UCB,s new data for Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) showed a rapid clinical response across a broad population of RA patients

UCB, announced data which showed that the addition of Cimzia^® (certolizumab pegol) to current therapy was associated with a rapid and consistent clinical response in a diverse group of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Company also claims that, consistent efficacy was observed across patients taking certolizumab pegol whether they had previously received TNF inhibitors or not and whether they received certolizumab pegol monotherapy or with concomitant DMARDs.....

UCB Media Centre - New data for Cimzia® (certolizumab pegol) showed a rapid clinical response across a broad population of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients

Curcumin compound improves effectiveness of head and neck cancer treatment, study finds

In continuation of my update on Curcumin and its usefulness....

Curcumin compound improves effectiveness of head and neck cancer treatment, study finds

Incivek Approved for Hepatitis C

In continuation of my update on telaprevir...
Incivek Approved for Hepatitis C: "MONDAY, May 23 -- Incivek (telaprevir) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for adults with chronic hepatitis C infection who either haven't received standard interferon therapy or haven't responded to it.

MAP Pharmaceuticals submits LEVADEX NDA to FDA for treatment of migraine in adults

Levadex is designed to be differentiated from existing migraine treatments. It is a novel formulation of dihydroergotamine (see above structure, DHE), a drug used intravenously in clinical settings to effectively and safely treat migraines.

 MAP Pharmaceuticals submits LEVADEX NDA to FDA for treatment of migraine in adults

Gout drug success for Novartis

Canakinumab (trade name Ilaris, previously ACZ885) is a human monoclonal antibody targeted at interleukin-1 beta. It has no cross-reactivity with other members of the interleukin-1 family, including interleukin-1 alpha.

We know that, Canakinumab was approved for the treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) by the US FDA on June 2009 and by the European Medicines Agency in October 2009. CAPS is a spectrum of autoinflammatory syndromes including familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome, Muckle–Wells syndrome, and neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease.

Canakinumab was being developed by Novartis for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but this trial has been discontinued. Canakinumab is also in phase I clinical trials as a possible treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Gout drug success for Novartis

'Turkey tail' mushroom effectively suppresses prostate tumour development

We Know that, Turkey tail/Trametes versicolor — formerly known as Coriolus versicolor and Polyporus versicolor is an extremely common polypore mushroom which can be found throughout the world. Versicolor means 'of several colours' and it is true that this mushroom is found in a wide variety of different colours. T. versicolor is commonly called Turkey Tail because of its resemblance to the tail of the wild turkey. T. versicolor is recognized as a medicinal mushroom in Chinese medicine under the name yun zhi. In China and Japan T. versicolor is used as in immunoadjuvant therapy for cancer. Now Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers reported that, the mushroom  has the  medicinal benefits up to  100 per cent effective in suppressing prostate tumour development in mice during early trials......

'Turkey tail' mushroom effectively suppresses prostate tumour development

Linezolid more effective than vancomycin in treating ventilated patients with MRSA pneumonia: Study

In continuation of my update on Linezolid and Vancomycin...

Linezolid more effective than vancomycin in treating ventilated patients with MRSA pneumonia: Study

Coffee reduces prostate cancer risk

Coffee reduces prostate cancer risk

Study finds three-month TB treatment regimen just as effective as standard longer course

Study finds three-month TB treatment regimen just as effective as standard longer course

Indian wild plants offer hope against resistant infections

Indian wild plants offer hope against resistant infections

FDA approves Sutent for patients with progressive neuroendocrine cancerous tumors in pancreas

In continuation of my update on Sutent

FDA approves Sutent for patients with progressive neuroendocrine cancerous tumors in pancreas

Isis receives $5M milestone payment from GSK for initiating ISIS-TTRRx Phase 1 study

In continuation of my update on "antisense drugs"....
Isis receives $5M milestone payment from GSK for initiating ISIS-TTRRx Phase 1 study

Merck receives FDA approval for Victrelis to treat chronic hepatitis C

In continuation of my update on Victrelis (Boceprevir)

Merck receives FDA approval for Victrelis to treat chronic hepatitis C

New insect repellant may be thousands of times stronger than DEET

In continuation of mosquito repellants and DEET

Researchers report the identification and characterization of an Orco family agonist, VUAA1, using the Anopheles gambiae coreceptor (AgOrco) and other orthologues. These studies reveal that the Orco family can form functional ion channels in the absence of an odor-binding OR, and in addition, demonstrate a first-in-class agonist to further research in insect OR signaling. In light of the extraordinary conservation and widespread expression of the Orco family, VUAA1 represents a powerful new family of compounds that can be used to disrupt the destructive behaviors of nuisance insects, agricultural pests, and disease vectors alike...

New insect repellant may be thousands of times stronger than DEET

Ref : http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/05/04/1102425108#aff-1

Novel two-drug combination cures young patient with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis

The combination of meropenem (above structure)  with clavulanate (right structure-potassium salt)  has high antimycobacterial activity in vitro against extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. Researchers report the successful use of this combination in association with linezolid (below structure)  in the management of an advanced extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis disease with complex second-line drug resistance in a 14-year-old teenager.

Ref : 1.Meropenem/Clavulanate and Linezolid Treatment for Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

    2. http://www.einstein.yu.edu/uploadedFiles/PHD/2010%20Faculty%20Research%20Book.pdf