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Drugs affecting the central nervous system effective against fibromyalgia, study finds

People suffering from fibromyalgia have reduced activity in the parts of the brain that inhibit the experience of pain. Drugs that affect the CNS can be effective against the disease, and are thought to be even more so if administered early in its course. This according to a new thesis from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet.

22 Oct 2009

Schering-Plough announces 2009 third quarter financial results

Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) today reported financial results for the 2009 third quarter.

22 Oct 2009

PAREXEL to present key trends in late phase development and Comparative Effectiveness Research

Experts from PAREXEL International Corporation, a leading global biopharmaceutical services provider, will address key trends in late phase development and Comparative Effectiveness Research at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) 12th Annual European Congress, to be held from October 24 - 27, 2009 in Paris, France.

From Parexel 22 Oct 2009

FDA extends Acorda Therapeutics' Fampridine-SR PDUFA goal date

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the PDUFA goal date for its review of the New Drug Application (NDA) for Fampridine-SR to January 22, 2010. The original Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date for this priority review application was October 22, 2009.

22 Oct 2009

Peripheral arterial disease linked to lifestyle changes

Modifying the risk of peripheral arterial disease (or PAD)-with healthy lifestyle changes-remains vital to one's health, note researchers in a recent issue of the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. And while PAD can progress and worsen over time, there is not enough evidence yet to advocate minimally invasive treatment in patients who have had a narrowing or blockage of a leg artery but showing no signs or symptoms of the disease, say Irish researchers in a retrospective study of more than 900 individuals.

22 Oct 2009

Drug expert to discuss recent policy shift in medical marijuana at 2009 Symposium

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy(R) (NABP(R)) welcomes Office of National Drug Control Policy drug policy expert Kevin Sebat to speak at its 2009 Symposium. On December 3, 2009, Sebat will discuss the current federal laws regarding marijuana as well as the recent policy shift regarding prosecution of medical marijuana cases in states that have legalized the practice.

22 Oct 2009

SAEC to collaborate with HMORN to improve the safe use of drugs

The International Serious Adverse Events Consortium (SAEC) announced today it will collaborate with the HMO Research Network (HMORN) to improve the safe use of drugs by exploring why the genetic makeup of some individuals makes them more likely to experience serious drug-related adverse events (SAEs).

22 Oct 2009

Researchers develop a new test process for cancer drugs

It is very difficult to predict whether a cancer drug will help an individual patient: only around one third of drugs will work directly in a given patient. Researchers at the Heinz Nixdorf Chair for Medical Electronics at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM) have developed a new test process for cancer drugs.

22 Oct 2009

Protein Discovery and New Objective sign co-marketing and development agreement

Protein Discovery, Inc. and New Objective, Inc. today announced that they have entered into a strategic co-marketing and development agreement designed to enable and expand key applications for intact protein analysis using mass spectrometry ("top down" proteomics).

22 Oct 2009

Constant light at night can increase depressive symptoms

Researchers found that mice housed in a lighted room 24 hours a day exhibited more depressive symptoms than did similar mice that had a normal light-dark cycle.

22 Oct 2009

Health reform triggers analysis of the lobbying 'revolving door,' spending reports

A joint ProPublica/CBS News investigation found that at least two dozen current lobbyists used to be federal officials who helped design the last major change to American health care.

22 Oct 2009

RNAO continues to push for a recommendation to amend the Public Hospitals Act

Changes to legislation that govern regulated health professionals in Ontario open the door to improvements in patient care but stop short of the kind of change that would further reduce wait times and improve access for the public, according to the top professional nursing organization.

22 Oct 2009

Pharmaceutical company coupons to help patients buy drugs may raise insurance premiums

Drug companies use coupons to get patients to choose name-brand products -- which are often more expensive -- by subsidizing a patient's high copay. The practice hides a drug's true costs from consumers.

22 Oct 2009

BDI Pharma's expanded portfolio boosts third-quarter revenue

BDI Pharma, Inc. (BDI), the fastest growing national distributor of biotech therapies, announced that revenue for the third quarter of 2009 continued to sustain the momentum experienced during the first two fiscal quarters of this year. A primary driver of third quarter revenue was the exceptional success of the company's expanded portfolio of specialty biotherapeutics.

22 Oct 2009

Media outlets examine how AIDS vaccine trial results will shape future studies

As the AIDS vaccine conference continues in Paris this week, Reuters examines how recent trials are helping researchers better understand ways to develop a vaccine that offers people protection from HIV.

22 Oct 2009

AAAS and partners to launch online social-networking sites for scientists

To help scientists and science trainees who hope to translate laboratory research into clinical medicine and to help minority scientists navigate their career paths, AAAS, Science Careers, and Science are launching a pair of online social-networking sites.

22 Oct 2009

EU policies threaten developing countries drug supplies, report says

A report, released Tuesday, from Oxfam International and Health Action International says the EU is putting big drug companies' interests ahead of "millions of people" in developing countries who do not have access to essential medicines, Agence France-Presse reports (10/20).

22 Oct 2009

NIH awards $3.7 million to Johns Hopkins scientists for research on stem cells developed from ALS patients' skin

Johns Hopkins scientists have been awarded a $3.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to learn more about the nerve and muscle-wasting disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using stem cells developed from ALS patients' skin. The award, given over a two-year span, will be shared with three other laboratories, including one at Harvard University and two at Columbia University.

22 Oct 2009

Study paves way for the creation of a stem cell library

The study, led by the University of Edinburgh's MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, paves the way for the creation of a stem cell library that can be used for in vitro hepatic disease models.

21 Oct 2009

EMEA informs Antigenics on a negative opinion for Oncophage MAA

Antigenics Inc. today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), has verbally informed the Company at an oral meeting to anticipate a negative opinion on the marketing authorization application (MAA) for Oncophage (vitespen) in early-stage, localized renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer).

21 Oct 2009