Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital have developed an antibiotic-eluting polymer that could be used to treat infections in orthopedic implants, according to a report published in Nature Biomedical Engineering. Traditionally, treating a prosthetic joint infection involves removing an implant and replacing it with a temporary spacer made from antibiotic-releasing bone cement for at least six […]
Featured
Leukemia trial to match patients with drugs based on genetic biomarkers
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society said today that its expanding its Beat AML Master trial to include five investigational treatments for acute myeloid leukemia. The trial, which launched in October last year, has enrolled 70 patients and has garnered support by Alexion Pharmaceuticals (NSDQ:ALXN), Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene (NSDQ:CELG) and Gilead Sciences (NSDQ:GILD), all of which are providing investigational […]
Report: Pipeline of Alzheimer’s drugs ‘due for big victories’ in next 5 years
There are twenty-seven Alzheimer’s drugs in late-stage clinical trials and eight candidates in Phase II programs that could launch in the next 5 years, according to an analysis presented this week at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. “The Alzheimer’s disease pipeline, marred by decades of failures and underinvestment, is due for big victories,” UsAgainstAlzheimer’s co-founder […]
Epilepsy biomarker could aid in early detection, targeted treatment
Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have identified a unique chemical biomarker associated with epileptic brain tissue, according to an article published in the journal Epilepsia. The chemical signature can be detected noninvasively and could enable physicians to precisely locate small regions of abnormal brain tissue in early-stage patients. The researchers […]
Roche’s prospects clouded by clinical flops
(Reuters) — A run of disappointing drug trials at Roche (OTC:RHHBY) has left analysts suggesting the view from its new 41-story office building in Basel has become more clouded, with little chance of management now upgrading its growth forecast next week, when it reports first-half earnings. Moreover, the first of a threatened flood of biosimilar […]
EU watchdog: EU drug agency may be too cozy with industry
(Reuters) – The European Medicines Agency (EMA), eager to accelerate access to promising new drugs, may be getting too cozy with the pharmaceutical companies it regulates. That is the concern of the watchdog charged with overseeing administrative irregularities in the European Union, which is launching a strategic inquiry to see if early-stage interactions with firms […]
Drugmakers talk competition & innovation with FDA leaders
Drugmakers, payers and patient advocates convened at the FDA’s White Oak campus yesterday to present before a panel of regulatory leaders about competition and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. The meeting, which was titled “Administering the Hatch-Waxman Amendments: Ensuring a Balance Between Innovation and Access,” opened with FDA commish Scott Gottlieb, who announced that the […]
Employee alleges Teva hid antitrust, bribery probes
Teva Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:TEVA) employee Robert Huellemeier launched a proposed class action suit against the generic drugmaker this week, alleging that the company hid that it was under investigation for price fixing and bribery. Huellemeier, who bought TEVA shares through a company program, accused the company of leaving out any mention of multiple investigations in regulatory notes […]
Inovio looks to raise $75m in public offering
Inovio Pharmaceuticals (NSDQ:INO) said yesterday that it is launching an underwritten public offering to sell $75 million shares of common stock. The Plymouth Meeting, Penn.-based company said it plans to grant underwriters an option to buy up to $11.3 million additional shares of common stock. Inovio is slated to use its newly-acquired funds to support general […]
CDC gives $12m to states to fight opioid epidemic
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today that it plans to award more than $12 million this week to 23 states and the District of Columbia to support their efforts in tackling the opioid overdose epidemic. The funding comes from the fiscal year 2017 omnibus appropriations bill that became law in May. States […]