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US Patent No. 8,076,290 regarding stabilized formulations of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH peptide analogs for various means of delivery, including intranasal delivery, has been awarded to Aegis Therapeutics. PTH and PTH peptide analogs such as PTH 1-34 (teriparatide) are used for the treatment of osteoporosis. Aegis has licensed the patent exclusively to Azelon … [Read more...] about Aegis gets patent for osteoporosis drug formulations

The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued US Patent No. 8,071,127 regarding formulations of inhaled liposomal and free ciprofloxacin to Aradigm Corporation. The patent covers the company's lead candidate, Pulmaquin dual release ciprofloxacin for inhalation, and should provide exclusivity for the product until October 22, 2027. Aradigm now plans to take … [Read more...] about Aradigm gets patents for inhaled ciprofloxacin formulations, announces plans for Pulmaquin Phase 3 trials

A report from research firm Decision Resources predicts no growth in the asthma drug market through 2020, in large part due to incursions by generics and greater competition. According to the company, "The overall asthma drug market will decrease slightly from $14.6 billion in 2010 to $14.4 billion in 2020 in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the … [Read more...] about Decision Resources predicts flat asthma drug market through 2020

Merck and NanoBio will conduct preclinical studies to evaluate a vaccine combining Merck's respiratory syncyctial virus (RSV) antigen with NanoBio's NanoStat adjuvant. NanoBio has already conducted studies that showed the induction of immunity by a NanoStat-adjuvanted RSV vaccine "without eliciting the enhanced respiratory disease that has caused other RSV vaccine … [Read more...] about NanoBio to collaborate with Merck on intranasal RSV vaccine

Swedish pharma company Meda released a statement regarding a new patent for its Astepro nasal spray that reads in its entirety: "The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today issued a patent related to Astepro (azelastine) nasal spray. This patent will be listed in the FDA's Approved Drug Products List (the Orange Book). The Astepro patent is valid … [Read more...] about Meda gets patent related to Astepro nasal spray

Consort Medical, parent company of device developer and manufacturer Bespak, reports "strong volume growth" for Bespak's inhaler business for the six months ending October 31, 2011. Bespak revenues were up 17% from 2010, with operating profits up 24%. The company also announced a new contract for a nicotine delivery device to be distributed by a subsidiary of British … [Read more...] about Bespak reports growth in 2011, deal for nicotine delivery device

Acacia Research, a California company frequently described as a "patent troll," says that it has acquired 13 patents for inhaler technology from "a major medical company." Company CEO Paul Ryan said, “Acacia continues to increase the number of patent portfolios we control in the medical technology sector.” The type of inhaler covered by the patents was not … [Read more...] about Acacia Research acquires inhaler technology

AstraZeneca has asked the New Zealand High Court to review a decision by Pharmac, the government drug purchasing agency, to reduce its subsidy for the Symbicort Turbuhaler to achieve pricing parity with GSK's Seretide (Advair) Diskus inhaler. Since the imposition of parity pricing, new patients in New Zealand have had to pay a minimum $3 co-payment (about $2.30 in US … [Read more...] about AstraZeneca challenges New Zealand government agency over Symbicort co-pays

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) has awarded a grant to Civitas Therapeutics to support development of the company's lead product, CVT-301, an inhaled levodopa (L-dopa) formulation for the treatment of symptoms of Parkinson's disease. CVT-301 is a carrier-free dry powder formulation based on Civitas's proprietary Arcus particle … [Read more...] about Michael J. Fox Foundation awards grant for development of inhaled L-dopa