Content about Autoimmune diseases

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Johnson & Johnson's sales increased by 8.5% to $17.5 billion in first quarter 2013, the healthcare products company said Tuesday.

The increase included a domestic sales increase of 11.2%. Profits for the quarter were $3.5 billion.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A population-based study in Olmsted County, Minn., has shown an increase in the incidence of celiac disease, a digestive condition triggered by eating protein gluten.

DUBLIN — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug from Warner Chilcott for treating ulcerative colitis, the drug maker said.

Warner Chilcott announced the approval of mesalamine in the 400-mg strength.

The company plans to market the drug under the brand name Delzicol and launch it in March.

NEW YORK — An organization focused on inflammatory bowel disease has enlisted a star of "NYPD Blue," "Judging Amy" and "Private Practice" to raise awareness of the condition.

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America hired actress Amy Brenneman, who has ulcerative colitis, one of two diseases that collectively make up IBD; the other is Crohn's disease. Both conditions are autoimmune diseases that cause discomfort and inflammation of the intestines and require frequent trips to the bathroom.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug from Perrigo and Cobrek Pharmaceuticals for treating scalp conditions.

Perrigo said that Cobrek, with which it is partnering, had received approval for betamethasone validate foam in the 0.12% strength. The drug is a generic version of Luxiq foam, made by GlaxoSmithKline subsidiary Stiefel Labs, and is used to treat corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions of the scalp, also known as scalp psoriasis.

The branded version of the drug has annual sales of about $40 million, according to Perrigo.

LONDON — Vitamin D supplementation could be considered an immunomodulatory agent for systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease characterized not only by skin, joint, neurological and renal symptoms, but also by inflammation of tissue linings in the body, according to a new clinical study published Tuesday in BioMedCentral's open access journal Arthritis Research and Therapy. 

An immunomodulatory agent has an effect on the immune system. 

Diabetes is one of the country’s most serious public health crises, and it will likely remain so for some time. According to the American Diabetes Association, 25.8 million Americans now have the disease, with another 79 million at risk, and most of those with the disease have Type 2 diabetes — the kind that results from lifestyle choices.


But half of “public health” is “public,” and recent efforts by retailers and suppliers have sought to combat the disease at the community level.


 RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for psoriasis of the scalp made by a subsidiary of British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline.

Stiefel announced Friday the approval of Sorilux (calcipotriene) foam for psoriasis of the scalp in adults. The drug was already approved for psoriasis of other parts of the body in October 2010.

HORSHAM, Pa. — A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson is hoping to gain Food and Drug Administration approval for a new formulation of one of its drugs.

Janssen Biotech announced that it had filed an application with the FDA seeking approval for an intravenous formulation of Simponi (golimumab) in adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, which affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Horizon Pharma announced it has received regulatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration for one of its drugs.

The drug maker said Rayos (prednisone) delayed-release tablets — in the 1-mg, 2-mg and 5-mg stregnths — were approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

NEW YORK — An organization focused on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis has revamped its website, the group said Tuesday.

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America said it worked with Pittsburgh-based digital marketing agency BarkleyREI to redesign the website. The new site includes a section for people newly diagnosed with the diseases; a library that includes webcasts, brochures, fact sheets and videos; social media integration; pages listing local chapters and support groups; and other resources.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — An experimental drug for multiple sclerosis produced a noticeable reduction in symptoms of the disease in a late-stage clinical trial, the drug's developer said Friday.

Genzyme, a unit of French drug maker Sanofi, announced results from a phase-3 study of Aubagio (teriflunomide) in patients with relapsing forms of MS. According to the study, patients taking the drug in the 14-mg strength experienced a 36.3% reduction in annualized relapse rates and 31.5% reduction in the risk of sustained accumulation of disability over a 12-week period.