Drug Week articles from January 2003

Drug Week archives from January 2003

Novel stavudine derivative active against resistant viral strains.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - A derivative of the antiretroviral agent stavudine is effective against HIV strains resistant to its parent and similar drugs, researchers in Minnesota report....

Thalidomide-like compound shows early promise.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A drug similar to thalidomide has been found to be promising with fewer side effects for treating patients with recurrent multiple myeloma, an incurable form of bone marrow cancer, according to early...

Orally active inhibitor of EGF signaling has potential for cancer therapy.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical researchers report the company's product, Iressa, taken orally once daily, may have therapeutic application against tumors. "The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)...

Novel agents offer less-toxic hydroxyurea alternatives.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - A pair of novel agents may represent less-toxic alternatives to hydroxyurea for HIV patients, researchers say. "Recently, the use of the ribonucleotide...

Antifungal agents fail to eradicate catheter-related Candida infection.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Conventional antifungal regimens may not be sufficient for resolution of catheter-related Candida bloodstream infections, researchers in the United States warn....

Genitope initiates clinical trial to evaluate GTOP-99 following use of Rituxan.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Genitope Corp. announced the initiation of a clinical trial to evaluate the use of GTOP-99, a personalized vaccine-like immunotherapy, following treatment with Rituxan (rituximab) for patients...

Bupropion promotes weight loss, which then enhances mood.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS, senior medical writer - Obese adults with depressive symptoms who received bupropion while following a restricted-calorie diet lost more weight than similar patients who...

Bench, bedside, and beyond: Clinical research at the crossroads.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Mapping the human genome and the discovery of other keys that could unlock the universe of biomedical secrets has brought modern medicine to the edge of a vast frontier that promises cures for...

Fuzeon shows benefit across range of treatment-experienced HIV patients.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Roche and Trimeris, Inc., (TRMS) announced data from a second pivotal phase III study (TORO 2) demonstrating that Fuzeon (enfuvirtide), in combination with other antiretrovirals, provided benefit to...

NIH to investigate use of TGF alpha in treatment of AIDS.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Kaleidos Pharma, Inc., announced a collaboration with the Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Under the terms of the...

Patent issued for next-generation anti-HIV protease inhibitor.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Pharmacor, Inc., has been issued U.S. patent relating to its antiretroviral program. The small-molecule compounds described in the patent, entitled "Urea derivatives as HIV aspartyl protease...

Drug candidates for AD, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, show promise.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- In an oral presentation at the 32nd annual Society for Neurosciences meeting in Orlando, Florida, Neurochem, Inc., confirmed that the company's compounds have the potential to alter not only the course...

New survey shows one-third of Americans use antibiotics inappropriately.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Despite widespread public alarm about inappropriate use increasing antibiotic ineffectiveness, many Americans still use the drugs improperly. One out of three Americans mistakenly believes...

Chest physician raises concerns over asthma drug for children.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A consultant chest physician who has worked on a scientific paper published in the journal Archives of Childhood Disease, said that the study has revealed an "unexpected and alarming frequency of a...

X-ray based 3-D image shows topotecan mechanism.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- deCODE genetics (DCGN) announced that scientists from the company's biostructures group have successfully generated a 3-D image of how the cancer drug topotecan binds with the topoisomerase I enzyme and...

BAY 43-9006, ONYX-015 moving forward.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (ONXX) announced that BAY 43-9006, an anticancer investigational agent, is moving toward potential phase III clinical trials in 2003. BAY 43-9006 is an orally active...

NDA filed for palonosetron.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Helsinn Healthcare SA, a privately-owned Swiss pharmaceutical group, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted their new drug application (NDA) for filing. The NDA was...

Study demonstrates Leukine potential in treatment of Crohn disease.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Results of a pilot study report that daily subcutaneous injection of Leukine (sargramostim/GM-CSF) was well tolerated, significantly reduced Crohn disease symptoms, and might provide a novel approach to...

Agreement reached with FDA for KRX-101 subpart-H plan.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., (KERX; KRX) announced that it has designed a Subpart H (accelerated approval) development plan in collaboration with the FDA for KRX-101, Keryx's Fast-Track...

Douglas Pharmaceuticals inks agreement for Invicorp.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Senetek, PLC, (SNTK) announced signing of a marketing and distribution agreement for Invicorp, its erectile dysfunction product, for New Zealand with Douglas Pharmaceuticals. The agreement calls...

Ophthalmic drug company reports net loss of $3.1M.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- InSite Vision Incorporated (ISV) - an ophthalmic therapeutics, diagnostics, and drug-delivery company - reported financial results for the three and 9 months ended September 30, 2002. Research and...

