Asthma News and Research

RSS

Asthma is a common inflammatory disease affecting the airways that leads to shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. Symptoms range from mild to severe but are generally manageable with appropriate treatment.

Positive results from linaclotide Phase 3 trial in patients with IBS-C

Almirall, S.A. and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced positive top-line results from a 26-week pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial assessing the efficacy and safety of once-daily dosing of linaclotide 266 mcg in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

2 Nov 2010

North American children may be 'too clean'

Rising levels of allergic asthma and eczema in North American children have Canadian scientists wondering if there is such a thing as being "too clean." "We see auto-immune diseases like asthma and eczema increasing rapidly in North American children, but we don't see the same effect in children in the developing world," says Dr. B. Brett Finlay, a Professor in the Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia.

29 Oct 2010

MAP Pharmaceuticals to present FREEDOM-301 Phase 3 trial data for migraine at EHMTIC Congress

MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced new data from the FREEDOM-301 Phase 3 trial of its investigational LEVADEX orally inhaled migraine therapy showing low recurrence rates with LEVADEX. Eight additional analyses from the LEVADEX program also will be presented during the 2010 European Headache and Migraine Trust International Congress (EHMTIC) in Nice, France.

29 Oct 2010

Merck reports $342 million net income for 2010 third quarter

Merck & Co., Inc. today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2010. The company reported non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share (EPS) for the third quarter of $0.85, which excludes purchase accounting adjustments, restructuring costs, merger-related expenses and a $950 million legal reserve.

29 Oct 2010

Phytonutrient Report says Americans do not consume enough fruits and vegetables

The majority of Americans report getting a cold or flu in the past year, and more than a third say they'll make lifestyle changes to prevent getting sick again this year. However, 40 percent of Americans don't plan to take what is arguably the easiest and tastiest step to help potentially prevent illness this cold and flu season eat more fruits and vegetables daily.

29 Oct 2010

University of Maryland to establish major research enterprise for autoimmune diseases

With a new $45 million private gift from the family of a grateful patient, the University of Maryland School of Medicine is planning to establish the nation's only major research enterprise devoted to the study of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and Type 1 diabetes. The gift, from Indiana couple Ken and Shelia Cafferty, is the largest private donation in the history of the University System of Maryland.

29 Oct 2010

Forest, Almirall report topline results from aclidinium bromide comparative Phase III study in COPD

Forest Laboratories, Inc. and Almirall, S.A. today announced top-line results from ACCORD COPD II, a 12-week Phase III study comparing the efficacy and safety of inhaled aclidinium bromide, an investigative bronchodilator, to placebo in 544 patients with moderate to severe COPD.

29 Oct 2010

Outcome-based contract between CIGNA and Merck helps diabetics control blood sugar levels

The first national outcome-based contract between a pharmaceutical company and a pharmacy benefit management company resulted in an increase in the number of people with type 2 diabetes who were able to control their blood sugar levels by taking their medications appropriately.

29 Oct 2010

Amira initiates AM152 Phase 1 clinical study for fibrotic diseases

Amira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has initiated a Phase 1 clinical study with AM152, a novel LPA1 antagonist, in normal, healthy subjects.

29 Oct 2010

Teck donates $2.5M to support emergency programs and services at St. Paul's Hospital

St. Paul's Hospital Foundation today announced that Teck Resources Limited donated $2.5 million to St. Paul's Hospital to complete the remaining funding for its recently renovated and redesigned emergency area. In recognition of Teck's major gift, the area will be named the Teck Emergency Centre. Furthermore, a fund to support research, academic productivity and the development of best practices at the hospital will be called the Teck Emergency Centre Innovation Fund.

28 Oct 2010

Lotus receives Chinese SFDA approval for R-Bambuterol Hydrochloride Phase I human clinical trials

Lotus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a fast-growing, profitable developer, manufacturer and seller of medicine and drugs in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"), announced today that it received approval from the State Food and Drug Administration ("SFDA") Ethics Committee to commence Phase I human clinical trials of R-Bambuterol Hydrochloride, the Company's proprietary drug candidate for the treatment of asthma.

28 Oct 2010

Boston Scientific announces completion of Asthmatx acquisition

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced the completion of its acquisition of Asthmatx, Inc. of Sunnyvale, California. The transaction follows the definitive agreement announced on September 20. Under the terms of the agreement, Boston Scientific purchased all outstanding Asthmatx shares for a total of $193.5 million. Additional payments of up to $250 million are contingent upon achievement of specified revenue-based criteria through 2019. Asthmatx is now an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Boston Scientific.

