Dipeptide blocks the formation of toxic amyloid β-peptide aggregates in mice Israeli researchers have developed a novel approach for treatment of the Alzheimer’s disease (see report in the journal Angewandte Chemie - Nr. 47/2008): the new drug, a molecule made from two nonphysiological amino acids, improves the cognitive abilities of mice with Alzheimer’s and reduces the amyloid plaques in their brains.
COARTEM IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE Coartem would be the first ACT cleared in the U.S. for treating malaria This treatment against malaria by Novartis, Coarten, is a combination drug, artemether–lumefantrine, more effective than its separate components.
New England Journal of Medicine: Two new studies show malaria vaccine candidate advancing in Africa Results published online in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that the world's most clinically advanced malaria vaccine candidate provides both infants and young children with significant protection against malaria. Two separate phase II trials reaffirmed earlier study results and support the ongoing efforts, pending regulatory approvals, to launch the phase III study of GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals' RTS,S/AS vaccine candidate across Africa.
DHA + PQP: A WINNER COMBINATION FOR NEW TREATMENT OF MALARIA Developed by the Italian pharmaceutical company Sigma-Tau a combination of dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine (DHA+PQP): New data confirm the absence of side effects and the benefit of the simpler treatment schedule. These notable results were presented today at the 57th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (ASTMH) held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, (December 7-11, 2008).
LUMIGAN: A DRUG COULD HELP GROW EYELASHES Using a medication called Lumigan, to treat glaucoma, patients observed as side effects, the grow of their eyelashes. Now this drug could be used in cosmetic to help grow eyelashes.
FATE AND EFFECTS OF TAMIFLU IN THE ENVIRONMENT In many countries governments, corporations, and even some private individuals are stockpiling the drug Tamiflu. Unfortunately, increased resistance is being developed against this vital drug, partly because it is used too liberally for ordinary seasonal influenza.
Biocitech The new french life science technology park
95% OF THE BODY'S SUPPLY OF SEROTONIN IS PRODUCED IN THE GUT Now some experiments - conducted in mice - suggest that the serotonin plays a key role in regulating bone formation, opening the possibility of novel treatments for diseases such as osteoporosis
PURPLE TOMATOES AS POTENTIAL ANTICANCER Scientists have expressed genes from snapdragon in tomatoes to grow purple tomatoes high in health-protecting anthocyanins.
FDA Approves Rapaflo® (Silodosin) for BPH Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Rapaflo (silodosin), the company's new alpha blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
EFSA calls for more scientists Selected applicants will be offered a renewable three-year mandate and will join Europe’s network of leading food safety scientists from the summer of next year.
Alzheimer’s Disease Eu-Pharmagate has selected some lectures available on the web to help those who wants to know more
DIABETES EU-Pharmagate has selected these lectures from web
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2008 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2008 jointly to Osamu Shimomura, Martin Chalfie Roger Y. Tsien, "for the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP"
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 2008 The winners of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine have been announced. This year's prize recognizes the significance of discovering viruses that cause severe human diseases.
Scandal in China: milk contaminated with melamina It has been found in about 10% of the milk from the three leading companies, which account for about 60% of the market. The substance could be carcinogenic. Requests for "explanations" from the United States and the European Union. Thousands of parents are asking for compensation.
Nice Approves Pradaxa(R) - 1st New Oral Anticoagulant In UK For Over 50 Years NICE (National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence) recommending Pradaxa(R) (dabigatran etexilate) as an option for the primary prevention of venous thrombembolic events in adults who have undergone elective total hip or total knee replacement surger
Class Of Diabetes Drugs Carries Significant Cardiovascular Risks A class of oral drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes may make heart failure worse, according to an editorial published online in Heart Wednesday by two Wake Forest University School of Medicine faculty members.
Black raspberries slow cancer by altering hundreds of genes New research strongly suggests that a mix of preventative agents, such as those found in concentrated black raspberries, may more effectively inhibit cancer development than single agents aimed at shutting down a particular gene.
Honokiol, a natural compound from magnolia cones, blocks a pathway for cancer growth Honokiol, a biphenolic compound present in the cones, bark, and leaves of Magnolia grandifloris used in the traditional Japanese medicine as an anxiolytic, anti-thrombotic, anti-depressant, anti-emetic, and anti-bacterial, now recognized also as potential antitumor compound.
