Pharmaceutical companies are dramatically increasing their investments in new and innovative technologies to meet the demands of a patient-empowered, data-driven, outcomes-focused health care marketplace. In the last year alone, pharma investment in smart phone apps, educational websites, social media platforms, wireless devices and other programs increased by 78 percent, as traditional pharmas embrace a role that goes far beyond developing and manufacturing drugs. Read More
The aureus in Staphylococcus aureus means golden. The bacterium gets its name from pigments it produces to make itself look good to the immune system. Read More
United Therapeutics Corp., of Silver Spring, Md., reported its fourth-quarter earnings, showing net income of $9.5 million, or 17 cents per share, falling well below consensus estimates of 62 cents per share. Total revenue also fell below expectations, coming in at $166.5 million vs. consensus estimates of $174.9 million. Read More
Ceregene Inc., of San Diego, reported gene transfer can provide targeted expression of a neurotrophic factor such as neurturin to restore and preserve dying neurons. The research has significance for Parkinson's disease. Ceregene's neurotrophic therapy, CERE-120, is in clinical trials for advanced Parkinson's disease. The results were published in the current issue of Movement Disorders. Read More
Alkermes Inc., of Waltham, Mass., reported that its candidate for opioid induced bowel dysfunction (OBD), ALKS 37, significantly improved GI motility and increased frequency of bowel movements in a Phase II trial. The trial enrolled 87 patients with OBD who were randomized to receive escalating doses of ALKS 37, with the two highest doses showing the positive effects. The drug will be moved into a pivotal program in mid-2011. Read More
WASHINGTON – With biologics one hope of the future, the Obama administration is using its fiscal 2012 budget proposal to pump more competition into the field to bring down the spiraling cost of health care. Read More
LONDON – eTherapeutics plc achieved the seemingly impossible, raising £21 million (US$33.6 million) in a placing at a premium to the closing price on Monday, the day before the deal was announced. Read More
