Content about Autoimmune diseases

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is hoping to be the first to market a generic version of a drug used to treat ulcerative colitis, the company said.

Watson announced that it had filed with the Food and Drug Administration through a subsidiary for melamine delayed-release tablets, a generic version of Shire Development's Lialda, in the 1.2-g strength. Watson's filing included a Paragraph IV certification, a legal assertion that Lialda's patent protection is invalid, unenforceable or won't be infringed.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Hidden Valley is updating the packaging on its salad dressing products to address gluten-sensitive and gluten-intolerant customers.

The company said it now will include a "gluten-free" logo to bottles and dry packets of its Original Ranch dressing, as well as much of its Farmhouse Originals product line. Packages with the new logo are slated to appear on store shelves this summer.

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Cetaphil brand of cleansers and moisturizers has announced the launch of Cetaphil DermaControl products for acne-prone skin.

The line is comprised of Cetaphil DermaControl foam wash and DermaControl moisturizer SPF 30. It is positioned as the first skin care line of its kind designed to complement an acne regimen for sensitive, acne-prone skin.

LONDON — The global market for celiac disease is expected to grow substantially over the decade as more people are diagnosed with the condition, according to a new report.

The report, by British market research firm GlobalData, found that the global celiac disease therapeutics market would be worth more than $512 million by 2017 and $664.4 million by 2019.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — An orally administered drug made by Genzyme for treating multiple sclerosis did not appear superior to a biotech drug already on the market, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

Genzyme, owned by French drug maker Sanofi, compared the once-daily drug teriflunomide with Rebif (interferon beta-1a), made by Pfizer and Merck KGaA, in patients with relapsing MS in the 324-patient "TENERE" trial. Merck KGaA, based in Germany, operates under the name EMD Serono in the United States to avoid confusion with U.S.-based Merck & Co.

NEW YORK — Israeli drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries is developing a protein that could offer a new way to treat Type 1 diabetes, according to published reports.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the pancreas's beta cells, but the drug, DiaPep277, stops that from happening, according to Bloomberg.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A late-stage clinical trial of a drug under development as a treatment for multiple sclerosis has shown "successful" results.

Genzyme, acquired earlier this year by French drug maker Sanofi, announced results of the phase-3 "CARE-MS II" trial of Lemtrada (alemtuzumab), saying the drug "significantly reduced" worsening of disability and relapse in patients with MS, compared with Rebif (interferon beta-1a), made by Pfizer and German drug maker Merck KGaA, a separate company from U.S.-based Merck.

DALLAS — Baby Magic, a family-owned baby care brand, has added four new products to its portfolio.

The four new products expand the Baby Magic line of treatment and bath items to include:

• No-Rinse Wash: This wash, perfect for cleansing on-the-go, is specially formulated for baby's sensitive skin and the self-foaming application allows for cleaning baby's hair or skin without using water;

• Kids Magic Bubble Bath: This tear-free, hypoallergenic formula is available in either Calming Lavender or Bubble Gum Pop;

NEW YORK — Drug maker Warner Chilcott's diversified portfolio of drugs will help it weather generic challenges to its patents, according to a new report by Zacks Investment Research.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Mass merchandiser Sam's Club is offering a free women's health screening in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the chain said Tuesday.


Gluten-free foods and beverages aren’t just for people with celiac disease anymore. A recent study from Packaged Facts reported “gluten-free foods and beverages have quickly transformed into a mainstream sensation, embraced by consumers out of necessity and as a personal choice toward achieving a healthier way to live.”


SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is looking for comments from consumers, the food industry and others about proposed labeling for gluten-free foods.

Originally proposed in 2007, the proposals include a requirement that foods labeled as "gluten-free" can't contain 20 parts per million or more gluten, a protein that occurs in wheat, rye and barley. The proposal was based on technologies used to detect gluten in food, which can't detect it reliably if the level is less than 20 ppm.