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Researchers investigate hydrogels' potential in drug delivery

The flexible properties of hydrogels - highly absorbent, gelatinous polymers that shrink and expand depending on environmental conditions such as humidity, pH and temperature - have made them ideal for applications from contact lenses to baby diapers and adhesives.

4 May 2012

CAPE arrests growth of prostate cancer cells and tumors in mice

An over-the-counter natural remedy derived from honeybee hives arrests the growth of prostate cancer cells and tumors in mice, according to a new paper from researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine.

4 May 2012

FDA issues Complete Response Letter to Alexza’s ADASUVE NDA

Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its New Drug Application (NDA) for ADASUVE (loxapine) inhalation powder, 5 mg and 10 mg.

4 May 2012

Metagenics launches NutraGems CoQ10 300 to support cardiovascular health

Metagenics, Inc., a nutrigenomics and lifestyle medicine company focused on improving health, announced today the launch of NutraGems CoQ10 300.

4 May 2012

One in six prescriptions may carry a medication error: GMC survey finds

A new study has found that more than one in six patients who are put on medication after seeing their GP are given a prescription containing an error. The study comes from the General Medical Council.

3 May 2012

FDA recommended to continue monitoring drugs' safety after approval

Pharmaceutical drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but later re-called from the market-such as the antidiabetic drug Avandia and pain-reliever Vioxx-were the impetus for an Institute of Medicine committee report released yesterday, recommending that the FDA take proactive steps to continue monitoring drugs' safety after initial approval and throughout their time on the market.

3 May 2012

Symposium at EuroPRevent 2012 highlights benefits of oily fish consumption

Most people, whether healthy or having cardiovascular disease (CVD), would benefit from regular consumption of oily fish, concluded speakers at the EuroPRevent 2012 meeting. While eating whole fish undoubtedly offers the optimum approach for increasing omega-3 intakes in both primary and secondary prevention, delegates heard, supplements have a major role to play in increasing omega-3 intakes for people who do not like fish.

3 May 2012

Combination of two mTOR inhibitors stops growth of hepatocellular carcinoma

The combination of two inhibitors of protein mTOR stops the growth of primary liver cancer and destroys tumour cells, according to a study by researchers of the Group of Metabolism and Cancer at Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute.

3 May 2012

Rapamycin could help prevent autism in newborns with seizures

Early-life seizures are known to be associated with autism, and studies indicate that about 40 percent of patients with autism also have epilepsy. A study from Boston Children's Hospital finds a reason for the link, and suggests that an existing drug, already shown to be safe in children, could help prevent autism from developing in newborns who have seizures.

3 May 2012

Probiodrug AG, collaborators explain interplay of key suspects in Alzheimer’s

Probiodrug AG (Probiodrug), a biotech company developing products for the treatment of neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases with a particular focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD), today announced its scientists and academics collaborators published seminal findings on the role of pyroglu Aβ in AD pathology in the May 2, 2012 online edition of the journal Nature (DOI: 10.1038/nature11060). The new findings add to the growing body of evidence that pyroglu Aβ plays a crucial role in the initiation of AD. In addition, the research results further elucidate the mechanism by which pyroglu Aβ triggers neuronal toxicity.

3 May 2012

Biosynthetic polyphenol improves cognitive function in mice with AD

Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers have succeeded in developing a biosynthetic polyphenol that improves cognitive function in mice with Alzheimer's disease.

3 May 2012

African-Americans with HIV less likely to adhere to ART therapy

African-Americans with HIV are much less likely to adhere to drug therapy than others with the disease, according to a University of Michigan study.

3 May 2012

Study confirms that COX-2 inhibitors predispose people to cardiovascular disease

After nearly 13 years of study and intense debate, a pair of new papers from the Perelman School of Medicine, at the University of Pennsylvania have confirmed exactly how a once-popular class of anti-inflammatory drugs leads to cardiovascular risk for people taking it.

3 May 2012

FDA approval of TDF/FTC as PrEP for HIV infection receives support

In public comments submitted this week, a group of 14 leading HIV/AIDS and health organizations stated their support for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of emtricitabine/ tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF/FTC or Truvada) as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection in adult men and women.

2 May 2012

Lower rate of reintubation observed in infants receiving SURFAXIN

Discovery Laboratories, Inc. today announced the presentation of a new pharmacoeconomic analysis demonstrating that the lower rate of reintubation previously reported in infants treated with SURFAXIN, when compared with infants treated with Curosurf® and Survanta®, the current global market leading surfactants, also resulted in a potential hospital cost savings of $160,000 to $252,000 per 100 infants.

2 May 2012

Dixie announces new hemp-based Cannabidiol products without THC

Dixie Elixirs and Edibles, Colorado's premier Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC-infused products company, today announced a new line of products which will break entirely new ground for the company in the category of non-THC-infused product development.

2 May 2012

SMC rules abiraterone as too expensive for routine prostate cancer treatment

Cancer Research UK is extremely disappointed that the advanced prostate cancer drug, abiraterone, has been ruled too expensive for routine use by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).

2 May 2012

Painkillers create quandary for physicians

News outlets report on the hazards -- both in the ER and in maternity wards -- being brought about by painkiller use and abuse.

2 May 2012

Two MSU researchers invent protein purifier for pharma companies

Two Michigan State University researchers have invented a protein purifier that could help pharmaceutical companies save time and money.

2 May 2012

FDA approves Protalix, Pfizer’s ELELYSO for treatment of type 1 Gaucher disease

Pfizer Inc. and Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. announced today that the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ELELYSO (taliglucerase alfa) for injection, an enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for the long-term treatment of adults with a confirmed diagnosis of type 1 Gaucher disease.

2 May 2012