Finnish drug developer Biotie Therapies has announced that it is paying $1 million for an exclusive option to acquire Neurelis, Inc., which is developing NRL-1, an intranasal diazepam formulation for the treatment of epilepsy. The FDA cleared the IND for NRL-1 in February 2012. If Biotie exercises its option, it will pay $8.75 million for all outstanding shares of … [Read more...] about Biotie Therapies looks to acquire diazepam nasal spray
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Rexam adds manufacturing capabilities
Device manufacturer Rexam Healthcare has announced a €20 million expansion of its manufacturing operations at its site in Le Tréport, France, giving the site a total workspace of 5200 sq m. Rexam will manufacture the new Advancia nasal spray pump and other drug delivery devices at Le Tréport. The company says that it plans to hire 50 new employees, bringing the total … [Read more...] about Rexam adds manufacturing capabilities
Inspiro reports positive results for Inspiromatic DPI study
Israeli device company Inspiro Medical has announced that a safety and efficacy study of formoterol delivered by the Inspiromatic dry powder inhaler for the treatment of asthma in children met both its primary and secondary endpoints. According to the company, the randomized, crossover, double blind study, which involved 30 asthmatic children, demonstrated … [Read more...] about Inspiro reports positive results for Inspiromatic DPI study
Meda and Cipla expand Dymista partnership; Meda denies talk of sale to Sun
Meda has announced an expansion in its partnership with Cipla, which is already supplying azelastine for Meda's Dymista nasal spray. With the new agreement, Meda will continue to take responsibility for clinical development and commercialization of Dymista; Cipla will take responsibility for formulation. According to Meda, the company will "now have full coverage in … [Read more...] about Meda and Cipla expand Dymista partnership; Meda denies talk of sale to Sun
Inhaled pirfenidone shows greater efficacy than oral in pre-clinical study
According to Genoa Pharmaceuticals, a pre-clinical study conducted at McMaster University demonstrated that the company's GP-101 inhaled pirfenidone demonstrated statistically significant greater anti-fibrotic effect in an in vivo model of pulmonary fibrosisi than did higher doses of oral pirfenidone. Genoa said that it would present data at an upcoming pulmonary … [Read more...] about Inhaled pirfenidone shows greater efficacy than oral in pre-clinical study
Elan gets injunction against Royalty Pharma
Irish biotech company Elan, which recently paid $1 billion to Theravance for royalty payments from sales of Breo (Relvar) Ellipta and other inhaled drugs, has been awarded an injunction against Royalty Pharma by an Irish court. The order restrains Royalty Pharma from distributing a proxy statement to Elan shareholders. Royalty Pharma has been seeking to acquire … [Read more...] about Elan gets injunction against Royalty Pharma
Johnson & Johnson developing ketamine nasal spray for depression
According to reports, Johnson & Johnson described development of a ketamine nasal spray for the treatment of depression during a meeting with analysts on May 23, 2013. The product is not listed among the company's pipeline drugs in a document dated April 16, 2013 on the J&J website. Reportedly, J&J's nasal spray is a formulation of esketamine, an isomer of … [Read more...] about Johnson & Johnson developing ketamine nasal spray for depression
New nasal research consortium “The Oz Nose Project” announced
A new consortium described as a "series of conceptual research projects in the area of nasal physiology, function and drug delivery" that "aims to enhance understanding in the area of upper respiratory tract disorders and develop methodological approaches that can be utilized via the wider scientific community" has been announced. Researchers involved in the … [Read more...] about New nasal research consortium “The Oz Nose Project” announced
Study shows significant overdiagnosis of COPD
A study presented at ATS 2013 found that over 40 percent of uninsured patients treated for COPD at a US clinic did not actually have COPD. Researchers from Northeast Ohio Medical University and Saint Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown assessed 80 patients at a health center in Akron, Ohio using spirometry. All of the patients had either been diagnosed with COPD or … [Read more...] about Study shows significant overdiagnosis of COPD
Prosonix begins Phase 2 study of inhaled glycopyrronium bromide
Prosonix has started a Phase 2 safety and dose-ranging study of PSX1002 inhaled glycopyrronium bromide, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, the company has announced. The suspension formulation of PSX1002 engineered particles is delivered by pMDI. Prosonix CEO David Hipkiss commented, “This trial with PSX1002 is a … [Read more...] about Prosonix begins Phase 2 study of inhaled glycopyrronium bromide