(NaturalNews) Osteoporosis drugs, already coming under fire for actually weakening people's bones rather than strengthening them, may pose another risk: esophageal cancer.
(NaturalNews) Recent data presented to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Children's Vaccines has revealed some shocking information about the effects of the H1N1 / swine flu vaccine on pregnant women. According to the report, the rate of miscarriage among pregnant women during the 2009 H1N1 / swine flu pandemic soared by over 700 percent compared to previous years, pointing directly to the vaccine as the culprit -- but the CDC denies the truth and continues to insist nobody has been harmed.
Question: Some providers are recommending the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax 23—Merck) every 5 years, whereas others are saying it is only given once. When should it be repeated and how often?
Starting with November 24, 2010 Ropharma Brasov (RPH) shares are traded on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) main market, Tier I. Previously, Ropharma shares were listed on the OTC market RASDAQ under the ticker IAFR. Ropharma is a practically vertically integrated Romanian pharmaceutical player. The company, which is the ninth largest player on the wholesale market according to pharma statistics provider Cegedim, owns a 96-unit retail chain of pharmacies (roughly 1.5% of the total number of pharmacies in Romania) and a production facility of dietary supplements. A second production facility is located in Iasi County, but is currently not operational due modernizing and upgrading works. According to data released by Ropharma, in 1H of 2010 it held a market share of 3.75% of the wholesale market and a 2.85% of the retail market
Prescription drugs kill some 200,000 Americans every year. Will that number go up, now that most clinical trials are conducted overseas—on sick Russians, homeless Poles, and slum-dwelling Chinese—in places where regulation is virtually nonexistent, the F.D.A. doesn’t reach, and “mistakes” can end up in pauper’s graves? The authors investigate the globalization of the pharmaceutical industry, and the U.S. Government’s failure to rein in a lethal profit machine.
(NaturalNews) Earlier this week, the Institute of Medicine finally got around to reluctantly admitting that people need more vitamin D. Raising the daily intake recommendation from 200 IUs to 600 IUs still leaves most people pitifully vitamin D deficient, and a flood of scientific research that has emerged over the last four years reveals that vitamin D deficiency causes cancer, osteoporosis, depression, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders and depression.
AMSTERDAM, December 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT) Holding N.V. (Euronext: AMT), a leader in the development of gene-based therapies, today announced that it has amended and restated its licensing agreement with Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) for gene therapy applications incorporating the GDNF (glial cell derived neurotrophic factor) gene, to which Amgen holds rights. Financial terms were not disclosed.
CHICAGO, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- An expert panel convened today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) to discuss medical imaging appropriateness, ionizing radiation from imaging procedures and efforts under way to curb overutilization, decrease radiation dose and educate patients on the risks and benefits of medical imaging.
UK drugmaker, GlaxoSmithKline and Moscow-based JSC Binnopharm have formed a deal that will see the latter produce GSK’s cervical cancer, rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines in Russia.
ShangPharma expects its cGMP production site, due to open in 2011, and biologics services to drive growth as it builds on a 17 per cent increase in revenues in the third quarter.
NaturalNews) A 1,800-year old Chinese herbal remedy for an upset stomach may boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy while reducing its side effects, according to a study conducted by researchers from Yale University and published in the journal Science Translational Medicine
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., India’s largest drugmaker by sales, climbed the most in almost a month after the company won approval to sell a copy of Eisai Co.’s Aricept Alzheimer’s drug in the U.S.
Roche announced that it has obtained a worldwide sublicense from Genzyme Corporation to develop a diagnostic assay for the detection of Epidermal Growth-Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations. At the same time, Roche and OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OSI) have agreed to collaborate on the development of a PCR- based companion diagnostic test to identify people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that harbours EGFR activating mutations.
Massachusetts health officials published online today the most comprehensive state database in the country listing payments drug companies and medical device makers made to hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care providers in the state.
Diabetes or prediabetic conditions will strike half of all adult Americans by the end of the decade unless people lose weight, said UnitedHealth Group Inc., the largest U.S. health insurer by sales.
DUBLIN, Ireland, Nov. 23, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merrion Pharmaceuticals Plc, a publicly listed product development company, today announced the commencement of an oral drug delivery feasibility and option agreement with Rebel Pharmaceuticals, LLC, on two undisclosed compounds. The agreement will evaluate the ability of Merrion's patented GIPET® technology to enhance the compounds' clinical profile and provide a substantially improved product. On successful completion of the feasibility agreement, Merrion and Rebel Pharmaceuticals will enter into license agreements; the financial terms, including milestones and royalties, have already been agreed. Rebel Pharmaceuticals is a speciality Pharmaceuticals Company focused on enhancing approved drugs using proven and patented drug delivery technologies.
