Strategies & Technologies Driving Drug Discovery to Market
Thyroxin Could Target Autism and FAD
June 14, 2013 10:40 am | News | CommentsIn a surprising new finding, a study has found a common molecular vulnerability in autism and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Both disorders have symptoms of social impairment and originate during brain development in utero. This damage may be reverseable, however.
Researchers Program Blood Stem Cells
June 14, 2013 10:29 am | News | CommentsBy transferring four genes into mouse fibroblast cells, researchers have produced cells that resemble hematopoietic stem cells, which produce millions of new blood cells in the human body every day. These findings provide a platform for development of cell-replacement therapy.
Lilly Stops Alzheimer's Study
June 13, 2013 5:41 pm | News | CommentsEli Lilly and Co. has stopped a mid-stage clinical trial of an experimental Alzheimer's disease drug because of potential side effects on patients' livers. The company stopped testing LY2886721 because of abnormal results in liver biochemical tests.
CILS Labels Aid Cryogenic Storage
June 13, 2013 11:47 am | Product Releases | CommentsDeveloped for liquid nitrogen freezing and long-term cryogenic freezer storage, laboratory labeling specialists CILS have launched a computer printable durable label for ultra low temperatures, providing immediate permanent adhesion to all cyrovials, tubes, and liquid straws stored down to -196ºC.
Nanotech Improving Tumor Targeting
June 13, 2013 11:31 am | News | CommentsNanotechnology opens up a portal into living tissue that allows scientists to watch cancers spreading, and to determine which parts of a tumor should be targeted. Clinicians can then see where they need to improve on drug delivery to improve clinical outcome.
Trebananib Meets Primary Study Goal
June 13, 2013 10:20 am | News | CommentsAmgen announced that a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating trebananib plus paclitaxel versus placebo plus paclitaxel in recurrent ovarian cancer met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival. Investigators observed a 34% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death.
Markers Predict Breast Cancer Therapy Response
June 13, 2013 10:00 am | News | CommentsGenetic variations in or near the genes ZNF423 and CTSO were associated with breast cancer risk among women who underwent prevention therapy with tamoxifen and raloxifene. Women who have the favorable variations of these two SNPs are more likely to respond to prevention therapy.
GSK Finds No Evidence of Bribery
June 13, 2013 2:58 am | News | CommentsDrug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline said it has investigated an accusation that its salespeople in China bribed doctors and found no evidence of wrongdoing. The company said it conducted a four-month investigation after receiving complaints from an anonymous source.
MPI, inviCRO, 3D Imaging Collaborate
June 12, 2013 10:47 am | News | CommentsMPI Research has announced a strategic partnership with inviCRO and 3D Imaging to unite world-class molecular imaging, radiochemistry, and informatics to accelerate drug discovery and development. The new center provides developers with contiguous access to a cyclotron and vivarium facilities.
Stem Cells Acceptable for Drug Testing
June 12, 2013 9:46 am | News | CommentsDrug development for a range of conditions could be improved with stem cell technology that helps doctors predict the safety and the effectiveness of potential treatments. Scientists have been able to generate cells that reach the standard required by pharmaceutical companies to test drug safety.
Teva, Sun Settle Patent Case for $2.15B
June 12, 2013 9:39 am | News | CommentsTwo generic drugmakers will pay $2.15 billion to Pfizer and Takeda Pharmaceutical to settle a patent fight over the heartburn treatment Protonix. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries will pay $1.6 billion, while Sun Pharmaceutical Industries will pay $550 million.
PDL Claims Shortchanging by Genentech
June 11, 2013 6:17 pm | News | CommentsPDL BioPharma Inc. wants take Roche's Genentech business to arbitration over a royalty payment dispute. PDL said Genentech has underpaid royalties since at least 2007, and it wants to have Genentech's books and records inspected to determine if payments were accurate.
GSK Fires Researcher Over Data
June 11, 2013 5:22 pm | News | CommentsGlaxoSmithKline has dismissed one employee and a second resigned in the wake of a scandal over misrepresented data in a research paper published in 2010. The company says its investigation of recent allegations of questionable data has established that some information in the paper had been misrepresented.
Better Development of Biosimilars
June 11, 2013 12:03 pm | by Savanna Steele, PharmD, Clinical Scientist; Song Wang, PhD, Associate Statistical Science Director; Brian Healey, PharmD, Associate Director; Dirk Reitsma, MD, Vice President; PPD, Wilmington, N.C. | Articles | CommentsIn order to add assurance that the biosimilar candidate is as similar to the originator as possible, multiple tests should be used to assess similar qualities, an approach termed as “orthogonal” in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration draft biosimilar guidelines.
Questcor to Pay $135M for Synacthen
June 11, 2013 10:45 am | News | CommentsQuestcor Pharmaceuticals Inc. said it will pay at least $135 million to buy an autoimmune and inflammatory disease drug made by Novartis AG. Questcor said it will pay $60 million upfront for Synacthen and Synacthen Depot, which are approved in about 40 countries as a treatment for a variety of illnesses.
