Drug Discovery & Development All

Gastoparesis Prevalent in Diabetes Study

pbennett — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:28:49 +0000

Rhythm 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, but this condition is significantly under-diagnosed among those with the more common type 2 disease.

Molecule Linked to Cancer Growth

pbennett — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:14:13 +0000

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — In a new study described in the journal Oncogene, researchers reveal how a key player in cell growth, immunity and the inflammatory response can be transformed into a primary contributor to tumor growth.

Suvorexant Raises Red Flags

pbennett — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:53:27 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal health regulators say an experimental insomnia drug from Merck can help patients fall asleep, but it also carries worrisome side effects, including daytime drowsiness and suicidal thinking.

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday released its review of the company's sleep aid, suvorexant, ahead of a public meeting on Wednesday. The pill works by temporarily blocking chemical messengers that keep people awake.

Actavis Buying Warner Chilcott for $8.5B

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:57 +0000

Actavis is buying Warner Chilcott in an all-stock transaction valued at about $8.5 billion which would create the third-biggest specialty pharmaceutical company in the U.S.

The announcement on Monday comes after the two companies said earlier this month that they were in talks about a possible combination. It also follows reports that Parsippany, N.J.-based Actavis rebuffed takeover bids from companies including Mylan Inc. and Canadian drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. and that Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG was considering a bid.

Depuy Ending Run of Two Hip Implants

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:05:28 +0000

Johnson & 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. It made the decision as part of a push to streamline its product portfolio. DePuy said the discontinuations were not connected to concerns about safety or effectiveness, and they were not recalls.

Merck, Quintiles Sign Collaboration

pbennett — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:42:19 +0000

Merck and Quintiles, the world’s largest provider of biopharmaceutical development and commercial outsourcing services, have announced a five-year clinical development agreement. This strategic collaboration is the first-of-its-kind between a biopharmaceutical company and a biopharmaceutical services provider, creating a comprehensive process that integrates the expertise and experience from both organizations into a single, well-aligned clinical development engine.

Gilead Releases Positive Leukemia Data

pbennett — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:18:40 +0000

Gilead Sciences Inc. announced results from a Phase 2 study (Study 101-08) evaluating idelalisib (formerly GS-1101), an investigational, targeted, oral inhibitor of PI3K delta, in combination with rituximab for older patients with treatment-naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This regimen achieved a complete response (CR) rate of 19% and an overall response rate (ORR) of 97%, with estimated progression-free survival (PFS) at 24 months of 93%.

Impax Marketing Generic Zomig

pbennett — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:46:31 +0000

HAYWARD, Calif. (AP) - Impax Laboratories Inc. said it is now selling a generic version of the migraine drug Zomig.

Impax 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.

Impax said U.S. sales of the tablet and disintegrating tablet forms totaled $196 million over the 12 months ended in April.

Halozyme Reports Pancreatic Cancer Study Data

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:39:49 +0000

Halozyme Therapeutics Inc. has released clinical trial data for an experimental cancer drug.

Halozyme posted results from an early-stage trial that included its drug PEGPH20 as a treatment for pancreatic cancer. The regimen included PEGPH20 and the cancer drug Gemzar.

Halozyme said PEGPH20 may make tumors more vulnerable to treatment by depleting their defenses and changing their metabolism.

Zocor May Reduce Exercise Benefits

pbennett — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:32:11 +0000

Statins, the most widely prescribed drugs worldwide, 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, University of Missouri researchers found that simvastatin, a generic type of statin previously sold under the brand name Zocor, hindered the positive effects of exercise for obese and overweight adults.