Dermatology News and Research

Latest Dermatology News and Research

Bortezomib may offer hope for treating inflammatory diseases: New research

Those looking for a new treatment for a range of inflammatory diseases like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus may need to look no further than a drug already available for treating cancer. In a research report published in the July 2010 print issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, Japanese scientists use mice to show that bortezomib, currently used to treat cancers that affect white blood cells, induces cell death only in harmful (active and proliferating) T cells, leaving the rest unharmed.

1 Jul 2010

Vicept completes $16 million Series A financing

Vicept™ Therapeutics Inc., a privately held specialty biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing the first effective topically applied therapy for erythema (facial redness) of rosacea, announced that it has secured $10 million to complete a total $16 million Series A financing. The Series A was led by Vivo Ventures, Sofinnova Ventures and Fidelity Biosciences.

30 Jun 2010

Federal agencies, state governments take action to educate, protect against serious risks of indoor tanning

As the scientific evidence mounts, more federal agencies and state governments are taking action to educate and protect Americans against the serious risks of indoor tanning. Recent and pending legislation in numerous states restricting access to indoor tanning, along with the federal 10 percent indoor tanning tax that goes into effect on July 1, are important steps in keeping Americans safe from overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and the potential for future skin cancers.

30 Jun 2010

Excellence in Paediatrics to be held in London, from 2 - 4 December 2010

Experts from all over the world will be converging on the Park Plaza Hotel in Westminster, London, from 2 - 4 December 2010 for Excellence in Paediatrics, which promises cutting edge topics by outstanding speakers.

30 Jun 2010

Halozyme presents new data from Ultrafast Insulin development program at 70th ADA

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. today announced Phase 2 results demonstrating that the subcutaneous coinjection of rHuPH20 (recombinant human hyaluronidase, PH20) with lispro significantly improves postprandial hyperglycemia, reduces hypoglycemia, and accelerates the absorption of mealtime insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes.

28 Jun 2010

USPTO confirms validity of DUSA's key Levulan PDT patent

DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.®, a dermatology company that is developing and marketing Levulan® Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has completed its re-examination of US Patent No. 5,079,262, "Method of detection and treatment of malignant and non-malignant lesions utilizing 5-aminolevulinic acid."

24 Jun 2010

FDA cancels Advisory Committee review of Lux Biosciences' voclosporin NDA

Isotechnika Pharma Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the Dermatology and Ophthalmology Drugs Advisory Committee review of partner, Lux Biosciences', New Drug Application (NDA) for voclosporin on June 28, 2010.

24 Jun 2010

MSD enters collaboration with Adcock Ingram to co-promote, distribute products in South Africa

Merck (Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) today announced a strategic collaboration between MSD South Africa and Adcock Ingram, a publicly held South African company, to co-promote and distribute a number of established MSD products in South Africa. The products that will be jointly promoted by MSD and Adcock Ingram include over-the-counter (OTC) products and selected prescription medicines currently registered in South Africa by MSD and Schering-Plough.

24 Jun 2010

Oxsoralen-Ultra therapy for severe psoriasis now available in the U.S. on a limited supply basis

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International today announced that Oxsoralen-Ultra, its therapy for severe psoriasis, is now available again in the United States on a limited supply basis.

23 Jun 2010

GSK, Medivir sign exclusive agreement for commercialization of Xerclear

GlaxoSmithKline and Medivir today announced an exclusive agreement for the commercialization 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.

23 Jun 2010

FDA approves NAMENDA XR for treatment of Alzheimer's type dementia

Forest Laboratories, Inc. and Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH announced today that NAMENDA XR(TM) (memantine hydrochloride) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type. NAMENDA XR is a 28 mg once-daily extended-release formulation of NAMENDA.

22 Jun 2010

Valeant, Biovail announce definitive merger agreement

Valeant today announced that both companies' Boards of Directors have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which the companies would combine to generate enhanced value for stockholders. The combined company will be called Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.

21 Jun 2010

National Cheng Kung University Hospital's Outpatient Building inaugurated

The Outpatient Building of National Cheng Kung University Hospital was officially inaugurated on June 12th to provide excellent medical service and to further ensure the health of people in Southern Taiwan.

18 Jun 2010

MicroPulse protocol as effective as ETDRS in treatment of DME: Study

IRIDEX Corporation announced the recent publication of a clinical study comparing results obtained in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) using an IRIDEX laser and MicroPulse™ treatment protocol to those obtained using the recognized standard of care Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) laser protocol.

17 Jun 2010

LWW sponsors symposium on wound care

The 25th Anniversary Clinical Symposium on Advances in Skin & Wound Care: The Conference for Prevention and Healing will be held September 30-October 3, 2010, at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Convention Center in Kissimee, FL. The symposium is sponsored by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW), part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy.

17 Jun 2010

Identification of key player in signaling pathway offers hope for new targeted melanoma therapies

Identification of a key player in a signaling pathway involved in the development of melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer - may offer hope for new targeted melanoma therapies.

16 Jun 2010

Study validates Grm1 protein as target for melanoma treatment

Research by investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) is showing new promise in the treatment of melanoma, the most serious of skin cancers. The findings, published in the May 27, 2010, online edition of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology further validate the team's clinical and pre-clinical findings that blocking the signaling normally activated by a receptor called Grm1 results in decreased cell growth and decreased migration of melanoma cells, confirming that Grm1 is a potential target for the treatment of melanoma.

16 Jun 2010

Results from ICH compliant Phase II study of MRX-4 presented at EAACI Congress

Morria Biopharmaceuticals Plc, a biopharmaceutical company focused on novel, anti-inflammatory drugs, announced today the results from its ICH compliant Phase II study of MRX-4>th EAACI Congress in London. The study's principal investigators were Drs. Eric Bateman, Mary Bateman and Paul Potter.

16 Jun 2010

Sanofi-aventis signs definitive agreement to acquire assets of Canderm

Sanofi-aventis announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement under which an affiliate of sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. is to acquire the assets of Canderm Pharma Inc., a privately-held leading Canadian skin care company. This agreement is consistent with the sanofi-aventis Group's global strategy to expand its consumer health care growth platform and follows on the heels of the Group's acquisition of the North American CHC company Chattem Inc. in March 2010.

16 Jun 2010

Tips for correct application of sunscreen

You've gotten the message about the importance of sun protection, you're stocked up on sunscreen that's at least 15 SPF, and you're diligent about putting it on before you head outside. Once you've gotten this far, there's no reason to risk sunburns by applying it incorrectly. But, all too often, that's exactly what happens, says a Saint Louis University dermatologist.

15 Jun 2010