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Study finds selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors not beneficial for autistic children

Antidepressants commonly prescribed to people with autistic spectrum disorders cannot be recommended based on current evidence, a new study by Cochrane Researchers concludes. Despite some evidence of benefits in adults diagnosed with autism, they say there is no evidence for any benefits associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in children, who may suffer serious adverse effects as a result of taking the drugs.

9 Aug 2010

Antidepressants cannot be recommended in children with autism: Study

According to a thorough review published by Cochrane Researchers, commonly prescribed antidepressant drugs cannot be recommended for those suffering from autistic spectrum disorders based on current evidence. They say that there may be benefits of antidepressants in adults diagnosed with autism but similar benefits are not seen in children. These children may suffer extremely adverse effects if they consume selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

8 Aug 2010

ASEBIO to host Biospain 2010

The Spanish Bioindustry Association (ASEBIO), in collaboration with the Navarre Society of Development (SODENA), and the government of Navarre, will host BioSpain 2010 the biennial international gathering of experts in the biotechnology sector, in Pamplona from September 29th to October 1st. BioSpain 2010 is honoured to welcome three lecturers of international prestige: Mr. Carlos Cordon-Cardo, Vice-Chair of Pathology & Professor, Columbia University; Mr. Larry Fritz, President & CEO, Covella Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Life Science Venture Partner, Westfield Capital Management Company LP; and Mr. Conny Bogentoft, CEO Karolinska Development AB.

8 Aug 2010

Omnicare second-quarter earnings per diluted share decrease to 18 cents

Omnicare, Inc., one of the nation's leading providers of pharmaceutical care for the elderly, reported today financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

7 Aug 2010

BMS to join ranks of AIDS drug companies to offer price concessions

Bristol-Myers Squibb will soon announce an agreement that will provide additional cost savings to cash-strapped ADAPs nationwide. The agreement, with the ADAP Crisis Task Force (ACTF) of the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors, is expected to be announced any day. BMS has been the target of a sustained advocacy campaign led by AHF over its pricing of its key AIDS drug Reyataz.

7 Aug 2010

U.S. Senate passes I-ACT to enable patients with rare disease to participate in clinical trials

The U.S. Senate last night passed the "Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act" (I-ACT), a bipartisan piece of legislation championed by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, its advocates and 120 other health advocacy organizations.The legislation enables patients with rare diseases to participate in clinical trials without losing eligibility for public healthcare benefits.

7 Aug 2010

Osiris Therapeutics reports second-quarter net income of $1.7M against loss last year

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., the leading stem cell company focused on developing and marketing products to treat medical conditions in the inflammatory, autoimmune, cardiovascular and orthopedic areas, announced today its results for the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

7 Aug 2010

Bloomberg Businessweek explores growing trend in pharma to license, donate HIV drugs

"Pharmaceutical companies, once blasted as uncaring or downright greedy for charging thousands of dollars for a year's worth of AIDS medicines … in poor countries, lately have been slashing prices and licensing their drugs for free or nominal cost to nonprofits or local manufacturers in the developing world," Bloomberg BusinessWeek writes in an analysis piece that examines how this trend, combined with a growing capability among aid agencies to distribute drugs, has the potential to increase access to HIV/AIDS drugs worldwide.

7 Aug 2010

Hemispherx Biopharma second-quarter net loss decreases to $3.67 million

Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. announced its financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2010. The net loss (including non-cash expenses) for the 2nd fiscal quarter was approximately $3,676,000 or $0.03 per share compared to a loss of approximately $3,870,000 or $0.04 per share for the same period in 2009.

7 Aug 2010

FDA confirms Advisory Committee meeting date for lorcaserin NDA review

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eisai Inc. announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified the company of the confirmed scheduling of an Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting on September 16, 2010, for the review of the lorcaserin New Drug Application (NDA). Lorcaserin, which Arena discovered and has developed for weight management, is intended for obese patients as well as overweight patients who have at least one weight-related co-morbid condition.

