Rigel Pharmaceuticals says that it plans to focus its efforts on two inhaled asthma therapies: R343, an inhaled SYK inhibitor and R256, an inhaled IL13 signaling/JAK inhibitor. A Phase 2 clinical study of R343 will begin later this summer in mild to moderate asthma patients. Rigel said that it plans to initiate a preclinical development program for R256 but did not … [Read more...] about Rigel advances development of its inhaled SYK inhibitor and inhaled IL13 signaling/JAK inhibitor
Business
Copley Scientific establishes distributors in Turkey, Brazil, and China
Inhaler testing equipment company Copley Scientific has entered into distribution agreements with companies in Turkey and Brazil and now has a Chinese sales and technical support representative in Nanjing, China. Copley sells a range of inhaler testing products, including impactors, delivered dose sampling apparatus, breath simulators, and proprietary inhaler testing … [Read more...] about Copley Scientific establishes distributors in Turkey, Brazil, and China
Pulmotect gets $7.1 million for inhaled immune system stimulant
Texas-based biotechnology company Pulmotect has been granted an award of $7.1 million by the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) for development of its lead product PUL-042, an inhaled immune stimulant composed of two synthetic toll-like receptor agonists. The award is intended to fund preclinical, Phase 1, and Phase 2 studies of the product for … [Read more...] about Pulmotect gets $7.1 million for inhaled immune system stimulant
AANMA announces winners of Innovations in Technology awards
The non-profit patient education organization Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) has announced the winners of its 2012 Top Ten Innovations in Technology Awards for "products and services that have meaningfully improved quality of life for people with allergies, asthma and related conditions." Of the ten winners, seven are OINDPs. AANMA Founder … [Read more...] about AANMA announces winners of Innovations in Technology awards
Sunovion to launch Zetonna ciclesonide nasal aerosol in the US by Fall 2012
Sunovion has announced that it will make its Zetonna ciclesonide nasal aerosol for the treatment of allergic rhinitis available in the US in time for the fall allergy season. The FDA approved Zetonna, an HFA formulation delivered by nasal pMDI, in January 2012. Sunovion markets two other ciclesonide aerosols in the US: Omnaris nasal spray for the treatment of … [Read more...] about Sunovion to launch Zetonna ciclesonide nasal aerosol in the US by Fall 2012
Paper compares multi-component particles to mixed powders for inhaled combination therapies
A review paper published in the Spring 2012 issue of European Respiratory Disease contends that, "Drug delivery to lungs with a consistent and predesigned ratio of co-associated active components can help maximise the chance of co-location at the active site and hence increases the potential of synergistic action from the solid." Authored by Dipesh Parikh, David … [Read more...] about Paper compares multi-component particles to mixed powders for inhaled combination therapies
Asmanex Twisthaler shortage
The FDA issued a drug shortage alert for the Asmanex Twisthaler 110 mcg mometasone furoate inhalation Powder, 30 inhalation units, as of April 26, 2012. According to the FDA web site, the shortage is due to manufacturing delays and the expected duration is unknown. The 110 mcg dose Asmanex Twisthaler is recommended for the treatment of asthma in children ages 4-11 … [Read more...] about Asmanex Twisthaler shortage
SKBP licenses diazepam nasal spray to Hanmi
SK Biopharmaceuticals has licensed its diazepam nasal spray for an undisclosed amount to Seoul, Korea-based Hanmi Pharmaceuticals, giving Hanmi marketing rights for China and Korea. Hanmi expects to launch the nasal spray in Korea in 2013 and in China in 2015. In the US, SKBP licensed the product to Neuronex, which was acquired by Accorda earlier this year. SKBP … [Read more...] about SKBP licenses diazepam nasal spray to Hanmi
3MDDS expands pMDI manufacturing capacity
3M Drug Delivery Systems has announced an expansion of its pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) manufacturing capacity at its Northridge, CA facility. The company is adding a pressure fill line to the existing cold fill line in the Northridge facility, which is one of four 3MDDS MDI filling sites worldwide. The company also announced the establishment of a … [Read more...] about 3MDDS expands pMDI manufacturing capacity
Freeman Technology wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise
Freeman Technology has won a 2012 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the category of International Trade. The company previously won a Queen’s Award in the category of Innovation for its powder characterization technology. Managing Director Tim Freeman commented, "Freeman Technology’s first Queen’s Award in 2007 celebrated our development of the FT4 Powder Rheometer … [Read more...] about Freeman Technology wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise