Healthcare - Articles

Psychiatrists attending this year’s Annual Psychiatric Association meeting heard new findings from the controversial CATIE (Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness) programme. New data suggest an older typical antipsychotic drug is more cost effective and has the same cognitive benefits as newer atypical drugs. Previous results suggested the older first generation drug is equally effective and well-tolerated clinically, compared to newer atypicals but the study design was m
In December 2005, the New England Journal of Medicine published the first results of the CATIE (Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness) (1).  The 18-month, double-blind study, funded by the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), compared an older and much cheaper ty…

DailyUpdates 26th May, 2006: As our daily trip around the drug discovery world continues we hit Friday with some revealing information on sepsis and new phase 3 data on Wyeth's antidepressant desvenlafaxine. Read on for more about these highlight on visit today's edition of DailyUpdates for more on these advances or any of the other 50+ items featured today
DailyUpdates 26th May, 2006: As our daily trip around the drug discovery world continues we hit Friday with some revealing information on sepsis and new phase 3 data on Wyeth's antidepressant desvenlafaxine.  Read on for more about these highlight on visit today's edition of DailyUpdates for more on these advances or any of the other 50+ items featured todayDefining the problem of sepsis: Sepsis, a complex and rapidly progressing d…

EntreMed has initiated a phase II trial of Panzem in combination with Genentech's Avastin in carcinoid cancer. The trial will examine how the therapy fares against potential rivals and its possible use in other tumor types. With the blockbuster Avastin possessing the potential to significantly raise the profile of Panzem, the study will prove crucial for EntreMed's lead pipeline drug candidate.
Carcinoid cancer is a rare neuroendocrine tumor that is on the increase. In the , 6,000 to 7,000 new cases are confirmed each year, with 2,500 tumors at the malignant stage. The majority (85%) of carcinoid cancers develop within the gastrointestinal tract between the stomach and the rectum. Several tumors may develop in the small intestine, which often increases the risk of developing other tumors wi…

DailyUpdates 30th May: As the drug discovery sector returns after various public holidays around the world, we too return with another edition of DailyUpdates. Amongst the 60 or so features today, we highlight work at Kane Biotech conducted in an attempt to reduce the major problem of catheter infection, plus news on the development of a liposomal candidate designed to deliver the active metabolite of Camptosar to colorectal cancer tumors. Summaries of this work are provided below - today's edit
DailyUpdates 30th May: As the drug discovery sector returns after various public holidays around the world, we too return with another edition of DailyUpdates. Amongst the 60 or so features today, we highlight work at Kane Biotech conducted in an attempt to reduce the major problem of catheter infec…

Although ventricular and atrial fibrillation represent the most common cardiac arrhymias and are associated with amongst the highest rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, treatment options are suboptimal. New opportunities are however approaching the market, notably Cardiome’s RSD1235, paving the way for development by others.
Ventricular Fibrillation and Atrial FibrillationEmerging Antiarrhythmics in the Context of Current Devices, Interventions and Pharmacological Agents Although ventricular and atrial fibrillation represent the most common cardiac arrhymias and are associated with amongst the highest rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, treatment options are suboptimal.  New opportunities are however approaching the market, notably Cardiome’s RSD1235, paving…

DailyUpdates 25th May, 2006: Today both featured items from DailyUpdates focus on autoimmune disease and remarkably neither are biologics. The first, a press release from Synta announces the advancement of an IL-12/IL-23 inhibitor in development for rheumatoid arthritis and IBD; the second is a review of potassium channels as targets for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
DailyUpdates 25th May, 2006: Today both featured items from DailyUpdates focus on autoimmune disease and remarkably neither are biologics. The first, a press release from Synta announces the advancement of an IL-12/IL-23 inhibitor in development for rheumatoid arthritis and IBD; the second is a review of potassium channels as targets for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Information on this content as well as all othe…

Colin Williams, e-Marketing Director at PharmiWeb Solutions takes a look at the current e-detailing landscape and suggests what the future could hold for this much talked about tool for pharmaceutical sales and marketing departments.
Introduction - e-detailing, eDetailing, e-detail, eDetail, v-Detail, online detail…. Whatever you call it, there has been no escaping it over the past few years and with more people than ever who are connected with the pharmaceutical industry talking about it, this is only set to get worse…or better in my opinion! I’ve been involved in e-detailing since the heady dotcom days of 2000 and have been providing solutions for the pharmaceutical industry since then. While my frustrations with how long it has taken the industry to take full advantage of e-detailing hav…

