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Disappointing result for acadesine

The adenosine-regulating agent acadesine does not reduce the occurrence of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery, researchers say.

12 Jul 2012

Arena files lorcaserin hydrochloride MAA with Swissmedic

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the filing with the Swiss health authority, Swissmedic, of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for lorcaserin hydrochloride, an investigational drug candidate in Switzerland.

12 Jul 2012

Merck announces update on odanacatib Phase III trial for osteoporosis

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today an update on the Phase III trial assessing fracture risk reduction with odanacatib, Merck's investigational cathepsin K (cat-K) inhibitor.

12 Jul 2012

Enrollment complete in Phase III IND study of Spinal Restoration's Biostat System

Spinal Restoration, Inc. announced today the completion of enrollment in the Phase III Investigational New Drug (IND) study of the Biostat System. The Phase III clinical trial is a 260-subject, randomized, blinded, placebo controlled study designed to assess the ability of the Biostat System to reduce pain and improve function in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain.

12 Jul 2012

Effective therapies to reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality remain elusive

Among intermediate- to high-risk patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, administration of the agent acadesine to regulate adenosine (a naturally occurring chemical that dilates blood flow and can improve coronary blood flow and perfusion) did not reduce all-cause death, nonfatal stroke, or need for mechanical support for ventricular dysfunction, for approximately a month after surgery, according to a study in the July 11 issue of JAMA.

12 Jul 2012

BioInvent announces data from BI-204 phase IIa study on stable atherosclerotic vascular disease

BioInvent International AB today announced data from the GLACIER phase IIa study evaluating BI-204 in patients with stable atherosclerotic vascular disease. BioInvent is developing BI-204 in collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

11 Jul 2012

HIV infection risk reduced by same drugs that treat HIV

People at high risk of HIV infection can reduce their risk of acquiring the disease by taking antiretroviral drugs, according to Cochrane researchers. In an update of a systematic review first published in 2009, the researchers found that uninfected people in relationships with HIV-infected partners, men who have sex with men and those in other high risk groups are at a lower risk of becoming infected with the virus if they regularly take drugs that are normally prescribed to treat people with HIV.

11 Jul 2012

Nutrient cocktail can boost memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment

A clinical trial of an Alzheimer's disease treatment developed at MIT has found that the nutrient cocktail can improve memory in patients with early Alzheimer's. The results confirm and expand the findings of an earlier trial of the nutritional supplement, which is designed to promote new connections between brain cells.

11 Jul 2012

Biomarkers predict benefit of targeted therapy in metastatic renal-cell cancer

In metastatic renal-cell cancer, the level of cytokines and angiogenic factors identify those patients with an aggressive disease course who derive the greatest benefit from treatment with the molecular-targeted therapy pazopanib, a retrospective analysis of clinical trials shows.

10 Jul 2012

Efficacy of steroids for heel pain confirmed

The efficacy of a single steroid injection for plantar fasciitis has been proven over placebo in one of the few controlled trials of the treatment.

10 Jul 2012

Two-drug combo increases diabetes patients’ goal achievement

Post-hoc analysis of randomized trial results shows that treating individuals with Type 2 diabetes with a combination of phentermine and topiramate increases their achievement of goals recommended for the management of their condition.

10 Jul 2012

High-dose vitamin D recommended for over 65s

Meta-analysis findings support recommendations from the Institute of Medicine that people aged 65 years and older should routinely receive 800 IU of vitamin D per day.

10 Jul 2012

Lesogaberan development halts following disappointing results

Lesogaberan is only marginally superior to placebo in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients who are partially responsive to proton pump inhibitor therapy, results show.

10 Jul 2012

Neuroprotective effects underpin fingolimod benefits in MS

Fingolimod therapy reduces inflammatory activity and tissue loss in the brains of patients with multiple sclerosis, shows further analysis of the FREEDOMS trial.

10 Jul 2012

FDA acknowledges receipt of resubmission of Human Genome Sciences’ raxibacumab BLA

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has acknowledged receipt of the resubmission of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for raxibacumab, a treatment for inhalational anthrax, and has established December 15, 2012 as the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date.

10 Jul 2012

MiR-33 plays a key role in regulating bile metabolism

In research funded by the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association and published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, Saint Louis University investigator -ngel Bald-n, Ph.D., found that the microRNA miR-33 plays a key role in regulating bile metabolism. Further, the research suggests that, in an animal model, the manipulation of this microRNA can improve the liver toxicity that can be caused by statins.

10 Jul 2012

Inovio commences SynCon vaccine phase I study in H1N1 influenza

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the first patients have been treated in a clinical trial evaluating immune responses in elderly adults immunized with Inovio's H1N1 SynCon universal influenza vaccine.

10 Jul 2012

Iron supplementation decreases fatigue by almost 50% in nonanemic women

Iron supplementation reduced fatigue by almost 50% in women who are low in iron but not anemic, according to the results of a clinical trial published July 9 in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

10 Jul 2012

Ampio announces results from Optina trial on DME

Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative proprietary drugs for inflammation, eye disease, kidney disease, CNS disease, metabolic disease and male sexual dysfunction and conducting clinical trials on its three lead drugs (Ampion, Optina & Zertane), announced the significant results from their further analysis of its Optina trial on DME.

9 Jul 2012

Treating Sickle Cell Disease with L-Glutamine

By focusing on how best to help patients, researchers can sometimes find solutions that are much simpler than anticipated. That has been the guiding approach to our efforts to develop a treatment for sickle cell disease.

3 Jul 2012