Astellas Pharma to exclusively commercialize isavuconazole in the U.S. and Canada

Isavuconazole (BAL4815) is a triazole antifungal. Its prodrug, isavuconazonium sulfate (BAL8557) is currently in two Phase IIIclinical trials (SECURE and VITAL), the results of which are expected in the second half of 2013.

On May 28, 2013, Basilea Pharmaceutica, the maker of the drug, announced it had been granted orphan drug status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Now Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo:4503, "Astellas") announced today that the company has amended the License, Co-Development and Co-Promotion Agreement on isavuconazole under co-development with Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. ("Basilea"). Based on this amendment, the territories subject to the License Agreement have been changed to reflect that Astellas will be responsible for all regulatory filings and will exclusively commercialize and assume full responsibility for manufacturing isavuconazole in the U.S. and Canada.

Astellas Pharma to exclusively commercialize isavuconazole in the U.S. and Canada

Researchers discover novel treatments for psoriasis that are likely to cause fewer side effects

In the article in Science Translational Medicine, which features Juan Guinea-Viniegra as the lead author, the authors state that: "blocking miR-21 could offer advantages over current treatments given that the efficiency obtained is the same and the side effects are probably reduced". The authors highlight that in the mouse model and in patient samples transplanted into mice this new strategy "shows a significant therapeutic response".

Researchers discover novel treatments for psoriasis that are likely to cause fewer side effects

Adocia reports positive preliminary results for first clinical trial of BioChaperone Combo

Adocia reports positive preliminary results for first clinical trial of BioChaperone Combo

FDA Accepts Filing of NDA for IV Antibiotic Oritavancin with Priority Review

FDA Accepts Filing of NDA for IV Antibiotic Oritavancin with Priority Review

Oritavancin (INN, also known as LY333328) is a novel semi-synthetic glycopeptide antibiotic being developed for the treatment of serious Gram-positive infections. Originally discovered and developed by Eli Lilly, oritavancin was acquired by InterMune in 2001 and then by Targanta Therapeutics in late 2005.

In Dec 2008 the FDA declined to approve it, and an EU application was withdrawn. In 2009 the development rights were acquired by The Medicine Co. who are running clinical trials for a possible new FDA application in 2013

Now...

Small molecules stop cervical cancer virus assembling

Researchers in China have disrupted the life cycle of the leading cause of cervical cancer – the human papilloma virus – using a macrocyclic molecule called a pillarene. The team hope their findings will offer new prophylactic avenues against the virus.

The pillarene derivative, CP5A, was tested as it is known to have high water solubility and show selective binding towards basic amino acids, like l-Lysine, l-arginine and l-histidine. Because of these properties, CP5A binds to the exposed basic amino acids in protein L1, preventing pentamer formation, and therefore stopping the creation of viral particles.

The team hope to screen other small molecules to find inhibitors for more specific binding sites on the interface between L1 and L2. Their long term aim is to use one of these to produce a HPV vaccine.

Ref : http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2014/CC/c3cc49789e#!divAbstract

Small molecules stop cervical cancer virus assembling | Chemistry World

Old FDA-approved drugs may hold promise for treatment of rare, drug-resistant cancer

After studying how samples of GIST responded to various concentrations of the 89 drugs in the laboratory, Dr. Duensing and her colleagues identified 37 compounds that showed some anticancer activity in at least one of the concentrations tested. Importantly, they noted that the most promising candidates all belonged to only two major drug classes: inhibitors of gene transcription and so-called topoisomerase II inhibitors. Based on these findings, the research team selected the two most promising compounds for further testing - gene transcription inhibitor mithramycin A (left structure below) , which is in clinical trials to treat Ewing sarcoma, and topoisomerase II inhibitor mitoxantrone (beow right structure), which is used in metastatic breast cancer and leukemia.

Both drugs were highly effective in fighting GIST in laboratory tests. Moreover, the mechanism of action of each drug was linked to the specific underlying biology of these tumors.

"These are very encouraging results," said Dr. Duensing. "The next step will be moving our findings to clinical exploration to see if the results we found in the lab hold up in patients."

Old FDA-approved drugs may hold promise for treatment of rare, drug-resistant cancer

Ref : http://www.upmc.com/media/NewsReleases/2014/Pages/upci-scientists-detect-therapy-for-drug-resistant-cancer.aspx

Researchers create promising compound for cancer treatment

Researchers create promising compound for cancer treatment

FDA-approved drug pregabalin effectively treats RLS symptoms with less side effects

In continuation of my update on pregabalin

A report in the Feb. 13 New England Journal of Medicine confirms previous studies suggesting that long-term treatment with the type of drugs commonly prescribed to treat restless leg syndrome (RLS) can cause a serious worsening of the condition in some patients. The year-long study from a multi-institutional research team found that pregabalin - which is FDA-approved to treat nerve pain, seizures, and other conditions - was effective in reducing RLS symptoms and was much less likely to cause symptom worsening than pramipexole, one of several drugs that activate the dopamine neurotransmission system and are FDA approved for treatment of RLS.

"Our key finding is that dopaminergic drugs, while very effective for many people with RLS, can worsen symptoms in some patients over time, while non-dopaminergic pregabalin is not associated with this disturbing side effect," says John Winkelman, MD, PhD, of the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry, senior author of the study. "Those treating RLS patients with dopaminergic drugs need to be aware of this common complication and exercise caution if their symptoms worsen."

FDA-approved drug pregabalin effectively treats RLS symptoms with less side effects

Melatonin shows potential to slow tumor growth in certain breast cancers

An  early stage study shows melatonin   a hormone that regulates the body's sleep and awake cycles  may have the potential to help slow the growth of certain breast cancer tumors, according to researchers from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and Foundation for Research Support of the State of São Paulo.

Melatonin shows potential to slow tumor growth in certain breast cancers  

Geranium extracts inhibit HIV-1

Extracts of the geranium plant Pelargonium sidoides inactivate human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and prevent the virus from invading human cells. Scientists report that these extracts represent a potential new class of anti-HIV-1 agents for the treatment of AIDS.

Ref : http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0087487

Geranium extracts inhibit HIV-1