Breaking World Pharma News

Innovative public-private collaboration launches to tackle antibiotic research

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca welcomed the launch of a pioneering approach to antibiotic research in Europe that will see pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies working alongside public partners to tackle the rising threat from antibiotic resistance and address some of the key barriers to the development of effective antibiotics.

Calcium supplements linked to significantly increased heart attack risk

Thu, 24 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Calcium supplements might increase the risk of having a heart attack, and should be "taken with caution," concludes research published in the online issue of the journal Heart. Furthermore, boosting overall calcium intake from dietary sources confers no significant advantage in terms of staving off heart disease and stroke, the findings indicate.

Bayer's Regorafenib submitted for EU and US marketing authorization

Wed, 23 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Bayer HealthCare has submitted a Marketing Authorization Application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and a New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the oral multi-kinase inhibitor regorafenib for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

One million signatures needed to call upon World Health Organisation

Tue, 22 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

The 1 Mission 1 Million - Getting to the Heart of Stroke initiative is launching a petition to call upon the World Health Organisation, its member states and health authorities worldwide to recognise atrial fibrillation as a risk factor for stroke and set clinical management targets that could save one million mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts and grandparents each year through better atrial fibrillation management, stroke prevention and education.

Biomarker predicts response to cancer treatment

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

VIB researcher Diether Lambrechts, associated with KU Leuven, has discovered a biomarker that might potentially predict which patients will benefit more from treatment with bevacizumab (Avastin). If validated, this discovery could be an important step towards personalized medicine and patient-tailored use of this important cancer drug.

FDA approves generic versions of blood thinner Plavix

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved generic versions of the blood thinning drug Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate), which helps reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by making it less likely that platelets in the blood will clump and form clots in the arteries.

Roche will report new data on important progress for people with advanced cancers at ASCO 2012

Sun, 20 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) will present important new data from studies of several of its cancer medicines at the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), June 1 to 5, 2012, in Chicago.

Amgen's BiTE® antibody blinatumomab (AMG 103) achieved high rate of complete response

Thu, 17 May 2012 21:00:01 +0000

Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) announced updated results from a Phase 2 study that showed treatment with blinatumomab (AMG 103) helped achieve a high-rate of complete response (CR) in 72 percent of adult patients with relapsed or refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated in the study.

Merck total revenues increase 3.2% to € 2.6 billion

Thu, 17 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

The Merck Group's first-quarter 2012 total revenues rose 3.2% to € 2,645 million compared to € 2,564 million in the first quarter of 2011. Sales for the Group increased 3.5% to € 2,564 million in first quarter compared to € 2,478 million in the year-ago quarter.

Pfizer provides topline results from Phase 3 study of Torisel®

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:00:01 +0000

Pfizer Inc announced that the Phase 3 INTORSECT (B1771003) study, evaluating TORISEL® (temsirolimus) in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) whose disease had progressed on or after SUTENT® (sunitinib malate) therapy, did not meet the primary endpoint of prolonging progression free survival (PFS) when compared to sorafenib.

In drug-approval race, US FDA ahead of Canada, Europe

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally approves drug therapies faster and earlier than its counterparts in Canada and Europe, according to a new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers. The study counters perceptions that the drug approval process in the United States is especially slow.

GlaxoSmithKline to fully acquire Cellzome for £61 million

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:00:01 +0000

GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) has entered into an agreement to acquire those shares it does not currently own in Cellzome, a leader in the development and advancement of proteomics technologies, for £61 million (US$99 million) in cash.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Announces $15 Million Expansion of Together on Diabetes® to China and India

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation today announced the expansion of its Together on Diabetes® initiative to China and India, pledging $15 million over five years to help these developing nations with rapidly growing numbers of type 2 diabetes patients.

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Tsinghua University Enter Strategic Partnership

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) and Tsinghua University of Beijing, China, today announced the formation of a multi-year strategic partnership. Under the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb will fund research efforts at Tsinghua University's School of Life Sciences to identify and validate novel targets in oncology and immunoscience.

Blood pressure drugs don't protect against colorectal cancer

Mon, 14 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

A new study has found that, contrary to current thinking, taking beta blockers that treat high blood pressure does not decrease a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study also revealed that even long-term use or subtypes of beta blockers showed no reduction of colorectal cancer risk.

Statistically significant clinical phase III results of Lu AA21004

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck) today announced positive top-line results from three recently completed phase III clinical studies of Lu AA21004, an investigational drug for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) using dosages from 10 to 20mg.

Vitamin K2: New hope for Parkinson's patients?

Sun, 13 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Neuroscientist Patrik Verstreken, associated with VIB and KU Leuven, succeeded in undoing the effect of one of the genetic defects that leads to Parkinson's using vitamin K2. His discovery gives hope to Parkinson's patients.

FDA issues alert on potential dangers of unproven treatment for multiple sclerosis

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care professionals and patients about injuries and death associated with the use of an experimental procedure sometimes called "liberation therapy" or the "liberation procedure" to treat chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI).

GSK commences tender offer to acquire Human Genome Sciences for US $13.00 per share in cash

Thu, 10 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE: GSK) today announced that it has commenced its previously announced tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Human Genome Sciences (NASDAQ: HGSI) for US$13.00 per share in cash.

Cancer Support Community launches national program to assist patients with cancer

Wed, 09 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

The Cancer Support Community (CSC) and the Amgen Foundation, today announced the launch of Open to Options", a program designed to bridge the communications gap between physicians and patients and inspire patient confidence in making treatment decisions.