THE FIRST LUNG CANCER VACCINE TO BE APPROVED BY CUBAN AUTHORITIES According to Cuban scientists (conference at Cuba’s Center of Molecular Immunology) .the first vaccine to extend lives of lung cancer patients has been approved by Cuban authorities for use and is available in the island’s hospitals
Start of Phase II Clinical Study for Italian AIDS Vaccine Programme of phase II studies presented yesterday at The Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) by the president Enrico Garaci and Barbara Ensoli director of The Italian National AIDS Center of ISS.
HTI-286, A NEW POTENT TUBULIN INHIBITOR ACTIVE IN THE PROSTATE CANCER HTI-286, a synthetic analogue of the marine sponge product hemiasterlin, is active against prostate cancer in vitro and in animal models, according to a report in the May 15th International Journal of Cancer.
ARENEGYR: A new agent for the treatment of cancer ARENEGYR is a new anticancer agent, currently under clinical trials, Phase I and II, with a selective activity on tumour vascular (vascular targeting agent, VTA).
ORAL AGENT SHOWS PROMISE AGAINST MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Laquinimod is an immunomodulator developed by Active Biotech and produced by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. It is currently under development in phase III trials for treatment of multiple sclerosis as an oral therapy
A “SERENDIPITOUS” APPROACH UNCOVERED A NEUROGENIC SMALL MOLECULE 147,000 compounds were screened to see which could stimulate stem cells cultivated from rodent embryos to become heart cells. Unexpectedly, five molecules stimulated the cells to transform into forms resembling nerve cells.
First EU licence granted for pre- pandemic bird flu vaccine The European Commission has granted the first licence to market a vaccine in preparation for a pandemic of H5N1 bird flu in Europe, British pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline said on Monday. The ruling from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) allows GSK to sell Prepandrix, which targets the most virulent strain of the virus that can be fatal to humans, in all 27 European Union member states.
NEW CANCER VACCINES IN DEVELOPMENT Recent discoveries in the understanding of the immune system as well as in cancer biology, are allowing the development of a new approach to treating cancer - therapeutic cancer vaccines.
The U.S. FDA ACCEPTS ORITAVANCIN NDA (New Drug Application) Oritavancin, also known as LY333328, is a novel semi-synthetic glycopeptide antibiotic developed for the treatment of serious Gram-positive infections. Originally discovered and developed by Eli Lilly, oritavancin was acquired by InterMune in 2001 and then by Targanta Therapeutics in late 2005[
AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY FROM DAILYMAIL A “special dust”, actually a collagen powder derived from pigs' bladders, appeared to provide a suitable "matrix" or framework, stimulating regrowth of the tissues and division of the cells, to enable Mr Spievack's finger to grow back - in just a month. And not just a stump - flesh, tendon, skin, fingernail, fingerprints and all.
ALBERT HOFMANN, FATHER OF LSD, DEAD AT 102 Albert Hofmann was born in Baden, Switzerland (January 11, 1906) was a Swiss scientist best known for synthesizing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Hofmann authored more than 100 scientific articles and wrote a number of books, including LSD: My Problem Child. Dr. Hofmann died of a heart attack April 29,2008, in the morning at his home in Basel, Switzerland.
FDA Approves Cimzia® to Treat Crohn's Disease Cimzia® is an investigational agent, now approved: it is the first and only PEGylated anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) biologic therapy available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE ORAL SOLUTION Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. reported that it has received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (“ANDA”) for cetirizine hydrochloride oral solution, 1 mg / 1 mL (“Cetirizine Oral Solution”).
NEW DRUG APPLICATION FOR TREANDA(R) BY CEPHALON FDA Accepts TREANDA(R) New Drug Application (NDA) For The Treatment Of patients with indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who have progressed during or following treatment with rituximab or a rituximab-containing regimen.
POSITIVE RESULTS OF AN2728 IN PSORIASIS PATIENTS Anacor Pharmaceuticals announced results from a Phase 2a clinical trial of AN2728, an investigational topical anti-inflammatory drug, in patients with psoriasis.
