmaceuticals has launched a novel drug to treat a potentially life-threatening congenital heart defect in premature infants, called Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). PDA a condition in which a blood vessel (ductus arteriosus) in the heart fails to close after... Continue Reading
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FDA Approves of Pearly Pigments To Color Medicines
Gloria Gamat July 24, 2006
Eight years after the petition was filed, the USFDA has approved the use of special mica-based pigments on pills, tablets and liquids, giving medicines a unique pearly sheen similar to those seen on cosmetics. The pigments, made by coating the... Continue Reading
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Jul23
FDA Warns Consumers Against Bismacine/Chromacine
Gloria Gamat July 23, 2006
Following the report of a death and several other injuries, the FDA is warning consumers and health care professionals not to use "Bismacine", also known as "Chromacine". Bismacine is an injectable product supposedly against Lyme disease, and is prescribed or... Continue Reading
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Long-Term Ibuprofen Treatment After Brain Injury Worsens Cognitive Abilities
Gloria Gamat July 23, 2006
Ibuprofen is a common pain reliever prescribed to patients following head injuries to alleviate chronic pain. In a preliminary animal-model study, however, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found out the long-term ibuprofen therapy after traumatic brain... Continue Reading
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FDA Approves AstraZeneca's Symbicort® For Asthma Maintenance Therapy
Gloria Gamat July 23, 2006
The USFDA has approved AstraZeneca (AZN)'s SYMBICORT® (budesonide/formoterol) for the maintenance treatment of asthma in patients age 12 and older. SYMBICORT is a twice-daily asthma therapy combining budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid, and formoterol, a rapid and long-acting beta2-agonist into one inhaler.... Continue Reading
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FDA Warning: Migraine Drugs and Antidepressants are a Dangerous Combination
Gloria Gamat July 23, 2006
On Wednesday, July 19, the USFDA warned patients and consumers that the use of some migraine drugs, called triptans, with certain antidepressants can cause a fatal condition in which patients experience hallucinations, overactive reflexes and rapid heart beat. Such antidepressants... Continue Reading
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Data on CONCERTA® (methylphenidate HCl) Extended-release Tablets Formulation, Presented by McNeil Pediatrics
Gloria Gamat July 23, 2006
As part of an information exchange on "Progress in Creating New Drug Formulations that Discourage Tampering and Abuse”, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has invited McNeil Pediatrics (a division... Continue Reading
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Jul22
Antileukotrienes and Inhaled Corticosteroids Combo, Effectively Treats Asthma
Gloria Gamat July 22, 2006
A new study entitled "Bronchial responsiveness to leukotriene D4 is resistant to inhaled fluticasone propionate", provides support that the combined therapy of inhaled corticosteroids and antileukotriene drugs treat asthma. Study results showed that although the fluticasone propionate therapy vs. placebo... Continue Reading
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Tranzyme Pharma Receives Notice of Allowance from USPTO on Patent Protecting Macrocyclic Template Chemistry Platform
Gloria Gamat July 22, 2006
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted a Notice of Allowance to Tranzyme Pharma for its patent application entitled "Combinatorial Synthesis of Libraries of Macrocyclic Compounds." The patent protects key aspects of the Company's core drug-design platform, Macrocyclic... Continue Reading
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Gilead Sciences Buys Corus Pharma for $365 Million
Gloria Gamat July 22, 2006
Gilead Sciences, Inc.(GILD) has agreed to buy out Corus Pharma, a privately-held, venture capital backed company specializing on therapeutics for respiratory and infectious diseases, for $365 million. Concurrently, Gilead and Novartis Vaccine and Diagnostics, Inc. have entered into an agreement... Continue Reading
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Clinical Trials Review Suggests that Calcium Supplementation Could Reduce Pre-eclampsia in Pregnancy
Gloria Gamat July 22, 2006
According to a new review of clinical trials, increased intake of calcium supplements can reduce the risk of hypertension and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. This finding may lead to a review and probably revision of current recommendations like that of the... Continue Reading
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Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. Acquires GSK’s Mundogen Generic Business in Spain
