Medical

Verona Pharma, which has been looking for a partner for its lead product RPL554, an inhaled phosphodiesterase 3 and phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor for the treatment of asthma, COPD, and allergic rhinitis, announced that it has performed successful delivery tests by nebulizer, MDI, and DPI. Read the company's press release. … [Read more...] about Verona announces successful proof of concept tests of lead product

An article published in The Lancet on November 20, 2010 describes the case of a teen-aged boy who appeared to suffer from asthma exacerbations linked to emotional distress caused by his use of Facebook. His asthma had previously been well controlled with ICS and Singulair; but after he was dumped by his girlfriend, visits to her profile page coincided with measurable … [Read more...] about New asthma cure — quit Facebook?

Researchers from the Medco Research Institute presented data at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) showing that clinicians are prescribing ICS/LABA combination treatment for two thirds of patients with mild persistent asthma and that the combination therapy has no benefit for these patients compared to ICS … [Read more...] about Clinicians told they overprescribe combination inhalers

A Phase 3 study of the Qnaze beclamethasone nasal spray from Teva has demonstrated that the product produced significant symptom relief compared to placebo, according to a Teva presentation at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). Qnaze is a "dry" HFA intranasal formulation delivered by MDI and … [Read more...] about Teva announces positive Phase 3 results for Qnaze nasal spray

An article in the November issue of the American Journal of Medicine reports that a study of almost 400,000 COPD and asthma patients showed a 34% increase in the rate of Type 2 diabetes among those using inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Higher doses of ICS were associated with higher increased risk of developing diabetes. The study was conducted by … [Read more...] about Study shows increased risk of diabetes with ICS use

Almirall and Forest Laboratories have announced that a Phase 3 study of their aclidinium bromide DPI for the treatment of COPD produced significant improvement from baseline in FEV1 at clinical doses but underperformed when compared to placebo. Another Phase 3 double-blind study is still underway, and Forest Lab's President Lawrence S. Olanoff expressed … [Read more...] about Disappointing Phase 3 results for aclidinium bromide

A group calling itself Safe and Healthy Use of Nasal sprays (SHUN) is trying to get out the message that "Addiction to over-the-counter medicated nasal spray is a serious problem in the United States" and says that its mission is "to ensure that all Americans know about the consequences of this overuse and the treatment alternatives. The group, … [Read more...] about Group advises consumers to “SHUN” nasal sprays

Pharmaxis has announced that two Phase 3 trials of its Bronchitol inhaled mannitol in patients with cystic fibrosis demonstrated significant improvement in lung function with Bronchitol compared to the control group. The company also cites positive patient response to the DPI. Bronchitol has received orphan drug status in both the US and Europe. Read the … [Read more...] about Positive results for Pharmaxis’s Bronchitol for CF