AstraZeneca has announced that it will stop manufacturing the Pulmicort 100 and 200 µg/dose budesonide HFA pMDI. According to the company, the device has caused "complex manufacturing issues" and the resulting difficulty is causing it to stop production immediately. David Smith, Executive Vice President, Global Operations and IS said, “We have exhausted all … [Read more...] about AstraZeneca discontinues Pulmicort MDI
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FDA briefing documents for PADAC meeting question indacaterol dosage
Briefing materials prepared by the FDA for the Pulmonary-Allergy Drugs Advisory Committee (PADAC) meeting scheduled for March 8, 2011 ask committee members to consider the safety of the higher dose of Novartis's indacaterol inhalation powder. The FDA had already issued a complete response letter in October 2009, in which it asked Novartis to consider lower doses. The … [Read more...] about FDA briefing documents for PADAC meeting question indacaterol dosage
Phase 2 study of inhaled Bimosiamose produces positive results
German biopharmaceutical company Revotar has announced that its Bimosiamose inhalation solution for the treatment of COPD met its primary endpoint in a Phase 2 study involving more than 75 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Bimosiamose is a pan-selectin antagonist that the company is developing for asthma and acute lung injury in addition to COPD. According to … [Read more...] about Phase 2 study of inhaled Bimosiamose produces positive results
Freeman introduces new user interface for powder rheometer
Freeman Technology will offer the new Graphical User Interface (GUI) for its FT4 powder rheometer instrument with all new instruments, and it will be available as a free upgrade for current owners. The FT4 provides data useful for optimizing dry powder flow and aerosolization characteristics by combining several different testing methodologies. With the new GUI, … [Read more...] about Freeman introduces new user interface for powder rheometer
COPD named official COPD Foundation journal
The COPD Foundation has announced that COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease will be its official journal. According to John W Walsh, President of the COPD Foundation, "COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which offers an in-depth and easy-to-access array of research findings in this field, is an ideal partner for the Foundation." … [Read more...] about COPD named official COPD Foundation journal
Insmed announces reverse stock split
Biopharmaceutical company Insmed Incorporated has announced that its shareholders have approved a one-for-ten reverse stock split and the conversion of its Series B preferred stock into common stock. Insmed acquired Transave and its Arikace inhaled liposomal amikacin in December 2010. The company is developing Arikace for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa … [Read more...] about Insmed announces reverse stock split
Shareholder opposes CPEX merger
Mangrove Partners, which holds approximately %5.7 of the outstanding shares of CPEX Pharmaceuticals, has announced that it will oppose the merger of CPEX with FCB, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Footstar Corporation. The merger was announced in early January 2011. According to Mangrove, the $27.25 per share offer for CPEX, which is developing Nasulin intranasal insulin, … [Read more...] about Shareholder opposes CPEX merger
Pearl Therapeutics announces new President and CEO
Chuck Bramlage has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Pearl Therapeutics, replacing interim President and CEO Howard Rosen. Pearl, a California pharmaceutical company developing inhaled treatments for COPD and asthma, was founded in 2006. Its lead product, PT 003, a LAMA/LABA combination MDI, is moving into Phase 2b trials. Bramlage was most … [Read more...] about Pearl Therapeutics announces new President and CEO
Pharmaxis begins marketing Aridol challenge test in US
Australian company Pharmaxis is launching its Aridol inhaled dry powder mannitol bronchial challenge test in the US. The FDA approved the product in October 2010 for the assessment of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients 6 years old or older. Aridol is already marketed in many European countries, Australia, and Korea. According to Pharmaxis, the Aridol … [Read more...] about Pharmaxis begins marketing Aridol challenge test in US
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America names “asthma capitals”
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has published its annual list of US "asthma capitals," led this year by Richmond, Virginia. The list ranks 100 metropolitan areas in terms of difficulties that they present for asthma patients living in the area. Criteria for ranking the list include factors such as the prevalence of asthma in the area, the … [Read more...] about Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America names “asthma capitals”