US biotech company Generex has announced that the Canadian Intellectual Property Office has granted its patent titled "Pharmaceutical Compositions for Buccal and Pulmonary Application." Generex develops formulations for buccal delivery using its RapidMist metered dose device, which is essentially an MDI designed to deliver aerosol to the oral cavity … [Read more...] about Generex gets Canadian patent for delivery system
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Biovail and Valeant merge
Shareholders of pharma companies Biovail and Valeant voted to approve their merger, and the new company is now called Valeant Pharmaceuticals International. Valeant markets Migranal dihydroergotamine nasal spray in the US, and Biovail had been partnered with Alexza on the development of Staccato loxapine since February 2010. FDA action on the Staccato … [Read more...] about Biovail and Valeant merge
Stirling talking to potential partners for HDA device
According to Stirling Products, the company is in discussions with several major pharmaceutical companies about partnerships on products using its patented high density aerosol (HDA) device. The company says that its ultrasound-based HDA technology produces a concentration level three times higher than that of other ultrasonic devices. One version of the device … [Read more...] about Stirling talking to potential partners for HDA device
EU approval recommendation for TOBI Podhaler
The European Commission's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended approval of Novartis's TOBI Podhaler tobramycin inhalation powder for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Novartis submitted the product for EU approval in December 2009. Read the company's press release. … [Read more...] about EU approval recommendation for TOBI Podhaler
Mucosis elects new chairman
Dutch vaccine developer Mucosis has announced that John Lambert has been elected as the new chairman of its supervisory board. Mucosis is developing vaccines based on particles created from inactivated Lactococcus lactis bacteria, including its lead candidate, an intranasal influenza vaccine called FluGEM. Read the company's press release … [Read more...] about Mucosis elects new chairman
Positive Phase II results for Relovair dry powder inhaler
GlaxoSmithKline has announced that the Relovair fluticasone furoate/vilanterol trifenatate DPI it is developing with Theravance showed good results in a Phase II study involving 60 COPD patients. Studies of the component drugs for asthma also demonstrated efficacy and safety, according to GSK. Phase III studies for both COPD and asthma are underway. Read the … [Read more...] about Positive Phase II results for Relovair dry powder inhaler
RTS Life Science announces new Pharmaceutical Testing Group
Automation company RTS Life Science has formed a new team comprised of US and UK engineering and sales personnel. The move comes after the recent acquisition of a Massacheusetts company and the opening of a US headquarters. According to RTS Director for inhalation automation Mark Fish, "Our new US office and base will help us better serve and support the US … [Read more...] about RTS Life Science announces new Pharmaceutical Testing Group
Freeman Technology promotes Jamie Clayton
Jamie Clayton has been appointed Operations Manager for Freeman Technology, responsible for all day-to-day operations, including R&D, production, and sales. According to Freeman, it added the position in anticipation of further growth for the company, which manufactures and markets a universal powder testing system, the FT4 Powder Rheometer. Clayton has been … [Read more...] about Freeman Technology promotes Jamie Clayton
NHLBI study shows tiotropium/ICS combo effective for asthma
A study by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that a combination of tiotropium bromide with a low dose of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) provides better asthma control than doubling the dose of ICS and is as effective as a salmeterol/ICS combination. Patients taking the tiotropium combination gained … [Read more...] about NHLBI study shows tiotropium/ICS combo effective for asthma
Phase III data shows Onbrez better for COPD than salmeterol
Novartis has announced that its Phase III INSIST study shows that its once-daily Onbrez Breezhaler indacaterol DPI produces better bronchodilation in COPD patients than does twice-daily salmeterol. Onbrez also reduced the need for rescue medication, according to the data presented. The FDA has requested additional clinical data from Novartis for consideration of … [Read more...] about Phase III data shows Onbrez better for COPD than salmeterol