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New therapy for multiple sclerosis sufferers

Serono and IVAX Corporation have announced positive results from two clinical trials with a new proprietary oral formulation of cladribine, a potential new treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).

23 Mar 2004

Tiny Ribozyme package could be future treatment of Hepatitis B virus

Penn State College of Medicine researchers have developed a tiny package that searches for and destroys up to 80 percent of hepatitis B virus in the livers of mice.

22 Mar 2004

Study shows Kinerase cream aids skin appearance

Valeant Pharmaceuticals announced that it has introduced Kinerase(R) Intensive Eye Cream, based on the successful formula of its Kinerase facial lotion and cream. The new eye cream contains a 25 percent higher concentration of Kinetin, the natural substance in Kinerase products that helps the skin retain moisture and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

22 Mar 2004

Anti-blood clotting OJ from University of Liverpool

An anti-blood clotting drink has been developed by an up-and-coming biotechnology business based at the University of Liverpool’s Business Incubator, MerseyBIO. Provexis, a medical food company, is in the final stages of its large-scale trial on the new orange juice drink that has been shown to lower the chance of blood clots and thereby reduce risk of heart attack, stroke and the development of deep vein thrombosis.

22 Mar 2004

Olopatadine nasal spray shown to minimise hay fever

Alcon announced today results from a Phase III clinical trial demonstrating that olopatadine nasal spray, a nasal formulation of its market leading ophthalmic anti-allergy product, Patanol(R) ophthalmic solution, reduced seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) symptoms compared to placebo.

22 Mar 2004

Raptiva, 20 percent improvement in an individual's signs and symptoms of arthritis.

Genentech, Inc. and XOMA Ltd. today announced preliminary results of a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase II study with RAPTIVA™ (efalizumab) in 107 patients with psoriatic arthritis. The study did not reach statistical significance at 12 weeks (84 days) for the primary endpoint, ACR 20 response. An ACR 20 response indicates at least a 20 percent improvement in an individual's signs and symptoms of arthritis.

22 Mar 2004

New drug to treat urinary tract infections, a step closer

Depomed, Inc. today announced top line results from the Phase III clinical trial of its Ciprofloxacin GR, an extended release formulation of ciprofloxacin HCl, which is used to treat urinary tract infections. The data confirmed Phase II results, demonstrating that Depomed's once-daily Ciprofloxacin GR eliminated the organisms responsible for urinary tract infections as effectively as twice-daily CIPRO(R), but with fewer gastrointestinal side effects, specifically fewer incidences of nausea and diarrhea.

22 Mar 2004

New pill for post-traumatic stress disorder

Every day, people suffer traumatic experiences that scar their minds. Combat, rape, bombings, burns, beatings, and horrific car accidents haunt them with memories impossible to suppress. Such day- and nightmares are part of a problem known as post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

22 Mar 2004

Forward step in treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced the presentation of clinical data for R112, the company’s lead candidate for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, during a poster session at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) in San Francisco, CA. The phase I/II single dose trial demonstrated that R112 was well tolerated and showed favorable biological effects.

22 Mar 2004

Pfizer breast cancer drug looks to be best in field

A breast cancer drug made by Pfizer Inc. increased survival rates by 63 percent compared with the standard therapy tamoxifen, researchers said on Wednesday. The clinical trial strengthens the case for administering the newer drug, exemestane, as a first option. A study published last week showed that women recovering from breast cancer lowered their chance of developing another tumor by 32 percent if they switched to exemestane after two or three years of tamoxifen treatment.

22 Mar 2004

Atrix Signs Feasibility Agreement for Development of Two New Compounds

Atrix Laboratories, Inc. has announced today that the company has signed a limited feasibility agreement with Aventis SA (NYSE: AVE) to begin preliminary research on two proprietary Aventis compounds formulated in Atrix's delivery technology, Atrigel®. The current agreement is specific for these compounds in an undisclosed therapeutic area.

22 Mar 2004

Pharmexa vaccine is designed to induce antibody responses against the HER-2 protein

Pharmexa presents data from the HER-2 Protein AutoVac™ breast cancer trial at a Conference in Hamburg Summary: Pharmexa is presenting data from the first clinical trial in USA with the HER-2 Protein AutoVac™ vaccine at the 4th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC) in Hamburg, Germany.

22 Mar 2004

Largest marketing campaign for a single drug to date

The cardiovascular market, one of the most hotly contested therapeutic areas of the pharmaceutical industry, continues to expand. Together, drugs that lower blood pressure and cholesterol treat 303 million potential patients worldwide. Nevertheless, companies that develop fourth or fifth to market drugs will struggle to compete, according to research by business intelligence firm Cutting Edge Information.

22 Mar 2004

Obesity Drug Inhibits Prostate Tumor Growth

The Burnham Institute's Jeffrey Smith, Ph.D. has discovered that orlistat, commonly prescribed as an anti-obesity drug, has a positive side-effect: it inhibits cancer growth. Dr. Smith made this discovery using an activity-based proteomics screening technique developed in his laboratory that makes it possible to identify active targets and simultaneously screen for their inhibitors.

22 Mar 2004

New Drug Offers Hope For Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Patients with advanced colorectal cancer have new hope for a longer life. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the drug Avastin to be used in combination with chemotherapy. Doctors are calling it a big breakthrough.

22 Mar 2004