Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Latest Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Laquinimod study data reveals its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Active Biotech today presented data further illuminating the novel, dual mechanism of action (MOA) of investigational oral, once-daily, laquinimod for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), conferring neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.

14 Sep 2009

Results further support the benefits of TYSABRI for multiple sclerosis patients

Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN) today announced six-month results of an ongoing, one-year longitudinal, observational, patient-reported outcomes study showing multiple sclerosis (MS) patients taking TYSABRI- (natalizumab) experienced an improvement in both their physical function and psychological well-being.

14 Sep 2009

Research data reveals why women discontinue treatment with current osteoporosis therapies

Amgen Inc. today announced the presentation of data highlighting the links between medication satisfaction, adherence to therapy and fracture risk reduction among women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The data were presented at the 31st annual meeting of the American Society for Bone Mineral Research (ASBMR).

14 Sep 2009

Alcon to acquire ESBATech AG

Alcon (NYSE:ACL) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ESBATech AG, a Swiss biotechnology company. Alcon will pay ESBATech shareholders $150 million in cash at closing, plus contingent payments of up to $439 million based upon the achievement of future research and development milestones that would be expected to create value for Alcon.

14 Sep 2009

USPTO recognizes RZN Nutraceuticals' HerbaZorb as a patentable delivery system

RZN Nutraceuticals, Inc.,(www.rznnutra.com) a leading developer of proven effective herbal products which have been clinically tested on sufferers of severe arthritis and migraines has announced receipt of a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the firm's absorption and delivery system process methodology patent application, a technology RZN has named HerbaZorb(TM).

11 Sep 2009

Campaign to educate customers on chronic pain management

VitalWear, Inc. (www.vitalwear.com), a leader in thermal compression medical devices announced that it is launching a Direct Mail and Web campaign in an effort to educate customers on a recent report from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), stating that among all diabetics, 52% suffer from arthritis.

11 Sep 2009

BioTrends Research Group ranked by Philadelphia 100 for the second consecutive time

For the second year in a row, BioTrends Research Group, Inc. has been ranked as one of the fastest-growing, privately-held companies in the Philadelphia region by the Philadelphia 100, a joint project of the Wharton Small Business Development Center, the Entrepreneurs' Forum of Greater Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Business Journal.

10 Sep 2009

Therapeutic principles of monoclonal antibodies

Professor Joachim R. Kalden, Member of the Department for Molecular Immunology, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Zentrum, University Medical School Erlangen-Nuremberg, presents therapeutic principles based on monoclonal antibodies.

10 Sep 2009

Galapagos starts new clinical trial for GLPG0259

Galapagos NV (Euronext: GLPG) announced today that it has initiated a second Phase I clinical trial for GLPG0259, a novel candidate drug being developed for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

10 Sep 2009

Miracles of the immune system discussed at the 2nd European Congress of Immunology

"I think it will not surprise you if I say that the immune system is one of our most important organ systems. Its relevance is obvious if only for the fact that it has been reinvented several times throughout the evolution of life," says Professor Andreas Radbruch, President of the German Society of Immunology and Director of the Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum, Berlin. He lectured about the miracle of our immune system at the Opening Press Conference of the 2nd European Congress of Immunology.

10 Sep 2009

North Carolina Biotechnology Center awarded a transformational grant by the Biogen Idec Foundation

The Biogen Idec Foundation today announced it has awarded a $1 million Transformational Grant in Science Education to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center to support the expansion of the Center’s educational training facility for K-12 science teachers. The grant is part of the Biogen Idec Foundation’s new Transformational Grants in Science Education initiative. The Foundation has awarded approximately $1.5 million in transformational grants since the program was initiated in 2008.

9 Sep 2009

Psoriasis Walk organized to support the research and education programs of Psoriasis Cure Now

The first-ever New Jersey Psoriasis Walk will take place in Paramus this Saturday, September 12, 2009, at beautiful Van Saun Park. The walk, to support the research and education programs of the nonprofit Psoriasis Cure Now, will include entertainment, information booths on psoriasis treatments, and a chance to meet and learn from others living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Janine Natoli of Little Falls is volunteer Chair of the NJ Psoriasis Walk, on the Web at http://www.PsoriasisWalkNJ.org.

9 Sep 2009

Biogen Idec restates its plan to purchase all outstanding shares of Facet Biotech

Biogen Idec Inc. today reiterated its proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Facet Biotech Corporation for $14.50 per share in cash.

9 Sep 2009

PKCiota oncogene essential for lung cancer stem cell proliferation

Scientists at the Mayo Clinic campus in Florida have found that the lung cancer oncogene PKCiota is necessary for the proliferation of lung cancer stem cells. These stem cells are rare and powerful master cells that manufacture the other cells that make up lung tumors and are resistant to chemotherapy treatment.

9 Sep 2009

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries to present MS treatment research data

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today announced that new research data furthering the clinical understanding of its diverse multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment franchise will be presented at the 25th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Düsseldorf, Germany, September 9-12, 2009.

9 Sep 2009

KRYSTEXXA development and treatment failure gout to be presented

Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that five abstracts relating to KRYSTEXXA (pegloticase) development and treatment failure gout will be presented at the 2009 ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting taking place in Philadelphia from October 16-21, 2009.

8 Sep 2009

Preliminary results of Phase III Gvhd trials announced by Osiris Therapeutics

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIR) today announced preliminary results for two phase III trials evaluating Prochymal for the treatment of acute graft versus host disease (GvHD). GvHD, the most common complication of bone marrow transplantation, is a life-threatening disease for which there is currently no approved treatment. Prochymal showed significant improvements in response rates in difficult-to-treat liver and gastrointestinal GvHD, however neither trial reached its primary endpoint.

8 Sep 2009

Small molecule blocks aberrant pathway associated with myotonic dystrophy

Researchers at the University of Illinois have designed a small molecule that blocks an aberrant pathway associated with myotonic dystrophy type 1, the most common form of muscular dystrophy.

8 Sep 2009

Regurin XL capsule for the treatment of OAB launched in UK

Regurin(R) XL (trospium chloride), a once-daily, prolonged-release capsule to treat patients with overactive bladder (OAB) has been launched in the UK. Regurin(R) XL provides rapid, significant and consistent improvements in the symptoms of OAB1 and has a reduced potential for central nervous system (CNS) side effects(2-7).

7 Sep 2009

Biogen Idec offers to completely acquire Facet

Biogen Idec’s interest in acquiring Facet was first conveyed on August 17, 2009 by Mr. Mullen to Faheem Hasnain, President and Chief Executive Officer of Facet.

5 Sep 2009