Strategies & Technologies Driving Drug Discovery to Market
Combining Drugs Maximizes Effect Against Tumors
June 2, 2013 9:00 am | News | CommentsA subset of colorectal cancers responds to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) therapies, but develops resistance within months. Among cancers that develop resistance to anti-EGFR therapy, some showed overexpression of a gene called MET and susceptibility to the MET inhibitor crizotinib.
Depomed Abandons Sefelsa After FDA Letter
May 31, 2013 6:31 pm | News | CommentsDepomed will not invest further in its drug Sefelsa after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that it cannot approve its application in the current form. The hot flash drug hit a major road block when a panel of advisers to the FDA voted against it, saying the risks outweighed its benefits.
App Helps Improve Cubis Balance
May 31, 2013 4:19 pm | Product Releases | CommentsSartorius has made its premium laboratory balance Cubis even more user-friendly to ensure reliable, error-free results. Sartorius Q-Apps can now be installed on any Cubis balance to guide users quickly and easily in performing any weighing application.
EU Panel Backs Lojuxta
May 31, 2013 12:05 am | News | CommentsAegerion Pharmaceuticals said that a European Union advisory panel recommended its drug Lojuxta be approved as a treatment for a rare inherited disease that causes extremely high levels of bad cholesterol. Lojuxta is intended to treat a condition called homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
FDA Wants More Aveed Info
May 30, 2013 5:33 pm | News | CommentsEndo Health Solutions Inc. said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants more information about its long-acting testosterone injection Aveed before it will approve the drug. Endo said the FDA is concerned about risks and severe complications related to post-injection reactions.
Linzess Sales Better Than Expected
May 30, 2013 1:41 pm | News | CommentsA Wedbush analyst has upgraded Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s stock, saying growth in prescriptions for the company's bowel drug Linzess has been better than he expected. He is now projecting about $229 million in sales over the four quarters ending March 31, up from $152 million.
Antibody-Drug Conjugates: Carbon-14 Labeling Requirements
May 30, 2013 11:32 am | by Sean L. Kitson, Investigator; Thomas S. Moody, Head of Biocatalysis and Isotope Chemistry; David Rozzell, Biocatalysis Consultant; Jill Caswell, Molecular Biologist, Department of Biocatalysis and Isotope Chemistry; Almac, Craigavon, U.K. | Articles | CommentsThe next blockbuster drug revenue streams are likely to come from a class of targeted therapies geared towards the treatment and management of chronic human disease states—especially cancer—and involve the use of monoclonal antibodies linked to small-molecule drugs.
MERS May Require Longer Quarantine
May 30, 2013 10:34 am | by Maria Cheng | News | CommentsA detailed look at two cases of a deadly new respiratory virus called MERS suggests people who have the disease should be isolated for at least 12 days to avoid spreading it. The new germ was first seen in the Middle East and so far has sickened more than 40 people worldwide, killing about half of them.
Brain Makes Its Own Valium
May 30, 2013 3:00 am | News | CommentsResearchers have found that a naturally occurring protein secreted only in discrete areas of the mammalian brain may act as a Valium-like brake on certain types of epileptic seizures. The protein is known as diazepam binding inhibitor, or DBI.
GSK to Buy Okairos for $323M
May 29, 2013 4:10 pm | News | CommentsGlaxoSmithKline PLC will buy Okairos AG for about $323 million, gaining the Swiss vaccine developer's products. GlaxoSmithKline said Okairos is studying vaccine technology that could be used in shots that can both prevent and cure infections or diseases.
Lilly Tries to Block Generic Axiron
May 29, 2013 10:53 am | News | CommentsPerrigo Co. said it is seeking approval for a generic version of Eli Lilly and Co.'s Axiron testosterone product, and is being sued by Lilly. Axiron is an underarm gel that rolls on like deodorant, and Perrigo said the product has about $229 million in annual sales.
FDA Reviewing Pozen Cardiovascular Drug
May 29, 2013 10:36 am | News | CommentsDrug developer Pozen Inc. said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now reviewing an experimental cardiovascular drug it developed. Pozen said the FDA will conduct a standard review and should make a decision on its application by Jan. 24.
Astellas, Amgen to Form Joint Venture
May 29, 2013 7:25 am | News | CommentsAstellas Pharma Inc. said it will form a joint venture with Amgen Inc. to develop and market drugs in Japan.The new company will start business operations in October to develop five drugs, including for gastric cancer and osteoporosis, under a plan to launch drug sales in 2016.
Bayer Cleared for $1.1B Conceptus Deal
May 29, 2013 6:38 am | News | CommentsBayer AG has received antitrust clearance from the Federal Trade Commission for its approximately $1.1 billion acquisition of Conceptus. The company makes Essure, an irreversible birth control method in which small metal and polyester coils are inserted to block a woman's fallopian tubes.
Analysts Expect Pharma Restructuring
May 28, 2013 11:50 am | News | CommentsA group of Jefferies & Co. analysts said that drug companies are putting more emphasis on restructuring and spinning off parts of their business. Investors are likely to push some companies towards restructuring and separations as a path to better stock performance.
