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April 8, 2013

Patients taking AstraZeneca RA drug show partial improvement

An experimental drug developed by AstraZeneca for rheumatoid arthritis produced mixed results in measurements of patients' conditions, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

NEW YORK — An experimental drug developed by AstraZeneca for rheumatoid arthritis produced mixed results in measurements of patients' conditions, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

AstraZeneca announced initial results of the phase-3 "OSKIRA-1" trial of fostamatinib, which it calls the first oral spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor in development for RA.

March 22, 2013

Novo Nordisk drug produces significant weight loss in study

A drug made by Novo Nordisk for Type 2 diabetes produced a 6% loss of weight in a trial of the drug in obese patients, the company said.

BAGSVÆRD, Denmark — A drug made by Novo Nordisk for Type 2 diabetes produced a 6% loss of weight in a trial of the drug in obese patients, the company said.

The Danish drug maker announced results of a 56-week phase-3 trial to investigate the potential of Victoza (liraglutide) to produce and maintain weight loss in overweight and obese patients with Type 2 diabetes.

October 22, 2012

J&J drug appears more effective in ulcerative colitis patients than placebo, according to study

More patients with an inflammatory disease of the bowels responded to a drug used for autoimmune disorders than those taking a placebo, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Monday.

LAS VEGAS — More patients with an inflammatory disease of the bowels responded to a drug used for autoimmune disorders than those taking a placebo, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Monday.

Johnson & Johnson said phase-3 trial findings showed that "significantly" more patients with severely active ulcerative colitis responded to Simponi (golimumab), maintaining their responsiveness to the drug through the 54th week. The drug is already approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

October 19, 2012

British study: Swiss echinacea extract helps prevent common cold

British researchers have concluded that a Swiss echinacea extract is both safe and effective in helping to prevent symptoms of the common cold, according to a study published in American Botanical Council's peer-reviewed journal HerbalGram.

AUSTIN, Texas — British researchers have concluded that a Swiss echinacea extract is both safe and effective in helping to prevent symptoms of the common cold, according to a study published in American Botanical Council's peer-reviewed journal HerbalGram.

September 10, 2012

Patients who stop taking insomnia drug continue having sleeping problems, Merck study finds

A study of an experimental drug for insomnia indicated that patients who stop taking it continue having sleeping problems, according to results of a clinical trial announced Monday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — A study of an experimental drug for insomnia indicated that patients who stop taking it continue having sleeping problems, according to results of a clinical trial announced Monday.

Merck released data from a phase-3 trial of suvorexant in which patients who had been taking the drug daily for a year were switched to placebo for a two-month "discontinuation phase." Patients who were switched from the drug to placebo showed sleeping difficulties similar to those who had consistently taken placebo.

August 23, 2012

AcelRx starts third phase-3 trial of drug for post-operative pain

A drug maker that specializes in pain medications started the third late-stage trial of a drug for treating pain in patients who have undergone certain surgeries.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — A drug maker that specializes in pain medications started the third late-stage trial of a drug for treating pain in patients who have undergone certain surgeries.

July 23, 2012

Pfizer pain drug doesn't affect sperm production, study finds

A drug made by Pfizer for treating pain disorders doesn't affect men's reproductive functions, according to a new post-approval clinical study.

NEW YORK — A drug made by Pfizer for treating pain disorders doesn't affect men's reproductive functions, according to a new post-approval clinical study.

The drug maker announced Monday the results of study A0081104 of Lyrica (pregabalin), which compared the drug with placebo in healthy males to assess its effects on sperm production. The phase-4 study was required by the Food and Drug Administration.

June 1, 2012

Patients with MS show reduction in symptoms during drug trial

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.

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.

May 24, 2012

Lilly, BI diabetes drug shows greater A1C reduction in African-American adults than placebo, study shows

A drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes produced significant reduction in blood sugar in African-American patients, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. — A drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes produced significant reduction in blood sugar in African-American patients, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly announced Thursday results of a phase-3 trial of Tradjenta (linagliptin) in which 226 patients with Type 2 diabetes received 5 mg of the drug once per day or placebo.

