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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…

Novartis has unveiled promising Phase II data for its once-daily bronchodilator, indacaterol (QAB-149). With a long duration of action, rapid onset of action and clean side effects profile, the drug could provide a new standard for bronchodilator therapy in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Novartis presented a series of abstracts at the American Thoracic Society International conference held in , on May 23, 2005 on the novel, long-acting beta-2 agonist indacaterol (QAB-149). The drug provides effective and well-tolerated bronchodilation for up to 24 hours, with convenient once-daily dosing a major advantage over existing long-acting inhaled beta-2 agonists. This, when combined with a rapid onset of action and clean side effects profile, suggest that QAB…

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…

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in adults in developed countries. It can also leave survivors severely disabled and dependent on long-term care, placing an enormous financial burden on national healthcare systems. This burden is likely to further increase as the incidence of stroke increases concurrent with the aging population.
However research from Datamonitor reveals that if patients suffering stroke were taken immediately to stroke units by medical emergency services where they can receive immediate treatment from stroke specialists, much of this suffering and expense could be avoided. Unfortunately throughout the world, including the , budget constraints prevent this from being standard practice. Leading cause of death Stroke is the second leading cause of death in Europe…

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…

Of the 27 drugs currently in the HIV clinical development pipeline, the majority are in either Phase II trials or earlier. While the pipeline is considered strong, it is unlikely that any major treatment advances will be made before 2009/10. In fact, two of the more advanced drugs in terms of development - tipranavir and capravine - are likely to be used merely as 'holding drugs'.
The HIV market has historically experienced relatively strong growth, recording a compound annual growth rate of 11.6% between 1999 and 2003, and the current HIV pipeline is predicted to generate an additional $4.6 billion in sales by 2015. However, price constraints, patent expiries, generic incursion and a limited increase in patient numbers means, overall, the HIV market will experience much more modest growth,…

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…

There are 31.2 million COPD sufferers in the US, Europe and Japan - a prevalence rate of approximately 4.4% of the general population. Thus, the development of novel dual-action, once-daily inhaled therapies will provide important new treatment options for COPD and play a major role in the expansion of the market over the next decade.
The market for the treatment of COPD had worldwide sales of $4.6 billion in 2004, which is forecast to grow to $7.5 billion by 2015. Novel dual-action, long-acting bronchodilator combinations, most likely launched by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Novartis or Pfizer / Boehringer Ingelheim will be the most significant development in the inhaled COPD class at the start of the next decade. The term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) covers a complex group of…

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…

For decades, AstraZeneca's tamoxifen has been the standard therapy for hormone-receptor positive breast cancer patients post-surgery. Nearly two-thirds of early-stage breast cancer patients receive the drug post surgery. Now however newer antihormonal agents called aromatase inhibitors, which lower the estrogen level in the body are increasingly being used in place of tamoxifen.
Breast cancer is the most common malignancy that afflicts women, with more than 420,000 new cases expected to be diagnosed in the seven major markets in 2005. However, it remains a disease that is highly curable if diagnosed at early stage. Patients with early-stage breast cancer are treated - wherever possible - with surgery, the most effective form of treatment in prolonging survival. However a significant propor…

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…