27 Oct 2010

Place of birth, low SES and exposure to pests associated with asthma in U.S.-born children

Researchers from Tufts University pooled data from five previous epidemiological studies to investigate the prevalence of asthma in children in the Boston neighborhoods of Chinatown and Dorchester. Among children born in the United States, low socioeconomic status (SES) and exposure to pests (mice and cockroaches) were both associated with having asthma. Neither association was present in children born outside of the United States. The study was published online in advance of print in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health.

26 Oct 2010

La Jolla Institute scientist wins Malpighi Medal for pioneering work in heart disease

Klaus Ley, M.D, a scientist at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, was recently awarded the prestigious Malpighi Medal at the World Congress for Microcirculation in Paris, France. A lifetime achievement award presented by the European Society for Microcirculation, Dr. Ley received the honor in recognition of his pioneering endeavors in vascular immunology, a scientific discipline that he helped to pioneer, which looks at novel immune-based approaches to combating heart disease. He is only the 17th recipient of the biennial award worldwide.

26 Oct 2010

Celtic, Resolvyx enter option agreement for RX-10045 to treat dry eye syndrome

Celtic Therapeutics Holdings L.P. a successor firm to Celtic Pharma, and Resolvyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Resolvyx) announced today that they have entered into an option agreement relating to Resolvyx's RX-10045, a late-stage program for the treatment of dry eye syndrome and other ophthalmic conditions.

26 Oct 2010

Childhood allergies and asthma linked to development in the womb

A child's chances of developing allergies or wheezing is related to how he or she grew at vital stages in the womb, according to scientists from the University of Southampton.

25 Oct 2010

Gene therapy may reverse pulmonary hypertension

A Heart and Stroke Foundation researcher has discovered what could be the first truly effective breakthrough in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension, a devastating, life-threatening condition which results in an enlargement of the heart.

25 Oct 2010

Taste receptors in lungs can revolutionize treatment option for asthma

Taste receptors in the lungs. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore have discovered that bitter taste receptors are not just located in the mouth but also in human lungs. What they learned about the role of the receptors could revolutionize the treatment of asthma and other obstructive lung diseases.

25 Oct 2010

Pharmaxis announces combined results of Bronchitol Phase III trial for cystic fibrosis

Pharmaceutical company Pharmaxis today announced significant results of pooled data from its two large scale six month Phase III trials of Bronchitol (inhaled mannitol) in people with cystic fibrosis.

25 Oct 2010

Drug payment database spurs local reports

A database put together by ProPublica of drugmakers' payments to physicians for promoting their products is now spurring local inquiries and garnering some response from physicians.

22 Oct 2010

Asthma News and Research

Further Reading

Positive results from linaclotide Phase 3 trial in patients with IBS-C

North American children may be 'too clean'

MAP Pharmaceuticals to present FREEDOM-301 Phase 3 trial data for migraine at EHMTIC Congress

Merck reports $342 million net income for 2010 third quarter

Phytonutrient Report says Americans do not consume enough fruits and vegetables

University of Maryland to establish major research enterprise for autoimmune diseases

Forest, Almirall report topline results from aclidinium bromide comparative Phase III study in COPD

Outcome-based contract between CIGNA and Merck helps diabetics control blood sugar levels

Amira initiates AM152 Phase 1 clinical study for fibrotic diseases

Teck donates $2.5M to support emergency programs and services at St. Paul's Hospital

Lotus receives Chinese SFDA approval for R-Bambuterol Hydrochloride Phase I human clinical trials

Boston Scientific announces completion of Asthmatx acquisition

Place of birth, low SES and exposure to pests associated with asthma in U.S.-born children

La Jolla Institute scientist wins Malpighi Medal for pioneering work in heart disease

Celtic, Resolvyx enter option agreement for RX-10045 to treat dry eye syndrome

Childhood allergies and asthma linked to development in the womb

Gene therapy may reverse pulmonary hypertension

Taste receptors in lungs can revolutionize treatment option for asthma

Pharmaxis announces combined results of Bronchitol Phase III trial for cystic fibrosis

Drug payment database spurs local reports

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

Latest News