RU-0211 shows high statistical significance of primary endpoint in trial.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (formerly R-Tech Ueno USA, Inc.,) reported that its lead proprietary gastrointestinal compound, RU-0211, showed a high level of statistical significance based on the...

Application submitted to market Lexapro for new indication.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Forest Laboratories, Inc., (FRX) announced that it has submitted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to expand the labeling of Lexapro (escitalopram...

Rituximab effective against CD20+ non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - The monoclonal antibody rituximab is likely to be effective against AIDS-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma (AIDS-NHL), researchers in Italy report. "Rituximab...

Interferon-alpha may hasten progression.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Interferon (IFN)-alpha may have deleterious effects in HIV patients, researchers in Norway warn. Eva Stylianou and colleagues at Rikshospitalet University...

Three-class regimens with nevirapine not recommended.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Three-class antiretroviral regimens including the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) nevirapine provide suboptimal HIV suppression,...

Higher cost sharing reduces plans' drug expenditures but boosts enrollee costs.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Employer health plans that charge retirees higher copayments for retail pharmaceuticals saved themselves 18.7% per member on average in 2001, but their enrollees on average had 59.4% higher...

New data shows ISIS 14803 produces significant viral level reductions.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (ISIS) announced that its antisense drug ISIS 14803 demonstrated promising antiviral activity by producing up to 3.8 log reductions in plasma virus levels in patients with...

Benznidazole directly affects Trypanosoma cruzi host immune response.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in Brazil have elucidated the effects of benznidazole in patients infected with the parasite responsible for Chagas disease. "Many studies have...

FluINsure vaccine challenge trial started.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- ID Biomedical announced that it has begun a human influenza challenge trial of its intranasally delivered FluINsure vaccine. The clinical trial site began intranasal immunization of study subjects...

Human serum albumin-interferon-alpha fusion protein studied.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Human Genome Science Inc. recently presented pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data on its human serum albumin-interferon-alpha fusion protein, Albuferon. Study authors B.L. Osborn and colleagues...

Irbesartan is a cost-effective treatment of diabetic kidney disease.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Up to $2.3 billion in total healthcare cost savings could be achieved in just three years if Americans with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease received treatment with irbesartan, according to an...

NeoPharm terminates license agreement covering LEP and LED.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- NeoPharm, Inc., (NEOL) announced that, pursuant to the terms of its license agreement dated February 19, 1999 with Pharmacia & Upjohn Co., NeoPharm has terminated the license agreement, effective...

Phase I trial initiated to test AdPEDF.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- GenVec, Inc., (GNVC) announced the commencement of a phase I clinical trial for its ophthalmology product candidate, AdPEDF, in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A total of up...

Estrasorb accepted for review by the FDA.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Novavax, Inc., (NVAX) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted its new drug application (NDA) for Estrasorb for review. The company resubmitted its NDA for Estrasorb...

Phase III clinical trial of eptifibatide injection begins in heart attack patients.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (MLNM) announced the initiation of a phase III clinical trial of Integrilin in patients experiencing an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), or heart...

Personalized vaccine for NHL being tested at New York Weill Cornell.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- New York Weill Cornell Medical Center of Presbyterian-Presbyterian Hospital is currently seeking patients for a nationwide, multicenter clinical research trial to explore the benefits of a vaccine to...

AP5280 was well tolerated at platinum doses in phase I trial.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (AKC) announced the commencement of the next phase in the clinical development of Polymer Platinate AP5280. In addition, the company released a summary of the phase I...

CB2-selective agonist compounds demonstrate efficacy in a series of pain models.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Pharmos Corp. (PHRM) announced its lead CB2 receptor agonist (CB2-selective) compounds demonstrated efficacy in several animal models for pain. Pharmos presented the data at the Society for...

Licensing agreement signed for generic urokinase.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Microbix Biosystems, Inc., (TSX) announced that it has signed an agreement for the worldwide rights to its lead biotherapeutic drug ThromboClear, a generic version of Abbott Laboratories' urokinase...

Patients should be more involved in the clinical trial process.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Patients should be treated as participants rather than subjects during clinical trials, suggest researchers in a new study. At present, less than half of patients receiving placebo as part of a...

Researchers study link between asthma, allergic rhinitis.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Aventis (AVE) released new information on the most comprehensive research program to date to study prescription seasonal allergy antihistamine Allegra (fexofenadine HCl). Aventis is working to...