Pfizer Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. halted a trial of their experimental blood thinner after an increase in bleeding outweighed benefits for patients who recently suffered a heart attack or severe chest pain.
AstraZeneca Plc said it’s reviewing “strategic options” for Astra Tech, a Swedish unit that makes dental implants and medical devices, and has hired JPMorgan Chase & Co. as an adviser.
Johnson & Johnson and Takeda Pharmaceuticals Co. are recalling batches of their Velcade blood-cancer medicine in the U.K., U.S. and Japan after reports of impurities.
Nov. 19--CHICAGO -- A heart drug that was the subject of a Journal Sentinel investigative report earlier this year has been linked to an increasing number of adverse side effects, according to an analysis by a watchdog group that monitors medication errors and drug use in the U.S.
A 30-year-old anxiety drug is the most prescribed mental health drug.
When Xanax hit the U.S. market in 1981, it wasn't clear it would be a hit. It was a me-too successor to Valium, the anxiety drug that was the most popular drug in America for most of the 1970s. Maker Upjohn figured out a clever way to market its drug: by testing it to treat panic attacks as well as anxiety.
Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced a new collaboration to discover and develop antisense drugs as novel treatments for the common disease anaemia of inflammation (AI).
As anticipated, Roche has announced massive worldwide jobs cuts across all areas of its business. The Swiss drugmaker said it would cut 4,800 jobs--or about 6 percent of its worldwide workforce--over the next two years. Additionally, the company plans transfers about 800 jobs internally and 700 positions to third parties, bringing the total number of affected jobs to 6,300. Sales and marketing and manufacturing jobs will be hit the hardest.
Govt plans to change pharma R&D write off rules - website
BUDAPEST, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Hungary is planning to change write-off rules for research and development costs for pharma firms, according to a draft bill submitted to parliament, which could hurt drug makers.
AstraZeneca Plc is seeking to sell Astra Tech, a Swedish unit that makes dental implants and medical devices, for about $2 billion, according to three people with knowledge of the matter.
Outsourcing-Pharma reviews the latest developments in drug delivery with news from HepaLife Technologies and Jeiven, SurModics and Edge, as well as EDAP, Epitarget AS and INSERM.
Aoxing Pharmaceutical, a specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on manufacturing, research, development and distribution of narcotic and pain-management products, has reported sales of $1.74m for the first quarter ended 30 September 2010, an increase of 20%, compared to $1.45m for the comparable period in 2009.
A Vancouver drug company has partnered with Isis Pharmaceuticals of Carlsbad on a program to discover and develop RNA-targeting drugs to treat anemia caused by chronic conditions, Isis said Tuesday.
Over the past few years we have seen enormous changes on the R&D side of the pharma industry. Mergers big and little have spawned plans to shave costs and many, many research jobs. Struggling to clear a path through a dangerous thicket of patent expirations and risky trials to a bright new future, companies have been overhauling development plans and highlighting new disease arenas as they shutter programs for some of their long-term favorites. And the rapid changes have been felt around the globe.
There are many sicknesses doctors can cure with the swish of a pen across prescription pad. But for all we understand now about some illnesses, there are even more that still stump the pros, confound the public and rage on uncontested.
(NaturalNews) Only months after a massive recall of over-the-counter drugs due to quality control issues, Johnson & Johnson subsidiary McNeil has been cited by the FDA for similar problems at another factory.
(NaturalNews) According to a new survey by Consumer Reports, 84 percent of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are treated with drugs at some point.
PARIS, France - November 8, 2010 - Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) announced today
that it has sent a letter to Genzyme Corporation (NASDAQ: GENZ) requesting that Genzyme clarify its position
on a number of potential Board actions raised in Genzyme’s Schedule 14D-9.
People with hypertension take heart: EU-funded scientists have discovered a new gene variant that could lead to better prevention and treatment measures to fight high blood pressure. The research, published in the journal PLoS Genetics, is funded in part by the INGENIOUS HYPERCARE (Integrated genomics, clinical research and care in hypertension) project, which clinched EUR 10 million under the 'Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health') Thematic area of the EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6).
(NaturalNews) Is something burning, or are you just computing again? New research published in the medial journal Fertility and Sterility (Nov 2010) reveals that laptop computers can roast a man's testicles to the point where sperm production (and quality) starts to drop.
(NaturalNews) Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs significantly increase a person's risk of cataracts, muscle weakness, liver dysfunction and kidney failure, according to a study in the British Medical Journal.