Gloria Gamat July 22, 2006
India’s largest pharmaceutical company and one of the top ten generic pharmaceutical companies in the world, Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (Ranbaxy), recently announced that the company has acquired Mundogen generic business of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in Spain, throught its Spanish subsidiary, Laboratorios Ranbaxy... Continue Reading
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Jul21
MRI Revealed Donepezil Slows Brain Shrinkage Leading to Alzheimer’s Disease
Gloria Gamat July 21, 2006
According to a new Mayo Clinic study, the drug donepezil (as shown by MRI) measurably slows the rate of brain shrinkage in some patients with mild cognitive impairment, a condition prior to Alzheimer’s disease. The MRI study is an adjunct... Continue Reading
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Diabetes Drug is Potential Cure of Alzheimer’s Disease
Gloria Gamat July 21, 2006
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brings impaired thinking and memory, affecting up to 4.5 million older Americans. Treatment of high blood sugar probably has a connection to memory loss that could one day benefit these millions of AD sufferers. In fact it... Continue Reading
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Ashton Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Inyx Inc.’s U.K. Subsidiary: Selected to Produce Generic Drugs for EU Markets
Gloria Gamat July 21, 2006
Inyx, Inc.’s wholly owned U.K. subsidiary (Ashton Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) has been selected by a leading Indian specialty pharmaceutical company to manufacture a range of generic drugs for the United Kingdom and other European countries. Initially, Ashton will provide process transfer... Continue Reading
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Exelon® Patch: First Transdermal Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease
Gloria Gamat July 21, 2006
Data from a 1,195-patient trial demonstrate that Exelon® Patch (rivastigmine transdermal patch) may be a potential treatment approach for the management of Alzheimer's Disease. The results of the study, which were presented at the ongoing International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease... Continue Reading
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Ranbaxy to Sell Generic Psychotherapeutic Drug Risperidone in Canada
Gloria Gamat July 21, 2006
Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., a subsidiary of India-based Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL) will tie up with Janssen-Ortho Inc. for the licensing and supply of a generic version of Risperidone compressed tablets in Canada. Sold under the label Ran™ Risperidone, the... Continue Reading
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Jul20
Anti-Herpes Drug Valtrex Reduces C-sections Rates in Infected Women
Gloria Gamat July 20, 2006
Current medical protocol offers Cesarian sections to pregnant women with active genital herpes lesions at the time of delivery. To study antivirap suppression of herpes during late stage pregnancy, a randomized clinical trial was conducted, where women were given valacyclovir... Continue Reading
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European Patent Office Will Soon Grant Patent Decision to Celator Pharma’s CombiPlex™ Technology for Developing Fixed-ratio Combination Chemotherapies
Gloria Gamat July 20, 2006
Celator Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has received confirmation that the Examining Division of the European Patent Office intends to grant a European patent covering the company's proprietary CombiPlex™ technology. "This decision represents a major milestone for Celator, offering us broad protection for multiple... Continue Reading
Posted at 3:33 AM | Permalink | Comments
FDA Warning: "Dietary Supplements" Promoted for Sexual Enhancement Contain Dangerous Ingredients
Gloria Gamat July 20, 2006
Last week the USFDA has issued a warning to consumers not to purchase or consume Zimaxx, Libidus, Neophase, Nasutra, Vigor-25, Actra-Rx, or 4EVERON: products that are being promoted and sold on websites as "dietary supplements" for treating erectile dysfunction (ED)... Continue Reading
Posted at 2:24 AM | Permalink | Comments
Pycnogenol Found More Effective than Conventional Drug in the Treatment of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
Gloria Gamat July 20, 2006
Pycnogenol, the French pine bark extract has demonstrated more effectivity in a new study against conventional drug in reducing the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI is caused by leg veins' inability to pump blood back to the heart... Continue Reading
Posted at 1:19 AM | Permalink | Comments
Archemix Corp. Engaged in Strategic Alliance with Elan Corp. to Discover and Develop Aptamer Therapeutics