Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

Latest Arthritis & Rheumatology News and Research

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

Novo Nordisk in-licenses intellectual property rights to IL-21 antibodies

Novo Nordisk A/S and ZymoGenetics, Inc. today announced an agreement where Novo Nordisk in-licenses a fully-human anti-IL21 monoclonal antibody (IL-21 mAb) developed by ZymoGenetics, as well as broad intellectual property rights covering IL-21 mAb and the development of other IL-21 antibodies.

From Novo Nordisk 8 Dec 2009

Amgen announces results from first Phase 1/2 study of Nplate

Amgen Inc. today announced results from its first Phase 1/2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Nplate® (romiplostim) in children with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

8 Dec 2009

Biogen Idec's BG-12 achieves key milestones in clinical trials for MS and RA

Biogen Idec today announced that its oral compound BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) achieved key milestones in clinical trials for multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

8 Dec 2009

Regular sexual activity can help improve the overall health in men

Boston Medical Group, a national physician network specializing in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, today released the top ten reasons regular sexual activity can help improve men’s overall health. From decreased blood pressure to more restful sleep, sexual activity is essential for maintaining bodily functions as well as overall health and well-being.

7 Dec 2009

Synexus to complete acquisition of ClinPharm by January 2010

Synexus has agreed to acquire Leipzig based ClinPharm and will complete the acquisition in January 2010. This deal will increase the number of Synexus’ Dedicated Research Centres to 26 in nine countries, thus significantly strengthening its European reach and further reinforcing its position as the global leader.

From AES - Accelerated Enrollment Solutions 7 Dec 2009

VAI expands to support annual research operation

On December 8, Van Andel Institute (VAI) cuts the ribbon on its eight-story, $178 million, 240,000 square foot Phase II expansion. The expanded facility creates economic and scientific opportunity both for VAI and West Michigan's burgeoning life sciences sector and adds to the more than $1 billion investment in infrastructure already in place along Grand Rapids' Medical Mile.

7 Dec 2009

New approach to protein misfolding may lead to novel therapies for a number of diseases

In an encouraging new development, a team led by Scripps Research Institute scientists has restored partial function to lung cells collected from patients with cystic fibrosis. While there is still much work to be done before the therapy can be tested in humans, the discovery opens the door to a new class of therapies for this and a host of other chronic diseases.

7 Dec 2009

Amgen announces results from three studies on the safety and efficacy of Nplate

Amgen Inc. today announced results from three studies on the safety and efficacy of Nplate® (romiplostim) in adult patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

7 Dec 2009

Statins may protect against GVHD complications

Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins are among the most prescribed medicines in the U.S. Now a new study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center indicates that statins may protect stem cell transplant patients from one of the most serious complications of the life-saving cancer therapy: graft-versus-host disease, or GVHD.

5 Dec 2009

Statins may help protect stem cell transplant patients from GVHD

5 Dec 2009

Amber Pharmacy receives ACHC accreditation

Amber Pharmacy announced today that it received accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) for specialized pharmacy services.

4 Dec 2009

First patient treated in Carticept Medical's Cartiva SCI study

Carticept Medical, Inc., a developer of innovative products for the treatment of cartilage injuries and osteoarthritis, today announced that the first patient has been treated in an international, multi-center study of the Company's Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant (SCI). The study aims to determine the effectiveness of Cartiva SCI in comparison to arthrodesis (joint fusion), the current standard of care, for reducing the debilitating pain associated with osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint.

4 Dec 2009

Health Policy Research Roundup

UCLA Center For Health Policy Research: Health Disparities Among California's Nearly Four Million Low-Income Nonelderly Adult Women - Using data from the 2007 California Health Interview Survey, the authors of this policy brief compare low-income women, ages 18-64, to others. The report finds the low-income women are four times more likely to report fair or poor health and are more likely to report a health condition that interferes with basic physical activities, such as walking or climbing stairs.

4 Dec 2009

Biogen Idec increases its offer to $17.50 for purchase of Facet Biotech shares

Biogen Idec Inc. today announced that it has increased its offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Facet Biotech Corporation to $17.50 per share in cash, representing an increase of $3.00 per share, or 21%, over its previous offer.

4 Dec 2009

Viral Genetics to develop drug therapies for immune-related disorders and diseases

The University of Colorado and Viral Genetics Inc., recently executed an exclusive license agreement that expands on its previous agreement allowing Viral Genetics to develop treatments for autoimmune diseases, graft rejection, HIV, and cancer based on the work of M. Karen Newell, Ph.D., a professor of biology at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

4 Dec 2009

Alkermes licenses Medifusion technology to develop TNF receptor-Fc fusion protein

Alkermes, Inc. and Acceleron Pharma, Inc. today announced that Alkermes has licensed a proprietary long-acting Fc fusion technology platform, called the Medifusion™ technology, which is designed to extend the circulating half-life of proteins and peptides.

4 Dec 2009

Study: Stem cells from donor bone marrow may help repair heart damage

Adult stem cells may help repair heart tissue damaged by heart attack according to the findings of a new study to be published in the December 8 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Results from the Phase I study show stem cells from donor bone marrow appear to help heart attack patients recover better by growing new blood vessels to bring more oxygen to the heart

3 Dec 2009

Galapagos' multiple milestone achievement triggers cash payment of EUR 10.2 million

Galapagos NV announced today achievement of multiple milestones under its alliance agreement in rheumatoid arthritis. The milestones trigger a cash payment of EUR 10.2 million to Galapagos.

3 Dec 2009

Lunasin may have important health benefits, two new studies report

Two new University of Illinois studies report that lunasin, a soy peptide often discarded in the waste streams of soy-processing plants, may have important health benefits that include fighting leukemia and blocking the inflammation that accompanies such chronic health conditions as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

3 Dec 2009