Biologics Drug / Agent News and Research

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Schering-Plough's investigational oral thrombin receptor antagonist meets primary endpoint in a newly published study

Results of a Schering-Plough Corporation Phase II trial of SCH 530348, a novel oral thrombin receptor antagonist (TRA), were published today in The Lancet and demonstrated that the investigational antiplatelet compound met its primary endpoints of safety and tolerability.

12 Mar 2009

DSM obtains exclusive world-wide license for innovative drug delivery technology

Royal DSM N.V. has announced that DSM Biomedical obtained an exclusive world-wide license for a unique drug & biologic delivery system developed by MediVas LLC, a San Diego based biomedical company.

12 Mar 2009

Smokers' chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk is genetic

It's well known that puffing on cigarettes can eventually leave you out of puff.

11 Mar 2009

Emerging therapies could ease symptoms of Atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis, the common, chronic, inflammatory skin disease marked by red, itchy rashes, has been increasing in prevalence over the past two decades and affects a disproportionate number of children.

5 Mar 2009

Combination of genes and prenatal exposure to smoking increases teens' risk of disruptive behavior

A study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a component of the National Institutes of Health, shows that prenatal exposure to smoking combined with a specific genetic variant places children at greatest risk for behavioral problems.

5 Mar 2009

Generic biologics face 'tough, long road to realization'

The development of new generic versions of expensive biologic drugs "faces a long, tough road to realization" because the complex generics "will likely face tough regulatory scrutiny, as well as high development and marketing costs," the Wall Street Journal reports.

4 Mar 2009

Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables may protect against asthma, allergic rhinitis and COPD

Here's another reason to eat your broccoli: UCLA researchers report that a naturally occurring compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables may help protect against respiratory inflammation that causes conditions like asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

2 Mar 2009

Discovery of gene involved in pancreatic cancer

Researchers from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified a gene that is overexpressed in 90 percent of pancreatic cancers, the most deadly type of cancer.

2 Mar 2009

Bone Biologics issued U.S. patent for recombinant protein process

Bone Biologics Inc. has announced that it has received a US Patent Office Notice of Allowance of patent claims which protect a method of production for the UCB-1 (NELL-1) recombinant protein that Bone Biologics uses in the bone repair/regeneration technology in its lead product.

24 Feb 2009

FDA issues warning on psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a public health advisory concerning three confirmed, and one possible report of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare brain infection, in patients using the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab).

20 Feb 2009

Cancer death rates fall among African Americans - survival rates still low

While death rates from cancer continue to drop among African Americans, the group continues to be diagnosed at more advanced stages and have lower survival rates at each stage of diagnosis compared to whites for most cancer sites.

20 Feb 2009

FDA approves orphan drug ATryn anticoagulant

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued its first approval for a biological product produced by genetically engineered (GE) animals.

8 Feb 2009

FDA grants priority review of Cinryze C1 inhibitor as treatment for acute attacks of hereditary angioedema

ViroPharma Incorporated has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted priority review for Cinryze C1 Inhibitor (human) as a treatment for acute attacks of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE).

5 Feb 2009

Rare skin tumor responds better to treatment thanmelanoma

University of Michigan Health System researchers have published new data to help answer two dreaded questions: "Is it cancer?" and "What type of treatment should I have?"

2 Feb 2009

Infliximab after intestinal resective surgery may help prevent post-op Crohn's disease recurrence

The administration of infliximab after intestinal resective surgery was found to be effective at preventing endoscopic and histological recurrence of Crohn's disease, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.

2 Feb 2009

SAFC Pharma augments assay development capabilities

SAFC Pharma, a business segment of SAFC, a member of the Sigma-Aldrich group, today announced that it has commenced operations at its 7,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art laboratory complex in Carlsbad, CA.

29 Jan 2009

Gene therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: promising results

Researchers have reported the first clinical evidence that gene therapy reduces symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an important milestone for this promising treatment which has endured a sometimes turbulent past.

27 Jan 2009

Virotherapy treatment kills prostate cancer cells

A new study appearing in The Prostate has found that certain measles virus vaccine strain derivatives, including a strain known as MV-CEA, may prove to be an effective treatment for patients with advanced prostate cancer.

21 Jan 2009

Biotech venture seeks West Nile virus treatment from antibodies in geese

Rich Glynn, a straight-talking entrepreneur from South Dakota, doesn't mince words when explaining why a partnership between his fledgling goose operation and the University of North Dakota is a match made in heaven.

21 Jan 2009

CSL Behring receives FDA approval of RiaSTAP

CSL Behring announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted marketing approval for RiaSTAP(TM), the first and only treatment of acute bleeding episodes in patients with congenital fibrinogen deficiency, including afibrinogenemia and hypofibrinogenemia.

19 Jan 2009