Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Alvogen establishes operations in Asia and opens an office in Shanghai

Alvogen, Inc. (Alvogen), the U.S.-based pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has established operations in Asia and has opened an office in Shanghai, China that will lead efforts to commercialize the company’s products in the country.

15 Dec 2009

Eggs of marine animals is the best dietary source of Omega 3 fatty acids

The roe of hake, lumpsucker and salmon is the best dietary source of Omega 3, according to a study carried out by researchers at the University of Almer-a (UAL). The scientists analysed the eggs, or roe, of 15 marine animals, and found all of these contained high levels of these fatty acids, which are essential to the human body.

14 Dec 2009

Senator Arlen Specter proposes new amendment to current healthcare reform bill

Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) today proposed a new amendment to the current healthcare reform bill which will preserve access to care for millions of Medicare patients seen by a medical specialist.

14 Dec 2009

Drop in U.S. colorectal cancer deaths

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) lauds the recent news of the decline in U.S. colorectal cancer death and incidence rates. The report, released this week, shows that from 1975 to 2000, incidence rates dropped 22 percent and death rates dropped 26 percent.

10 Dec 2009

Salix Pharmaceuticals discusses proposed rifaximin NDA with the FDA

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. today reported that the Company held a pre-NDA meeting on December 8, 2009 with the FDA to discuss the Company’s proposed new drug application (NDA) for rifaximin in the treatment of patients with non-constipation irritable bowel syndrome (non-C IBS).

10 Dec 2009

Results from Tulip PETAL Study of elagolix announced by Neurocrine Biosciences

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. today announced top-line efficacy and safety results from the Tulip PETAL Study (703 Study), its fifth Phase 2 clinical trial using its proprietary, orally-active nonpeptide Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist, elagolix, in patients with endometriosis.

10 Dec 2009

Decision Resources reports increased uptake of TNF-alpha inhibitors for Crohn's disease

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that compared to last year's analysis of U.S. patient-level claims data, TNF-alpha inhibitors are being used more often to treat newly diagnosed patients suffering from Crohn's disease.

9 Dec 2009

Research article addresses the relationship between PEG and GER

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common problem in mechanically ventilated patients and contributes to the development of esophageal mucosal injury and even erosive esophagitis. The relationship between percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and subsequent development of GER is complex and not well understood.

9 Dec 2009

Research article on Peliosis hepatis

Peliosis hepatis (PH) is a rare pathological entity. PH varies from minimal asymptomatic lesions to larger massive lesions that may present with cholestasis, liver failure, portal hypertension, avascular mass lesion, or even spontaneous rupture.

9 Dec 2009

Comparative study on erosive and nonerosive diseases

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as the pathological retrograde movement of gastric contents into the esophagus. Various esophageal motility disturbances which may be important in reflux are observed in patients with GERD.

9 Dec 2009

Utility of CEH-EUS uses sonographic contrast agent to diagnose pancreatic tumors

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a highly sensitive diagnostic method for the detection of small pancreatic carcinomas. Recently, there have been some reports describing the utility of contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (CEH-EUS) which uses sonographic contrast agent for differentiation of a pancreatic mass.

9 Dec 2009

HALO procedure can help manage Barrett's esophagus and prevent esophageal cancer

Cancer prevention is an important goal for all Houstonians and Bay Area Gastroenterology advises that early detection can prevent esophageal cancer.

8 Dec 2009

Enrollment of patients for Phase I/IIa clinical study of Interleukin-7 commenced

Cytheris SA, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on research and development of new therapies for immune modulation, today announced that it has begun enrolling patients in its Phase I/IIa clinical program evaluating the company’s investigative immune-modulator, recombinant human Interleukin-7 (CYT107), in combination with standard antiviral treatment and vaccination in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B-infected (HBV) patients.

8 Dec 2009

Additional data from ChemoCentryx' study of Traficet-EN in Crohn's disease patients

In addition to data released in late November, ChemoCentryx, Inc., announced today more data from the Company's PROTECT-1 (the Prospective Randomized Oral Therapy Evaluation in Crohn's disease Trial) of Traficet-EN(TM) (CCX282-B) in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease.

8 Dec 2009

Norovirus-related illnesses linked to eating oysters, reveals report

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers to avoid eating oysters harvested from the San Antonio Bay on or after Nov. 16 due to reports of norovirus-associated illnesses in some people who had consumed oysters harvested from this area, which is located on the Gulf of Texas.

7 Dec 2009

Lab grown muscle cells raise hope for gastric reflux and fecal incontinence

A new study shows that muscle cells grown in the lab can restore an intestine's ability to squeeze shut properly. The work, performed in dogs and rats, might ultimately help treat patients with conditions such as gastric reflux and fecal incontinence.

5 Dec 2009

FDA approves Santarus’ NDA for immediate-release prescription tablet product

Santarus, Inc., a specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s New Drug Application (NDA) for immediate-release omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate/ magnesium hydroxide tablets in 40 mg and 20 mg dosage strengths of omeprazole.

5 Dec 2009

PLUS Diagnostics expands its specialty anatomic pathology services

PLUS Diagnostics announced today that it has expanded its specialty anatomic pathology services with the launch of a national hematology/oncology offering. The new service completes the company's expansion from a regional laboratory to a leading national anatomic pathology company offering diagnostic services across a full range of specialties including gastroenterology, urology and now hematology/oncology.

4 Dec 2009

Results from Phase III pivotal study of FIRMAGON presented

Drs. Neal Shore and E. David Crawford presented results for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence from the additional analysis of secondary end points of biochemical recurrence rate in a Phase III pivotal study of FIRMAGON® (monthly degarelix for injection) or monthly leuprolide in prostate cancer patients during the first year of treatment.

4 Dec 2009

New Center for Digestive Care to care for all aspects of digestive disease

The Center for Digestive Care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center has been established with a mission to provide high-quality patient care, research and education for all aspects of digestive disease.

4 Dec 2009