EMEA: STRONG PERFORMANCE IN 2007 EMEA (European Medicines Agency) reports strong performance in regulatory and public-health activities in 2007; the outlook for 2008 is even higher application numbers and a focus on advanced-therapy medic
MULTIVITAMINS DO NOT REDUCE RISK FOR LUNG CANCER, AND VITAMIN E MAY RAISE IT Can multivitamins reduce risk for lung cancer? A recent study by C.G. Slatore, and colleagues, from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, reported in the March 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and highlighted by Z. Chustecka and C. Vega on medscape.com showed that a long-term use of supplemental multivitamins does not reduce the risk of developing lung cancer, and high doses of vitamin E may even raise the risk, particularly in smokers.
THE FDA APPROVED PRISTIQ FOR ANTIDEPRESSANT USE Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine succinate), a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).
U.S. REGULATORS IDENTIFIED CONTAMINANT IN BAXTER’S HEPARIN The US FDA has detected a "contaminant" in many samples of Chinese-supplied heparin that may be the cause of hundreds of severe and sometimes deadly allergic reactions to the blood-thinning drug.
FROM INDUSTRY TO ACADEMIA On Nature Review – Issue February, 2008, the experience of two researchers who have recently moved from Pharma to Academia
INTELENCE™, A NON-NUCLEOSIDE REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE INHIBITOR, AGAINST HIV-1 INFECTION INTELENCE™ is a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) specific, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) Indicated - in combination with other antiretroviral agents - for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced adult patients, who have evidence of viral replication and HIV-1 strains resistant to an NNRTI and other antiretroviral agents.
NEW RESEARCH: ALZHEIMERS PATIENTS IMPROVE DRAMATICALLY WITH ENBREL An extraordinary new scientific study, which for the first time documents marked improvement in Alzheimer’s disease within minutes of administration of a therapeutic molecule, has just been published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation.
“THE GOLDEN PILL 2007” TO AN ORPHAN DRUG The prestigious French review Prescrire since 27 years awarded drugs which represent a major therapeutic advancement in areas where there is an unmet medical need, that is where patients and doctors are devoid of treatments. Prescrire is a totally independent medical review which has no links whatsoever with the healthcare industry
DR. JUDAH FOLKMAN, M.D., U.S. CANCER PIONEER, DIES (1933-2008) Judah Folkman, M.D., director of the vascular biology program at Children’s Hospital Boston and the Andrus professor of pediatric surgery and professor of cell biology at Harvard Medical School, died suddenly January 14, 2008. He was 74.
SUPER RED WINE MIGHT BOOST LIFESPAN A novel stilbene synthase gene (STS), cloned from Chinese wild Vitis pseudoreticulata and responsible for synthesis of the phytoalexin resveratrol in grapevine, was successfully transferred into V. vinifera L. cv. Thompson Seedless via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Expression of the STS gene was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which showed that the resveratrol concentration in the transgenic plants was about 6 times higher than that in non-transformed control plants.
HYDROXYUREA CHEMOTHERAPY AGAINST MENINGIOMAS Hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, is one of the most active agents and is known to induce apoptosis in meningioma cells in vitro and in mouse xenografts. Results of preliminary clinical studies suggest that hydroxyurea has modest activity against recurrent and inoperable meningiomas, and can induce long term stabilization in some patients. However, the results are conflicting and a few clinical trials did not show positive results. Further clinical trials with larger patient cohorts and longer follow-up periods will be necessary to confirm the activity of hydroxyurea.
Phase III Clinical Trial Program for ALTROPANE® ALTROPANE® is a diagnostic molecular imaging agent being developed to aid in the differentiation of Parkinsonian Syndromes from non-Parkinsonian tremor.
FDA APPROVED KUVAN™ AGAINST HIGH LEVEL OF BLOOD PHENYLALANINE Kuvan™ (sapropterin dihydrochloride) Tablets is indicated to reduce blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) due to tetrahydrobiopterin- (BH4-) responsive Phenylketonuria (PKU).
NEW COMPOUNDS FOR PAIN TREATMENT Pfizer Inc and Adolor Corporation have announced a collaboration to develop a new class of opioids for delivering analgesia without some of the complicating side effects of traditional mu agonists.
HEPARANASE EXPRESSION CORRELATES WITH THE PROGRESSION OF TONGUE CANCER AND WITH TUMOR SIZE According to the results of a study published in the December 15 issue of Cancer, higher levels of heparanase were detected in the saliva of patients with tongue cancer, raising the possibility that heparanase testing can be used to monitor disease progression and response to treatment.
