Pharmaceuticals News and Research

RSS

African health care systems: what went wrong?

The last century witnessed unparalleled improvements in the health indicators of many countries in the African Region, particularly reductions in child mortality.

8 Dec 2004

New malaria enzyme laid bare with help of computer calculations

Using only computers, a research team at Uppsala University in Sweden has managed to reveal both the structure and the function of a newly discovered enzyme from the most dangerous malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.

8 Dec 2004

New insight into anticoagulation therapies

Anticoagulation therapies, or treatments that reduce the amount of clotting factors in the blood, are quite common and used for a variety of reasons.

6 Dec 2004

Electrochemical DNA chip that is able to detect DNA at very low concentrations

Toshiba Corporation has announced the development of a highly sensitive electrochemical DNA chip that is able to detect DNA at very low concentrations, a capability that will support advances in gene detection and analysis for individual treatment regimes, and the monitoring of healthy individuals for any predisposition to certain diseases.

6 Dec 2004

Genetic target found for pediatric leukemia

A molecular target newly discovered by scientists at two prestigious research institutes may pave the way for new treatments that could combat an aggressive form of leukemia, according to a study to be presented today during the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

5 Dec 2004

Genasense shown to enhance the anti-lymphoma activity of Velcade and Rituxan

Genta Incorporated announced that two new studies have shown that Genasense (oblimersen sodium) Injection, the Company's lead anticancer drug, showed synergistic activity with both bortezomib (Velcade; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) and rituximab (Rituxan; Genentech, Idec) in experimental models of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

5 Dec 2004

A vitamin B pill that drastically lowers blood levels of homocysteine could one day be used to prevent dementia

High blood levels of homocysteine are a risk factor for stroke and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Raised levels damage nerves and blood vessels, and lead to a loss of brain tissue in patients.

4 Dec 2004

Two out of every three Americans know someone stricken by lung cancer

Two out of every three Americans know someone stricken by lung cancer, yet more than half of Americans don't realize that lung cancer is among the most lethal of cancers, according to a nationwide survey conducted on behalf of The Lung Cancer Online Foundation.

3 Dec 2004

FDA approval of cream to treat bacterial vaginosis

KV Pharmaceutical Company has announced that it has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) Vaginal Cream, 2%, a single-dose prescription cream therapy indicated to treat bacterial vaginosis ("BV").

3 Dec 2004

Toxic proteins explain memory loss in Alzheimer's patients

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a molecular mechanism -- a tiny protein attacking nerve cells -- that could explain why the brain damage in early Alzheimer's disease results in memory loss and not other symptoms such as loss of balance or tremors.

1 Dec 2004

World Health Organization is reinstating two antiretrovirals manufactured by Cipla Ltd

The two medicines (which are used in the treatment of AIDS) had been delisted by WHO in May this year due to non-compliance with international standards at the contract research organizations (CROs) hired by Cipla to conduct bioequivalence tests on the products.

30 Nov 2004

Novel anti-obesity compound shows promise for treatment of obesity

Arena Pharmaceuticals announced today results from the dosing phase of its Phase 1b clinical trial of APD356, an orally administered small molecule designed to regulate satiety (and perhaps metabolism) for the treatment of obesity.

30 Nov 2004

Rimonabant could be safer for treating obesity than previous weight-loss drugs

ECRI, a nonprofit health services research agency, recently published a Health Technology Forecast profile on a novel pharmaceutical agent that is in development for the treatment of obesity.

30 Nov 2004

Biopharmaceuticals industry, a rapidly growing sector within the pharmaceuticals industry

Global manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals has increased significantly over the last decade due to a number of reasons. Biopharmaceuticals offer several advantages such as highly effective and potent action, fewer side effects and the potential to actually cure diseases rather than merely treat the symptoms.

30 Nov 2004

Manufacturers in the European active pharmaceutical ingredients market are struggling to overcome a variety of challenges

Manufacturers in the crowded and highly fragmented European active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) market are struggling to overcome a variety of challenges. One of the most pressing of these is the problem of overcapacity.

29 Nov 2004

Crystals may help to revolutionise drug discovery

A groundbreaking technique developed at The University of Manchester, which uses crystals to map ‘invisible’ parts of molecules, is set to revolutionise drug discovery.

From The University of Manchester 24 Nov 2004

CDC admits obesity stats flawed - pharmaceutical and weight loss industry at fault

A Wall Street Journal bombshell report that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has admitted to serious statistical errors in calculating that obesity kills 400,000 Americans each year is only the tip of the iceberg of gross exaggerations and miscalculations, according to The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF).

24 Nov 2004

Positive results of study with human lactoferrin

Pharming Group N.V. announced today the positive results from a key study with recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF). The Company will use these results for Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) registration of rhLF for nutritional applications.

24 Nov 2004

Experimental compound prevents cholesterol gallstone disease

A promising experimental compound prevents cholesterol gallstone disease in mice by stimulating the biochemical pathway that controls bile acid secretion by the liver, according to new studies by Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers.

23 Nov 2004

Information about serious adverse effects of cerivastatin were known within months after drug launched

A review of the published literature and of internal company documents from the manufacturer of cerivastatin, a cholesterol lowering drug removed from the market in 2001, suggests that information about serious adverse effects of this medication was known to the company within months after this drug was launched

23 Nov 2004