- FDA authorizes StemCells to conduct trial of product candidate in patients with age-related macular degeneration
- Bayer receives approval to begin expanded access program for investigational prostate cancer therapy
- FDA removes clinical hold on trial of Idenix's investigational HCV therapy
- Discovery Labs' aerosol drug delivery system approved
- Merck's Janumet XR approved for type 2 diabetes
- Private FFS MA plans may be linked with higher costs for beneficiaries, GAO report shows
- Pediatric subspecialty telephone consultations may be cost-saving for Medicaid, research reveals
- Use of mental health services greater in health plans with parity in cost sharing, data find
- Public opinions appear split on health care affordability, satisfaction, survey finds
- In Brief: California Supreme Court
La Jolla acquires rights to anticancer/antifibrotic agent, appoints new CEO
What's This?
La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. gained the global development and commercialization rights to GCS-100 from Solana Therapeutics Inc. GCS-100 is a first-in-class inhibitor of galectin-3, a molecular target implicated in cancer and chronic organ failure. La Jolla explained that inhibitors of galectin-3 are "attractive" therapeutic candidates for a variety of diseases, including cancer, heart failure, kidney disease, pulmonary fibrosis and liver fibrosis, because of the key role galectin-3 plays...
La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. gained the global development and commercialization rights to GCS-100 from Solana Therapeutics Inc.
GCS-100 is a first-in-class inhibitor of galectin-3, a molecular target implicated in cancer and chronic organ failure. La Jolla explained that inhibitors of galectin-3 are "attractive" therapeutic candidates for a variety of diseases, including cancer, heart failure, kidney disease, pulmonary fibrosis and liver fibrosis, because of the key role galectin-3 plays in the immune system's response to cancer and tissue injury.
The drug has been studied in Phase I and Phase II trials involving more than 140 patients. The data thus far suggest that the investigational compound confers anticancer activity in patients with several tumor types, exhibits effects on the immune system in patients that are consistent with the drug's galectin-3 inhibitory mechanism and is safe and well-tolerated at doses that produce clinical activity.
Along with La Jolla's acquisition of GSC-100, Dr. George Tidmarsh, Solana's former chief executive officer (CEO), was appointed to serve as president and CEO of La Jolla.
AstraZeneca's Atacand associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality in patients with HF versus losartan, data suggest 
What's This?
Individuals with heart failure who are treated with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP's Atacand (candesartan cilexetil), an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), have a lower risk of all-cause mortality than do those treated with the ARB losartan potassium, according to an analysis of data from an unselected population of patients with heart failure.The analysis was based on data from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry and included...
New formulation of Cumberland's Acetadote injection approved
What's This?
The Food and Drug Administration approved a new formulation of Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Acetadote (acetylcysteine) injection, which is indicated to prevent or reduce potential hepatic injury following acetaminophen overdose.The news sent company shares up 18.2 percent.
The second-generation, preservative-free formulation contains no...
BMS recalls multiple lots of combination hypertension drug Avalide
What's This?
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMS) is recalling several million tablets of the hypertension drug Avalide (irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide) that were manufactured in the United States and Puerto Rico.The recall affects 65 lots, or 64 million tablets, of BMS and Sanofi-Aventis Group's Avalide, Reuters reported. BMS said the action would have an indefinite impact on...
BMS announces plans to acquire Amira Pharmaceuticals
What's This?
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMS) signed a definitive agreement to buy privately held Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc. in an all-cash transaction.Under the agreement, BMS will acquire all of Amira's issued and outstanding shares of capital stock and stock equivalents for an up-front payment of $325 million plus potential...
- New formulation of Cumberland's Acetadote injection approved
- GSK, MolMed sign agreement to develop production process for gene therapy for rare disease
- BMS recalls multiple lots of combination hypertension drug Avalide
- AstraZeneca's Atacand associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality in patients with HF versus losartan, data suggest
- La Jolla acquires rights to anticancer/antifibrotic agent, appoints new CEO
- La Jolla acquires rights to anticancer/antifibrotic agent, appoints new CEO
- GSK, MolMed sign agreement to develop production process for gene therapy for rare disease
- AstraZeneca's Atacand associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality in patients with HF versus losartan, data suggest
- BMS announces plans to acquire Amira Pharmaceuticals
- New formulation of Cumberland's Acetadote injection approved
