Genentech and Roche Holding AG’s biologic drug
JAMA: Avastin + Chemo May Raise Blood Clots Risk in Veins by a Third
11/19/2008
A meta-analysis published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), showed that Avastin ( bevacizumab), a genetically engineered immune system molecule that targets vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF, marketed by Genentech and Roche Holding AG, raises the risk of blood clots in the veins by a third when added to chemotherapy. The Avastin label already carries a warning about blood clots in the arteries, which could break loose, travel through the arteries and cause strokes and heart attacks.
Advanced Kidney Cancer: FDA Requests More Data on Novartis AG’s Afinitor (everolimus)
11/19/2008
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked more data on Novartis AG’s advanced kidney cancer treatment Afinitor (everolimus or RAD 001), delaying its approval –according to the Swiss company- by three months. No additional studies were requested.
Novartis AG Updates its Pipeline: Biological Drugs Represent Some 25 Percent
11/19/2008
Novartis AG said biological drugs represent some 25 percent of the exploratory pipeline, as their product portfolio increased 40 percent since 2005. The company revealed that it has a total of 139 compounds in clinical trials. Further details.
Eli Lilly Sues Generic Drugmakers to Protect Cymbalta’s Patent
11/19/2008
Indianapolis-based drug maker Eli Lilly & Co. sued Cobalt Laboratories Inc., Impax Laboratories Inc., Sandoz Inc. and Wockhardt Ltd., after the companies filed abbreviated new drug applications to sell duloxetine, the active ingredient of the anti-depressant Cymbalta. The blockbuster drug patent expires in 2013.
Teva: FDA Approves Generic Pulmicort Respules
11/19/2008
Anglo Swedish drug maker AstraZeneca Plc said that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has been granted approval by the Food and Drug Administration for a generic version of its asthma medication Pulmicort. AstraZeneca has brought a patent infringement case against Teva.
Head of hematology and oncology research at Amgen
Glenn Begley at RHS: Will be “opportunistic” in Licensing New Cancer Drug Candidates
11/19/2008
Elixir’s Megluna Mets Phase III Main Goal
11/19/2008
Par Pharmaceutical Begins Shipment of Budesonide
11/19/2008
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Merck & Co. experimental drug
MK 677 Fails to Improve Memory Skills in Alzheimer’s Patients
11/18/2008
In a sample of 416 individuals with mild to moderate forms of the disease, Merck & Co. investigational compound MK-677, a drug that raises levels of a natural growth hormone, failed to improve memory skills in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The findings were published in the Neurology journal.
Genentech Issues Dear Healthcare Provider Letter Regarding a Second Case of PML in a Raptiva Patient
11/18/2008
U.S. Biotech Genentech Inc informed of a second fatal case of a rare brain infection known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), on a patient taking Raptiva (efalizumab). Last October, Genentech alerted doctors and patients about a detected case of a 70 years old patient who had used the biological Raptiva for four years.
By 2015
Shire Plc Bets to Double Sales on Rare Diseases’ Drugs
11/18/2008
Third biggest British drug maker, Shire Plc, said that one of the main goals on the long-term it’s to double their sales on biological drugs for rare diseases. Therefore, Shire aims to strongly compete against Genzyme and BioMarin.
