Allergy News and Research

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The term allergy encompasses a wide range of conditions; it is not a disease in itself. In 1906 Clemens von Pirquet was the first to describe allergies as a changed or altered reaction of the immune system in response to exposure to foreign proteins. These days the term allergy – medically termed hypersensitivity, signifies an exaggerated reaction to foreign substances.

REGN reports net loss of $30.5M for first-quarter 2010

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2010. The Company reported a net loss of $30.5 million, or $0.38 per share (basic and diluted), for the first quarter of 2010 compared with a net loss of $15.4 million, or $0.19 per share (basic and diluted), for the first quarter of 2009.

30 Apr 2010

Mylan first-quarter total revenues increase 7% to $1.29 billion

Mylan Inc. today announced its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

30 Apr 2010

$EnzymeRx reports positive results from first clinical trial of pegsitacase for refractory gout$

EnzymeRx reports positive results from first clinical trial of pegsitacase for refractory gout

EnzymeRx, LLC, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, announced top line results from its first clinical trial of pegsitacase (formerly called Uricase‑PEG 20). Pegsitacase is a pegylated uricase being developed by EnzymeRx for the treatment of refractory gout and for the management of hyperuricemia associated with tumor lysis syndrome.

30 Apr 2010

Genetic test to predict newborns requiring hospital readmission shortly after birth

The results of two separate research studies taking place at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics will help physicians use genetic testing to prevent complications, and ease the worry of new parents by predicting in advance which newborns may require readmission to the hospital shortly after birth. The studies also will help physicians identify which of their young patients are likely to respond well - or not - to steroid therapy for asthma.

29 Apr 2010

Most parents restrict playtime activities for asthmatic children

New data released today find that 82 percent of parents of children ages 4-12 with asthma report having restricted playtime activities to help avoid triggers and prevent asthma attacks in their children, with 47% of them keeping children with asthma inside when allergy season is in full swing. Working parents, who more often report experiencing stress related to raising a child with asthma than non-working parents (44% vs. 38%), take more precautions, such as more often swapping carpeting for wood flooring (30% vs. 17%).

29 Apr 2010

Great American Asthma Challenge movement to change asthma care in the U.S.

Every day 10 people die from asthma. Most healthcare providers agree that these deaths are preventable. Patient education, access to care and a healthy lifestyle are proven methods that lead to less severe asthma symptoms, fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits, fewer missed days of school and work - and fewer deaths.

29 Apr 2010

Medication-free home ventilation system designed to remove allergens

According to a recent report by USA Today, due to 2010's unusually cold winter temperatures, allergy sufferers are now poised to experience the worst pollen season in years, with pollen counts skyrocketing and sufferers hiding indoors to avoid exposure. Yet as allergens creep indoors, sufferers continue to cough, sneeze and seek relief. With the introduction of EZ Breathe, a new innovative home ventilation system designed to remove allergens and reduce indoor concentrations of pollen, allergy sufferers now have a medication-free solution.

27 Apr 2010

Study links progression of lethal type of brain tumor with reduced expression of immune system genes

A new study links progression of a lethal type of brain tumor with reduced expression of more than 600 immune system genes, suggesting how complex the immune response is to the cancer and the resulting difficulty in targeting specific immune system proteins for treatment.

27 Apr 2010

ASPO meeting to focus on children's ear, nose and throat health

The American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology will hold its annual meeting, April 30 - May 2, during the 2010 Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings - a joint meeting of eight otolaryngological societies in Las Vegas, NV.

27 Apr 2010

Nitration and allergy

Food proteins are nitrated through various processes. Just how these processes affect food allergies, however, is only now coming to light. The latest findings of a research project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF are being presented today at an international symposium in Italy. The findings show that in the case of a particular food protein the nitrated form can trigger a stronger allergic reaction than the non-nitrated form. At the same time, however, this nitrated form of the protein is better digested and therefore rendered "harmless".

27 Apr 2010

Nycomed, Merck enter co-promotion agreement for Daxas in Canada and Europe

Nycomed and Merck & Co., Inc. (based in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey and known as MSD outside the USA and Canada) today announced that they have entered into a co-promotion agreement for Canada and certain European countries for the commercialization of Daxas® (roflumilast), an investigational once-daily tablet for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, the two companies have signed an exclusive distribution agreement for the commercialization of Daxas® in the United Kingdom.

26 Apr 2010

News outlets examine H1N1's impact on U.S. vaccine development plans, Mexico's handling of outbreak

"A year after the emergence of swine flu [H1N1], U.S. health authorities and laboratories say the pandemic illustrated the need for new vaccine production techniques that are faster and more reliable," Agence France-Presse writes in an article that examines the challenges associated with current vaccine development practices and plans for future development.

24 Apr 2010

pHase Pharmaceuticals launches new drug development company

pHase Pharmaceuticals, LLC announces the launch of its new drug development company. pHase Pharmaceuticals is led by a cohesive team of drug development experts who have extensive experience bringing new drugs to market and garnering FDA approval.

23 Apr 2010

Amira Pharmaceuticals granted UK patent covering novel small molecule inhibitors of DP2 receptor

Amira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.K. Intellectual Property Office has granted it patent number GB2460597 titled "N,N-Disubstituted aminoalkylBiPhenyl Antagonists OF Prostaglandin d2 RECEPTORS."

23 Apr 2010

Los Angeles slum housing health crisis

Over three hundred community members, stakeholders, and public health workers joined Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas for a People's Hearing on Slum Housing and the unveiling of a position paper documenting the health crisis related to slum housing in Los Angeles.

22 Apr 2010

Swine flu vaccine blues

Exactly a year after the swine flu outbreak vigilance, newer vaccine techniques and other measures are being emphasized by researchers and key decision makers. Dr. Harvey Fineberg, chairman of the World Health Organization's pandemic review committee and President of the U.S. Institute of Medicine says, we need to look at the past to learn from it.

22 Apr 2010

CPAP medical device recommended for severe cases of sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea - While most people with mild sleep apnea are aware that they snore, they may not be aware of the health risks involved. There are plenty of jokes about the risk to marriage of snoring but the health risks to a person with chronic snoring vastly outweigh the relationship stress.

21 Apr 2010

Johnson & Johnson' first-quarter 2010 sales increase 4.0% to $15.6 billion

Johnson & Johnson today announced sales of $15.6 billion for the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 4.0% as compared to the first quarter of 2009. Operational results declined 0.1% and the positive impact of currency was 4.1%.

21 Apr 2010

Prevalence of scalp fungus infection among children living in metropolitan areas

Approximately 7 percent of elementary school children across the bi-state, Kansas City metropolitan area are infected with the fungus Trichophyton tonsurans (T. tonsurans), the leading cause of ringworm in the U.S., according to a new study published today in Pediatrics. This is the largest study to date aimed at defining infection prevalence of the scalp fungus in children living in a metropolitan area and has implications for children nationwide.

20 Apr 2010

PRA International expands clinical research operations to New Zealand

PRA International, a leading Clinical Research Organization, announces it has established a legal entity and hired staff in New Zealand, which will complement the firm's extensive network of Asia-Pacific operations and partnerships.

19 Apr 2010