Novartis is teaming up with Arab Company for Pharmaceutical Products (Arabio) to provide Saudi Arabia and surrounding regions with vaccines for common diseases.
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Medtronic and CHDI Foundation are collaborating to advance RNAi delivered by an implantable infusion device for treating Huntingdon’s.
Amylin Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company engaged in discovery, development and commercialisation of medicines, has reported revenues of $156.1m for the third quarter ended 30 September 2010, compared to $193.92m for the same period in 2009.
Targacept, a company engaged in developing a pipeline of NNR Therapeutics for difficult-to-treat diseases and disorders of the nervous system, has reported net operating revenues of $21.8m for the third quarter ended 30 September 2010, compared to $12.66m for the same period in 2009.
Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, announced that its dengue vaccine is in final stage of clinical development. Sanofi Pasteur’s dengue vaccine, the world’s most clinically advanced dengue vaccine candidate, entered its first phase 3 clinical study in Australia.
Novartis announced new results from a blinded phase III head-to-head study showing that once-daily Onbrez Breezhaler (indacaterol) was as effective as tiotropium in improving lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while providing greater clinical benefits in terms of reduced breathlessness, lower use of rescue medication and improved health status.
In the changing face of pharmaceuticals, acquisitions and mergers are usually pretty straightforward affairs - that is, of course, unless you're stood in the shoes of Sanofi-aventis right now. After its several unsuccessful attempts to engage Genzyme, a US-based biotech firm, in discussions for a takeover, the French multinational has decided to cut the prolonged battle and turn hostile by launching an unsolicited €13.5 billion bid aimed at Genzyme's majority-owning shareholders.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) outlined further details on Monday on its strategic focus and development priorities of the company's unit dedicated to rare diseases, which was launched in February 2010.
The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) will be hosting a special symposium titled, "Looking Toward a Healthier Future: Perspectives from the NIH" featuring NIH Director Dr. Francis S. Collins as the keynote speaker at the ASHG 60th Annual Meeting on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, from 12:00-1:00 p.m., at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
The parasites that cause diseases like elephantiasis and river blindness develop and reproduce faster and in greater numbers when they encounter hosts with a strong immune system, new EU-funded research reveals. Writing in the journal PLoS Biology, the scientists from France, the UK and the US note that the findings could have implications for efforts to develop vaccines against these debilitating diseases.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) reported results for the third quarter of 2010. Highlights in the quarter included: the presentation of new data on investigational compounds in the diabetes and cardiovascular disease franchises at major medical meetings; the completion of important regulatory milestones in the oncology, diabetes and immunoscience franchises; the acquisition of ZymoGenetics; and double-digit EPS growth. The company also confirmed guidance for 2010.
Merck Group third-quarter total revenues increased 25% to a record EUR 2,438 million from EUR 1,950 million in the year-ago quarter, boosted by the EUR 5.1 billion acquisition of Millipore Corporation, Billerica, Massachusetts, USA, on July 14. The acquisition accounted for 16 percentage points, positive currency effects 5.3 percentage points and organic growth 3.5 percentage points of the increase.
Sandoz Romaniais planning to invest €7m next year in the development of its two drug factories in the country, almost three times the RON 10m (€2.3m) which the company intends to allocate in 2010, according to Ziarul Financiar.
San Diego, CA (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (OTCBB:ADMP), today announced the completion of the acquisition from Colby Pharmaceuticals of the remaining exclusive license agreements relating to two drug product candidates for the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). On February 25, 2010, Adamis announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire exclusive licenses covering three small molecule compounds, named APC-100, APC-200 and APC-300. Adamis acquired APC-300 as part of the original transaction and has now completed the acquisition of APC-100 and APC-200.
A survey of hospitals and clinics in and around Chicago in the US found a 30 per cent rise in reported infections between 2009 and 2010 of a potentially deadly group of bacteria that is resistant to the most commonly used antibiotics.
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced that it is entering into a partnership with Laboratorio Teuto Brasileiro S.A., a leading company in the Brazilian generics industry, to develop and commercialize generic medicines. Pfizer will acquire a 40 percent stake in Teuto and the companies will also enter into a series of commercial agreements. The partnership will enhance Pfizer's position in Brazil, a key emerging market, by providing access to Teuto's broad portfolio of approximately 250 products in more than 400 presentations. Through this partnership, Pfizer will have access to significant distribution networks in rural and suburban areas in Brazil and the opportunity to register and commercialize Teuto's products in various markets outside Brazil. In addition, Pfizer will have two representatives on Teuto's board of directors.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate),(1) Boehringer Ingelheim's novel, oral direct thrombin inhibitor(2) for stroke risk reduction in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) marking the first approval of a new oral anticoagulant in the U.S. in more than 50 years. The approval makes Pradaxa® available to a broad spectrum of patients, with the 150 mg bid dose approved for all patients except for a small subset with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 15-30 mL/min) where the approved dose is 75 mg bid.
Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) announced a research collaboration with Harvard University. The goal of the collaboration is to advance knowledge in the area of human health through basic and applied research and to promote scientific exchange between Harvard University and sanofi-aventis. The focus of this collaboration is translational biomedical research in multiple therapeutic areas such as cancer, diabetes and inflammation.
Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq: GENZ) announced results from its CLASSIC I phase 3 trial comparing Clolar® (clofarabine) in combination with the chemotherapy agent cytarabine (ara-c) to cytarabine plus placebo in relapsed-refractory adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although the study did not show a difference between the arms in the primary endpoint of overall survival, the Clolar combination demonstrated statistical significance across all four pre-specified secondary efficacy endpoints: overall remission rate; complete remission rate; event-free survival; and four-month event free survival.
Genzyme Corp. (NASDAQ: GENZ) reported third-quarter earnings growth driven by increased shipments of Cerezyme® (imiglucerase for injection). Patients in the United States began returning to normal dosing levels last month, and patients globally are expected to be able to do so this quarter. Earnings growth in the third quarter was also driven by strong revenue from Lumizyme™ (alglucosidase alfa) and cost reduction measures.
Biocon, Asia's premier biotechnology company, and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), the world's leading biopharmaceutical company, have entered into a strategic global agreement for the worldwide commercialization of Biocon's biosimilar versions of Insulin and Insulin analog products: Recombinant Human Insulin, Glargine, Aspart and Lispro. Pfizer will have exclusive rights to commercialize these products globally, with certain exceptions, including co-exclusive rights for all of the products with Biocon in Germany, India and Malaysia. Pfizer will also have co-exclusive rights with existing Biocon licensees with respect to some of the products, primarily in a number of developing markets.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) provided further details about the strategic focus and development priorities of the company's unit dedicated to rare diseases. Following the announcement of a new alliance with Fondazione Telethon and Fondazione San Raffaele, Marc Dunoyer, Global Head of GlaxoSmithKline Rare Diseases, outlined his ambitions for the unit and its potential to deliver significant benefits to underserved patient groups worldwide.
Novartis announced that new six-year data reinforce the long-term efficacy and safety profile of once-yearly Aclasta* (zoledronic acid 5 mg) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis[1]. The study of more than 1,200 women was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) in Toronto, Canada.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned patients and health care providers about the possible risk of atypical thigh bone (femoral) fracture in patients who take bisphosphonates, a class of drugs used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. A labeling change and Medication Guide will reflect this risk.
At a ceremony at the WHO's headquarters in Geneva, Joseph Jimenez, CEO of Novartis, and Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the WHO, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to continue their collaboration toward a world free of leprosy.
Under the terms of the MoU, Novartis continues to provide free multidrug therapy (MDT) medicines to all countries worldwide. The donation to the WHO, valued at about USD 26 million, will treat an estimated 1.1 million leprosy patients over the next five years, through 2015. In addition, Novartis will provide up to USD 2.5 million over the same period to cover costs incurred by the WHO for handling the donation and logistics.
Pfizer Inc.(NYSE: PFE) and King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: KG) have entered into a definitive merger agreement.
ttBoehringer Ingelheim announced promising results from two clinical trials of its investigational cancer compound afatinib (BIBW 2992) presented at the 35 th European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Milan, Italy. Results from the "LUX-Lung 1" trial suggest that afatinib (BIBW 2992) is highly active in late-stage patients with NSCLC1, while in the LUX-Lung 2 phase II trial afatinib demonstrated encouraging activity in advanced NSCLC patients that have a mutated EGF Receptor.
The highly distinguished Awards Committee of the Galien Foundation has honoured Bayer's Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) with the Prix Galien International 2010 in the category Best Pharmaceutical Agent. Xarelto had previously already been recognised with national Prix Galien awards in Belgium, France and Switzerland.
Abbott (NYSE: ABT) was named one of the top 20 employers in Science magazine's 2010 Top Biopharma Employers survey. The annual survey seeks to identify the companies with the best reputations as employers. According to the survey, Abbott's top three driving characteristics were: clear vision, loyal employees, and does important, quality research. The complete rankings are available online and in the Oct. 8, 2010 issue of Science.
