Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

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

Data from recent clinical trial for Caldolor Injection to be presented

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that data from a recent clinical trial for Caldolor® (ibuprofen) Injection, an intravenous treatment for pain and fever, will be presented at the 44th American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, in December.

4 Dec 2009

FDA approves manufacture of Amneal Pharmaceuticals' Nizatidine Oral Solution

Amneal Pharmaceuticals is pleased to announce that it has received U.S. FDA approval to manufacture Nizatidine Oral Solution in the 15 mg/mL strength effective November 18, 2009. It is an AA-rated, therapeutically equivalent alternative to Axid® Oral Solution (a licensed trademark of Braintree Labs). Nizatidine Oral Solution is the first available generic in oral solution form and marks Amneal’s fourth liquid approval.

3 Dec 2009

Hyperion Therapeutics commences enrollment in its HPN-100 episodic hepatic encephalopathy trial

Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that the first patient has been enrolled in its phase II clinical trial of investigational compound HPN-100 (glycerol phenylbutyrate).

3 Dec 2009

Nonanesthesiologist-administered propofol for GI procedures safe

The worldwide safety experience of endoscopist-administered propofol sedation now exceeds 600,000 patients. The low rate of serious adverse events underscores the safety of nonanesthesiologist-administered propofol (NAAP) for gastrointestinal (GI) procedures, provided that it is administered by a team of individuals who have received training specific to the administration of propofol according to the "Position statement: nonanesthesiologist administration of propofol for GI endoscopy" issued by the four major gastroenterology and hepatology societies.

3 Dec 2009

PEG polymer may prevent GI injury during cancer radiotherapy

A non-absorbed, oral co-polymer therapy under development by Midway Pharmaceuticals demonstrated the ability to protect against damage to healthy gastrointestinal tissues and to prevent lethal bacterial infections in animal models of radiation damage.

3 Dec 2009

Burrill Biotech Select Index manages to claw back almost half the value it lost in October

The Burrill Biotech Select Index managed to claw back almost half the value it lost in October. The Select's gain of 4.5 percent mirrored what was also an excellent month for the general markets with the Dow up 6.5 percent and the NASDAQ up 4.8 percent in value.

2 Dec 2009

FDA approves Schering-Plough's New Drug Application for ZEGERID OTC capsules

Santarus, Inc., a specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.’s, New Drug Application (NDA) for ZEGERID OTC™ Capsules (omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate) with a dosage strength of 20 mg of omeprazole for over-the-counter (OTC) treatment of frequent heartburn.

2 Dec 2009

Study of Acetadote Injection as a cost-saving treatment for acetaminophen poisoning published

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that an independently conducted study of Acetadote (acetylcysteine) Injection, or intravenous N-acetylcysteine, as a cost-saving treatment for acetaminophen poisoning was published in Volume 12, Number 4 of the peer-reviewed Journal of Medical Economics, distributed in December.

2 Dec 2009

MicroDose Therapeutx acquires a portfolio of compounds from Epix Pharmaceuticals

MicroDose Therapeutx Inc. today announced that it has acquired a portfolio of compounds for the potential treatment of chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and other diseases, from Epix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (EPIX) (Lexington, MA).

2 Dec 2009

Completion of Phase I study of CPSI-2364 announced by Cytokine PharmaSciences

Cytokine PharmaSciences, Inc. today announced the completion of a Phase I study of CPSI-2364, its orally active, small-molecule inhibitor of the production of TNF-alpha and other pro-inflammatory cytokines.

1 Dec 2009

Stryker to acquire Ascent Healthcare Solutions

Stryker Corporation today announced a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Ascent Healthcare Solutions, Inc. the market leader in the reprocessing and remanufacturing of medical devices in the U.S.

From Stryker 1 Dec 2009

Healthy dietary habits are important for GCA prevention

The gastric cardiac adenocarcinoma (GCA) is a very rare disease. In recent decades, however, the incidence of the GCA has increased dramatically in many Western countries. An increasing trend in GCA is also observed in municipal regions but not in rural regions of China. Another striking feature is the strong male predominance among patients with GCA. Some of the reasons above are still unclear and require further epidemiological investigations.

26 Nov 2009

Erbitux drug can reverse rare stomach disorder, report researchers

A drug used to treat colorectal cancer also can reverse a rare stomach disorder and should be considered first-line therapy for the disease, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center report this week.

25 Nov 2009

HPA-specific shRNA holds potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer

Previous studies have indicated that the heparanase (HPA) is correlated with histopathological parameters and poor prognosis of gastric cancers. Although their efficiencies in inhibiting the expression of HPA, the traditional HPA inhibitors may produce nonspecific and undesirable effects. In recent years, genetic approaches targeting HPA have been regarded as a promising alternative.

25 Nov 2009

Additional data on lubiprostone presented at the GASTRO 2009 UEGF/WCOG meeting

Sucampo Pharma Europe, Ltd., and Sucampo Pharma Americas, Inc., subsidiaries of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today presented additional clinical data for lubiprostone (Amitiza®) at GASTRO 2009 UEGF/WCOG, the joint meeting of the United European Gastroenterology Federation (UEGF), the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), the World Organisation of Digestive Endoscopy (OMED) and the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), in London.

25 Nov 2009