Pharmaco - Articles

Altana and Pfizer have terminated an agreement to develop the respiratory disease drug Daxas following unimpressive phase III results. Altana will continue Daxas' development, but additional trials may be required. Pfizer, meanwhile, will focus efforts on an alternative in-house compound, with an eye on developing a dual-action COPD product.
Pfizer has terminated the agreement to develop Daxas (roflumilast), a phosphodiesterase-IV inhibitor therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), following unimpressive results from a phase III study that do not appear to provide strong enough long-term efficacy data to warrant approval. The term COPD covers a complex group of disorders characterized by a progressive development of airflow limitation, caused primarily by smoking. The most…

DailyUpdates was developed in 2002 by the drug development consultants, LeadDiscovery. Developed for the R&D community, 1,000's of individuals plus many of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies now use this simple yet effective tool to track key events in the drug discovery sector.
DailyUpdatesBreaking Journal Articles & Press Releases for the Drug Development Sector DailyUpdates was developed in 2002 by the drug development consultants, LeadDiscovery. Developed for the R&D community, 1,000's of individuals plus many of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies now use this simple yet effective tool to track key events in the drug discovery sector. Resulting from extensive experience in the pharmaceutical arena, LeadDiscovery understands how important it is for drug development perso…

The field of histone deacetylase inhibitors is moving into a new phase of development. The exponential growth in the level of research activity surrounding the histone deacetylases (HDACs) witnessed over the past decade has now started to produce success in the clinic, particularly in the field of oncology. Over the next few years experts believe that as first generation HDAC inhibitors produce clinical benefits and second generation inhibitors are rationally designed with improved specificity
Histone deacetylase inhibitorsMoving from the bench to a promising companion for classic and targeted cancer therapies The field of histone deacetylase inhibitors is moving into a new phase of development.  The exponential growth in the level of research activity surrounding the histone dea…

Cell cycle inhibitors represent a key approach to the treatment of cancer. Therapeutic agents have traditionally targeted early stages of the cell cycle (ie the G1/S phase checkpoint or the S phase) or mitotic spindle formation as exemplified by the alkaloids. Recently a new approach to cell cycle regulation has emerged with the identification of the Aurora kinase family. This report evaluates this exciting area of drug discovery
Aurora Kinase inhibitorsThe dawn of a new approach to cancer Cell cycle inhibitors represent a key approach to the treatment of cancer. Therapeutic agents have traditionally targeted early stages of the cell cycle (ie the G1/S phase checkpoint or the S phase) or mitotic spindle formation as exemplified by the alkaloids. Recently a new approach to cell cycle re…

Welcome to the June edition of TherapeuticAdvances, LeadDiscovery's free newsletter for the drug development sector. Read on for editorial comment on selected studies recently featured on DailyUpdates our regular bulletin of breaking journal articles and drug development news
TherapeuticAdvances from LeadDiscovery Cutting edge research for the drug discovery & development community June, 2005 Edition Welcome to the June edition of TherapeuticAdvances, LeadDiscovery's free newsletter for the drug development sector. Read on for editorial comment on selected studies recently featured on DailyUpdates our regular bulletin of breaking journal articles and drug development news Target of the MonthThe mGlu5 receptor: a target for antagonists with improved anxiolytic activity Anxie…

Despite recent advances in the treatment and management of hepatitis B, the market is still relatively immature, with several key unmet needs. Current pipeline products are expected to account for 89% of total market sales by 2015, however other developmental antivirals are also expected to contribute significantly to future market growth, potentially resulting in new treatment paradigms.
The hepatitis B market is best characterized by its overall immaturity, despite an estimated two billion persons worldwide having been exposed to the hepatitis B (HBV) virus and almost 400 million thought to be chronically infected. Historically there has been limited development of specific antiviral therapies. Indeed, the first therapy to be approved for chronic HBV (CHB) infection was interferon alfa, a…

The ancient Egyptians thought that diabetes was due to an ‘imbalance of the four bodily elements’ and that the best treatment to give these patients was a mixture of ground earth, water, wheat and lead. Thankfully, things have improved a little since then! In fact, the most important advance in diabetes management occurred in 1921 when the young surgeon Frederick Banting and the even younger medical student, Charles Best, first isolated insulin.
The ancient Egyptians thought that diabetes was due to an ‘imbalance of the four bodily elements’ and that the best treatment to give these patients was a mixture of ground earth, water, wheat and lead. Thankfully, things have improved a little since then! In fact, the most important advance in diabetes management occurred in 1921 when the young sur…