April 4, 2012

Nutramax celebrates 20 years

Nutramax Labs, known for its glucosamine and chondroitin products, on Tuesday celebrated its 20th anniversary, the company announced.

EDGEWOOD, Md. — Nutramax Labs, known for its glucosamine and chondroitin products, on Tuesday celebrated its 20th anniversary, the company announced.

March 15, 2012

Late-stage trial of MS drug shows positive results

A drug under investigation by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Active Biotech reduced symptoms and progression of disease in patients with multiple sclerosis, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

JERUSALEM — A drug under investigation by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Active Biotech reduced symptoms and progression of disease in patients with multiple sclerosis, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

Teva and Active announced the publication of results of the phase-3 "Allegro" study of oral laquinimod in the March 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The study was conducted in 24 countries and enrolled 1,106 patients with MS who received 0.6 mg of laquinimod per day or placebo.

March 7, 2012

Forest, Pierre Fabre drug 'significantly' reduced depression symptoms

A drug under development by Forest Labs and Pierre Fabre "significantly" reduced symptoms of major depressive disorder, the companies said Wednesday.

NEW YORK — A drug under development by Forest Labs and Pierre Fabre "significantly" reduced symptoms of major depressive disorder, the companies said Wednesday.

New York-based Forest and Paris-based Pierre Fabre announced results of a phase-3 trial of levomilnacipran, saying the drug showed reductions in symptoms as early as one week after treatment was started. The companies expect results of another phase-3 trial of the drug this spring.

March 5, 2012

Study finds Teva allergy drug safe, effective

A drug under development by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries appears safe and effective in treating allergies, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial released Monday.

JERUSALEM — A drug under development by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries appears safe and effective in treating allergies, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial released Monday.

Teva said a 529-patient phase-3 trial of Qnasl (beclomethasone dipropionate) nasal aerosol showed the drug produced a "significant" improvement in patients with seasonal and perennial allergies. Patients received either 320 mcg of Qnasl or a placebo.

December 16, 2011

Lyrica produces 'significant' improvement in restless legs syndrome

A drug made by Pfizer shows "significant" benefit to patients with restless legs syndrome, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Friday.

NEW YORK — A drug made by Pfizer shows "significant" benefit to patients with restless legs syndrome, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Friday.

The drug maker said Lyrica (pregabalin) produced statistically significant improvements in patients with RLS compared with placebo and pramipexole after 12 weeks of treatment. In the phase-3 study, A0081186, 300 mg of Lyrica, 0.25 mg of pramipexole, 0.5 mg of pramipexole or placebo was given to patients on a daily basis.

December 7, 2011

Drug shows improvement in symptoms of autism in children

A drug in late-stage clinical trials appears to treat the symptoms of autism, the drug's developer said Wednesday.

RYE, N.Y. — A drug in late-stage clinical trials appears to treat the symptoms of autism, the drug's developer said Wednesday.

Curemark announced results of the phase-3 trial of CM-AT in children ages 3 to 8 years. The company said the drug had a statistically significant effect on symptoms of autism compared with placebo. The Food and Drug Administration has granted the drug fast-track status, which it does for investigational drugs to treat serious or life-threatening conditions that may address unmet medical needs.

November 21, 2011

Factor Nutrition presents study on supplement supporting memory

Factor Nutrition Labs on Monday presented a study supporting supplementation with its FocusFactor product to improve brain function before the Gerontological Society of America.

BOSTON — Factor Nutrition Labs on Monday presented a study supporting supplementation with its FocusFactor product to improve brain function before the Gerontological Society of America.

November 10, 2011

Study: Omega-3s credited with lowering inflammation, anxiety

A recent study gauging the impact of consuming more fish oil showed a marked reduction both in inflammation and in anxiety among a cohort of healthy young people, the Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science announced Wednesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A recent study gauging the impact of consuming more fish oil showed a marked reduction both in inflammation and in anxiety among a cohort of healthy young people, the Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science announced Wednesday.

