First EffRx NDA accepted for filing by the FDA...

EffRx Pharmaceuticals SA, an Epalinges/Lausanne, Switzerland based drug delivery company announces that the New Drug Application (NDA) for the company's lead development program EX101 has been accepted for filing by the US Food and Drug Administration. EX101 is a proprietary buffered effervescent dosage form of alendronate sodium administered once weekly for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis. The EX101 formulation is the first and only effervescent bisphosphonate alternative to tablets. EX101 has a pleasant taste of strawberry and is quickly and completely dissolved. 

About Alendronate : Alendronic acid or alendronate sodium ( sold as Fosamax by Merck) is a bisphosphonate drug used for osteoporosis and several other bone diseases. It is marketed alone as well as in combination with vitamin D (2,800 U and 5600 U, under the name Fosamax+D). Merck's U.S. patent on alendronate expired in 2008 and Merck lost a series of appeals to block a generic version of the drug from being certified by the FDA. On February 6, 2008, the US FDA approved the first generic versions of alendronate, which were marketed by Barr Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA. Teva Pharmaceuticals manufactures generic alendronate in 5-milligram, 10-milligram, and 40-milligram daily doses, and in 35-milligram and 70-milligram weekly doses, while Barr made generic alendronate in 70-milligram tablets, which were taken once weekly. Barr pharmaceuticals were subsequently acquired by Teva in July 2008...

Ref : http://www.effrx.com/firsteffrxnda.htm

Mouse study finds black raspberries can prevent colorectal cancer

We know that, The blackberries, as well as various other Rubus species with mounding or rambling growth habits, are often called brambles. However, this name is not used for those like the raspberry that grow as upright canes, or for trailing or prostrate species such as most dewberries, or various low-growing boreal, arctic, or alpine species. Black raspberries have been also reported to possess antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-neurodegenerative and anti-inflammatory properties, now the researchers from UIC College of Medicine have looked at the fruit's ability to prevent colon cancer.

The researchers used two strains of mice, Apc1638 and Muc2, which each have a specific gene knocked out, causing the mice to develop either intestinal tumors (in the case of Apc1638) or colitis in the case of Muc2. Colitis is an inflammation of the large intestine that can contribute to the development of colorectal cancer.

Both mouse strains were randomized to be fed either a Western-style, high-risk diet (high in fat and low in calcium and vitamin D) or the same diet supplemented with 10 percent freeze-dried black raspberry powder for 12 weeks.

The researchers found that in both mouse strains the black raspberry-supplemented diet produced a broad range of protective effects in the intestine, colon and rectum and inhibited tumor formation.

In the Apc1638 mice, tumor incidence was reduced by 45 percent and the number of tumors by 60 percent. The researchers found that black raspberries inhibited tumor development by suppressing a protein, known as beta-catenin, which binds to the APC gene.

In the Muc2 mice, tumor incidence and the number of tumors were both reduced by 50 percent, and black raspberries inhibited tumor development by reducing chronic inflammation associated with colitis.

The researchers now hope to obtain funding to begin clinical trials in humans. Because black raspberries not only prevent cancer but also inflammation, they may also protect against other diseases, such as heart disease.

I read an article in the same lines, wherein the researchers attribute the colorectal anticancer activity due to the anthocyanins present

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