Don’t take it personally if customers seem more paranoid in your presence these days. There have been a number of directives governing their interaction with the pharmaceutical industry. This has made many of them uneasy and indeed uncertain about what they can do and say in the presence of a medical sales person.
As well as your ABPI code of conduct, the directives include · Commercial Sponsorship – Ethical standards for the NHS. Nov 2000. · GMC 1995 "Duties of a doctor." · Guidance for R&D managers in NHS Trusts and Clinical Research Departments in the Pharmaceutical Industry – 2003. · NHS income generation guidance. These are usually more recently supplemented by a Trust policy on working with the pharmaceutical industry.(The word Trust includes all types of NHS Trust throughout t…

Fewer than 10% of people state that they have never had a headache.1 A recent UK survey identified 7.6% of males and 18.3% of females with migraine within the preceding year.2 Prevalence of migraine was shown to vary with age, rising through early adult life and declining in the late 40s and early 50s. Migraineurs reported at least one migraine attack per month on average, and most experienced interference with daily activities in at least 50% of their attacks.
Fewer than 10% of people state that they have never had a headache.1 A recent UK survey identified 7.6% of males and 18.3% of females with migraine within the preceding year.2 Prevalence of migraine was shown to vary with age, rising through early adult life and declining in the late 40s and early 50s. Migraineurs reported at least…

Next to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder is the most important condition for psychiatrists to recognise and treat. Indeed, the discovery by John Cade in 1949 of lithium as an effective treatment for mania,1 and the finding in 1952 of chlorpromazine as an effective agent for acute psychotic states including mania, heralded the beginning of the modern era of psychopharmacology.
Next to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder is the most important condition for psychiatrists to recognise and treat. Indeed, the discovery by John Cade in 1949 of lithium as an effective treatment for mania,1 and the finding in 1952 of chlorpromazine as an effective agent for acute psychotic states including mania, heralded the beginning of the modern era of psychopharmacology. Since this time, however, bipolar disorder ha…

Schizophrenia can affect anyone, and is one of the greatest causes of lost quality of life worldwide. One-in-100 people will experience this serious mental illness at some time in their lives, though it commonly starts in the late teens to the early 20s in men and early to late 20s in women. Although schizophrenia can have a profound effect, it can be treated effectively in most people. This was not always the case.
Schizophrenia can affect anyone, and is one of the greatest causes of lost quality of life worldwide. One-in-100 people will experience this serious mental illness at some time in their lives, though it commonly starts in the late teens to the early 20s in men and early to late 20s in women. Although schizophrenia can have a profound effect, it can be treated effectively in most…

Allergic rhinitis is an increasingly prevalent disorder, affecting up to 40% of children and up to 30% of adults in the UK. The disease has traditionally been considered as either seasonal or perennial depending on the allergenic triggers and their presence in the environment. Typically, tree pollen promotes seasonal symptoms between February and April, grass pollens in late May through to early August, whilst weed pollens and mould spores are common in late summer and early autumn.
Allergic rhinitis is an increasingly prevalent disorder, affecting up to 40% of children and up to 30% of adults in the . The disease has traditionally been considered as either seasonal or perennial depending on the allergenic triggers and their presence in the environment. Typically, tree pollen promotes seaso…

Although difficult to determine accurately, annual global figures for reported cases of hepatitis A and typhoid are estimated to be in the region of 1.5 million and at least 16 million, respectively. Moreover, typhoid fever accounts for up to 600,000 deaths worldwide each year. The two diseases are often found in partnership and have common routes of transmission, particularly where sanitation is poor.
Although difficult to determine accurately, annual global figures for reported cases of hepatitis A and typhoid are estimated to be in the region of 1.5 million and at least 16 million, respectively. Moreover, typhoid fever accounts for up to 600,000 deaths worldwide each year. The two diseases are often found in partnership and have common routes of transmission, particularly where sanitatio…

