Members of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) have indicated that they would vote against approval of Pharmaxis's marketing application for Bronchitol as a treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF). The CHMP took the trend vote after hearing an oral presentation by Pharmaxis regarding the application at its meeting last week. The official vote to … [Read more...] about CHMP issues negative opinion on Pharmaxis’s Bronchitol
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OptiNose wins innovation award for nasal delivery technology
OptiNose has won the Oslo regional competition of the DnB NOR Innovation Award for its nasal drug delivery technology, and the company will compete in the Norwegian national competition in September. The regional award includes a prize of 200,000 NOK (~$36,000), and the national prize is 1 million NOK. The competition is sponsored by the Norwegian bank … [Read more...] about OptiNose wins innovation award for nasal delivery technology
Shortage of acetylcysteine inhalation solution
The FDA has announced a shortage of acetylcysteine inhalation solution in the US due to increased demand and manufacturing delays. Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic agent. According to the FDA web site, two manufacturers, Hospira and Roxanne Laboratories are experiencing shortages of 200 mg/ml vials as a result of increased demand and expect to release new product by … [Read more...] about Shortage of acetylcysteine inhalation solution
New Asian distributors for Freeman Technology powder rheometer
Freeman Technology has appointed two new distributors for its FT4 powder rheometer, a universal powder tester that provides data useful for .the optimization of dry powder formulations The new distributors are Aimil Ltd., which will distribute the FT4 in India, and DKSH, which will handle distribution in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan. Freeman … [Read more...] about New Asian distributors for Freeman Technology powder rheometer
Takeda confirms Nycomed acquisition
One day after issuing a denial (for the second time) regarding rumors of a deal for Nycomed, Takeda has confirmed its acquisition of the Swiss company for €9.6 billion (~$13.7 billion). The deal does not include Nycomed's US dermatology business, which will be spun off. Yasuchika Hasegawa, President & CEO of Takeda, said: “Takeda is committed to transforming our … [Read more...] about Takeda confirms Nycomed acquisition
Activaero announces new Chief Business Officer
Activaero has hired Christian Pangratz as its new Chief Business Officer, replacing Henrik Luessen. Pangratz comes to Activaero from Nektar, where he served as Executive Director of Business Development. Luessen will continue to work with the company part time while focusing the majority of his efforts on his consulting firm. Pangratz will be responsible for … [Read more...] about Activaero announces new Chief Business Officer
MeadWestvaco offering customers assistance with filling lines for preservative-free pumps
MWV has announced that it will now provide pharmaceutical customers with assistance in retrofitting filling lines when they make the switch to the company's line of preservative-free nasal spray pumps. According to the company, "Using advanced technologies, MWV engineers model and take packaging and machinery solutions from concept to production. We customize … [Read more...] about MeadWestvaco offering customers assistance with filling lines for preservative-free pumps
Daiichi-Sankyo and Regency launch Sprix nasal spray
Regency Therapeutics, a division of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, and Daiichi-Sankyo, Inc. have announced the launch of Sprix ketorolac tromethamine nasal spray "for the short-term (up to 5 days) management of moderate to moderately severe pain that requires analgesia at the opioid level." The US FDA approved Sprix in May 2010. In December 2010, Luitpold, a subsidiary of … [Read more...] about Daiichi-Sankyo and Regency launch Sprix nasal spray
Novartis presents new data on indacaterol/tiotropium combination therapy
Data presented at the 2011 American Thoracic Society (ATS) meeting by Novartis regarding combined indacaterol and tiotropium therapy for COPD demonstrate that the LABA/LAMA combination produced greater improvement in lung function than tiotropium alone. Novartis's indacaterol product, called Onbrez Breezhaler, was approved by the EU in 2009 but has not yet been … [Read more...] about Novartis presents new data on indacaterol/tiotropium combination therapy
COPD journal now available in digital format
The COPD Foundation is now making its official journal, COPD: Journal Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, available online in a digital format at www.copdjournal.com. According to publisher Ashley Petrylak, the format allows readers to bookmark and mark up articles, conduct keyword searches, watch video content, and forward articles. “We hope this new format … [Read more...] about COPD journal now available in digital format