SBIO INITIATES CLINICAL TRIAL OF NOVEL ANTI-CANCER DRUG SB939 belongs to a new class of targeted anti-cancer therapeutics called histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. SB939 is designed to be a "best-in-class" therapeutic amongst HDAC inhibitors being developed worldwide, and has demonstrated the potential to bring additional therapeutic benefits due to its high potency, superior oral availability and good tolerability.
Overcoming adversity, one drug at a time Students in Purdue University's Department of Computer and Information Technology are working to develop an information-management tool that could give pharmacists instant access to patients' genetic profile, making it possible to quickly determine the proper medicine dosage or if the drug cannot be tolerated by the patient.
TOPOTECAN HYDROCHLORIDE (HYCAMTIN®) FOR ORAL USE. After GlaxoSmithKline received final FDA approval for Hycamtin Capsules on October 15, 2007, Topotecan is the first topoisomerase inhibitor for oral use.
APPROVED BY THE US FDA TASIGNA® (NILOTINIB) FOR THE TREATMENT OF CML The FDA has approved Tasigna® (nilotinib), a Novartis Pharma’s for treatment of Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in adult patients whose disease has progressed on or who cannot tolerate other therapies that included imatinib. Imatinib (Gleevec) is approved for the treatment of new diagnosed patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive CML
ISENTRESS® (RALTEGRAVIR) FOR THE TREATMENT OF HIV-1 STRAINS RESISTENT INFECTIONS ISENTRESS™ is a human immunodeficiency virus integrase strand transfer inhibitor (HIV-1 INSTI) indicated, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced adult patients who have evidence of viral replication and HIV-1 strains resistant to multiple antiretroviral agents.
THE NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY 2007 The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2007 has been awarded to Gerhard Ertl of Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Berlin, "for his studies of chemical processes on solid surfaces".
FDA APPROVES NEW DRUG TO TREAT RARE DISEASE, ACROMEGALY FDA APPROVES NEW DRUG TO TREAT RARE DISEASE, ACROMEGALY The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Somatuline Depot (lanreotide acetate injection) for the treatment of acromegaly, a rare and potentially life threatening disease in adults caused by abnormal secretion of growth hormone (GH), commonly from a benign tumor located in the pituitary gland located in the brain.
RECORDATI COMPLETES THE SILODOSIN PHASE III CLINICAL TRIALS Recordati announced that it has successfully completed the double-blind portion of the phase III study of silodosin, an alpha-blocker for the treatment of signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) licensed from Kissei. The trial was conducted in 11 European countries with 1128 patients (977 randomized) enrolled in 70 clinical centres.
OSTEOPOROSIS DRUG SUCCEEDS IN 3 YEARS STUDY Wyeth Pharmaceuticals presented the first Phase 3 data for bazedoxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator. Bazedoxifene Significantly Reduced the Risk of New Vertebral Fracture.
FDA APPROVES LILLY'S OSTEOPOROSIS DRUG EVISTA(TM) Eli Lilly and Company announced that the U.S. FDA has approved its osteoporosis drug EVISTATM (raloxifene HCl) for a new use to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in two populations: postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and postmenopausal women at high risk for invasive breast cancer
LOOK AT JUICE Grapefruit juice and drugs not always are arranged. Isolated the compounds responsible of the side effects
ISENTRESS : A NOVEL ANTI-HIV APPROVED BY THE FDA Isentress is an integrase inhibitor being developed by Merck & Company. After reviewing the safety and effectiveness, it has been approved by FDA.
EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF METASTASIS For the cancer patients, prognosis correlates mainly with the size of the lesion /stage of tumor at the time of diagnosis, therefore early detection of small, stage-1 cancer can reduce mortality and morbidity. A new noninvasively approach could help patient in the mnext future.
ELI LILLY OPENS DOOR FOR NEXT-GENERATION ANTIPSYCHOTICS Positive results from a Phase II trial have shown that Eli Lilly's latest antipsychotic drug acts on a new target and avoids key adverse effects caused by other antipsychotics.
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES ON LINE A new web site is born, where the researchers will be able to share the movies of the experiments of laboratory in the field of bio-medical activities and to follow in direct the medical conferences: www.scivee.tv.
