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Novartis reports NVA237 Phase III trial results against COPD

Sosei Group Corporation, announces that results reported today by Novartis from the pivotal Phase III GLOW2 clinical trial show that once-daily NVA237 50 mcg significantly improved lung function in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) relative to placebo, with similar efficacy to open-label tiotropium.

30 Jun 2011

Veterans who have attempted suicide may face risk of mortality

An estimated 18 American military veterans take their own lives every day -- thousands each year -- and those numbers are steadily increasing. Even after weathering the stresses of military life and the terrors of combat, these soldiers find themselves overwhelmed by the transition back into civilian life.

30 Jun 2011

Gene overexpression linked with Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome

Chronic stress has long been linked with neurodegeneration. Scientists at USC now think they may know why.

29 Jun 2011

Cipher grants Vertical exclusive U.S. distribution rights to CIP-TRAMADOL ER

Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced that it has entered into a definitive distribution and supply agreement with Vertical Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a U.S.-based specialty pharmaceutical company, under which Cipher has granted Vertical the exclusive right to market, sell and distribute CIP-TRAMADOL ER in the United States.

29 Jun 2011

Zalicus commences Synavive SYNERGY Phase 2b clinical trial for rheumatoid arthritis

Zalicus Inc. a biopharmaceutical company that discovers and develops novel treatments for patients suffering from pain and immuno-inflammatory diseases today announced the initiation of the SYNERGY trial, a Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating Synavive, a low-dose glucocorticoid with the potential for amplified immuno-inflammatory benefits, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

29 Jun 2011

Children and adolescents who eat candy less likely to be overweight or obese

Children and adolescents who eat candy tend to weigh less than their non-consuming counterparts, according to a new study published in Food & Nutrition Research, a peer-reviewed journal.

29 Jun 2011

Gene PNPLA3 offers potential therapeutic target in chronic hepatitis C liver damage

New research confirms that a variant on the patatin-like phospholipase-3 (PNPLA3) gene increases risk of steatosis and fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). The PNPLA3 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs 738409 may represent an important genetic predictor and potential therapeutic target in chronic HCV liver damage.

29 Jun 2011

Diet sodas and artificial sweeteners may not be healthy alternatives

In the constant battle to lose inches or at least stay the same, we reach for the diet soda. Two studies presented June 25 and 27 at the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions in San Diego suggest this might be self-defeating behavior.

29 Jun 2011

Texas passes health program revamp; Oregon House acts to create better coordinated care

The Legislature approved and sent to the governor Monday a health care savings bill under which Texas could seek permission to redesign entirely the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and abortion-rights opponents scored several victories in the measure (Garrett, 6/27).

29 Jun 2011

Expert addresses need to improve risk stratification of heart failure patients eligible for ICD or CRT-D

Responding to a recent study showing that 40% of patients who receive CRT-ICD therapy do not benefit from the device (Sipahi, et al – 6/13/11), Wojciech Zareba, MD, PhD, stated that improving risk stratification of heart failure patients eligible for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) is essential.

28 Jun 2011

Bio-Nucleonics' generic Metastron, an option for metastatic cancer bone pain therapy

Bio-Nucleonics' lead product Strontium Chloride Sr-89 Injection USP (Strontium-89), which is the generic version of Metastron®, is an option to consider for metastatic cancer bone pain therapy, typically caused by advanced stage breast, prostate or lung cancer.

28 Jun 2011

Relypsa initiates dosing in RLY5016 Phase 2b trial for hyperkalemia in diabetic nephropathy and CKD patients

Relypsa, Inc. today announced the start of dosing in a Phase 2b clinical trial of RLY5016 for the treatment of hyperkalemia in patients with diabetic nephropathy and chronic kidney disease (CKD). RLY5016 is a high capacity, non-absorbed, polymer-based potassium binder that is orally administered and has been shown to control serum potassium levels in previous studies.

28 Jun 2011

ChemoCentryx CCX140 Phase II study on type 2 diabetes meets primary endpoint

ChemoCentryx, Inc. today announced that CCX140, the Company's novel, orally active CCR2 antagonist successfully met its primary endpoint of safety and tolerability and demonstrated clinical efficacy in a Phase II study in patients with type 2 diabetes on stable doses of metformin.

28 Jun 2011

Accelerated hepatitis B vaccination schedule effective for high-risk pregnant women

UT Southwestern Medical Center maternal-fetal specialists have confirmed a potential new protocol to protect pregnant women who are at risk for hepatitis B, a health problem that affects 2 billion people worldwide.

28 Jun 2011

Scientists identify central switch responsible for epilepsy

UC Irvine and French researchers have identified a central switch responsible for the transformation of healthy brain cells into epileptic ones, opening the way to both treat and prevent temporal lobe epilepsy.

28 Jun 2011

Researchers identify new lung stem cell that helps repair large airways

Researchers at UCLA have identified a new stem cell that participates in the repair of the large airways of the lungs, which play a vital role in protecting the body from infectious agents and toxins in the environment.

28 Jun 2011

Health law headlines: PR challenges and overhaul tell-alls

Although Democrats are having some success with attacks on the GOP Medicare plan, they are still playing defense on the health law, according to Politico. Meanwhile, former Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag writes a "tell-all" for the magazine Foreign Affairs about the health overhaul.

28 Jun 2011

FDA directive on anemia drug in kidney disease patients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new warnings for anemia drugs for patients with kidney disease after studies suggested such drugs could increase stroke risks. The new warnings are the latest to hit the widely used medications since 2007, when the FDA first said they could cause fatal side effects.

27 Jun 2011

Nile completes dosing in Part B of cenderitide Phase I study for ADHF

Nile Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel therapeutics for heart failure patients, today announced that it has completed dosing the first patient in Part B of the ongoing Phase I study.

27 Jun 2011

Problems of unrecognized alcohol misuse among the elderly

The Royal College of Psychiatrists of London has published a report related primarily to problems of unrecognized alcohol misuse among the elderly. The report provides guidelines for psychiatrists and family physicians on how to find and how to treat elderly people with misuse of alcohol and drugs.

27 Jun 2011