ExL Pharma is proud to present the inaugural Pharmaceutical Advocacy & Lobbying Forum, the leading event for government and public affairs professionals to address best practices to obtain optimal outcomes on key federal and state legislative issues impacting your company. According to in-depth research and feedback from industry executives, this event is a much needed resource for industry colleagues to meet, learn and network on lobbying and advocacy tactics to ensure the delivery of innovativ
Dear Colleague,Within the dynamic political environment surrounding health policy, it is becoming more important for pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and healthcare companies to play a larger role in state and federal government legislation in order to have an impact on issues and policies th…

DailyUpdates 18th May, 2006: As the antidepressant sector continues to go through a period of turbulance we report on new data for one blockbuster from this class - Lexapro. Selected for special mention from over 50 journal articles today's feature demonstrates great timing appearing at the same time as our feature - Major Depressive Disorder. Today's edition of DailyUpdates can be seen here
DailyUpdates 18th May, 2006: As the antidepressant sector continues to go through a period of turbulance we report on new data for one blockbuster from this class - Lexapro. Selected for special mention from over 50 journal articles today's feature demonstrates great timing appearing at the same time as our feature - Major Depressive Disorder. Today's edition of DailyUpdates can be seen hereComparative…

DailyUpdates 19th May, 2006: Today's edition of DailyUpdates (see it in full here) carries a couple of important articles on renal disease. One loks at the outcome of patients with renal dysfunction across various acute coronary syndromes. The featured article however demonstrates the efficacy of Novartis' Benazepril in treating advanced renal disease
DailyUpdates 19th May, 2006: Today's edition of DailyUpdates (see it in full here) carries a couple of important articles on renal disease. One loks at the outcome of patients with renal dysfunction across various acute coronary syndromes. The featured article however demonstrates the efficacy of Novartis' Benazepril in treating advanced renal diseaseBenazepril offers hope to patients with advance renal disease - Angiotensin-converting-enzym…

Without treatment, an estimated one in three women will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture during their lifetime
Without treatment, an estimated one in three women will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture during their lifetime (1). The risk of fracture can be substantially reduced by oral nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates such as alendronate (Fosamax) and risedronate (Actonel).  However, although these are widely prescribed, they are not widely adhered to by patients. At least half to three quarters of women stop treatment within one year (2).  Reasons for poor adherence are generally ascribed to inconvenience and, in part, to upper gastro-intestinal (GI) side effects which are thought to affect around one in five.  Dosing is complicated. Tablets have to…

Despite almost 200 million people suffering from hypertension in the seven major pharmaceutical markets alone, according to a new report, innovation is scarce within antihypertensive R&D. What little innovation that does exist is being delivered by Novartis, which is set to launch two new antihypertensives in 2007 in the shape of oral renin inhibitor Rasilez, and the 'two-in-one' pill Exforge.
Despite almost 200 million people suffering from hypertension in the seven major pharmaceutical markets alone, according to a new report, innovation is scarce within antihypertensive R&D. What little innovation that does exist is being delivered by Novartis, which is set to launch two new antihypertensives in 2007 in the shape of oral renin inhibitor Rasilez, and the 'two-in-one' pill Exforge. Th…

EntreMed has initiated a phase II trial of Panzem in combination with Genentech's Avastin in carcinoid cancer. The trial will examine how the therapy fares against potential rivals and its possible use in other tumor types. With the blockbuster Avastin possessing the potential to significantly raise the profile of Panzem, the study will prove crucial for EntreMed's lead pipeline drug candidate.
EntreMed has initiated a phase II trial of Panzem in combination with Genentech's Avastin in carcinoid cancer. The trial will examine how the therapy fares against potential rivals and its possible use in other tumor types. With the blockbuster Avastin possessing the potential to significantly raise the profile of Panzem, the study will prove crucial for EntreMed's lead pipeline drug candidate.Carcin…

