Pharmacology News and Research

Latest Pharmacology News and Research

Zileuton can help reduce amyloid plaque formation and Alzheimer's development

A drug used to treat asthma has been shown to help reduce the formation of amyloid beta, a peptide in the brain that is implicated in the development of Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers at Temple University's School of Medicine.

28 Mar 2011

Study identifies unique adult animal stem cells that can turn into neurons

A group of scientists at Marshall University is conducting research that may someday lead to new treatments for repair of the central nervous system.

25 Mar 2011

Study develops new approaches for sorting out complexities of cancer cells

New drugs that specifically target the mutated genes responsible for cancer growth have shown great success in extending the lives of patients, with far fewer side effects than conventional anti-cancer therapies. Unfortunately, many patients become resistant to these drugs due to secondary mutations.

25 Mar 2011

AssureRx closes $11 million Series B financing

AssureRx Health, Inc. today announced the closing of an $11 million Series B financing. The personalized medicine company, which provides clinically-relevant information to help physicians select the right drug and the right dose for individual neuropsychiatric patients, will use the funds to expand direct sales and marketing for its first product, GeneSightRx®, and for second generation product development activities.

25 Mar 2011

Positive top-line results from Targacept's TC-5619 Phase 2 trial in adults with ADHD

Targacept, Inc today announced top-line results from a Phase 2 proof of concept trial of TC-5619 as a treatment for adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

25 Mar 2011

Scientists discover hormone pathway that can lead to new diabetes treatment

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a hormone pathway that potentially could lead to new ways of treating type 1 diabetes independent of insulin, long thought to be the sole regulator of carbohydrates in the liver.

25 Mar 2011

Perceptive Informatics announces eClinical Product Suite survey results

Perceptive Informatics, a leading eClinical solutions provider and a subsidiary of PAREXEL International Corporation, today announced results of a survey conducted during its recent webinar entitled "Designing and Delivering an eClinical Product Suite."

From Parexel 24 Mar 2011

Researchers create hiPS-RPE cells to treat age-related macular degeneration

The notion of transplanting adult stem cells to treat or even cure age-related macular degeneration has taken a significant step toward becoming a reality. In a study published today in Stem Cells, Georgetown University Medical Center researchers have demonstrated, for the first time, the ability to create retinal cells derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells that mimic the eye cells that die and cause loss of sight.

24 Mar 2011

New research: Methadone can affect brain and impair intellectual functions

Methadone has been used to treat heroin addicts for nearly 50 years. Yet we have surprisingly incomplete knowledge about possible harmful effects from prolonged use. New research from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health shows that methadone affects the brain and impairs the attention of experimental animals.

24 Mar 2011

Experts to showcase nursing education, practical innovations at Las Vegas national conference

Motivating and educating nurses to help them excel in their daily practice is the focus of this year's National Conference for Nurse Practitioners: The Conference for Primary and Acute Care Clinicians, May 11-14, 2011, at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, NV.

22 Mar 2011

AACP to honor UW professor with Volwiler Research Achievement Award

The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy will honor Sidney D. Nelson, Ph.D., from the University of Washington for his outstanding research and contributions to the field of pharmaceutical sciences.

22 Mar 2011

FDA accepts Arisaph's ARI-3037MO IND for phase I human clinical trial

Arisaph Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held drug discovery biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted the Company's recently submitted Investigational New Drug application to evaluate ARI-3037MO in a phase I human clinical trial in healthy volunteers.

22 Mar 2011

Nektar initiates dosing in NKTR-181 Phase 1 clinical study for treatment of pain

Nektar Therapeutics today announced that the first subjects were dosed in a new Phase 1 clinical study to evaluate NKTR-181, the company's next-generation opioid analgesic candidate. NKTR-181 is being developed to effectively treat pain while addressing the abuse liability and serious CNS side effects associated with currently available opioid therapies.

21 Mar 2011

Smoking during pregnancy increases risk of children becoming smokers too

New research has revealed that prenatal exposure to nicotine increases the vulnerability to nicotine self-administration in adolescent mice. The results support the hypothesis that adolescents with prenatal nicotine exposure are more likely to start smoking earlier than their peers and that they are also more susceptible to the addictive effects of nicotine, especially as a result of stress and peer pressure.

21 Mar 2011

Researchers discover a type of 'cellular bilingualism' in brain

A team of researchers from the University of Montreal and McGill University have discovered a type of "cellular bilingualism" - a phenomenon that allows a single neuron to use two different methods of communication to exchange information.

18 Mar 2011

New drug can aid in smoking reduction therapy

Researchers working in a research project within the Academy of Finland's Research Programme on Substance Use and Addictions have been developing a targeted drug that could aid in smoking reduction therapy. The new drug slows down the metabolism of nicotine, which would help smokers to cut down their smoking.

18 Mar 2011

Pharmaron signs agreement to provide Isis with nucleoside phosphoramidites up to 100 kg

Pharmaron has signed an agreement to provide Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. with nucleoside phosphoramidites at quantities up to 100 kg. Nucleoside phosphoramidites are fundamental building blocks in the production of antisense therapeutics.

17 Mar 2011

Study: Dried plums more safe, effective than psyllium to treat constipation

Given their palatability, tolerability and availability, dried plums should be considered the initial approach to the management of mild to moderate constipation in the general population, according to results of a randomized clinical trial recently published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

16 Mar 2011

Shanghai ChemPartner signs outsource research service agreement with Shenogen Pharma

ShangPharma Corporation, a leading China-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology research and development outsourcing company, today announced that its wholly-owned contract research subsidiary, Shanghai ChemPartner, has signed an outsource research service agreement with Shenogen Pharma Group to develop therapeutic monoclonal antibodies targeting the ER-alpha 36 receptor for cancer treatment.

16 Mar 2011

New study on how epoxyeicosatrienoic acids protect kidneys

Researchers at Georgia Health Sciences University are studying whether inhibiting an enzyme that reduces levels of a protective metabolite could halt the progression of diabetic nephropathy, or kidney disease resulting from diabetes.

16 Mar 2011