California pharmaceutical company Inverseon has announced that it will redirect its development program for INV102, an inverse beta agonist, to focus on smoking cessation and COPD rather than asthma, although it is continuing to seek grants for development of the product as a treatment for asthma. Inverseon founder and Chair William Garner explained, “The … [Read more...] about Inverseon to focus on smoking cessation, COPD programs
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Many patients with mild-to-moderate asthma may not respond to ICS
According to an article published online in the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, only about a third of asthma patients not using an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and 17% of those using ICS had eosinophils in their sputum, an indicator of inflammation that suggests they would likely respond to ICS treatment. The … [Read more...] about Many patients with mild-to-moderate asthma may not respond to ICS
St Renatus gets funding for Phase 3 development of nasal spray dental anesthesia
An unnamed angel investment group is providing up to $3.5 million dollars to St. Renatus for Phase 3 clinical trials of its nasal mist dental anesthesia. St. Renatus announced in March 2011 that it had had a successful end-of-Phase 2 meeting with FDA regulators and planned to move ahead with Phase 3. The product, delivered to the nasal cavity, numbs only the upper … [Read more...] about St Renatus gets funding for Phase 3 development of nasal spray dental anesthesia
Wockhardt to launch generic fluticasone nasal spray in US
Mumbai-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Wockhardt says that it will launch its generic version of GSK's Flonase fluticasone nasal spray in the US immediately after having received approval from the US FDA. The company will manufacture the 50 mcg dose nasal spray for the treatment of allergic rhinitis at its facility in Morton Grove, IL. No other nasal … [Read more...] about Wockhardt to launch generic fluticasone nasal spray in US
GSK says “totality of the data” gives it confidence to submit applications for Relovair
GlaxoSmithKline and Theravance have announced the completion of Phase 3 studies of their Relovair fluticasone furoate/vilanterol DPI for COPD. One Phase 3 study for the treatment of asthma remains to be completed. Despite the fact that the studies failed to produce statistically significant improvements in a number of measures, GSK says that it will submit … [Read more...] about GSK says “totality of the data” gives it confidence to submit applications for Relovair
Pearl ready to begin Phase 3 studies of PT003
According to Pearl Therapeutics, it has completed two Phase 2b clinical studies of PT003, its inhaled combination bronchodilator for the treatment of moderate-to-severe COPD, and is "on-track to commence Phase 3 program in 2012." One of the trials was a dose confirmation study of various doses of PT003 compared to its components, PT001 and PT005; the other was a … [Read more...] about Pearl ready to begin Phase 3 studies of PT003
Lustren Consulting now offering inhalation device development services
Launched officially on January 1, 2012, Lustren Consulting is now offering "specialist management consultancy for device development in the healthcare industry" with particular expertise in inhalation device development. The company, which was unofficially introduced at DDL 22. says that it is "focused on helping clients achieve their device related business goals and … [Read more...] about Lustren Consulting now offering inhalation device development services
Positive Phase 1 results for inhaled L-dopa
Civitas Therapeutics has announced positive results from a Phase 1 clinical study of its CVT-301 inhaled dry powder formulation of levodopa (L-dopa) for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. According to the company, the study showed that all of the doses tested were well tolerated, and sufficient plasma levels of L-dopa were achieved in healthy volunteers who inhaled … [Read more...] about Positive Phase 1 results for inhaled L-dopa
Phase 2 study of ISTA’s bepotastine-steroid nasal spray begins
ISTA Pharmaceuticals says that it has initiated a Phase 2 study of its Beposone bepotastine besilate/steroid combination nasal spray for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Approximately 600 patients with allergic rhinitis caused by mountain cedar pollen are expected to take part in the randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group environmental study, which … [Read more...] about Phase 2 study of ISTA’s bepotastine-steroid nasal spray begins
Pulmatrix gets patent for inhalation formulations
The European Patent Office has granted patent number EP 2315580 B1 to Massachusetts biotech company Pulmatrix for "Pharmaceutical formulations and methods for treating respiratory tract infections.” The patent covers "both dry powder and liquid formulations with optimized ranges of the formulation components, and also describes methods for treating respiratory … [Read more...] about Pulmatrix gets patent for inhalation formulations