Convergence Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a new company focused on the development of novel and high value analgesic medicines, was officially launched and has successfully raised $35.4 million (£22.4 million) in Series A financing from a syndicate of leading European and US life science investors. Convergence Pharmaceuticals is an independent biotechnology company that has acquired clinical assets from GlaxoSmithKline ("GSK"). The Company will be led by Dr Clive Dix together with a strong management team including former GSK scientific experts in the field of pain. Proceeds of the financing will be used to accelerate the clinical development of the Company's pipeline programmes.
Our rules for inclusion on the Top 10 Biopharma list are as follows: you’re a biopharma company if more than half of your drug revenues — not royalties — come from large-molecule drugs and vaccines. It’s arbitrary, but it’s worked pretty well for the past decade. This year, it means that Roche/Genentech has become the world’s #1 biopharma, marking the first change at the top in 10 years
Novartis discontinued the development of two investigational compounds in its pharmaceutical pipeline, reflecting enhanced focus on differentiated medicines most likely to address unmet medical needs. Novartis and Human Genome Sciences decided to stop further global development of the investigational compound albinterferon alfa-2b* for the treatment of adults with chronic hepatitis C. The decision was based on feedback from EU and US regulatory authorities as well as on new data from a phase II study conducted with the monthly dosing of albinterferon. An intangible asset impairment charge of approximately USD 230 million will be taken in the third quarter of 2010 in the Novartis Pharmaceuticals division.
Slowing sales, mega-mergers, generic implosions and whipsawing exchange rates have caused some shakeups within the Top 20 Pharma ranks. The loss of Wyeth and Schering-Plough, coupled with Roche’s defection to the Biopharma list, led us to find several new players: Otsuka, Gilead and Mylan.
29 - 30 September 2010, Frankfurt, Germany.
In the current environment where minimising cost and delivering ROI are critical themes within the pharma industry, improving your clinical trial infrastructure can ensure that time is not wasted and you are maximising your investments. Attend Clinical trials 2010, this two day meeting which is concise and packed with value, Presentations that will be case-study oriented, supplemented by panel discussions and network with leading practitioners to provide information to keep clinical trials goal-oriented, on-time and cost-effective.
Patient safety is our first priority. We strongly refute any allegation that our actions have put patients at risk. We have carried out an extensive research programme, involving more than 50,000 patients to analyse the safety and benefits of Avandia.
All the results from our research programme have been given to the regulatory authorities worldwide and we are fully committed to being open about the results of all our clinical research.
30 September 2010, Frankfurt, Germany.
Pharma Marketing 2010 in Frankfurt provides a key platform for Europe's pharmaceutical industry stakeholders, such as yourself, to discover how best to tackle the key challenges of a price-sensitive and increasingly competitive and rapidly changing market.
AstraZeneca and MRC Technology Form Strategic Alliance in Discovery Research
AstraZeneca and MRC Technology, the commercialisation company for the UK's Medical Research Council, announced a new strategic collaboration to share access to their collections of compounds to aid the search for potential new treatments for serious diseases.
As part of its commitment to further transform the company's approach to diseases that disproportionately affect the world's poorest people, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is creating a new operating unit dedicated to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs*). A new Developing Countries and Market Access operating unit has been created which will integrate GSK's pharmaceutical business in LDCs into one group. The group will provide a dedicated focus on the strategic approaches needed to expand access to medicines for patients living in these countries.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Medivir (STO: MVIR-B) announced an exclusive agreement for the commercialisation of cold sore treatment, Xerclear™ (acyclovir and hydrocortisone) for non-prescription use (OTC) in key global markets. Xerclear is the first and only topical herpes labialis (cold sores) treatment clinically proven to help prevent cold sore lesions appearing.(1)
An overwhelming majority of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are not completely satisfied with their current subcutaneous treatment devices, according to recent survey results presented at the European League Against Rheumatism's (EULAR) 2010 Annual European Congress of Rheumatology. Findings showed that between 78 and 90 percent of surveyed RA patients reported that they disliked at least one aspect of administering their subcutaneous injection.
Telmisartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, is one of the best researched drugs worldwide. It has been studied in clinical trials in more than 50,000 patients. Its positive safety profile has been confirmed also in a market exposure of 34.5 million patient years. Convincing safety data for patients with a high cardiovascular risk were collected in the three long-term outcome trials ONTARGET, PRoFESS and TRANSCEND which followed some of the patients for up to five years. Following rigorous assessment of the data from these studies it was concluded that there was no association with an increased risk of cancer in the telmisartan arms.