Constipation News and Research

Latest Constipation News and Research

Nektar presents NKTR-181 preclinical data at ASA 2010 Annual Meeting

Nektar Therapeutics today presented new preclinical data demonstrating that NKTR-181, a mu-opioid analgesic with a novel molecular structure, dramatically reduces abuse liability while providing analgesia comparable to oxycodone and morphine.

18 Oct 2010

Acorda presents new analysis of AMPYRA tablets at ECTRIMS Congress

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that a new analysis of AMPYRA (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg data examining walking improvement in treatment responders has been presented at the 26th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS).

15 Oct 2010

AGA's new book offers strategies to reduce IBS symptoms

A new book from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) offers patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) a variety of strategies to lessen the burden that IBS puts on their everyday lives. IBS is a common disorder of the intestines that leads to crampy pain, gassiness, bloating and changes in bowel habits; there is no cure. The new book, "Master Your IBS," includes a variety of strategies to help patients learn how to manage their IBS symptoms and achieve greater freedom from IBS.

14 Oct 2010

Archimedes publishes results from FPNS Phase III clinical study for breakthrough cancer pain

Archimedes Pharma, an emerging specialty pharma company focused on oncology, pain, neurology and critical care sectors, today announced publication of results from a Phase III, long-term safety, tolerability and consistency of effect, clinical study of fentanyl pectin nasal spray (FPNS) in the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP).

13 Oct 2010

USPTO issues Watson Notice of Allowance for key progesterone patent to treat or prevent preterm birth

Columbia Laboratories, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a Notice of Allowance for a key patent for the use of progesterone to treat or prevent preterm birth. The USPTO issues a Notice of Allowance to report that a patent application has been examined and is allowed for issuance as a patent. The patent is expected to issue within three months upon payment of required fees.

12 Oct 2010

Twenty-two physical symptoms prevalent in all types of cancers

Twenty-two physical symptoms associated with cancer - symptoms often unrecognized and undertreated - are prevalent in all types of cancers regardless of whether the patient is newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment or is a cancer survivor, according to researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University schools of medicine and nursing.

12 Oct 2010

Albireo reports positive results from A3309 Phase IIb study in chronic idiopathic constipation

Albireo today announced positive top-line results from a Phase IIb study in chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) assessing efficacy and safety of three different dose levels (5, 10 and 15 mg orally once a day) of the investigational drug A3309 during an eight week trial. Analyses of the data show clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement for patients treated with A3309 compared to placebo-treated patients.

12 Oct 2010

Chongqing Cancer Hospital commences treatment with Varian's RapidArc radiotherapy

Chongqing Cancer Hospital in Southwest China has become the first treatment center in Southwest China to offer cancer patients a faster, more precise form of image-guided radiotherapy that potentially enables doctors to improve outcomes while extending more advanced care to more patients. Clinicians at the hospital have used RapidArc® radiotherapy from Varian Medical Systems to treat patients for cancers of the nasopharynx, cervix, breast, and lung.

11 Oct 2010

Eli Lilly presents ALIMTA Phase III trial results at ESMO Annual Meeting

Eli Lilly and Company announced today that its global Phase III trial evaluating ALIMTA (pemetrexed for injection) in combination with cisplatin in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN) did not meet its primary endpoint for overall survival. Data were presented for the first time today at the 35th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).

11 Oct 2010

Abbott to withdraw Meridia medicine from the U.S. market

Abbott will voluntarily withdraw Meridia (sibutramine) from the U.S. market at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

11 Oct 2010

Sucampo submits marketing application for Amitiza drug

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Abbott today announced that Sucampo Pharma Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has submitted a marketing application to the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency for approval to market Amitiza (lubiprostone) 24 mcg for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).

7 Oct 2010

Soy germ-based nutritional supplement helps to manage menopausal symptoms

A new women-s health, whole soy germ-based nutritional supplement containing Natural S-equol reduced the frequency of moderate to severe hot flashes and reduced muscle and joint pain in the first study of its kind among postmenopausal U.S. women, according to peer-reviewed data presented as a poster presentation at the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting.

7 Oct 2010

Progenics receives NIH grant to develop novel monoclonal antibodies to treat C. difficile infection

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the award of a grant totaling $4,143,652 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for Progenics' program to develop novel monoclonal antibodies to treat Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection.

7 Oct 2010

Synergy reports positive results from plecanatide Phase IIa clinical trial for chronic constipation

Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a developer of new drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders and diseases, announced today positive results in a Phase IIa clinical trial of plecanatide (SP-304) in patients with chronic constipation. Oral plecanatide given once daily, over 14 consecutive days, at doses of 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 9.0 mg gave improved bowel function in patients with chronic constipation.

6 Oct 2010

Archimedes publishes FPNS clinical study results in Pain journal

Archimedes Pharma US Inc. today announced publication of results from a pivotal clinical study of Fentanyl Pectin Nasal Spray (FPNS) in the treatment of breakthrough cancer pain (BTCP).

5 Oct 2010

Merck to appeal against jury verdict in retrial of federal FOSAMAX case

Merck & Co., Inc. today said it will appeal a decision by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York that reduced the jury verdict from $8 million to $1.5 million but denied Merck's request for judgment in its favor or a new trial in the case of Boles v. Merck, a retrial of a federal FOSAMAX case.

5 Oct 2010

Sanofi-aventis publishes Phase III TROPIC study data in The Lancet article

Sanofi-aventis announced today that data from the Phase III TROPIC study, which was the basis for the June 2010 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Jevtana (cabazitaxel) Injection, was published in the October 2, 2010 print edition of The Lancet in an article titled "Prednisone plus cabazitaxel or mitoxantrone for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer progressing after docetaxel treatment: a randomised open-label trial.

4 Oct 2010

FDA, EMA and Health Canada approve Progenics' RELISTOR in pre-filled syringes

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) of the European Union (E.U.) and Health Canada, the Canadian Regulatory Agency, have each approved single-use, pre-filled syringes of RELISTOR® (methylnaltrexone bromide) Subcutaneous Injection for use in their respective territories. These pre-filled syringes provide a simplified dosing option for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in palliative-care patients with advanced illness.

30 Sep 2010

PGIC analysis indicates tapentadol ER tablets provide significant improvement in pain intensity

Phase 3 safety and efficacy data comparing tapentadol extended release (ER) tablets, an investigational pain medication, to placebo in patients with moderate to severe chronic low back pain have been published online by Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. In addition, this study compared oxycodone controlled-release (CR) to placebo as an active control.

28 Sep 2010

Pfizer ceases SUN 1120 Phase 3 trial of SUTENT in men with CRPC

Pfizer Inc. announced today the discontinuation of the SUN 1120 Phase 3 trial evaluating SUTENT (sunitinib malate) in combination with prednisone for men with advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer that had progressed despite treatment with a docetaxel-based chemotherapy regimen. During a scheduled interim analysis, an independent Data Monitoring Committee found that the combination of sunitinib with prednisone was unlikely to improve overall survival when compared to prednisone alone.

28 Sep 2010