Pharmacology News and Research

Latest Pharmacology News and Research

New study indicates pine bark may reduce progressing advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy

According to the National Institute of Health, 40 percent to 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes already have some stage of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy, damage to the retina caused by leaky blood vessels, is a major cause of blindness in people with diabetes and is one of the most feared diabetic complications. In

2 Dec 2009

TGF--1 suppresses the growth of cancer cells, find researchers

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found that a naturally occurring protein -- transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF--1) -- which normally suppresses the growth of cancer cells, causes a rebound effect after a prolonged exposure.

2 Dec 2009

Study identifies genetic link between vitamin D and heart disease

Previous studies have shown a link between low vitamin D status and heart disease. Now a new study shows that patients with high blood pressure who possess a gene variant that affects an enzyme critical to normal vitamin D activation are twice as likely as those without the variant to have congestive heart failure.

2 Dec 2009

UC3M researchers developing a prototype for extracting drug interactions

A pharmacological interaction occurs when the effects of a one drug are modified by the presence of another. The consequences can be harmful if the interaction causes an increase in the toxicity of the drug or if it diminishes its effect, possibly even causing the patient's death, in the worst case scenario. At present, there are databases for checking possible interactions between drugs administered to patients, but the main problem is that many of the databases are not updated for three years.

1 Dec 2009

NRR to be available exclusively on OvidSP online search and discovery platform to all Ovid customers

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in China's healthcare information market, Ovid, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health and a global leader in electronic scientific, medical, and academic information research solutions, is pleased to announce an agreement with Neural Regeneration Research (NRR), an English-language monthly journal dedicated to presenting peer-reviewed, evidence-based scholarly research in stem cells and regeneration.

1 Dec 2009

QRxPharma commences Phase 3 pivotal trial of MoxDuo IR

QRxPharma Limited announced today, as part of its Phase 3 program, the initiation of a registration (also called pivotal) trial (Study 008) comparing efficacy and safety profiles of MoxDuo(TM)IR against component doses of morphine and oxycodone alone for the management of moderate to severe post-operative pain following bunionectomy surgery. The Company expects to complete dosing by close of Q2 2010.

30 Nov 2009

MICARDIS receives Health Canada approval to reduce the risk of non-fatal stroke

MICARDIS(R) (telmisartan) has received Health Canada approval to reduce the risk of non-fatal stroke or non-fatal myocardial infarction in patients 55 years or older at high risk of developing major cardiovascular events who cannot tolerate an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor.

26 Nov 2009

GIS scientists publish the first genetic historical map of Han Chinese

The first genetic historical map of the Han Chinese, the largest ethnic population in the world, as they migrated from south to north over evolutionary time was published online today by the American Journal of Human Genetics by scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS).

26 Nov 2009

Low-temperature plasma prototype devices as bactericidal cocktails

MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) and other drug-resistant bacteria could face annihilation as low-temperature plasma prototype devices have been developed to offer safe, quick, easy and unfailing bactericidal cocktails.

26 Nov 2009

Involving family members in medical rounds can improve standard of care, says new study

Involving family members of pediatric cancer and hematology patients in medical rounds benefits both the family and the medical team, according to a new Indiana University School of Medicine study.

25 Nov 2009

New findings shake the foundations of Alzheimer's research

Alzheimer's disease is caused by the build-up of a brain peptide called amyloid-beta. That's why eliminating the protein has been the focus of almost all drug research pursuing a cure for the devastating neurodegenerative condition.

24 Nov 2009

U.S. Court rules in Merck's favor in Flemings case involving FOSAMAX

Merck said today that U.S. District Court Judge John F. Keenan granted summary judgment in Merck's favor in Flemings v. Merck. Flemings is the second of three cases involving FOSAMAX (alendronate sodium) designated by the federal MDL court as a bellwether trial case.

24 Nov 2009

Acucela to present data on its ACU-4429 visual cycle modulator for dry AMD

Acucela, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing new treatments for blinding eye diseases, announced today that data for the company’s novel visual cycle modulator, ACU-4429, a potential oral treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD), will be featured at the 8th International Symposium on Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ISOPT) being held in Rome, Italy from December 3 to 6, 2009.

23 Nov 2009

Asterand extends its collaboration agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb

Asterand plc, a leading provider of human tissue and human tissue-based services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in drug discovery research, today announced that it has extended its collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) for access to Asterand's products and services for up to three years.

23 Nov 2009

Bio-Quant to be acquired by NexMed

NexMed, Inc., a developer of products based on the NexACT® technology, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bio-Quant, Inc., a revenue generating privately-held leading research organization for in vitro and in vivo contract drug discovery and pre-clinical development services, headquartered in San Diego, CA.

23 Nov 2009

FDA approves Pfizer's Geodon Capsules for the adjunctive maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder

Pfizer today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Geodon® (ziprasidone HCI) Capsules for maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder as an adjunct to lithium or valproate in adults. The approval is based on clinical data demonstrating that Geodon is an effective and generally well-tolerated adjunctive treatment for long-term symptom control in patients with bipolar disorder.

21 Nov 2009

Sugar-coated polymer may offer a new solution for allergy and asthma

Scientists at Johns Hopkins and their colleagues have developed sugar-coated polymer strands that selectively kill off cells involved in triggering aggressive allergy and asthma attacks. Their advance is a significant step toward crafting pharmaceuticals to fight these often life-endangering conditions in a new way.

20 Nov 2009

High blood pressure: A major risk factor for stroke and heart disease

Today, Jamieson Laboratories, in partnership with the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON), is holding a one day Blood Pressure Blitz in Toronto's underground PATH system in an effort to educate consumers about the number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor of heart disease.

20 Nov 2009

Six new degree programs to be offered by High-Tech Institute in Minneapolis

High-Tech Institute in Minneapolis will begin offering six new degree programs, with a class start set for January 11, 2010 for all programs. The school is located at 5100 Gamble Drive, Suite 200 in St. Louis Park, Minn.

19 Nov 2009

Researchers develop new device with nano-sized features to grab cancer cells

Just as fly paper captures insects, an innovative new device with nano-sized features developed by researchers at UCLA is able to grab cancer cells in the blood that have broken off from a tumor.

19 Nov 2009