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Azithromycin may predispose cystic fibrosis patients to mycobacterial infection

Azithromycin is an antibiotic that also has antiinflammatory properties. It is these antiinflammatory properties that are thought to account for the improvement in clinical outcome observed when patients with chronic lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis are treated long-term with azithromycin.

2 Aug 2011

Methamphetamine use can fuel HIV infection risk among young MSM

A study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center and elsewhere shows that methamphetamine use can fuel HIV infection risk among teenage boys and young men who have sex with men (MSM), a group that includes openly gay and bisexual men, as well as those who have sex with men but do not identify themselves as gay or bisexual.

2 Aug 2011

To eliminate germs in contact lens, 'rub and rinse' works best

For cleaning soft contact lenses with multipurpose disinfection solutions, the "rub and rinse" technique is most effective for eliminating micro-organisms—even when using "no-rub" disinfection solutions, according to a report in the August issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.

2 Aug 2011

FDA warns U.S. consumers not to use Evital emergency birth control medicine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning U.S. consumers not to use the emergency birth control medicine labeled as Evital.

2 Aug 2011

Nicotine protects against Parkinson's disease

If you've ever wondered if smoking offered society any benefit, a new research report published in The FASEB Journal offers a surprising answer. Nicotine protects us from Parkinson's disease, and the discovery of how nicotine does this may lead to entirely new types of treatments for the disease.

2 Aug 2011

Taxoxifen combined with dasatinib reverses chemo-resistance in breast cancer cells

Taking a leukemia chemotherapy drug may help breast cancer patients who don't respond to tamoxifen overcome resistance to the widely-used drug, new research from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson suggests.

2 Aug 2011

Statins may help protect young people from future strokes

New research indicates cholesterol lowering drugs known as statins may help prevent future strokes among young people who have already had a stroke.

2 Aug 2011

Merrimack receives FDA orphan drug status for MM-398 to treat pancreatic cancer

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted MM-398 orphan drug status for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

2 Aug 2011

Ursodeoxycholic acid could help prevent disturbances in heart's normal rhythm

A synthesised compound which is also found in bear bile could help prevent disturbances in the heart's normal rhythm, according to research published today in the journal Hepatology by a team from Imperial College London.

2 Aug 2011

FDA clears Derma Sciences' MEDIHONEY Hydrogel Wound and Burn Dressing

Derma Sciences, Inc., a medical device and pharmaceutical company focused on advanced wound care, today announced it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for its patented MEDIHONEY Hydrogel Wound and Burn Dressing with Leptospermum honey.

2 Aug 2011

Fera adds four ointments to ophthalmic product portfolio

Fera Pharmaceuticals announced the launch today of four ophthalmic ointments.

1 Aug 2011

FDA approves Covidien's morphine sulfate oral solution for chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients

Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted approval to the company's Mallinckrodt business for morphine sulfate oral solution, used to relieve moderate to severe acute and chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients. The solution will be available as a generic in 100 milligrams per 5 mL (20 milligrams per 1 mL).

1 Aug 2011

Vanda, Biotoscana Farma partner to commercialize Fanapt in Argentina

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of products for central nervous system disorders, today announced its exclusive license agreement with Argentina-based Biotoscana Farma S.A., a wholly owned affiliate of Biotoscana International, based in Bogota, Colombia, for the commercialization of Fanapt ™ in Argentina.

1 Aug 2011

Merck submits ridaforolimus MAA with EMA for treatment of metastatic soft-tissue, bone sarcomas

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that its ridaforolimus partner, Merck, has submitted a marketing authorization application (MAA) for ridaforolimus with the European Medicines Agency.

1 Aug 2011

Fischer retains TransMedia to launch Israel's most popular sunscreen in the U.S.

Fischer Pharmaceutical Ltd., a multi-national company specializing in R&D and manufacture of a wide variety of skin and health care products, has retained TransMedia Group to introduce Israel's most popular sunscreen, Dr. Fischer ULTRASOL, in the United States.

1 Aug 2011

Universal flu vaccine based on “super antibody” coming soon

Researchers have finally found the first antibody which can fight all types of the influenza A virus. The results of the experiments on flu-infected mice, published in Science Express, showed the antibody could be used as an “emergency treatment” for flu as well.

31 Jul 2011

Demonstrators in Swaziland express concern over possible antiretroviral shortages

More than 3,000 demonstrators gathered across Swaziland on Thursday for a second day of protests over the king's handling of an economic crisis that they say is causing a shortage of medical supplies, including antiretroviral therapy, the Associated Press/Washington Post reports (7/28).

30 Jul 2011

Labopharm, Angelini enter into agreement to reorganize partnership

Labopharm Inc. and Gruppo Angelini, its partner in the joint venture established by the two companies to commercialize OLEPTRO in the U.S., today announced that they have entered into an agreement to restructure their partnership.

30 Jul 2011

U.S. appeals court rules in favor of Lilly over Strattera patent case

Eli Lilly and Company today announced that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has overturned a prior ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and has upheld the validity of the company's method-of-use patent on Strattera.

30 Jul 2011

PPTA applauds introduction of 'Preserving Access to Orphan Drugs Act'

The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) applauds the introduction of bipartisan legislation, the Preserving Access to Orphan Drugs Act (H.R. 2672) and (S. 1423), which will safeguard the development of drugs and therapies that treat patients with rare diseases by eliminating barriers to innovation.

30 Jul 2011