Pharma News

Artificial intelligence has exploded in popularity and is being harnessed by some scientists to predict which molecules could treat illnesses, or to quickly screen existing medicines for new applications. Researchers reporting in ACS Central Science have used one such deep learning algorithm, and found that dihydroartemisinin (DHA), an antimalarial drug and derivative of a traditional Chinese medicine, could treat osteoporosis as well. The team showed that in mice, DHA effectively reversed osteoporosis-related bone loss.

Eminence Business Media's 5th Annual program on automation and manufacturing took place in Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre on October 5th-6th. The program witnessed several presentations, case study based session, group discussions and group activities by industry leaders and solution providers. The theme of the conference was about setting the base for small and mid-size companies for digitization approach and upskilling the top pharma companies to be at their A game.

Philogen S.p.A and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited are pleased to announce positive results from the Phase III PIVOTAL trial in patients with locally advanced fully resectable melanoma (NCT02938299). The study compared neoadjuvant intratumoral Nidlegy™ (Daromun) followed by surgery (treatment arm) vs. surgery alone (control arm). Patients were allowed to receive approved adjuvant systemic therapies after surgery in both arms.

A novel therapeutic approach that combines human epidermal growth receptor factor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapies with the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin can reduce the number of cancer treatments required to prevent tumor growth. Monitored by immuno-PET scans, this combination therapy has the potential to personalize treatment for cancer patients and spare them from harmful side effects. This research was published in the October issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Building upon its sizeable presence in the oncology space in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, Venus Remedies Ltd, a well-known provider of affordable cancer drugs worldwide, has received marketing approval from the Philippines, the second largest ASEAN market, for six key chemotherapy drugs.

Liquid biopsies are blood tests that can serially measure circulating tumor DNA (cell-free DNA that is shed into the bloodstream by dying cancer cells). When used in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer undergoing immunotherapy, they may identify patients who could benefit from treatment with additional drugs, according to a phase 2 clinical trial in the U.S. and Canada.

A University of Massachusetts Amherst team has demonstrated in theory that a protein antigen from a childhood vaccine can be delivered into the cells of a malignant tumor to refocus the body’s immune system against the cancer, effectively halting it and preventing its recurrence.

The bacteria-based intracellular delivering (ID) system uses a non-toxic form of Salmonella that releases a drug, in this case a vaccine antigen, after it’s inside a solid-tumor cancer cell.

The Pharmacopoeial Discussion Group (PDG) announced the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) as a PDG member on October 5, 2023 during PDG Stakeholder’s meeting in Hyderabad. IPC officially joined as a member in the PDG at the PDG’s Annual Meeting which was held on October 3-4, 2023 in Hyderabad. The World Health Organization (WHO) also continues to serve as observer of the PDG.

A new combination of treatments safely decreased growth of pancreatic cancer in mice by preventing cancer cells from scavenging for fuel, a new study finds.