Articles

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs. For others, it may cause serious and even life-threatening problems. In particular lupus nephritis claim a significant number of lives. More than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year. It is estimated that 500,000 to 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with lupus. Current treatments focus
Esai's retinoic acid (RAR)-alpha receptor agonist as a candidate therapy for the treatment of lupus nephritis Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a…

In contrast to coronary and cerebral artery disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) remains an under-appreciated condition that despite being serious and extremely prevalent is rarely diagnosed and even less frequently treated. This situation is now changing as physician awareness grows in parallel with increased use of existing therapeutics and the development of improved cardiovascular agents, gene therapies and devices
Special Feature - Progress in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (Source LeadDiscovery - January, 2005) In contrast to coronary and cerebral artery disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) remains an under-appreciated condition that despite being serious and extremely prevalent is rarely diagnosed and even less frequently treated. This situation is now…

For people with migraine, today’s world is a better world than the one their parents knew. The last 15 years have seen major advances, giving us not only a much clearer understanding of the disorder but also considerably more effective therapies. Treatments exist that – if made available and used in the right way – can substantially relieve the majority of people affected by migraine.
For people with migraine, today’s world is a better world than the one their parents knew. The last 15 years have seen major advances, giving us not only a much clearer understanding of the disorder but also considerably more effective therapies. Treatments exist that – if made available and used in the right way – can substantially relieve the majority of people affected by migraine. Availability and correct…

The increasing incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) among hospital patients in Europe has led to a call to action for cost-effective preventative measures to be put in place by hospitals, to help minimize the risk of infection and the cost impact on healthcare systems. A consensus paper, developed by a number of leading healthcare experts in Europe and published today in the International Wound Journal, indicates the scale of the problem and the estimated financial impact on the health
High incidence of surgical site infections in presents a risk to patients, and an economic burden Urgent call to implement cost-effective, preventative measures in hospital 15 December 2004, – The increasing incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) among hospital patients in has led to a c…

INC RESEARCH MOVES INTO NEW EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS TO ACCOMMODATE CONTINUING GLOBAL EXPANSION
 

It is estimated that there are more than 38 million people in the seven major markets with diabetes and this figure is set to rise to 50 million in 2012. However, despite this vast potential patient population, low diagnosis rates, the chronic nature of the disease, the need for combination therapy, the lack of an oral antidiabetic agent offering effective long-term therapy and the association of injectable therapies with poor patient compliance mean that a broad spectrum of unmet needs exists.
It is estimated that there are more than 38 million people in the seven major markets with diabetes and this figure is set to rise to 50 million in 2012. However, despite this vast potential patient population, low diagnosis rates, the chronic nature of the disease, the need for combination therapy,…

Epilepsy is a common condition in the UK, with an incidence of approximately 80 cases per 100,000 population per year, and a prevalence of 5–10 cases per 1000. Yet, despite this high prevalence, it remains a stigmatising condition, with occupational and social disadvantages imposed on the individual. Epilepsy is difficult to diagnose, requiring a detailed history, and is complex to manage.
Epilepsy is a common condition in the , with an incidence of approximately 80 cases per 100,000 population per year, and a prevalence of 5–10 cases per 1000. Yet, despite this high prevalence, it remains a stigmatising condition, with occupational and social disadvantages imposed on the individual. Epilepsy is difficult to diagnose, requiring a detailed history, and is complex to manage. The primary aim…

Morgan Levy (formally E-Focus Resourcing) has pleasure in announcing that we have re-branded to Morgan Levy with effect from January 2005.

The development of dendritic cell vaccines to fight cancer is an attractive therapeutic approach. Usually this strategy involves pre-pulsing dendritic cells with cancer antigen and maturing them ex vivo prior to administering them to patients. Limitations to this approach include the cumbersome nature of antigen loading and maturation and the limited immunogenicity of the cells. The company BioVEX have successfully developed viruses to load dendritic cells with antigen. Researchers from Baylor h
(Source DailyUpdates-Oncology ) Two of the most exciting novel biologic approaches to the treatment of cancer include the development of oncolytic viruses (see our recent report on this field) and the advancement of cancer vaccines. These approaches as well as the more established field of anticance…

The outlook for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) sufferers is bleak - current medication has a five-year survival rate for those with liver cancer of less than 5% in the developed world and even lower in developing countries. However, patients in trials of a new drug called Sorafenib have seen their survival times double. Datamonitor's Dr Lorna Fern investigates...
Liver cancer is currently the fifth most common cancer in the world, responsible for about one million cases and half a million deaths globally every year. HCC is a tumor of the liver that arises from focal scarring points in cirrhotic liver tissue, and its global incidence is on the increase, concurrent with a global increase in the number of cases of viral hepatitis and of alcoholic cirrhosis in developed countries. Some specia…

Despite the advances made in healthcare there remains a startling amount of the world’s population that is unable to gain access to even the most basic services and treatments. This is an issue that has attracted considerable media coverage and represents a challenge for all those involved in healthcare to overcome.
Despite the advances made in healthcare there remains a startling amount of the world’s population that is unable to gain access to even the most basic services and treatments. This is an issue that has attracted considerable media coverage and represents a challenge for all those involved in healthcare to overcome (1). For example, data from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that the mortality rates for children under 5 years of age is 6 per 1,000 births in high-income…