TOTAL SYNTHESIS OF AZADIRACHTIN ACHIEVED After 22 years of research Professor Steven Ley of Cambridge University and his group solved the problem of the synthesis of this complex molecule
SANCTURA®, A MUSCARINIC RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS FOR THE OVERACTIVE BLADDER SANCTURA® XR (trospium chloride extended release capsules) has been approved by the FDA for the daily treatment of overactive bladder (OAB), with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and urinary frequency
PI-88 FOR THE TREATMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA The Committee for Orphan Medical Products (COMP) of the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) recommended the granting of orphan medicinal product designation for PI-88 for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, or primary liver cancer.
FDA APPROVES SELZENTRY™ FOR THE TREATMENT OF HIV The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Selzentry™ (maraviroc), a CCR5 antagonist for use in combination with other antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of adults with CCR5-tropic HIV-1, who have been treated with other HIV medications and who have evidence of elevated levels of HIV in their blood (viral load).
ABIRATERONE SHOWS PROMISE IN HORMONE-REFRACTIVE PROSTATE CANCER Presented in Lugano, Switzerland, July 8, 2007, at the Annual Meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), two studies (Abstracts 50PD and 51PD) on a new Androgen Synthesis Inhibitor: the Abiraterone
INITIATES PHASE I CLINICAL TRIAL A NOVEL HSP27 INHIBITOR OncoGenex announced enrollment of the first patient in an open-label, dose-escalation, multicenter Phase I clinical study evaluating a new investigational drug (NID), OGX-427, in patients with breast, ovarian, bladder, prostate or lung cancer.
IMI: EVERYTHING READY IN ORDER TO START AT BEGINNING 2008 Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), is a joint undertaking of the European Commission and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). It will support the development of new knowledge, tools and methods so that better and safer medicines can be made available more quickly. The IMI seeks to overcome research bottlenecks in the drug discovery and development process.
EXENATIDE: A NEW TYPE OF DRUG FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES NOW IN ITALY Byetta® is the brand name for a new drug (scientific name is EXENATIDE). This drug is the first to market of a class of drugs known as incretin mimetics, they mimic a naturally occuring incretin hormone: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
FDA APPROVES COMMERCIALIZATION OF DIFFERIN ® (ADAPALENE) GEL 0.3% FOR ACNE Galderma Laboratories, L.P., announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Differin® (adapalene) Gel, 0.3%, a new, higher concentration formulation of Differin® (adapalene) 0.1%, a topical retinoid indicated for the treatment of acne.
SHIRE PHARMACEUTICAL IN-LICENSES JUVISTAR ® (HUMAN TGFbeta3) FROM RENOVO Shire pharm has just signed an agreement with Renovo Group for the exclusive development and commercialization rights to JUVISTA®, a novel treatment in late phase 2 development for the prevention and reduction of scarring. The costs of this operation have been up to $825 Million
OMACOR®: THE FIRST AND ONLY FDA-APPROVED PRESCRIPTION OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID PRODUCT This new drug contains omega-3-acid ethyl esters, comprising of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). OMACOR® is the only omega-3 that, along with diet, has been proven and approved to dramatically reduce very high triglycerides (TGs) (≥500 mg/dL) in adult patients. Omacor® also contains alpha-tocopherol, otherwise known as vitamin E.
CANCER STEM CELLS: AN INTERESTING REVIEW The recent concept of 'cancer stem cells' has directed scientific communities towards a different wide new area of research field and possible potential future treatment modalities for the cancer.
SATISFIED OR REFUNDED Satisfied or refunded: this is the proposal of NHS to the drug's manufacturer of Velcade (Bortezomib).
THE SEA SPONGES HIDE THE SECRET OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM OF THE MAN A group of scientists of the University of Barbara Saint, in California, studying the genome of a sponge, have discovered significant clues to the evolutionary origins of the nervous system by studying the genome of a sea sponge, a member of a group considered to be among the most ancient of all animals.
POST-MARKETING STUDIES In U.S. , due an increasing interest in the post-marketing studies (Phase IV clinical trials), which are conduct on newly-approved medicines over the past six years, drug developers / sponsors believe this work has contributed little to their understanding of the new products, according to a new survey carried out by the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development (Tufts CSDD).