DailyUpdates 15th May, 2006: Amongst the 50 or so papers and press releases featured today two focusing on VEGF jump out as being of especial interest. The first, a paper published by Stanford University, reports on the anti-cancer activity of an oncolytic virus in combination with gene therapy. The virus was engineered to selectively replicate in and kill cancer cells . The gene therapy encoded a soluble version of Flk1, one of the VEGF receptors. The two approaches together produce effective a
DailyUpdates 15th May, 2006: Amongst the 50 or so papers and press releases featured today two focusing on VEGF jump out as being of especial interest. The first, a paper published by Stanford University, reports on the anti-cancer activity of an oncolytic virus in combination with gene therapy. The…

When not doing 'insane sports', Amgen's Europe chief Rolf Hoffmann is battling big pharma
At Amgen, the world's largest biotechnology company, health is not just the way people make their money. It is also a serious business in employees' personal lives. The California-based company has America's largest cycling club and if you want to get into the gym at lunchtime but have not booked a spot on the treadmill, forget about it. Even by this company's energetic standards, Rolf Hoffmann, head of Amgen's international operations, takes his exercise more seriously than most. A former Olympic swimmer for Germany, Mr Hoffmann is a self-confessed addict to "iron-man and insane, long-distance events". This summer, the 47-year-old will compete in a 200 mile race across Switzerland - one of Amgen'…

This summit aims to provide both strategic and practical information that will ensure that organisations can prepare for and survive what is now considered to be the inevitable pandemic. Professor Hugh Pennington from the Department of Medical Microbiology at University of Aberdeen will repeat his warning that, “Only one thing is certain and that is that there will be a pandemic.”
The topics to be covered at the Summit will stress that comprehensive plans must cover seemingly diverse aspects such as legal policy, staff travel, quarantine arrangements, as well as controlling rumour, speculation and scaremongering that can easily rage out of control If you or your team wish to attend , you can email me or register through one of the options below. You can view the programme and…

DailyUpdates 12th May, 2006 (click here for entire bulletin): Today appears to be cancer vaccine day with two important announements being made. First off, Genitope Corporation announce the initiation of an ealry phase clinical trial of their MyVax idiotype immunotherapy; this was followed by an announcement by Biovest reporting that fast track status had been awarded to their phase 3 candidate, BiovaxID. This follows in the footsteps of the company's announcement that the FDA had approved sale
DailyUpdates 12th May, 2006 (click here for entire bulletin): Today appears to be cancer vaccine day with two important announements being made. First off, Genitope Corporation announce the initiation of an ealry phase clinical trial of their MyVax idiotype immunotherapy; this was followed by an ann…

A new report estimates that there will be approximately 84,000 cases of adult and childhood leukemia in the world's seven major pharmaceutical markets in 2006. Acute leukemias will account for 43% of these cases, and, although this market is relatively small compared to other cancer types, the clear unmet needs and regulatory incentives should help encourage drug makers.
Rlapse rates high Unfortunately, relapse rates following treatment for AML and ALL are high, and current treatments offer little chance of long-term survival for most patients. While developmental drugs in this area have the opportunity to garner orphan drug designation and fast track approval status by the FDA, given the niche nature of treatments for this form of cancer, the return on investment for developers of novel…

This Conference will provide a platform for intellectual discourse in order to answer these questions and to discuss other pressing issues regarding the pharmaceutical industry in China in particular, and the world in general. Opportunities and challenges within the whole value chain, from research and development down to sales and marketing will be discussed and solutions put forward for the benefits of attendees.
WHAT YOU WILL TAKE AWAY FROM THIS CONFERENCE We believe that the quality of a conference program comes from listening to the requests and advice given by our target market. We pride ourselves in providing the most-up-to date subject matter suggested by the market in an environment that is conducive to networking and learning. At this event, you will have the unique opportunity…

A recent Department of Health study showed that healthcare associated infection (HCAI) affects 8 per cent of acute admissions to hospitals. These infections can delay discharge home by up to 11 days. For the NHS in England this represents a loss of 3.6 million bed days, with a projected cost of £1 billion a year.
Maureen Bott, Product and Development Manager, Kalamazoo Security Print, comments on the MRSA and solutions to combat the spread of it. “A recent Department of Health study showed that healthcare associated infection (HCAI) affects 8 per cent of acute admissions to hospitals. These infections can delay discharge home by up to 11 days. For the NHS in this represents a loss of 3.6 million bed days, with a projected cost of £1 billion a year. It is well documented that transmission…