Britain’s hospital patients, led by Claire Rayner, today called for healthcare professionals to get behind the UK’s first ever Clean Hospitals Summit, planned for April 14-15, 2005.
Britain’s hospital patients, led by Claire Rayner, today called for healthcare professionals to get behind the UK’s first ever Clean Hospitals Summit, planned for April 14-15, 2005.Claire, a former senior Sister, and a recent sufferer of MRSA, said it was "essential" for good representation, or the public would wonder if the industry was concerned at all. The combined conference and exhibition in The Hilton London Metropole, will be run by the Patients Association, of which Claire is President. It will bring together delegates from all areas of the NHS, industry, and concerned public organisations. It aims t…

This report introduces the emerging field of oncolytic viruses and the various benefits that oncolytic virology can offer in the treatment of cancer. Clinical data suggest that oncolytic viruses may offer therapeutic advantages over existing cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation and may even act synergistically with these conventional approaches. This report evaluates preclinical and clinical data on oncolytic viruses that have entered the clinic.
Oncolytic virus therapy is successful in providing an alternative treatment for cancer. Viruses have now been engineered to selectively replicate and kill cancer cells. Over the past few years, new insights into the molecular mechanisms of viral cytotoxicity have provided the scientific rationale to design more effective oncolytic v…

The recent announcement by the FDA's associate director for science and medicine that sales of GlaxoSmithKline's asthma drug Serevent should be restricted, or halted, led to an estimated 3.8% fall in the company's share price. However, Datamonitor's Laura Harris comments that, with Seretide accounting for the majority of GSK's asthma sales, the panic may be premature.
During a senate hearing, convened following the withdrawal of Merck & Co.'s COX-2 Vioxx (rofecoxib) in September, the FDA's David Graham commented that the safety profile of five other currently marketed drugs should be closely examined. Pfizer's COX-2 Bextra (valdecoxib), similar to Vioxx, was mentioned, as were Astra-Zeneca's cholesterol-lowering statin Crestor (rosuvastatin calcium), Roche's acne treatment Accutane (iso…

The premier annual global forum for top-level Pharma IT executives, examining innovative IT systems and applications to support and accelerate R&D. This exciting programme is the result of research with well over 100 industry professionals and the InfoTechPharma® scientific advisory board. The programme contains only original content tackling key subjects that are currently impacting R&D in pharma and biotech. The format of this years conference will provide an environment that will facilitate i
The premier annual global forum for top-level Pharma IT executives, examining innovative IT systems and applications to support and accelerate R&D. This exciting programme is the result of research with well over 100 industry professionals and the InfoTechPharma® scientific advisory board. The p…

PharmaSolutions Expo is a unique event gathering the drug discovery, drug development and informatics communities under one roof. Meet face-to-face with solution providers and make comparisons of new technologies. This exhibition will showcase the latest tools and solutions for R&D scientists and Pharma IT professionals. Free exhibition features include: dedicated poster areas and “meet the author” poster sessions, free seminars, lunchtime roundtable discussion groups, biotech start-up presentat
PharmaSolutions Expo is a unique event gathering the drug discovery, drug development and informatics communities under one roof. Meet face-to-face with solution providers and make comparisons of new technologies. This exhibition will showcase the latest tools and solutions for R&D scientists an…

Distinct, original scientific and business content focusing on R&D productivity presented by an international line-up of industry experts. Drug Discovery Technology® Europe is known for its high standard of speakers and coherent case studies, which guarantee that delegates grasp an understanding of the pressing issues that affect their industry. This year, for the first time, the conference will be co-located with two other events, InfoTechPharma® 2005 and PharmaSolutions Expo.
  Distinct, original scientific and business content focusing on R&D productivity presented by an international line-up of industry experts. Drug Discovery Technology® Europe is known for its high standard of speakers and coherent case studies, which guarantee that delegates grasp an understanding of th…

At a recent hearing into the Vioxx affair, the FDA's Dr David Graham named five drugs that he considers too dangerous to be on the market. However, in his testimony, Dr Graham also cited Sanofi-Aventis' Arava as a drug he has recommended be withdrawn. Unlike the other five drugs, Arava has largely escaped the media spotlight, but there may yet be some tough questions asked about its safety.
Arava (leflunomide) is marketed by Aventis, part of Sanofi-Aventis, and recorded sales of $288 million in 2003. It is an oral disease modifying treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and may be next in the firing line for increased regulatory scrutiny, in the wake of the withdrawal of Vioxx (rofecoxib). Dr Graham, the Associate Director for Science and Medicine in the FDA's Office of Drug Safety, cite…

Given the contribution of drugs to advances in healthcare it often comes as a surprise to those in the pharmaceutical sector that the industry’s public image is so poor.
A poor image Given the contribution of drugs to advances in healthcare it often comes as a surprise to those in the pharmaceutical sector that the industry’s public image is so poor. There is a growing demand for advanced healthcare and without the development of new and effective medicines further progress will not be made. The pharmaceutical industry is the major source of new drugs and its commercial focus has driven innovation. Unfortunately, because companies generate profit and as healthcare is an emotive subject the industry’s activities are often portrayed by the media in a negative light. The media and public ofte…

Unique intelligence from eyeforpharma: 'Barriers, best practices and measuring ROI for patient compliance programmes'
Get your hands on this unique intelligence from eyeforpharma: This report will : Deliver first-hand insight into the present and future concerns for implementing successful patient compliance programs Identify the most pressing issues facing patient compliance teams across the industry Recommend potential solutions to overcome adherence barriers and to maximize compliance program ROI http://www.eyeforpharma.com/pceuro05/report/4 For more information contact Izzy Wakeling on iwakeling@eyeforpharma.com or +44(0) 20 73 75 8522