News
Drug Side Effects May Be Inevitable
May 21, 2013 10:32 am | CommentsA new study of both computer-created and natural proteins suggests that the number of unique pockets– sites where small molecule pharmaceutical compounds can bind to proteins– is surprisingly small, meaning drug side effects may be impossible to avoid.
Gastoparesis Prevalent in Diabetes Study
May 20, 2013 12:28 pm | CommentsRhythm announced the presentation of results from a new epidemiology study demonstrating a higher prevalence of gastroparesis symptoms among diabetic patients in the U.S. than previously recognized. Prevalence of these symptoms is high among patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Suvorexant Raises Red Flags
May 20, 2013 11:53 am | by Matthew Perrone | CommentsU.S. Food and Drug Administration regulators say an experimental insomnia drug from Merck called suvorexant can help patients fall asleep, but it also carries worrisome side effects, including an increased risk of daytime drowsiness and suicidal thinking.
Actavis Buying Warner Chilcott for $8.5B
May 20, 2013 8:00 am | by Michelle Chapman | CommentsActavis is buying Warner Chilcott in a transaction valued at about $8.5 billion which would create the third-biggest specialty pharmaceutical company in the U.S. The new company is expected to be called Actavis PLC and will be incorporated in Ireland, where Warner Chilcott is currently incorporated.
Depuy Ending Run of Two Hip Implants
May 17, 2013 12:05 pm | CommentsJohnson & Johnson's DePuy orthopedics business plans to stop selling a couple of hip replacement systems not widely used by doctors. DePuy will discontinue both its Ultamet Metal-on-Metal Articulation and Complete Ceramic-on-Metal Acetabular systems worldwide at the end of August.
Merck, Quintiles Sign Collaboration
May 17, 2013 11:42 am | CommentsIn a novel approach to clinical development that is founded on a shared commitment to cost-disciplined science, Merck and Quintiles have signed a collaboration intended to optimize productivity in the design and execution of studies with a focus on quality, speed, and efficiency.
Gilead Releases Positive Leukemia Data
May 17, 2013 11:18 am | CommentsGilead Sciences Inc. announced results from a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating idelalisib, an investigational, targeted, oral inhibitor of PI3K delta, in combination with rituximab for older patients with treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Impax Marketing Generic Zomig
May 17, 2013 10:46 am | CommentsImpax Laboratories Inc. is now selling a low-cost generic version of Zomig tablets and orally disintegrating Zomig tablets in two strengths. Zomig, or zolmitriptan, is available in tablet and nasal spray form and as tablets that will disintegrate and can be taken without liquid.
Halozyme Reports Pancreatic Cancer Study Data
May 16, 2013 4:39 pm | CommentsHalozyme Therapeutics Inc. has posted results from an early-stage trial that included its drug PEGPH20 as a treatment for pancreatic cancer. Halozyme said PEGPH20 may make tumors more vulnerable to treatment by depleting their defenses and changing their metabolism.
Zocor May Reduce Exercise Benefits
May 16, 2013 4:32 pm | CommentsStatins are often suggested to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease in individuals with obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of medical disorders including excess body fat and/or high levels of blood pressure, blood sugar and/or cholesterol. However...
FDA Approves Cancer Treatment
May 16, 2013 4:21 pm | CommentsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Xofigo to treat men with symptomatic late-stage (metastatic) castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread to bones but not to other organs. It is intended for men whose cancer has spread after receiving medical or surgical therapy to lower testosterone.
Oncothyreon Releases Stimuvax Data
May 16, 2013 11:54 am | CommentsDrug developer Oncothyreon Inc. announced new clinical trial data about an experimental lung cancer treatment that failed to improve the overall survival rate. Oncothyreon said that it identified some patients who appeared to live longer after treatment with Stimuvax.
Prestige Turns 4Q Profit
May 16, 2013 7:04 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsPrestige Brands Holdings Inc. returned to a profit in its fiscal fourth quarter, benefiting from lower operating expenses and better sales of over-the-counter health care products. The company reported net income of $19.3 million for the three months ending March 31.
Study IDs Key Protein for Cell Death
May 15, 2013 12:16 pm | by Anne Trafton | CommentsA team of researchers have identified a key protein involved in an alternative death pathway known as programmed necrosis. Drugs that mimic the effects of this protein could push cancer cells that are resistant to apoptosis into necrosis instead.
FDA Grants Priority Review to Simeprevir
May 15, 2013 12:00 pm | CommentsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted Priority Review to Janssen's New Drug Application for simeprevir, an investigational NS3/4A protease inhibitor administered with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for the treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C.
