Pharma News

Scientists have found that heating the chemotherapy drug mitomycin-C prior to using it for treating bladder cancer may radically improve its efficacy. The findings, published in the International Journal of Hyperthermia, are the result of a four-and-a-half-year study by medics based at Comarcal Hospital, Monforte, Spain.

A review of nine observational studies found evidence supporting an increased risk of heart attacks in patients taking antipsychotic drugs. The review expands previous knowledge by demonstrating an increased and more pronounced risk in short-term users of these medications.

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (publ) (Sobi™) and Biogen announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved Alprolix® (rFIXFc), their extended half-life therapy, for the treatment of haemophilia B in all 28 European Union (EU) member states and maintained its orphan designation. Alprolix is indicated for both on-demand and prophylaxis treatment of people with haemophilia B in all ages.

BGI and UW Medicine have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on biomedical technology development.  The shared aim is to advance precision medicine for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of common and rare diseases.  BGI is headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced that Actemra subcutaneous injection (Actemra), the humanized antihuman IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, successfully met the primary endpoint in a dose interval reduction study (MRA231JP study) conducted in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who inadequately respond to the currently approved bi-weekly dosage regimen.

Novartis announced the New England Journal of Medicine publication of the head-to-head FLAME study comparing the efficacy of once-daily Ultibro Breezhaler (indacaterol/glycopyrronium bromide) 110/50 mcg to twice-daily Seretide (salmeterol/fluticasone [SFC]) 50/500 mcg in reducing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations.

Researchers have found that patients with coeliac disease are at high risk of acquiring pneumonia if they haven't received the pneumococcal vaccine.

New research has found that a process initiated in white blood cells known as neutrophils may lead to worse outcomes for some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The discovery may help identify patients at higher risk for COPD progression, who might also show little benefit from standard treatments. The study was presented at the ATS 2016 International Conference.

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Pfizer Inc. announced results of two Phase 3 studies demonstrating the immunogenicity of TRUMENBA® (Meningococcal Group B Vaccine) against invasive meningococcal B (MnB) strains representative of prevalent strains in the U.S. and Europe. The two studies, one in adolescents and one in young adults, met all primary immunogenicity endpoints. Also, secondary data presented show that TRUMENBA demonstrated similar immune responses against ten additional MnB strains, in both adolescents and young adults. The data, which continue to support the vaccine’s current safety and tolerability profile, were presented at the 34th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID 2016).

Piramal Enterprises’ Consumer Products Division has entered into an agreement to acquire four brands from Pfizer Limited for a consideration of Rs 110 crore. The acquisition includes brands namely Ferradol, Neko, Sloan’s and Waterbury’s compound. Additionally the agreement also includes the trademark rights for Ferradol and Waterbury’s compound in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. These brands hold a rich legacy and have a high consumer pull and are available in India for the past 30+ years.