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Merck announces success of pill against ragweed allergy

Merck & Co. announced Monday that their experimental allergy tablet reduced allergic reactions to ragweed and helped patients use less medication to treat their symptoms.

5 Mar 2012

Anthera continues Phase 2b PEARL-SC clinical study in SLE patients

Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs to treat serious diseases including cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders, today announced the continuation of the Phase 2b PEARL-SC clinical study following an interim analysis of all safety and efficacy data.

5 Mar 2012

Concert commences dosing in CTP-499 Phase 2 clinical trial for diabetic nephropathy

Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the initiation of dosing in a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating CTP-499, an investigational drug for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the US.

5 Mar 2012

KYTHERA commences two ATX-101 Phase III trials for reduction of submental fat

KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of prescription products in aesthetic medicine, today announced the initiation of two pivotal U.S. Phase III trials of ATX-101, a first-in-class injectable drug under clinical investigation for the reduction of submental (under the chin) fat.

5 Mar 2012

Meda announces positive results from three MP29-02 studies on allergic rhinitis

Meda announced today positive results of three studies of MP29-02 (tentatively called Dymista), a novel intranasal formulation of azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate.

5 Mar 2012

Epicatechin-enriched cocoa shows promise against heart failure, Type 2 diabetes

A small clinical trial led by researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine and VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) found that patients with advanced heart failure and type 2 diabetes showed improved mitochondrial structure after three months of treatment with epicatechin-enriched cocoa. Epicatechin is a flavonoid found in dark chocolate.

3 Mar 2012

Preliminary results from Genentech's ACTEMRA monotherapy study on RA

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, today announced that preliminary results from the ADACTA (ADalimumab ACTemrA) study showed that patients who received ACTEMRA (tocilizumab) as monotherapy achieved a significantly greater reduction in disease activity after 24 weeks than those given adalimumab monotherapy.

2 Mar 2012

BioInvent completes enrollment in BI-204 phase IIa study for atherosclerosis

BioInvent International AB and its collaborator Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced today that all patients have completed enrollment in the GLACIER study, a phase IIa study with BI-204 in patients with stable atherosclerotic vascular disease.

2 Mar 2012

Positive results from AltheRx Solabegron Phase II study on overactive bladder

AltheRx Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held clinical development company, presented positive results from its Phase II study of Solabegron in overactive bladder (OAB) at the European Association of Urology Congress in Paris.

1 Mar 2012

Parkinson's drug Amantadine may help brain injury victims: Study

The study shows that Amantadine helps boost brain levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to arousal. And for patients who are in a vegetative state following a brain injury, the drug can help -- possibly by improving responsiveness during rehabilitation.

1 Mar 2012

Parasitic worms could offer new treatment hope for MS patients

Parasitic worms could offer a new treatment hope for patients suffering from the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis, scientists believe.

1 Mar 2012

Ruxolitinib boosts QOL and survival for patients with myelofibrosis

A drug that relieves the severe symptoms of a life-threatening bone marrow cancer called myelofibrosis also improves the survival of patients with the disease, according to a phase III clinical trial published in the March 1 edition of New England Journal of Medicine.

1 Mar 2012

NEJM publishes results from two Jakafi Phase III studies on MF

The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) today published results from two Phase III studies (COMFORT-I and COMFORT-II) of Jakafi (ruxolitinib), a JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis.

1 Mar 2012

Bayer receives FDA approval for lower dose formulation of ANGELIQ

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a lower dose formulation of ANGELIQ (drospirenone and estradiol) tablets to treat moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause in women who have a uterus.

29 Feb 2012

Biogen Idec announces new easier to use injection for multiple sclerosis

The Food and Drug Administration approved the company's Avonex pen, an injection designed to reduce pain and anxiety when patients self-administer the drug. The FDA also approved a new dosing schedule for the drug intended to reduce flu-like symptoms often associated with the drug.

29 Feb 2012

Creabilis initiates CT327 Phase IIb trial in psoriasis vulgaris

Creabilis SA, a European biotechnology company specialising in the development of treatments for dermatology, inflammation and pain, today announced the start of the Phase IIb global clinical trial of its lead product CT327 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Recruitment is progressing well.

29 Feb 2012

EpiCept fourth quarter revenue decreases to $0.2 million

EpiCept Corporation today announced operating and financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011, and provided an update on the Company's key business initiatives.

29 Feb 2012

Quitting hormone therapy can lead to breast tumor regression

As soon as women quit hormone therapy, their rates of new breast cancer decline, supporting the hypothesis that stopping hormones can lead to tumor regression, according to a report e-published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention.

29 Feb 2012

Baxter commences CD34+ stem cell phase III trial in CMI

Baxter International Inc. announced today that it has initiated a phase III pivotal clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adult autologous (an individual's own) CD34+ stem cells to increase exercise capacity in patients with chronic myocardial ischemia (CMI).

From Baxter International Inc. 28 Feb 2012

Single dose of Ritalin may raise awareness of mistakes: Study

The study, by Dr Rob Hester from the Department of Psychological Sciences and colleagues at the Queensland Brain Institute, investigated how the brain monitors ongoing behavior for performance errors – specifically failures of impulse control. This study found that a single dose of methylphenidate (Ritalin) results in significantly greater activity in the brain’s error monitoring network and improved volunteers’ awareness of their mistakes.

28 Feb 2012