Pharmaceutical News

RSS

Exelixis files new drug application for a proprietary novel anticancer compound

Exelixis, Inc. has submitted an investigational new drug application (IND) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for XL999, a proprietary novel anticancer compound.

29 Jun 2004

FDA finds gepirone ER “not approvable” as a treatment for Major Depressive Disorder

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that Organon’s gepirone ER New Drug Application is “not approvable.”

25 Jun 2004

47.2% of the estimated $16.0 billion spent on prescribed drugs in Canada was financed by the public sector in 2003

A new report released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) shows that 47.2% of the estimated $16.0 billion spent on prescribed drugs in Canada was financed by the public sector in 2003.

24 Jun 2004

A new single pill is available for treating both high blood pressure and high cholesterol

Caduet, which was recently approved by the FDA, is the first medication that treats high blood pressure and high cholesterol in one pill.

24 Jun 2004

Possible association between the cholesterol lowering drug Crestor, and a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis

Health Canada is advising Canadians about a possible association between the cholesterol lowering drug Crestor®, and a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis.

23 Jun 2004

European marketing approval for new influenza vaccine

Solvay Pharmaceuticals announced today that it has obtained European marketing approval for its new virosomal influenza vaccine: INVIVAC®.

23 Jun 2004

Drug companies spend about 37% of their overall R&D budgets on clinical affairs

Over the last decade, clinical services industry growth has exploded. Today, study sponsors dedicate significant portions of their budgets to CROs, SMOs and patient recruiters to access the expertise needed to speed trials to safe and successful fruition.

23 Jun 2004

FDA to be sued by Mylan Laboratories

Mylan Laboratories Inc. today announced that it is filing suit against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

23 Jun 2004

European Commission has approved the use of Herceptin® (trastuzumab) in combination with Taxotere®

The approval is based on study results which showed that for women with HER2-positive breast cancer, the combination of Herceptin and Taxotere significantly improved median life expectancy by more than one-third (31 months with Herceptin plus Taxotere vs. 22 months for Taxotere alone).

23 Jun 2004

Paclitaxel analog kills more cancer cells than natural product

Paclitaxel, a natural compound from yew trees, is the world's best-selling anticancer drug. Several analogs are in clinical trial, with others in preclinical development. One problem that paclitaxel and all its analogs share, however, is that they are all highly complex compounds, and cannot be prepared synthetically in a commercially viable way.

21 Jun 2004

Cost differences of methotrexate and cyclosporine to treat psoriasis neglible

The difference in cost associated with using two common treatments for psoriasis over the course of one year with treatment lasting 16 weeks are small.

21 Jun 2004

WHO removes two antiretroviral products from the WHO List of prequalified products

The World Health Organization (WHO) removed two antiretroviral products from the WHO List of prequalified products

20 Jun 2004

Further evidence that a class of drugs that lower blood pressure are a treatment option for older people at high cardiovascular risk

Results of a study in this week’s issue of THE LANCET provide further evidence that a class of drugs that lower blood pressure are a treatment option for older people at high cardiovascular risk. The study also emphasises the importance of early blood-pressure lowering after the start of treatment to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.

17 Jun 2004

Research on the potential oral delivery of a current intravenous cancer drug using polymeric nano-delivery systems technology

Labopharm Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Debiopharm S.A. under which Debiopharm has engaged Labopharm to conduct research on the potential oral delivery of a current intravenous cancer drug using Labopharm’s proprietary polymeric nano-delivery systems technology (also referred to as micelles technology).

16 Jun 2004

Results from study of Rituxan in rheumatoid arthritis show promise

Genentech, Inc., Biogen Idec and Roche have announced that the New England Journal of Medicine published the results of a Phase IIa study showing that two doses of Rituxan® (Rituximab), administered two weeks apart, improved symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for up to 48 weeks when combined with methotrexate (MTX), compared to MTX alone.

16 Jun 2004

Cancer drug gefitinib (Iressa) may be able to restore tamoxifen's anticancer activity

A new study has found a possible mechanism for tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer and provides evidence that another cancer drug--gefitinib (Iressa)--may be able to restore tamoxifen's anticancer activity.

15 Jun 2004

Benefits of current therapeutic options for pancreatic cancer are eclipsed by their toxicity and inconvenience

Decision Resources, Inc., one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and health care issues, finds that the benefits of current therapeutic options for pancreatic cancer are eclipsed by their toxicity and inconvenience, especially in advanced stages of the disease.

15 Jun 2004

Report shows unacceptably high variations in access to cancer drugs across the UK

Cancer information charity CancerBACUP welcomes today’s report into variations of usage of cancer drugs (postcode prescribing) issued by the Department of Health but says the vital issue of accountability and enforcement has been left unresolved, leaving patients still vulnerable to postcode prescribing.

15 Jun 2004

Investigational drug Abraxane is active and well tolerated in women with metastatic breast cancer

Investigational drug Abraxane™ (albumin nanoparticle paclitaxel), administered weekly without steroid premedication, is active and well tolerated in women with metastatic breast cancer whose disease had progressed while they were treated with paclitaxel (Taxol®) and/or docetaxel (Taxotere®).

15 Jun 2004

Fair access to recommended drugs in Britain

Health Secretary John Reid has set out plans to ensure patients across the country have equal access to treatments recommended by the independent National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

15 Jun 2004

Pharmaceutical News

Exelixis files new drug application for a proprietary novel anticancer compound

FDA finds gepirone ER “not approvable” as a treatment for Major Depressive Disorder

47.2% of the estimated $16.0 billion spent on prescribed drugs in Canada was financed by the public sector in 2003

A new single pill is available for treating both high blood pressure and high cholesterol

Possible association between the cholesterol lowering drug Crestor, and a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis

European marketing approval for new influenza vaccine

Drug companies spend about 37% of their overall R&D budgets on clinical affairs

FDA to be sued by Mylan Laboratories

European Commission has approved the use of Herceptin® (trastuzumab) in combination with Taxotere®

Paclitaxel analog kills more cancer cells than natural product

Cost differences of methotrexate and cyclosporine to treat psoriasis neglible

WHO removes two antiretroviral products from the WHO List of prequalified products

Further evidence that a class of drugs that lower blood pressure are a treatment option for older people at high cardiovascular risk

Research on the potential oral delivery of a current intravenous cancer drug using polymeric nano-delivery systems technology

Results from study of Rituxan in rheumatoid arthritis show promise

Cancer drug gefitinib (Iressa) may be able to restore tamoxifen's anticancer activity

Benefits of current therapeutic options for pancreatic cancer are eclipsed by their toxicity and inconvenience

Report shows unacceptably high variations in access to cancer drugs across the UK

Investigational drug Abraxane is active and well tolerated in women with metastatic breast cancer

Fair access to recommended drugs in Britain

Shaping the Future of Neuroscience: A Conversation with Atlas Antibodies on the MolBoolean™ and the Impact of SfN 2024

How the Arts Reshape Brain Function: Susan Magsamen on the Future of Neuroaesthetics

Inside the Alzheimer's Association: Dr. Heather Snyder on Driving Research and Collaboration

Latest News