Fluconazole effective as fungal infection prophylaxis.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - The triazole antifungal agent fluconazole can be used to prevent fungal infections in stem cell recipients, researchers in Singapore report. "Over the past...

Clinical trial to determine cardiovascular outcomes benefit of Lotrel.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. announced that it will conduct ACCOMPLISH (avoiding cardiovascular events through combination therapy in patients living with systolic hypertension), a large-scale...

FDA approves generic approval for Econazole Nitrate Cream.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Fougera, a division of Altana, Inc., has received FDA approval for Econazole Nitrate Cream 1% (Rx). This topical antifungal medication is AB-rated to Spectazole by Ortho Dermatological, and is...

Positive results reported from first phase III clinical trial with indiplon-IR.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., (NBIX) announced positive results from the company's first phase III clinical trial with indiplon-IR capsules, achieving both primary and secondary endpoints of sleep...

Strong growth returns to $20 billion global generic drug industry.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The market for generic drugs is poised to experience double-digit growth over the next 5 years, according to a new study from Kalorama Information. Good news on the regulatory, patent, and...

Ex vivo culture model screens drug activity against M. tb in vivo phenotypes.
January 3, 2003... 2003 JAN 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from England, "Since the activity of drugs against Mycobacterium tuberculosis grown in microbiological culture can differ from their activity against bacteria present in infected...

Cosalane additives improve intestinal absorption.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in the United States have developed novel methods for improving the intestinal absorption of a promising anti-HIV agent. "Cosalane is a potent...

Rasagiline appears to be an effective therapy for early disease.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Patients with early Parkinson disease (PD) treated with the drug rasagaline were better able to perform functions of daily living, had better motor ability and better moods, according to research by...

Preliminary results reported from new clinical study of Replagal.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Transkaryotic Therapies, Inc., (KTX) announced preliminary data from an 80-patient double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase III study of Replagal (agalsidase alfa), its enzyme replacement therapy for...

Data presented on Nipent shows its capability as a franchise compound.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- SuperGen, Inc., (SUPG) announced that 12 abstracts and presentations on the company's anticancer drug, Nipent, validating the drug's capability as a franchise compound with the ability to treat a...

Phase I trial data on novel bispecific molecule H22xKi-4 reported.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers at the University of Cologne, Germany, have reported phase I trial data on a molecule they developed for immunotherapy of Hodgkin lymphoma. They say their results indicate further clinical...

Continuous linezolid infusion effective against resistant S. aureus.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in France have identified a novel agent effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). "Linezolid is the first drug...

Phase I/II data presented for IL13-PE38.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- NeoPharm, Inc., (NEOL) announced that additional phase I/II clinical trial data on IL13-PE38, the company's novel tumor-targeting agent for malignant glioma, were presented at the seventh annual...

Atorvastatin promotes a Th2 bias, reverses paralysis in CNS autoimmune disease.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- University of California, San Francisco, neurologists have demonstrated in mice that oral atorvastatin was able to prevent or reverse chronic and relapsing paralysis. "Atorvastatin (Lipitor) was...

Phase IIa clinical trials initiated for PCL-016 in mild-to-moderate acne.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Novactyl, Inc., announced that it has started enrolling patients in its first phase IIa clinical trial for PCL-016 for the treatment of mild to moderate acne. This study will further investigate...

Alzheimer and inflammation clinical trials results reported.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Neurogen Corp. (NRGN) announced preliminary results from a phase II clinical study of NGD 97-1 for the treatment of Alzheimer disease conducted by Pfizer, Inc., (PFE) and the results of its phase I...

Antibiotics combined with antigen-based vaccine protects guinea pigs against anthrax.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS, senior medical writer - Almost all of the guinea pigs treated with a regimen of antibiotics and a protective-antigen vaccine survived a challenge with a lethal dose of...

Clinical safety and efficacy trial of rhATIII begins.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc., (GTCB) announced the initiation of a safety and efficacy study of its recombinant human antithrombin III (rhATIII) for the treatment of patients with a hereditary deficiency...

Lexapro better than placebo in trial.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Forest Laboratories (FRX) has announced the results of a pooled analysis of 3 positive generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) studies involving Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) at an annual meeting of...

Enbrel offered to additional 40,000 arthritis patients.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Amgen (AMGN) and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (WYE), announced that supply of the biologic, Enbrel (etanercept), has been offered to more than 40,000 patients on the Enbrel prospective...

Results announced from phase III study of Enbrel dosed once weekly.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Amgen (AMGN) announced that a clinical study assessing 50 mg of Enbrel (etanercept) administered once weekly demonstrated similar efficacy, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics to that of 25 mg of Enbrel...