7 Aug 2010

Tufts University faculty debunks common dental myths

Brushing, flossing, and twice-yearly dental check-ups are standard for oral health care, but there are more health benefits to taking care of your pearly whites than most of us know. In a review article, a faculty member at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) debunks common dental myths and outlines how diet and nutrition affects oral health in children, teenagers, expectant mothers, adults and elders.

7 Aug 2010

Alkermes reports $42.3 million revenue for first-quarter fiscal 2011

Alkermes, Inc. today reported financial results for its first quarter of fiscal 2011, which ended on June 30, 2010.

7 Aug 2010

Cornerstone announces ANDA filing for generic Tussionex

Cornerstone Therapeutics Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing significant products primarily for the respiratory and related markets, today announced that its product candidate CRTX-067 is an ANDA filing for a generic 10 mg chlorpheniramine polistirex/8 mg hydrocodone polistirex suspension product that will be a generic substitute for the product currently sold under the Tussionex brand name by UCB, Inc.

7 Aug 2010

Upbeat Medicare solvency report quickly finds doubters

The new health law will buttress Medicare for a dozen more years than previously expected, according a report issued Thursday by the program's trustees, The Washington Post reports. But, "[t]he relatively bright picture of Medicare's future triggered immediate debate over whether the forecast by the trustees, all members of President Obama's Cabinet, is realistic.

7 Aug 2010

Kids v Cancer applauds Senators for Creating Hope Act of 2010

Kids v Cancer applauds Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Al Franken (D-MN) for their dedication to curing childhood diseases and supporting the bipartisan "Creating Hope Act of 2010."

7 Aug 2010

Drugs that reduce activity of ABDH6 enzyme can prevent brain damage: Study

A newly discovered molecular mechanism helps control the amount and effectiveness of a substance that mimics an active ingredient in marijuana, but that is produced by the body's own nerve cells.

7 Aug 2010

State news: Kansas facing Medicaid shortfall; Indiana to expand coverage for low-income adults; Maryland's medical home experiment

Sen. Sam Brownback, the Kansas Republican who is running for governor, "faced new questions Thursday about joining fellow congressional Republicans in opposing legislation that would prop up state budgets as his Democratic opponent in the race for governor criticized him. Brownback said he is against a plan that includes extra Medicaid dollars for states because it wasn't drafted in a fiscally responsible way. Kansas' share is $131 million, and its current $13.7 billion budget won't balance without the money, which covers health care for the poor and disabled" (Hanna, 8/5).

7 Aug 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

According to a Lancet Comment, "alcohol remains conspicuously absent from the larger field of research and programming in HIV and substance use. ... Patterns of hazardous alcohol consumption prevail in countries with the most severe HIV epidemics, notably eastern and southern Africa." In addition, "hazardous drinking patterns also dominate in the concentrated epidemics of eastern Europe and Asia, where alcohol use by injecting drug users and other marginalised groups might be an additional barrier to effective efforts to prevent HIV infection."

7 Aug 2010

JumpStart Ventures announces investment commitment of $250,000 in ChanRx

JumpStart Ventures, which invests in and partners with innovative, early-stage companies in Northeast Ohio, announced an investment commitment of $250,000 in drug development company ChanRx. The two-year-old company is developing a pharmaceutical compound to treat atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that affects two million Americans, with 200,000 new cases being diagnosed each year.

6 Aug 2010

Kaiser Family Foundation/CSIS forum reviews AIDS 2010, looks ahead to AIDS 2012

Last month's 18th International AIDS Conference-AIDS 2010 in Vienna, Austria, will be remembered as the first since the global economic downturn, the growing recognition of treatment as part of prevention and a focus on the importance of human rights, HIV/AIDS experts said Thursday during a panel discussion in Washington, D.C. A webcast of the event is available online.

6 Aug 2010