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Novel therapeutic approaches for various forms of thrombocytopenia

Four studies that highlight significant advances in treatment and survival outcomes for patients with various forms of thrombocytopenia, a group of bleeding disorders characterized by a low number of platelets in the blood, were presented December 6 during the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology in San Francisco, CA.

8 Dec 2008

MedImmune starts phase 2 trial of antibody targeting IL-5 receptor

MedImmune has announced that it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with chronic asthma to determine the safety of subcutaneous dosing of a humanized monoclonal antibody (MAb) that targets the interleukin-5 receptor (IL-5R).

8 Dec 2008

ISTA Pharmaceuticals announces trial results for topical Xibrom 0.09%

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced results from the Company's recently completed Phase III clinical program of Xibrom (0.09% bromfenac sodium ophthalmic solution) QD (once-daily).

8 Dec 2008

FDA advisory committee to dscuss PMA for Genzyme's Synvisc-One

Genzyme Corporation has announced that its Premarket Approval (PMA) application supplement for Synvisc-One (hylan G-F 20) will be discussed this Tuesday, December 9th, at a public meeting of the FDA's Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Advisory Committee in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

8 Dec 2008

Hormone Oxytocin calms arguing couples

A dose of the hormone Oxytocin reduces the stress hormone Cortisol in arguing couples. In addition, Oxytocin strengthens positive behaviour, as researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered. The study by the psychologist Beate Ditzen has appeared in the specialist magazine "Biological Psychiatry".

8 Dec 2008

Promacta (eltrombopag) shown to increase platelet counts and reduce bleeding in chronic immune thrombocytopenic

GlaxoSmithKline has announced positive safety and efficacy results from RAISE (RAndomized placebo- controlled ITP Study with Eltrombopag), a Phase III study of Promacta (eltrombopag) in adults with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who had received one or more prior ITP therapies.

7 Dec 2008

New data demonstrates efficacy and tolerability of Carisbamate as an adjunctive therapy for partial onset seizures

Phase III data on carisbamate, an investigational compound recently filed with the FDA for the adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures (POS) in patients 16 years of age and older, was presented during the poster sessions of the 32nd Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society.

7 Dec 2008

Vitamin E supplementation may reduce inflammation in the brain

With up to half of a person's body mass consisting of skeletal muscle, chronic inflammation of those muscles - which include those found in the limbs - can result in significant physical impairment.

5 Dec 2008

Treatment fails to improve common form of heart failure

A medication used for high blood pressure does not improve a common form of heart failure, according to new results from a large, international study.

5 Dec 2008

Study finds medication fails to improve common form of heart failure

A medication used for high blood pressure does not improve a common form of heart failure, according to new results from a large, international study.

5 Dec 2008

Treatment with irbesartan fails to improve common form of heart failure

A medication used for high blood pressure does not improve a common form of heart failure, according to new results from a large, international study.

4 Dec 2008

Alzheimer's patients with sleep apnea benefit from CPAP treatment - improves cognitive abilities

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment seems to improve cognitive functioning in patients with Alzheimer's disease who also suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, according to the results of a randomized clinical trial conducted at the University of California, San Diego.

3 Dec 2008

Discovery of gene variants that impact the placebo effect

It is a well-known fact in drug trials that individuals can respond just as well to placebos, sugar pills, as to the active drug.

3 Dec 2008

More alkaline diet strengthens skeletal health

Diets that are high in protein and cereal grains produce an excess of acid in the body which may increase calcium excretion and weaken bones, according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

3 Dec 2008

New sleeping pill could be the answer to jet lag

An experimental drug developed by Australian scientists could offer a new cure for jet lag and be a welcome alternative to addictive sedatives such as benzodiazepines.

3 Dec 2008

NicOx signs agreement with DSM for the commercial manufacture of naproxcinod drug substance

NicOx S.A. has announced it has signed an agreement with DSM for the commercial manufacture and supply of naproxcinod drug substance (or API, active pharmaceutical ingredient).

3 Dec 2008

ViroPharma Inc. submits sBLA for Cinryze to treat acute attacks of hereditary angioedema

ViroPharma Inc. has announced that the company submitted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Cinryze C1 Inhibitor (human) as a treatment for acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE).

1 Dec 2008

Breakthrough in strategy used to develop new pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia

In one of the first instances of targeted drug design in psychiatric treatment, University of Pittsburgh researchers have found an experimental agent that shows promise in addressing working memory impairments that occur in schizophrenia.

1 Dec 2008

Etanercept found to be ineffective in treating alcoholic hepatitis

A new study from Mayo Clinic finds the use of the drug therapy etanercept ineffective in treating alcoholic hepatitis, an acute inflammation of the liver caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. The results of the study are published in the December issue of Gastroenterology.

1 Dec 2008