Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Fluticasone gets rid of eosinophils in the esophagus, but does not improve symptoms

A group of Mayo Clinic researchers conducted the first controlled trial of swallowed fluticasone nasal spray (also known as Flonase) on people with the allergic esophageal condition called eosinophilic esophagitis. Research showed that the aerosolized swallowed allergy drug helped treat the cause of the throat condition, but symptoms lingered. The researchers' findings were presented today at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in San Antonio.

18 Oct 2010

Hyperion's HPN-100 granted FDA Fast Track Designation for urea cycle disorders

Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that its investigational compound glycerol phenylbutyrate (HPN-100) has been granted Fast Track Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as adjunctive therapy for the chronic management of urea cycle disorders. Hyperion recently completed its phase III trial which was conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement with the FDA. The Company plans to announce results from that trial later this year.

18 Oct 2010

Intellipharmaceutics announces FDA acceptance to file ANDA for Protonix generic version

Intellipharmaceutics International Inc. today announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for filing its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for a generic version of Protonix (delayed release pantoprazole sodium).

18 Oct 2010

Preliminary Phase 2 data of TZP-102 for diabetic gastroparesis to be presented at ACG annual meeting

Tranzyme Pharma announced today that John Wo, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director, Clinical Research, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, will present preliminary TZP-102 Phase 2 data at this year's ACG annual meeting. The event is being held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio TX, October 15-20, 2010. Professor Wo is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, October 20th at 8:50am in Ballroom C1.

18 Oct 2010

ACG meeting to exhibit Cimzia data for Crohn's disease treatment

Studies and analyses of the Crohn's disease (CD) treatment Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) will be exhibited at the 2010 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, taking place in San Antonio from October 15 – 20.

18 Oct 2010

Series of pan-endoscopies show unparalleled ability to navigate intestinal tract

Spirus Medical, Inc. a leading developer of diagnostic and therapeutic advancement systems for gastroenterology announces a series of pan-endoscopies in an average time of 60 minutes, using a flexible endoscope with an integral drive to power a single use spiral component. The initial clinical series, which was conducted outside the U.S., showed unparalleled ability to navigate the intestinal tract.

18 Oct 2010

Sinai Hospital physician honored at ACG's annual scientific meeting

Sudhir K. Dutta, M.D. head of the Division of Gastroenterology at Sinai Hospital, was awarded the designation "Master of the American College of Gastroenterology" at the ACG's annual scientific meeting today.

18 Oct 2010

Silver studded bacteria could help treat common cold and flu

Finally scientists may have found a potential cure for common cold. They have found “silver bullets” in yogurt that could destroy viruses and provide a cure for the flu and common cold.

18 Oct 2010

Heavy drinking during pregnancy associated with serious developmental defects in fetus

Scientific data continue to indicate that higher intake of alcohol during pregnancy adversely affects the fetus, and could lead to very severe developmental or other problems in the child. However, most recent publications show little or no effects of occasional or light drinking by the mother during pregnancy.

15 Oct 2010

Scientists to monitor effectiveness of Streptococcus vaccine

Respiratory infections and diarrhoeal diseases kill approximately four million children each year, with most deaths occurring in developing countries. New vaccines for Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes pneumonia, and rotavirus, the most common cause of severe diarrhoea, have proved successful in preventing the development of the diseases in clinical trials, but have yet to be used routinely in many parts of Africa.

15 Oct 2010

CIHR, Genome BC announce $5.4 million for microbiome research

The University of British Columbia today welcomed the announcement of $5.4 million in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Genome British Columbia for research into how micro-organisms affect human health.

15 Oct 2010

Caris Life Sciences presents new diagnostic data at ACG 2010

Caris Life Sciences, Inc., a leading biosciences company focused on enabling precise and personalized healthcare through the highest quality anatomic pathology, molecular profiling and blood-based diagnostic technologies, today announced upcoming highlights from the Company's presentations at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology ("ACG 2010") held in San Antonio, TX, October 15-20. In total, Caris was awarded 17 accepted abstracts, three of which are ACG Presidential Poster Award recipients.

15 Oct 2010

UCB announces winners of 2010 UCB Crohn's and Me Scholarship Program

UCB, Inc., a global leader in the research and development of medications to treat immunology disorders, today announced the winners of its 2010 UCB Crohn's and Me Scholarship Program for outstanding individuals affected by this condition. UCB has selected 31 winners to receive a scholarship worth up to $10,000 to help them seek personal growth through higher education.

15 Oct 2010

Administering ondansetron drug to children is economically advantageous

Two years ago, a study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers found that an anti-vomiting drug called ondansetron helps reduce vomiting, the need for intravenous fluids and hospital admissions in children with acute gastroenteritis.Now a new economic analysis led by Canadian researchers, in collaboration with Michael J. Steiner, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at UNC, concludes that routinely giving ondansetron to children with gastroenteritis-induced vomiting would prevent thousands of hospitalizations and save millions of dollars each year.

15 Oct 2010

FibroGen announces initiation of FG-3019 phase 2 study for reversing liver fibrosis

FibroGen, Inc. today announced initiation of a phase 2 study to compare the efficacy of FG-3019, a human monoclonal antibody against connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), with placebo in reversing liver fibrosis (scarring of the liver) due to chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV).

15 Oct 2010

NIH awards two new grants to develop Avidocin platform

AvidBiotics today announced the receipt of two new grants totaling $1 million dollars from the National Institutes of Health that further the development of the company's novel Avidocin™ platform for narrow spectrum antibacterial proteins against important health care threats. These grants add to three previous grants covering AvidBiotics' anti-infectious disease technologies, which provide approximately $3.4 million in currently active funding for the company.

15 Oct 2010

Researchers study bacterial ecosystem to optimize women's health

A team of Canadian researchers are examining the delicate balance of bacteria and viruses in women's bodies in order to optimize women's health through their lives.

15 Oct 2010

Acetadote Injection is now commercially available in Australia

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Phebra Pty Ltd. today announced that Acetadote (acetylcysteine) Injection, an injectable product used to treat acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose, is now commercially available in the Australian market. Phebra Pty Ltd., an Australian-based specialty pharmaceutical company, has an exclusive license from U.S.-based Cumberland Pharmaceuticals to market and distribute the product in Australia.

15 Oct 2010

NinePoint announces completion of $33 million Series A financing

NinePoint Medical, Inc., an emerging leader in the development of in vivo pathology devices, today announced it has completed a $33 million Series A financing led by Third Rock Ventures and Prospect Venture Partners. The company also announced the establishment of its corporate headquarters in Cambridge, Mass. where Charles Carignan, M.D., serves as president and chief executive officer.

14 Oct 2010

AGA's new book offers strategies to reduce IBS symptoms

A new book from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) offers patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) a variety of strategies to lessen the burden that IBS puts on their everyday lives. IBS is a common disorder of the intestines that leads to crampy pain, gassiness, bloating and changes in bowel habits; there is no cure. The new book, "Master Your IBS," includes a variety of strategies to help patients learn how to manage their IBS symptoms and achieve greater freedom from IBS.

14 Oct 2010