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A new study found that AMITIZAâ„¢ (lubiprostone) may help relieve the symptoms associated with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). IBS is a condition that affects nearly 30 million people in North America and accounts for 25-50 percent of referrals to gastroenterologists. The study was presented today at Digestive Disease Week, the largest annual meeting of digestive disease specialists.

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Results from a new study to further explore the mechanistic action of ramelteon suggest it may have the ability to shift the biological circadian rhythm "“ one's natural 24-hour sleep-wake cycle "“ based on a study model designed to examine this potential. Ramelteon has a unique mechanism of action that selectively targets two receptors located in the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).

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Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., announced today that AMITIZAâ„¢ (lubiprostone), 24-mcg soft-gel capsules, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2006, is now available by prescription in pharmacies across the United States for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in adults.

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Results of a sub-analysis from a Phase III clinical study showed that ROZEREMâ„¢ (ramelteon) significantly reduced time to fall asleep in adults with chronic insomnia and showed no evidence of rebound insomnia or withdrawal effects.

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Takeda Global Research & Development Center today announced that the company has submitted a New Drug Application for an extended-release version of the combination medication ACTOplus metâ„¢ to the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

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Media Advisory offering sleep experts to discuss the facts about prescription sleep aids and insomnia.

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Results from two new studies demonstrate that treatment with the oral iron chelator Ferriprox(tm) (deferiprone) prevents iron-induced heart disease and significantly reduces the risk of early cardiac death in patients who undergo regular blood transfusions to treat thalassemia.

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New data, reported for the first time at this year's European Federation of Neurological Societies Annual Meeting in Athens, Greece, support the efficacy and safety of Boehringer Ingelheim's dopamine agonist pramipexole in treating patients with Restless Legs Syndrome.

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Two large, randomized, placebo-controlled studies presented at the inaugural conference of the World Association of Sleep Medicine in October demonstrate that pramipexole delivered both short-term and sustained efficacy in patients suffering from Restless Legs Syndrome enrolled in these trials.

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A promising new treatment for lupus challenges the way physicians currently treat patients suffering with lupus kidney disease. A study shows promising results of the use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), an immunosuppressive drug used primarily to combat organ rejection in transplant patients.

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We applaud the results of a research study on the effectiveness of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as a potential new treatment for lupus nephritis (lupus kidney disease) which are published in the November 24, 2005 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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New results from secondary analyses of the landmark PROactive Study found that ACTOS(R) significantly reduced the occurrence of fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and acute coronary syndrome in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes who had a previous heart attack.

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Clinical research data published in the December issue of Multiple Sclerosis provided evidence that COPAXONE(r) may offer protection from axonal injury and induced neuronal metabolic recovery in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

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Sleepless older adults, many of whom are caregivers, stay awake with worry but shy away from prescription sleep medications. Furthermore, older adults have concerns about taking prescription sleep medications including addiction, next-day grogginess and long-term side effects.

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With the black community facing an ever-growing need for organ donation, the findings of a national survey released today show that a family discussion about organ donation "“ one of the most important steps in the process of becoming an organ donor "“ is often overlooked.

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New product combines two widely used diabetes medications in a single tablet, offering patients a convenient option.

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A single 400 mg injection of Cimzia(tm) (certolizumab pegol, CDP 870) every four weeks was effective in maintaining control of the signs and symptoms of Crohn's disease following induction therapy, according to pivotal phase III research.

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Sleeplessness affects too many Americans "“ and it doesn't go away as we age. Results of a new survey being revealed at the International Longevity Center's Sleep and Healthy Aging Scientific Consensus Conference will shed new light on what's keeping older adults awake at night and the lengths they're going to in order to cope.

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Landmark data from the PROactive Study, presented today at the 41st meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes demonstrated that ACTOS(r) (pioglitazone HCl) significantly reduced the combined risk of heart attacks, strokes and death by 16% in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes.

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New product combines two widely used diabetes medications in a single tablet, offering patients a convenient option.

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UCB Pharma, Inc. announced that it has partnered with the nation's leading respiratory hospital, National Jewish Medical and Research Center based in Denver Colorado, to fund a fellowship program that will fill an important need in the training of outstanding physician-scientists and clinician-educators.

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UCB today announced positive results for the two pivotal Phase III trials of certolizumab pegol in the induction and maintenance of clinical response in moderate to severe active Crohn's disease.

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Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the New Drug Application for ROZEREM(tm) (ramelteon) 8-mg tablets for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep onset.

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Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America today announced that the company has submitted a New Drug Application for a new oral medication that combines pioglitazone HCl and glimepiride, a sulfonylurea, to the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

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Results from the first head-to-head study between ACTOS and Avandia(r) (rosiglitazone maleate) published.