Pharmaceutical company reports oral absorption of RSD1235 in humans.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Cardiome Pharma Corp. (COMRF) reported that a proof-of-concept oral dosing study in humans demonstrates that its antiarrhythmic drug RSD1235 has significant oral bioavailability. Phase II efficacy...

Atomoxetine to account for about 25% of ADHD drug sales.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Decision Resources forecasts that Eli Lilly's Strattera (atomoxetine) will account for 25% of the total child and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug sales in the seven major...

Approvable letter received for Photofrin; final approval expected in 2003.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Axcan Pharma, Inc., announced that it has received an approvable letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Photofrin in the treatment of high grade dysplasia associated with Barrett...

Update provided on regulatory status of RSR13.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Allos Therapeutics, Inc., (ALTH) announced that following a recent meeting with the oncology drug products division of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the company may begin a rolling submission...

Herceptin pretreatment enhances Taxol's effect in ErbB2-overexpressing cells.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center researchers point out that "[t]he recombinant humanized anti-ErbB2/HER2 monoclonal antibody Herceptin (Trastuzumab) has been shown to significantly enhance the tumoricidal...

Additional phase I data presented on liposomal antisense agent.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- NeoPharm, Inc., (NEOL) announced additional phase I clinical trial data on LErafAON, the company's investigational NeoLipid liposomal antisense agent. A scientific poster was presented at the 14th...

Pilot program explores viability of cell-penetrating peptide-based drugs.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- CeMines, Inc., a privately held company that is developing proprietary Molecular FingerPrinting technology for early detection and treatment of cancer, announced that it has entered into a pilot...

Update provided on prescription levels for Xyrem oral solution.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Orphan Medical, Inc., (ORPH) announced that 552 prescriptions have been written for Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution through November 29, 2002. The number of prescriptions exceeds the company's...

Genasense shows single-agent activity in patients with advanced CLL.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Genta, Inc., (GNTA), in collaboration with Aventis (AVE), announced the presentation of new clinical data that shows activity of the company's lead anticancer compound, Genasense, as a single agent in...

NCQA issues draft standards for Human Research Protection Accreditation Program.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) released draft standards for its Human Research Protection Accreditation Program (HRPAP) for public comment. The new program is designed to...

FDA approves Lexapro oral solution.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Forest Laboratories, Inc., (FRX) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for marketing an oral solution of Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate). Lexapro, a selective serotonin...

Scientists reveal potential new approach to treating muscle degeneration.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- In a preclinical study scientists from Wyeth Research and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that blocking the activity of a gene known as myostatin may reduce muscle degeneration....

New study of Viagra's onset finds most men respond within 20 minutes.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A new study of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) found that 51% taking Viagra (sildenafil citrate) achieved an erection that resulted in successful sexual intercourse within 20 minutes, according to...

Study: Vardenafil HCl improves ability to maintain erection to completion.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- In a new study designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the oral investigational drug Levitra (vardenafil HCl), men with erectile dysfunction (ED) were nearly five and a half times more likely, on...

Axcan to acquire worldwide rights to Panzytrat enzyme product.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Axcan Pharma, Inc., announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire a pancreatic enzyme line of products from Abbott Laboratories for a cash purchase price of US$45 million. Axcan will...

Worldwide license agreement extends Zavesca partnership.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Actelion, Ltd., and Oxford GlycoSciences, plc, announced that a license agreement has been signed extending the parties' existing European marketing relationship and granting Actelion worldwide...

Caraco Pharmaceutical signs new R&D agreement for 25 new drugs.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd., (CARA) has signed an R&D agreement for development of up to 25 new generic drugs with Sun Pharma Global, Inc., (Sun Global). Detroit-based Caraco...

Cotara receives orphan drug designation in Europe.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Peregrine Pharmaceuticals (PPHM) announced that the Commission of the European Communities has granted orphan medicinal product designation for Cotara for the treatment of glioma. Cotara has...

Glutathione-loaded erythrocytes enhance antiretroviral treatment.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in Italy have developed a novel method for improving the effiacy of antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection. "Monocyte-macrophages play a...

Leptin levels linked to antiretroviral-induced immune recovery.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Leptin levels may be linked to immune recovery after antiretroviral therapy in pediatric HIV patients, researchers in Italy report. "Because leptin, the...

Protease inhibitor prodrugs show improved pharmacokinetics.
January 10, 2003... 2003 JAN 10 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Michael Greer, senior medical writer - Researchers in France have developed a novel method for improving the pharmacokinetics of HIV protease inhibitors. Pierre Vierling and colleagues at the...