Results from the SAINT II (Stroke Acute Ischemic NXY-059 Treatment) trial, announced today by AstraZeneca, showed that the investigational drug NXY-059 did not meet its primary outcome of a statistically significant reduction in stroke-related disability, as assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) (p=0.33, odds ratio 0.94) compared to placebo.
The Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at UCLA has named University of Wisconsin’s Richard Davidson as the first recipient of The Mani Bhaumik Award. The award was established earlier this year to support scientists in the international community who advance the understanding of the brain and the conscious mind in healing through visionary research, books and education. Bhaumik, co-inventor of the laser technology that made LASIK surgery possible, has funded the annual $10,000 award.
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) announced the availability of triplets monitoring functionality for its industry-leading line of obstetrical care fetal and maternal monitors, Avalon FM20 antepartum and Avalon FM30 intrapartum. Philips is the first company to introduce a fetal monitor that enables non-invasive triplets monitoring with a single device.
Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved NOXAFIL(R) (posaconazole) Oral Suspension for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), including infections refractory to itraconazole and/or fluconazole. OPC is a fungal infection of the mouth and throat caused by the yeast Candida. NOXAFIL is a novel triazole antifungal agent discovered and developed by Schering-Plough Research Institute.
Intrauterine contraception (IUC) is very effective, with a failure rate of less than one percent (similar to that of sterilization), which is one reason why many female ob/gyns choose this method of birth control for themselves. In fact, research shows that female ob/gyns are nine times more likely to choose an IUC for themselves compared with women in general. Misinformation and misperceptions about the IUC may have contributed to its limited use among women in the U.S. to date.
Many people with constipation are confused about the cause of their condition and its appropriate treatment with laxatives. Results of a new large-scale global survey, announced today, show that many people wrongly fear that laxatives are addictive and that their use for long periods of time actually causes constipation.1,2
Poor adherence to medication is a recognized medical problem, costing an estimated $100 billion a year in the United States.(i) New data show that while there is a steady decline in adherence to medications for ulcerative colitis (UC), drug formulation and the number of pills taken each day do not affect long-term adherence. The data were presented today at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology by University of Chicago researcher Sunanda Kane, M.D.
Merck & Co., Inc. announced that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted unanimously to recommend that adults 60 years of age and older be vaccinated with ZOSTAVAX? [Zoster Vaccine Live (Oka/Merck)] to help prevent shingles (herpes zoster), a frequently painful disease marked by a blistering rash.
Bayer HealthCare (BHC) and Topsun Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (Topsun, 600771.SS) together announced that BHC’s Consumer Care Division has signed an agreement in China to acquire the Western over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold portfolio of Topsun Science and Technology Qidong Gaitianli Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for the consideration of RMB 1,072 million (approximately EUR 103 million) plus contingent payments of RMB 192 million (approximately EUR 19 million) subject to fulfilment of certain performance criteria.
In a first-of-its-kind study, UCLA researchers have shown that segments of the HIV-infected population who have little to no consistent outpatient medical care ? and yet are most in need of such services ? are overwhelmingly minorities, the poor and substance abusers.