Pharmacology

Researchers have presented clinical evidence that the drug gabapentin, currently on the market to treat neuropathic pain and epilepsy, also helps people to quit smoking marijuana (cannabis). Unlike traditional addiction treatments, gabapentin targets stress systems in the brain that are activated by drug withdrawal. In a 12-week trial of 50 treatment-seeking cannabis users, those who took gabapentin used less cannabis, experienced fewer withdrawal symptoms, like sleeplessness, and scored higher on tests of attention, impulse-control, and other cognitive skills, compared to patients who…

A group of neuroscientists and ethicists have recently published a paper warning about the perils of the use of pharmacological drugs for cognitive enhancement by healthy individuals. The paper can be found here: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21507740.2012.663056 A commentary about this paper and other related neuroscientific evidence can be found here: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21507740.2012.666322 

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. , announced today that its Japanese partner, Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) and Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Torii), has announced positive top-line results from a Phase 3 study of ferric citrate in Japan for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis. This study is part of an ongoing Phase 3 program for ferric citrate in Japan for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia.  Zerenex™ (ferric citrate), a ferric iron-based phosphate binder, is also in a Phase 3 clinical program in the United States for the treatment of…

ONO-4641, an investigational oral drug, reduced the number of lesions in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to the results of a phase two clinical trial to be presented this week at the American Academy of Neurology Meeting in New Orleans.For the study, 407 people between the ages of 18 and 55 with relapsing-remitting MS were randomly given placebo, 0.05 mg, 0.10 mg, or 0.15 mg of ONO-4641 once per day for 26 weeks. People were included in the study if they had two or more relapses in the two years prior to the study, one or more relapses within the year prior to the study or…

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a positive opinion for ferumoxytol, a new intravenous (IV) iron therapy with a proposed indication for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).  Ferumoxytol is an IV iron therapy with a proposed indication for the treatment of IDA in adult patients with CKD. Its structure and formulation allows for the administration of 510 mg in a shorter time frame than existing IV iron preparations. Ferumoxytol significantly increases Hb…

Synairgen plc , announces positive data from its Phase II clinical trial. This pioneering trial investigated the potential for SNG001 (inhaled interferon beta) to protect asthmatics from respiratory virus infections (principally the common cold) that can spread to the lung, which are a major cause of worsening asthma symptoms. It is estimated that viral infection is associated with up to eight out of ten asthma-related emergency department visits.  There are 5.4 million asthmatics in the UK (Asthma UK) and 25.7 million in the USA (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The study…

Santaris Pharma A/S, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of RNA-targeted therapies, will present final data from a Phase 2a trial showing that miravirsen given as a four-week monotherapy treatment provided robust dose-dependent anti-viral activity with a mean reduction of 2 to 3 logs from baseline in HCV RNA (log10 IU/mL) that was sustained well beyond the end of therapy. These final clinical data are being presented at the International Liver Congress™ 2012, the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL),…

Abbott and Enanta Pharmaceuticals announced data from "Co-Pilot," an interferon-free, Phase 2 study of Abbott's direct-acting antiviral medicines for the treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) that found that more than 90 percent of patients new to HCV treatment achieved sustained viral response through 12 weeks (SVR12). Results were released today at a press conference at the International Liver Congress 2012 (ILC 2012), the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), in Barcelona, Spain, and will also be presented in an oral platform presentation at the…

  Abbott and Enanta Pharmaceuticals announced complete data from the study known as "Pilot" - Abbott's initial interferon-free study of its direct-acting antiviral agents for the treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) - showing that 91 percent of genotype 1 infected, treatment-naive patients taking ABT-450/r and ABT-072 combined with ribavirin administered for 12 weeks, achieved sustained viral response at 24 weeks (SVR24). 82 percent of patients achieved SVR36. This is among the first 12-week, interferon-free HCV regimen with 36-week post-treatment data in genotype 1 patients. Results were…

Evidence suggests that eating blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and other berry fruits has beneficial effects on the brain and may help prevent age-related memory loss and other changes, scientists report.  In a new review, Barbara Shukitt-Hale, Ph.D., and Marshall G. Miller point out that longer lifespans are raising concerns about the human toll and health care costs of treating Alzheimer's disease and other forms of mental decline.  They explain that recent research increasingly shows that eating berry fruits can benefit the aging brain. To analyze the strength of the…