According to Verona Pharma, the company spent nearly £1 million in 2010 on development of its lead product, RPL554, an inhaled PDE3/4 inhibitor for the treatment of asthma, COPD, and allergic rhinitis. Those R&D costs contributed to a £1.89 million loss for the year. Verona's preliminary unaudited results statement reports that the company is in discussions with … [Read more...] about Verona announces £1.89 million loss for 2010
News
US Supreme Court rules against Matrixx in Zicam case
The US Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Matrixx Initiatives was wrong when it claimed that it did not have to disclose reports of adverse effects caused by its Zicam nasal spray because the number of reports was statistically insignificant. Matrixx is being sued by investors for securities fraud for failing to reveal reports that the product had caused some … [Read more...] about US Supreme Court rules against Matrixx in Zicam case
Insmed gets clearance for Phase 3 Arikace trial
According to Virginia biotech company Insmed, the US FDA has cleared the company's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for a Phase 3 trial of its Arikace liposomal amikacin for inhalation in nontuberculous mycobacteria lung infections. Arikace is delivered using a custom PARI eFlow nebulizer system. Renu Gupta, Insmed's Executive Vice President Development … [Read more...] about Insmed gets clearance for Phase 3 Arikace trial
Novartis to maintain respiratory research at Horsham
According to reports, Novartis will close its manufacturing facility at Horsham, UK, cutting 550 jobs, but will maintain its respiratory research program at the site. The company employs approximately 330 researchers in the respiratory program. Novartis opened the £42 million Respiratory Research Centre in 2001. Read a report from the BBC. … [Read more...] about Novartis to maintain respiratory research at Horsham
New asthma impact survey suggests high inhaler usage
The Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) has published results of a new survey of US asthma patients. Of the patients surveyed, 100% reported use of a short-acting bronchodilator, and 95% reported that they use some form of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). The high percentage of patients reporting use of inhaled medications is particularly … [Read more...] about New asthma impact survey suggests high inhaler usage
Omalizumab reduces need for inhaled asthma drugs
An article published in the March 17, 2011 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine details a study by researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine showing that omalizumab reduces the need for inhaled medications in inner-city children with asthma. Omalizumab is a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody. The 60-week randomized, double-blind study involved … [Read more...] about Omalizumab reduces need for inhaled asthma drugs
Sativex spray now available in Spain
Almirall has launched Sativex oro-mucosal spray for the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients in Spain. Sativex is an endocannabinoid modulator that contains THC and cannabidiol developed and manufactured by GW Pharmaceuticals. According to the company approximately 75% of the 40,000 MS patients in Spain suffer from spasticity. The product will be … [Read more...] about Sativex spray now available in Spain
Hi-Tech Pharmacal nasal spray sales more than quintuple
According to New York specialty pharmaceutical company Hi-Tech Pharmacal, sales of its generic fluticasone propionate nasal spray increased 562% during the quarter ending January 31, 2011. Total sales for the product reached $17.9 million for the quarter. The company attributes the increase to "strong unit sales at higher average prices." Read the company's … [Read more...] about Hi-Tech Pharmacal nasal spray sales more than quintuple
FDA committee recommends approval of lower dose of indacaterol
The Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee (PADAC) of the US FDA has voted to recommend approval of the 75 mcg dose of Novartis's QAB149 indacaterol dry powder formulation for the treatment of COPD but has voted against approval of the 150 mcg dose. The vote was 13 to 4 in favor of the lower dose and 12 to 5 against recommendation of the higher dose. Trevor … [Read more...] about FDA committee recommends approval of lower dose of indacaterol
Phase 3 studies planned for nasal mist dental anesthesia
After a favorable end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA, St. Renatus has announced that it plans to proceed to Phase 3 studies of its dental anesthetic, which is delivered as a nasal mist via a syringe. The nasally-administered anesthetic numbs the patient's teeth without numbing the face and lips. According to St. Renatus, the Phase 2 results showed that the nasal … [Read more...] about Phase 3 studies planned for nasal mist dental anesthesia