Fampridine-SR -- anxiously awaited new MS therapeutic
June 2, 2009
Acorda’s Fampridine-SR Gets Priority Review | phoenix.corporate-ir.net
A major unmet need in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis is a medication to increase walking ability. Since disease modifying therapies have only been available for 16 years, MS starts at a mean age of 29, and the disease has only a minimal effect at shortening lifespan, the majority of MS patients presently have progressive forms of MS. Ten percent have primary progressive disease, progressive from the onset, and others, start with relapsing remitting MS, and progress after approximately 15 years to progressive illness. In the early years of progressive MS, patients loose the ability to walk, hence the prior motto of the National MS Society, "MS, the great crippler of young adults." FAMPRIDINE SR IS THE FIRST MEDICATION FOUND TO IMPROVE MS PATIENTS ABILITY TO WALK. Standard disease modifying agents, the interferons (Avonex, Betaseron, Rebif), Copaxone and Tysabri, decrease relapse rate and may slow progression, however do not improve one's ability to walk.
NUVIGIL for Jet Lag -- An Important Broad New Indication for Cephalon
June 2, 2009
Cephalon to apply for FDA approval for Nuvigil for jet lag | www.reuters.com
NUVIGIL, Cephalon's single isomer longer effective half-life follow-up product to Provigil is coming to market only after careful strategic planning. While extremely successful, Provigil, a unique wake promoting agent, suffered in many ways. When introduced, it had only FDA approval for narcolepsy, a relatively uncommon, yet severe sleep disorder. Sales increased markedly when Provigil became approved for other common conditions associated with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), treated obstructive sleep apnea with residual EDS and sleep wake shift disturbance (SWSD). If approved for Jet Lag, there is the promise that Nuvigil will become available for an increasing enlarging marketplace.
"Tamper-Proof" -- A Significant Gain to Whom??
November 17, 2008
FDA Asks if Pain Pill Is Tamper-Proof | online.wsj.com
Abuse resistant long acting narcotics offer benefit as they are less desirable to those who might wish a quick high via snorting, injecting crushed time-release narcotic. Unfortunately, given the higher cost than long acting generics and increased pressure on physicians to prescribe generics, expect pick up in the marketplace (assuming approval) to be slow.
Tamper Proof Narcotic Pain pill? YES
November 13, 2008
FDA Asks if Pain Pill Is Tamper-Proof | online.wsj.com
This drug will allow patients in severe pain to get the necessary pain relief and not have to worry about the other patients that abuse the drug.
Novartis and Multiple Sclerosis: A Major Commitment
June 5, 2008
Extavia® approved in E.U for treatment of multiple sclerosis, first in planned portfolio of therapies from Novartis | www.asia-manufacturing.com
Extavia, Novartis' brand of interferon beta 1b, has been approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis by the European Union. With FTY72, Fingolimod, Novartis has the eye on filing NDA by the end of 2009. While essentially identical to Bayer's Betaferon interferon beta 1b, and similar to EMD Serono's Rebif and Biogen's Avonex, Extavia does not offer a new therapy to MS patients, simply a new face. With this launch, Novartis presumably hopes to work closer to key opinion leaders in multiple sclerosis, allowing an accelerated launch of Fingolimod.
Abbott's ABT-089 --Much More than a Treatment for ADHD
June 2, 2008
Abbott Scientists Present A New Approach for Treating Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | biz.yahoo.com
The data on ABT-089 in adults has been released with positive results, whereas the adolescent/childhood trial is on-going for this novel compound for ADHD. The key difference is the potential to improve learning, not simply regain attention and lessen hyperactivity.
Neuronal nicotinic receptor agonists potential breakthrough for ADHD research
May 12, 2008
Abbott Scientists Present A New Approach for Treating Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder | biz.yahoo.com
1. Effective treatment for ADHD 2. Well tolerated with few side effects 3. Help with smoking, a big problem in ADHD patients important 4. Advantage in not being Schedule II may be helpful
Important New Data for Children and Adolescents
May 12, 2008
FDA Approves Strattera® for Maintenance of ADHD in Children and Adolescents | newsroom.lilly.com
1. Important new finding given safety concerns raised about this and other treatmetns 2. Nice to have data back up what has long been done clinically 3. Stimulants still first line and lack of active comparator trial
April 24, 2008
Teva Seeks Approval for the Extension of its Indication to Include the Treatment of Patients with a First Clinical Event Suggestive of MS | www.pipelinereview.com
Copaxone has become the leading treatment for relapsing remitting MS in the US. The results of the PRECISE trial will likely add to TEVA's sales momentum and boost sales further.
Exciting new treatment for OCD and Social Anxiety Disorder
March 7, 2008
FDA Approves Luvox CR (Fluvoxamine Maleate) Extended-Release Capsules for the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | pharmalive.com
1. Controlled release preparations are often better tolerated with fewer side effects than immediate release preparations 2. OCD and SAD are severe, highly prevalent and chronically disabling conditions 3. Despite presence of SSRIs and other treatment, e.g, cognitive behavioral therapy, up to 1/3 of patients with OCD or SAD do not respond to currently available treatments and among responders many do so only partially
What is potential future for Sequenom in prenatal testing.
November 9, 2009
November 7, 2009
Express Scripts feeling Growing Pains
October 29, 2009
CDC Outlines H1N1 Test Guidelines
October 8, 2009
Why Health Care Costs Keep Rising—And What to Do About It
September 13, 2009