In addition to the traditional clinical needs, such as efficacy and resistance profile, product characteristics such as dosing and side effects can be fundamental in maintaining market share in the maturing antiretroviral market. In response to the launch of two once-daily protease inhibitors (PI), Abbott has reformulated its leading PI drug, Kaletra (lopinavir/ritonavir) in a once-daily dose.
Since the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in 1981, HIV infection leading to AIDS has been a major cause of illness worldwide, with an estimated 40 million people currently infected with the disease. Indeed, in some parts of the world, HIV is associated with a high mortality rate, causing almost 3 million AIDS-related deaths. However, in the developed world, the past two decades have witnessed rap…

The idea of developing cancer vaccines is far from a novel concept. In fact initial attempts using tumor immunotherapy to combat cancer were made in the late 19th century by the American Dr William Coley. Unfortunately, despite Dr Coley's early efforts and those of numerous others since, there is still no effective therapeutic cancer vaccine on the market.
Dr Coley administered bacterial extracts known as Coley's toxins to patients with advanced cancer in the hope of inducing a non-specific systemic immune response and immune-mediated anti-tumor effects. As Dr Coley doubtless recognized, the concept of cancer vaccines is a promising idea, but putting the theory into practice has proved extremely difficult. To date, very few large-scale clinical trials have demonstrated a survival benefit as…

New on-line system for hospital pharmacies makes ordering medicines easier, quicker and, being paperless, virtually error-free.
The Agency has supported the development of the NHS Pharmaceutical Messaging Service, a pilot scheme which aims to streamline the supply of medicines to England’s hospitals. The project pinpointed efficiencies and is delivering savings through the introduction of an electronic ordering, information and invoicing system for hospital pharmacies. The Agency has supported the development of the NHS Pharmaceutical Messaging Service, a pilot scheme which aims to streamline the supply of medicines to England’s hospitals. The project pinpointed efficiencies and is delivering savings through the introduction of an electronic ordering, information and invoicing system for h…

Did you know you can generate SMS messages from any software that can send an email or generate an HTTP request such as Outlook, Lotus Notes..?
These practical, secure and easy-to-use products from PharmiWeb partner, RedOxygen, allow users to: Send SMS messages to staff, suppliers and customers around the world from their desktops using Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes or a delivery channel for a custom developed CRM/ERP application Receive message replies in their inboxes or on their mobile phones Receive calendar reminders on their phones via SMS Control corporate account usage, cost and technical support with online management tools. Several beneficial applications also help employees remain connected to both local and remote colleagues: Sales Managers can coordinate meetings with f…

The Healthcare Industry is currently experiencing the effects of a global shortage of qualified and experienced clinical research professionals – and this situation has evolved into the industry’s very own version of ‘Catch 22’. While employers are looking to hire candidates who are already experienced in the practice of clinical research, new Life Science graduates and others wishing to start on a career in the Healthcare Industry are unable to gain such experience without first being hired.
CRAcademyThe Healthcare Industry is currently experiencing the effects of a global shortage of qualified and experienced clinical research professionals – and this situation has evolved into the industry’s very own version of ‘Catch 22’. While employers are looking to hire candidates who are alread…

The government's Health Select Committee has published a stinging attack on the UK pharmaceutical industry. In a report spanning 126 pages and consisting of 48 conclusions and recommendations, the committee has lambasted the way in which the UK pharmaceutical industry conducts its business and the motives by which it is driven. Datamonitor's Duncan Emerton looks at the details...
Despite recognizing that the industry has improved the quality of life of many people and reduced the length of time spent in hospital, the Health Select Committee says that the industry has become dominated by marketing rather than science. In its report, released last week, all aspects of the drug development and commercialization process in the come under fire. Most criticism is directed at questionable indust…

DOCS International in partnership with the Institute of Clinical Research (ICR) announce the launch of the CRAcademy. This exciting new intiative aims to provide relevant practical experience for Life Science graduates and others wanting to embark on a career in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Beginning on 1 April 2005, CRAcademy will organise core traineeships for starter clinical research professionals with Pharmaceutical Industry sponsors in key European countries.
DOCS International and the Institute of Clinical Research (ICR)announce the launch of CRAcademy The dilemma facing new Life Science graduates and others wanting to embark on a career in the Pharmaceutical Industry is that employers understandably prefer to hire candidates who already have relevant practical experie…