MAP Pharmaceuticals submits LEVADEX NDA to FDA for treatment of migraine in adults

Levadex is designed to be differentiated from existing migraine treatments. It is a novel formulation of dihydroergotamine (see above structure, DHE), a drug used intravenously in clinical settings to effectively and safely treat migraines.

 MAP Pharmaceuticals submits LEVADEX NDA to FDA for treatment of migraine in adults

Gout drug success for Novartis

Canakinumab (trade name Ilaris, previously ACZ885) is a human monoclonal antibody targeted at interleukin-1 beta. It has no cross-reactivity with other members of the interleukin-1 family, including interleukin-1 alpha.

We know that, Canakinumab was approved for the treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) by the US FDA on June 2009 and by the European Medicines Agency in October 2009. CAPS is a spectrum of autoinflammatory syndromes including familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome, Muckle–Wells syndrome, and neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease.

Canakinumab was being developed by Novartis for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but this trial has been discontinued. Canakinumab is also in phase I clinical trials as a possible treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Gout drug success for Novartis

'Turkey tail' mushroom effectively suppresses prostate tumour development

We Know that, Turkey tail/Trametes versicolor — formerly known as Coriolus versicolor and Polyporus versicolor is an extremely common polypore mushroom which can be found throughout the world. Versicolor means 'of several colours' and it is true that this mushroom is found in a wide variety of different colours. T. versicolor is commonly called Turkey Tail because of its resemblance to the tail of the wild turkey. T. versicolor is recognized as a medicinal mushroom in Chinese medicine under the name yun zhi. In China and Japan T. versicolor is used as in immunoadjuvant therapy for cancer. Now Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers reported that, the mushroom  has the  medicinal benefits up to  100 per cent effective in suppressing prostate tumour development in mice during early trials......

'Turkey tail' mushroom effectively suppresses prostate tumour development

Linezolid more effective than vancomycin in treating ventilated patients with MRSA pneumonia: Study

In continuation of my update on Linezolid and Vancomycin...

Linezolid more effective than vancomycin in treating ventilated patients with MRSA pneumonia: Study

Coffee reduces prostate cancer risk

Coffee reduces prostate cancer risk

Study finds three-month TB treatment regimen just as effective as standard longer course

Study finds three-month TB treatment regimen just as effective as standard longer course

Indian wild plants offer hope against resistant infections

Indian wild plants offer hope against resistant infections

FDA approves Sutent for patients with progressive neuroendocrine cancerous tumors in pancreas

In continuation of my update on Sutent

FDA approves Sutent for patients with progressive neuroendocrine cancerous tumors in pancreas

Isis receives $5M milestone payment from GSK for initiating ISIS-TTRRx Phase 1 study

In continuation of my update on "antisense drugs"....
Isis receives $5M milestone payment from GSK for initiating ISIS-TTRRx Phase 1 study

Merck receives FDA approval for Victrelis to treat chronic hepatitis C

In continuation of my update on Victrelis (Boceprevir)

Merck receives FDA approval for Victrelis to treat chronic hepatitis C

New insect repellant may be thousands of times stronger than DEET

In continuation of mosquito repellants and DEET

Researchers report the identification and characterization of an Orco family agonist, VUAA1, using the Anopheles gambiae coreceptor (AgOrco) and other orthologues. These studies reveal that the Orco family can form functional ion channels in the absence of an odor-binding OR, and in addition, demonstrate a first-in-class agonist to further research in insect OR signaling. In light of the extraordinary conservation and widespread expression of the Orco family, VUAA1 represents a powerful new family of compounds that can be used to disrupt the destructive behaviors of nuisance insects, agricultural pests, and disease vectors alike...

New insect repellant may be thousands of times stronger than DEET

Ref : http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/05/04/1102425108#aff-1

Novel two-drug combination cures young patient with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis

The combination of meropenem (above structure)  with clavulanate (right structure-potassium salt)  has high antimycobacterial activity in vitro against extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. Researchers report the successful use of this combination in association with linezolid (below structure)  in the management of an advanced extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis disease with complex second-line drug resistance in a 14-year-old teenager.

Ref : 1.Meropenem/Clavulanate and Linezolid Treatment for Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

    2. http://www.einstein.yu.edu/uploadedFiles/PHD/2010%20Faculty%20Research%20Book.pdf

Australian TGA approves Biogen Idec's FAMPYRA to improve walking ability in patients with MS

We know the recent development about 'FAMPYRA' by "European Medicines Agency".....

Australian TGA approves Biogen Idec's FAMPYRA to improve walking ability in patients with MS...

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

Regenerating nerve cells: Research offers hope in new treatment for spinal cord injuries

Regenerating nerve cells: Research offers hope in new treatment for spinal cord injuries