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Ramelteon, a novel investigational compound under review with the FDA for the treatment of insomnia, reduced the time it took to fall asleep and increased total sleep time in adults with chronic insomnia, according to results from a Phase 3 study.

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A new study showed that the type 2 diabetes drug ACTOS reduced C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

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A new study has shown that people with type 2 diabetes on statin therapy for diabetic dyslipidemia who were switched to the oral anti-diabetic drug ACTOS from Avandia saw significant improvements, beyond those resulting from traditional cholesterol-lowering statin therapy, in key lipid parameters.

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Results from a Phase 3, three-way crossover study showed that ramelteon, an investigational compound currently undergoing review with the FDA for the treatment of insomnia, helped elderly patients with chronic insomnia fall asleep faster and sleep longer compared to placebo.

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Monitoring the level of CellCept(r) in a patient's blood in the months following an organ transplant may enable physicians to identify the precise amount of drug needed by each patient to prevent organ rejection without increasing toxicity, thereby optimizing efficacy and tolerability of the drug over time.

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Data on novel investigational compound for insomnia also show no behavioral impairment.

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Researchers seeking to enhance transplant patient care with less toxic drug regimens presented early findings of a steroid-free treatment regimen in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C.

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While most Americans look forward to summer travel, anxiety may replace anticipation for the one out of six adults over age 40 with a condition called overactive bladder. Arthur Frommer has partnered with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation to develop Where to Stop & Where to Go: A Guide to Traveling with Overactive Bladder in the United States.

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Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America and Sucampo Pharmaceuticals announced the initiation of a phase III clinical development program for lubiprostone in patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

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Results from a Phase 3 clinical study showed that bedtime administration of ramelteon, an investigational compound currently under review for the treatment of insomnia, significantly reduced time to fall asleep in older adults with chronic insomnia.

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The American Urological Association has announced that Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is the 2005 recipient of the AUA Health Science Award. The award will be given at the annual awards banquet during the 100th Annual Scientific Meeting of the AUA in San Antonio later this month.

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Study results found that the diabetes medication pioglitazone HCl reduced carotid artery intima-media thickness. Patients taking pioglitazone also experienced significant reductions in insulin resistance, C-reactive protein and blood pressure, all of which contribute to the overall risk for cardiovascular disease.

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Pediatric heart transplant recipients taking the medication CellCept(r) (mycophenolate mofetil) as part of their anti-rejection treatment regimen experienced significantly fewer early rejection episodes and greatly improved survival.

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Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has submitted a new drug application to the United States Food and Drug Administration on March 31, 2005 to market lubiprostone, a novel compound with a unique mechanism of action, for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation and associated symptoms in adults.

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Enablex(r), a once-daily treatment for overactive bladder, does not impair cognition in elderly patients. Older individuals "“ in this study people over age 65 "“ make up the majority of OAB sufferers.

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Elan Corporation, plc today announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing approval for PRIALTTM (ziconotide) for the treatment of severe, chronic pain in patients who require intrathecal (IT) analgesia.

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A new clinical study demonstrated that a technology-driven clinical decision support system applying evidence-based clinical guidelines to patient's electronic medical data helps flag potentially serious clinical errors or deviations from accepted best practices, while making a significant improvement on the cost and quality of medical care.

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Researchers at Yale School of Medicine and over 60 collaborating research sites received a $33 million grant from the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to conduct a multi-center trial examining a novel approach for treating patients with stroke.

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Elan Corporation, plc today announced that the FDA has approved PRIALT (ziconotide intrathecal infusion) for the management of severe chronic pain in patients for whom intrathecal (IT) therapy is warranted, and who are intolerant of or refractory to other treatment.

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Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Tysabri(R), formerly referred to as Antegren(R), as treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) to reduce the frequency of clinical relapses.

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Clinical study results have shown that the drug pioglitazone significantly reduced the thickness of the carotid artery in patients with type 2 diabetes. By contrast, no change in carotid thickness was seen in a group of patients who received glimepiride, an older drug for type 2 diabetes.

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African American churches and black transplant surgeons nationwide will take part in the Linkages to Life: Organ, Tissue, and Bone Marrow Donation Awareness Program with hopes of saving thousands of African Americans waiting for a transplant.

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Lupus treatments will be highlighted during a symposium at this year's American College of Rheumatology annual scientific meeting in San Antonio, TX.

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Relationship issues, society pressures and social embarrassment profoundly affect the millions of adults who suffer from psoriasis, a chronic, debilitating skin disease that often leads to a reclusive lifestyle.

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Researchers published the study design and baseline characteristics of patients enrolled in the landmark PROspective PioglitAzone Clinical Trial In MacroVascular Events Study.