September 16, 2011

BMS, AstraZeneca drug added to insulin reduces blood sugar more than placebo

A diabetes drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca significantly reduced Type 2 diabetes patients' blood-sugar levels, compared with placebo, when added to insulin, according to results of a new study.

PRINCETON, N.J. — A diabetes drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca significantly reduced Type 2 diabetes patients' blood-sugar levels, compared with placebo, when added to insulin, according to results of a new study.

The two companies presented results of a 24-week extension to a 52-week study of Onglyza (saxagliptin) at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes' 47th annual meeting in Lisbon, Portugal; they had presented results from the original study at the American Diabetes Association's scientific sessions in San Diego in June.

August 17, 2011

Savient gout drug shows improvements, according to study

Patients with gout taking a drug made by Savient Pharmaceuticals experienced "significant" improvements, according to results of two late-stage clinical trials published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Patients with gout taking a drug made by Savient Pharmaceuticals experienced "significant" improvements, according to results of two late-stage clinical trials published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

August 10, 2011

Study: Soy supplementation ineffective versus relief of menopausal symptoms

Soy isoflavone tablets do not appear to be associated with a reduction in bone loss or menopausal symptoms in women within the first five years of menopause, according to a report in the Aug. 8 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

MIAMI — Soy isoflavone tablets do not appear to be associated with a reduction in bone loss or menopausal symptoms in women within the first five years of menopause, according to a report in the Aug. 8 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

June 29, 2011

Adding dapagliflozin to diabetes regimen may help reduce blood sugar, weight among patients

Adding an investigational drug for Type 2 diabetes to the common generic drug metformin helped control blood sugar in patients who could not control their blood sugar with metformin alone, according to results of a late-stage clinical study.

SAN DIEGO — Adding an investigational drug for Type 2 diabetes to the common generic drug metformin helped control blood sugar in patients who could not control their blood sugar with metformin alone, according to results of a late-stage clinical study.

May 5, 2011

Pfizer: Pristiq reduces hot flashes among postmenopausal women

A major depressive disorder treatment made by Pfizer significantly reduced the number and severity of moderate-to-severe hot flashes in postmenopausal women, compared with placebo, according to a new study.

WASHINGTON — A major depressive disorder treatment made by Pfizer significantly reduced the number and severity of moderate-to-severe hot flashes in postmenopausal women, compared with placebo, according to a new study.

March 17, 2011

Late-stage trial to commence for AstraZeneca's opioid-induced constipation treatment

Anglo-Swedish drug maker AstraZeneca has enrolled the first patient in a late-stage clinical trial for a drug to treat constipation related to use of opioid painkillers, the company said.

WILMINGTON, Del. — Anglo-Swedish drug maker AstraZeneca has enrolled the first patient in a late-stage clinical trial for a drug to treat constipation related to use of opioid painkillers, the company said.

February 4, 2011

Enbrel helps improve conditions of psoriasis patients, study finds

A drug used to treat inflammatory diseases improved the conditions of patients with psoriasis that affected the scalp compared with placebo, according to results of a new study.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A drug used to treat inflammatory diseases improved the conditions of patients with psoriasis that affected the scalp compared with placebo, according to results of a new study.

Amgen and Pfizer on Friday announced the results of the phase-4 study of Enbrel (etanercept), in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis with scaling on the scalp, also known as scalp involvement. Data from the trial will be presented Friday at the 69th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in New Orleans.

January 24, 2011

Study: TheraTears Nutrition improves eye health

Advanced Vision Research on Monday announced results from a pilot trial published in the journal Cornea that demonstrated a reduction in dry-eye symptoms and an increase in tear volume and tear flow for those patients taking TheraTears Nutrition, an optimized blend of omega-3 oils.

WOBURN, Mass. — Advanced Vision Research on Monday announced results from a pilot trial published in the journal Cornea that demonstrated a reduction in dry-eye symptoms and an increase in tear volume and tear flow for those patients taking TheraTears Nutrition, an optimized blend of omega-3 oils.

Almost 3-in-4 symptomatic dry-eye patients who received the omega-3 supplement reported having no symptoms of dry eye after 90 days. In the placebo group, only 7% had a complete reduction of symptoms.