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Assaying therapeutic agents requires the availability of apparatus to dose experimental animals as well as to measure biological effect. Available dosing systems for inhalation agents are suboptimal generally causing stress to the animal as well as exposing the operator to potentially harmful agents. Texas based researchers have developed an improved system for the delivery of agents to the airway
Assaying therapeutic agents requires the availability of apparatus to dose experimental animals as well as to measure biological effect.  Available dosing systems for inhalation agents are suboptimal generally causing stress to the animal as well as exposing the operator to potentially harmful agents.  based researchers have developed apparatus that allows mice to be dosed with reprodu…

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection produces cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and liver cancer and by 2010 38,000 deaths will result from infection. Anemia associated with ribavirin, a common treatment of infected patients represents a major problem. Valeant Pharmaceutical have developed a prodrug of ribavirin, viramidine which is activated within the liver resulting in reduced levels of ribavirin accumulating in red blood cells thus overcoming the problem of anemia.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection produces cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and liver cancer and by 2010 38,000 deaths will result from infection. The current standard of care for chronic HCV infection is a combination of an interferon-alpha product and ribavirin however under-use of available treatments as well as anemia as…

Clinical Research is about rules and regulations and when one is aware of these rules and regulations then this facilitates working in this field.
Clinical Research is about rules and regulations and when one is aware of these rules and regulations then this facilitates working in this field. Not only pharmacy graduates and graduates in biological sciences but also medical doctors interested in research are pursuing careers as Clinical Research Associate (CRA). The recruitment of CRAs in global Pharma companies and Contract Research Organizations has intensified in recent years as these companies and organizations have expanded their capabilities, international reach and expertise.   Being a CRA A Clinical Research Associate (CRA) is the main link of communication between the Study…

Pfizer has announced that it is to discontinue the development of its pipeline HIV drug capravirine, after phase II studies highlighted limited efficacy and tolerability issues compared to other products. However, Pfizer has another, and perhaps more impressive, trick up its sleeve, namely its promising CCR5 inhibitor maraviroc.
The global HIV pipeline is relatively strong, with 27 drugs currently in clinical development. However, it is unlikely that any major treatment advances will be experienced before 2009/10. The only drugs that had looked likely to reach the market before then were Boehringer Ingelheim's tipranavir and Pfizer's capravirine. While tipranavir was approved by the FDA in June 2005, Pfizer has discontinued development of capravirine. Preclinical studies of capravirine see…

The field of histone deacetylase inhibitors is moving into a new phase of development with candidates advancing nicely through clinical development. Milkana hasve recently developed a series of non-hydroxamic histone deactylase inhibitors which are likely to demonstrate an improved toxcity profile
The field of histone deacetylase inhibitors is moving into a new phase of development.  LeadDiscovery's report on Histone deacetylase inhibitors highlights the biology of the HDACs and the potential of their inhibitors. In profiling the various HDAC inhibitors in development we discuss the toxicological risk of hydroxamic acid, a moiety found in early inhibitors including SAHA. Our strategic evaluation discusses the development of HDAC inhibitors in which the hydroxamic acid has been re…

Anxiety disorders affect 20% of the total population across the seven major markets. Recent data demonstrates the efficacy of MPEP, the prototypical mGlu5 receptor antagonist as a an anxiolytic. Efficacy was similar compared to that of diazepam but at anxiolytic doses produces less cognitive decline
Anxiety disorders affect 20% of the total population across the seven major markets (see our feature Anxiety Disorders - More Than Just a Comorbidity) and are commonly treated with antidepressants.  Adverse effects lead to treatment discontinuation in as many as 16% of patients driving the drug development sector to identify alternative approaches to anxiety.  Benzodiazepines are treated cautiously by many physicians for reasons of dependency and withdrawal problems, as well as adver…

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…

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…