Pharmaceutical | Page 42 of 46

Flu :: GlaxoSmithKline?s new generation flu vaccine shows a significant seroprotection

New data released today demonstrate significantly better immune responses in the age range 65 and above when vaccinated with GSK?s new generation (adjuvanted) seasonal flu vaccine compared to a traditional seasonal flu vaccine. These new data are highly important, since the disease burden and death toll is highest among the elderly in each flu season. The data, presented at the Influenza Vaccines for the World (IVW) 2006 Congress, showed the seroprotection rate (90.5%) achieved by the new adjuvanted vaccine in the elderly to be more than 25% higher than that reported in the age matched comparator group.

Influenza :: Switzerland to purchase GSK?s H5N1 influenza vaccine for pre-pandemic use

GlaxoSmithKline (plc) today announced that a supply contract has been signed by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and GlaxoSmithKline for 8 million doses of GSK?s H5N1 antigen influenza vaccine and its proprietary adjuvant for pre-pandemic use. The order provides enough doses, one per head of the entire Swiss population, to help prepare the immune system against the threat of a human influenza pandemic and is the first national programme to do so. Supply and stockpiling of the pre-pandemic vaccine is expected in early 2007 once the Swiss regulatory agency, Swissmedic, has reviewed and approved GSK?s regulatory file.

Eyes :: Bayer & Regeneron’s VEGF Trap for the treatment of eye diseases, AMD

Bayer HealthCare (NYSE: BAY) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: REGN) today announced that the companies have entered into a collaboration agreement for the global development, and commercialization outside the U.S., of the VEGF Trap for the treatment of eye disease by local administration (VEGF Trap-Eye). The VEGF Trap-Eye, currently in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, is a protein that binds to or ?traps? vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and blocks its activity. VEGF is thought to play a critical role in certain eye diseases.

Health :: New mechanism found that may underlie neuropathic pain

Researchers at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development (J&JPRD) announced on 15 October 2006 that they have discovered a new molecular mechanism that may underlie neuropathic pain. The clearer understanding of the root-cause of chronic neuropathic pain, and the preclinical validation of new targets for pharmaceutical therapies shown in this research, together present an opportunity for the development of new ways to treat the severe pain associated with such common conditions or diseases as sciatica, diabetic neuropathy and shingles.

Schizophrenia :: Solvay pharmaceuticals and Wyeth – new drug for bifeprunox to treat schizophrenia

Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE), announced today that a New Drug Application (NDA) was submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for bifeprunox, an investigational atypical antipsychotic for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Health :: Innocoll – collaguard – a collagen-based advanced wound care product

Innocoll, Inc. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Innocoll Pharmaceuticals, has received US 510k approval for CollaGUARD(TM), an advanced wound care product based on Innocoll’s proprietary CollaRx(TM) membrane technology. CollaGUARD is indicated for the management of superficial and deep wounds, including coverage of skin ulcers and temporary dermatoplasty in the case of lesion and burns. CollaGUARD has already received CE-mark approval for marketing in Europe.

Brain Cancer :: Peregrine receives regulatory approval for Cotara brain cancer clinical trial

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPHM), a biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative, clinical stage products for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis C virus infection, today announced that it has received regulatory approval in India for a new clinical trial of its lead tumor necrosis therapy (TNT) agent Cotara(R). The trial is designed to test the safety and efficacy of Cotara in patients with glioblastoma multiforme, a deadly form of brain cancer. Cotara is currently being studied in a multi-center U.S. glioblastoma trial. Previous studies using Cotara to treat brain cancer have produced encouraging results, and Peregrine expects that positive data from this trial in combination with data from the ongoing U.S. clinical trial should provide the foundation for planning the future development and commercialization of Cotara.

Obesity :: Manhattan pharmaceuticals – oral oleoyl-estrone clinical program to include morbidly obese

Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Amex: MHA) today announced expansion of its oral Oleoyl-estrone (OE) clinical obesity program to include the morbidly obese. A new US Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating oral OE in morbidly obese male subjects will be initiated in October 2006. The morbidly obese population in the US is estimated to be 14 million people. OE is the Company’s orally administered product candidate in development for the treatment of obesity.

Pregnancy :: Next-generation contraceptive patch by Agile Therapeutics

Agile Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical development company focused on innovative transdermal products, is developing the next generation of contraceptive patches, one that is designed to deliver low doses of birth control hormones over a seven-day period.

Health :: New research to cut animal testing, uk

Researchers at The University of Manchester have been awarded 130,000 pounds to develop new techniques to reduce the need for animals in drug testing. Current checks to establish whether a new drug is carcinogenic can be inconclusive and require further testing on live animals to establish whether they are harmful or not.