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Findings provide new insight into factors causing neurodegenerative diseases

Scientists at the Babraham Institute have discovered a novel survival factor whose rapid transport along nerve cells is crucial for keeping them alive. The same factor seems likely to be needed to keep our nerves healthy as we age.

27 Jan 2010

Study sheds light on cellular communication systems involved in neurodegenerative, cancer and cardiovascular diseases

Cells rely on a range of signaling systems to communicate with each other and to control their own internal workings. Scientists from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Hamburg, Germany, have now found a way to hack into a vital communications system, raising the possibility of developing new drugs to tackle disorders like neurodegeneration, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

27 Jan 2010

MBL generates human monoclonal antibodies against pandemic A type influenza virus

Medical & Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd. (MBL), with the collaboration of Osaka University, has successfully generated several fully human monoclonal antibodies against pandemic A (H1N1 and H3N2) type influenza virus by utilizing blood samples from volunteers who were inoculated with influenza vaccine.

27 Jan 2010

Genome study could help prevent devastating epidemics in the future

A team of collaborating scientists at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute in Houston, the Broad Institute in Boston, Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, and the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP) have sequenced almost 100 full genomes from three successive epidemics of flesh-eating bacteria.

27 Jan 2010

Fibromyalgia drug to earn 38% patient share in the U.S. and 30% patient share in Europe

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that a fibromyalgia drug that improves sleep quality more than Pfizer's Lyrica would earn a 38 percent patient share in the U.S. and a 30 percent patient share in Europe due to its efficacy, safety and tolerability, and delivery.

27 Jan 2010

Gates annual letter addresses importance of innovation for global health, agriculture

In his second annual letter, Bill Gates reflects on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's work and the importance innovation will play in overcoming some of the world's greatest challenges, including in global health and agriculture, the Associated Press reports. "Gates says the foundation currently is backing 30 areas of innovation including online learning, teacher improvement, malaria vaccine development, HIV prevention, and genetically modified seeds," according to the news service (Gordon Blankinship, 1/25).

27 Jan 2010

Ablation therapy better than drug therapy for heart rhythm disorder

Treating a common heart rhythm disorder by burning heart tissue with a catheter works dramatically better than drug treatments, according to a landmark study published in the Jan. 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

27 Jan 2010

Women on antidepressant drugs may experience lactation difficulties

According to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), women taking commonly used forms of antidepressant drugs may experience delayed lactation after giving birth and may need additional support to achieve their breastfeeding goals.

27 Jan 2010

State news: New York Governor wants regulation on Rx gifts to doctors and other state news

The Associated Press/CNBC reports that New York Gov. David Paterson is "proposing new, tougher prohibitions on pharmaceutical companies, restricting them from dispensing gifts and misleading production information to doctors while promoting the use of specific drugs."

27 Jan 2010

WHO Director-General highlights global health gains, challenges at executive board meeting

During the WHO's recent executive board meeting, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan reflected on public health gains over the past decade and the challenges that lie ahead, Nigeria's Guardian reports. Chan commended the international community's response to H1N1 and global efforts to reduce child mortality, fight malaria and tuberculosis.

27 Jan 2010

UCSB research: Rapamycin drug, a potential treatment for ADPKD

Research performed at UC Santa Barbara points to the drug rapamycin as a potential treatment for kidney disease. The study builds on past research and shows that studies performed on mice are more likely to translate to humans than previously thought.

27 Jan 2010

Massachusetts Department of Public Health grants WDL to Pharmarama

Pharmarama, a leader in the strategic sourcing of comparator drugs for global clinical trials, today announced that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has granted the company a Wholesale Distributor’s License (WDL). The license enables Pharmarama to operate its pharmaceutical cold-chain and ambient storage and distribution facility in suburban Boston to provide extensive sourcing and comparator product storage services for its clients.

27 Jan 2010

EpiCept's NP-1 for treatment of PHN receives FDA orphan drug designation

EpiCept Corporation announced today that EpiCeptTM NP-1 has been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). NP-1 is a prescription topical analgesic cream designed to provide long-term relief from the pain of peripheral neuropathies.

27 Jan 2010

Report highlights challenges facing Obama in Africa

A new report highlights challenges facing the Obama administration in Africa, including HIV/AIDS, poverty and climate change, VOA News reports.

27 Jan 2010

FDA approves oral pain relief solution for opioid-tolerant patients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Morphine Sulfate Oral Solution for the relief of moderate to severe, acute and chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients. This medicine will be available in 100 milligrams per 5 mL or 20 milligrams per 1 mL.

27 Jan 2010

Patients with COPD could benefit from treatment with drugs that block sestrin function

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined by emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis. It destroys the normal architecture of the lung and inhibits the mechanical aspects of breathing, which prevents necessary gas exchange. Patients suffer from coughing fits, wheezing, and increased incidence of lung infections.

27 Jan 2010

AIDS Healthcare Foundation bans Merck's sales representatives for unwarranted pricing of Isentress

AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the largest global AIDS organization which operates free AIDS treatment clinics in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe, including 18 healthcare centers in California, Florida, and Washington, DC, has banned pharmaceutical sales representatives from Merck and Co. Pharmaceuticals, from calling on AHF’s medical providers and staff in its US healthcare centers.

27 Jan 2010

Antibiotics may be effective in fighting MRSA infections

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Israel's Weizman Institute of Science have found that two antibiotics working together might be more effective in fighting pathogenic bacteria than either drug on its own.

27 Jan 2010

FDA approves Novo Nordisk's Victoza for type 2 diabetes

Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company, announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the new drug application for Victoza® (liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection), the first once-daily human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Victoza is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

27 Jan 2010

Texas to invest $4.5 mn in cancer research at UT Health Science Center

Texas plans to invest $3 billion in cancer research over the next 10 years and six scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston are among the first to receive grants.The researchers, whose grants total $4.5 million, are working to protect girls from cervical cancer, to interrupt tumor growth at the molecular level and to develop a new approach for the treatment of colon cancer, among other cutting-edge projects.

27 Jan 2010

Drugs News and Research

Findings provide new insight into factors causing neurodegenerative diseases

Study sheds light on cellular communication systems involved in neurodegenerative, cancer and cardiovascular diseases

MBL generates human monoclonal antibodies against pandemic A type influenza virus

Genome study could help prevent devastating epidemics in the future

Fibromyalgia drug to earn 38% patient share in the U.S. and 30% patient share in Europe

Gates annual letter addresses importance of innovation for global health, agriculture

Ablation therapy better than drug therapy for heart rhythm disorder

Women on antidepressant drugs may experience lactation difficulties

State news: New York Governor wants regulation on Rx gifts to doctors and other state news

WHO Director-General highlights global health gains, challenges at executive board meeting

UCSB research: Rapamycin drug, a potential treatment for ADPKD

Massachusetts Department of Public Health grants WDL to Pharmarama

EpiCept's NP-1 for treatment of PHN receives FDA orphan drug designation

Report highlights challenges facing Obama in Africa

FDA approves oral pain relief solution for opioid-tolerant patients

Patients with COPD could benefit from treatment with drugs that block sestrin function

AIDS Healthcare Foundation bans Merck's sales representatives for unwarranted pricing of Isentress

Antibiotics may be effective in fighting MRSA infections

FDA approves Novo Nordisk's Victoza for type 2 diabetes

Texas to invest $4.5 mn in cancer research at UT Health Science Center

Drug Discovery - Second Edition eBook

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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