Arthritis News and Research

Latest Arthritis News and Research

Signaling molecules have different effects on key inhibitory protein

Researchers have identified a mechanism that may keep a well known signaling molecule from eroding bone and inflaming joints, according to an early study published online today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

22 Sep 2009

Some religious groups seek health care for illegal immigrants

NPR reports: "In the Hispanic community, there are issues in the debate over health care that spill over into the debate over immigration policy."

21 Sep 2009

Amgen announces results of Phase 3 trial in the treatment of bone metastases

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced detailed results from a Phase 3 trial evaluating denosumab administered subcutaneously versus Zometa(R) (zoledronic acid) administered as an intravenous infusion in the treatment of bone metastases in 1,776 advanced cancer patients with solid tumors (not including breast and prostate cancer) or multiple myeloma. These results were presented today at the 2009 ECCO 15 - ESMO 34 European Multidisciplinary Congress in Berlin, Germany (Abstract Number: 20LBA).

21 Sep 2009

Center for Hip Pain and Preservation focuses on improved understanding of hip abnormalities

Recent improved understanding of hip abnormalities, combined with advances in diagnostic imaging techniques and minimally invasive surgical treatments are giving many patients new hope for relieving chronic, misdiagnosed hip pain.

21 Sep 2009

Resolvyx Pharmaceuticals receives U.S. patent for RX-10045

Resolvyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the leading Resolvin therapeutics company, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted a patent (U.S. Patent 7,582,785) covering composition of matter for RX-10045, the first Resolvin therapeutic to enter clinical trials.

19 Sep 2009

Drug carrier that cuts off blood supply to tumors

To that end, Dr. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro of Tel Aviv University's Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, and her team of researchers have developed a new drug carrier to deliver compounds straight to the tumor.

18 Sep 2009

NIH to fund grants for epigenetic research

The National Institutes of Health announced today that it will fund 22 grants on genome-wide studies of how epigenetic changes -- chemical modifications to genes that result from diet, aging, stress, or environmental exposures -- define and contribute to specific human diseases and biological processes.

17 Sep 2009

SI-BONE's summit to develop clinical diagnostic process for SI Joint pathology identification

SI-BONE, Inc. a San Francisco Bay-area, medical device company, announced the first ever meeting of thought leading spine surgeons to review data and develop a clinical diagnostic process for identification of SI Joint pathology, a frequent cause of low back pain.

17 Sep 2009

Genentech releases Phase III PRIMA study findings

Genentech, Inc., a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group and Biogen Idec, today announced that a Phase III study (PRIMA) showed that patients with follicular lymphoma who continued receiving Rituxan (rituximab) alone after responding to Rituxan and chemotherapy lived longer without their disease worsening (progression-free survival or PFS) than those who did not continue to receive Rituxan.

17 Sep 2009

FDA Advisory Committee recommends marketing approval for Auxilium's XIAFLEX to treat Dupuytren's contracture

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AUXL), a specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the Arthritis Advisory Committee appointed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended by a unanimous vote of 12 to 0 that XIAFLEX™ (collagenase clostridium histolyticum), a novel, first-in-class, orphan-designated, biologic, be granted marketing approval by the FDA for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture.

17 Sep 2009

BioSpecifics Technologies' XIAFLEX receives marketing approval from FDA

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: BSTC), a biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class collagenase-based products, today announced that the Arthritis Advisory Committee appointed by the U.S.

17 Sep 2009

New technique found that may prevent vision loss

Blocking a protein that battles infection may help thwart a common cause of vision loss in chronic diseases such as diabetes, Medical College of Georgia researchers say.

16 Sep 2009

Amgen to present its four Phase 3 clinical trial results

Amgen today announced it will present detailed data from four Phase 3 studies as well as other data at the ECCO 15 - ESMO 34 European Multidisciplinary Congress, September 20 - 24, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.

16 Sep 2009

Medivir presented preclinical data from its cathepsin K inhibitor program at the ASBMR meeting

Medivir (STO:MVIRB) presented preclinical data on two candidate drugs (MIV-710, MIV-711) from its cathepsin K inhibitor program in a poster session during the ASBMR (American Society for Bone and Mineral Research) meeting.

16 Sep 2009

Perceptive Informatics utilizes Optasia's KneeAnalyzer software

Perceptive Informatics, a leading eClinical solutions provider and a subsidiary of PAREXEL International Corporation, today announced that it has enhanced its capabilities to provide medical imaging measurements for osteoarthritis clinical trials through an alliance with Optasia Medical, Inc.

From Parexel 16 Sep 2009

Legislation grants improve research and employment initiatives in Indiana University medical campus

Indiana University School of Medicine scientists have received more than $12 million in grants funded by the federal economic stimulus legislation, funding that has bolstered both research initiatives and research employment on the medical center campus.

16 Sep 2009

Roche's peg-EPO product Mircera infringes Amgen patents

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced that the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the Massachusetts District Court's decision that Roche's peg-EPO product, Mircera, infringes four Amgen patents ('868, '698, '933 and '422) relating to recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) and processes for making it.

16 Sep 2009

PsoriasisDX Genetic Test for Psoriatic arthritis launched

The first genetic test for Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is being launched today by PsoriasisDX, LLC, a subsidiary of molecular dermatology research and development innovator PharmaGenoma, Inc. PsA is a progressive irreversible joint disease associated with psoriasis. It is estimated that 20% to 40% of psoriasis patients will eventually develop PsA.

16 Sep 2009

Lexicon initiates Phase 2 clinical trial of LX4211 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: LXRX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering breakthrough treatments for human disease, obtained favorable results from recently completed Phase 1 studies of LX4211 and announced today that it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical trial of the drug candidate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

15 Sep 2009

Vivakor completes third-party validation testing of its VivaBlend nutraceutical product

Vivakor™, Inc. (OTCBB: VIVK) today announced the results of independent, third-party validation testing of its VivaBlend™ nutraceutical product. VivaBlend is a powerful extract developed by the scientists at Vivakor and is derived from over 18 highly bioactive fruits, vegetables and legumes. Through a proprietary formulation and extraction process, Vivakor scientists have maximized the health benefits of VivaBlend by creating an optimum blend of super-antioxidants and powerful plant phenolics and flavonoids.

14 Sep 2009