Regency Therapeutics, a division of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, and Daiichi-Sankyo, Inc. have announced the launch of Sprix ketorolac tromethamine nasal spray "for the short-term (up to 5 days) management of moderate to moderately severe pain that requires analgesia at the opioid level." The US FDA approved Sprix in May 2010. In December 2010, Luitpold, a subsidiary of … [Read more...] about Daiichi-Sankyo and Regency launch Sprix nasal spray
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Novartis presents new data on indacaterol/tiotropium combination therapy
Data presented at the 2011 American Thoracic Society (ATS) meeting by Novartis regarding combined indacaterol and tiotropium therapy for COPD demonstrate that the LABA/LAMA combination produced greater improvement in lung function than tiotropium alone. Novartis's indacaterol product, called Onbrez Breezhaler, was approved by the EU in 2009 but has not yet been … [Read more...] about Novartis presents new data on indacaterol/tiotropium combination therapy
COPD journal now available in digital format
The COPD Foundation is now making its official journal, COPD: Journal Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, available online in a digital format at www.copdjournal.com. According to publisher Ashley Petrylak, the format allows readers to bookmark and mark up articles, conduct keyword searches, watch video content, and forward articles. “We hope this new format … [Read more...] about COPD journal now available in digital format
Report concludes that clean cars would reduce asthma by more than 70% in California
A report by the American Lung Association in California claims that a "car of the future" scenario in which zero emission vehicles replace a large percentage of the existing fleet of cars in the state would lead to a greater than 70% reduction in asthma and prevent up to 8400 asthma attacks and 420 premature deaths. According to the report, 7 of the top 10 most … [Read more...] about Report concludes that clean cars would reduce asthma by more than 70% in California
GSK and AstraZeneca collaborate on research center
GSK and AstraZeneca have announced that the two companies, along with the University of Manchester, are working together to create the Manchester Collaborative Centre for Inflammation Research (MCCIR) to facilitate translational research in inflammatory diseases, including COPD and asthma. The center will recruit scientists in time to open the new facility at the … [Read more...] about GSK and AstraZeneca collaborate on research center
Takeda reportedly pursuing Nycomed
According to reports, Takeda Pharmaceutical is looking to buy Swiss pharma company Nycomed, which manufactures several OINDPs, including the Alvesco ciclesonide MDI and Omnaris ciclesonide nasal spray. Nycomed is also developing a ciclesonide HFA nasal aerosol in partnership with Sunovion (formerly Sepracor); that product is currently in Phase 3. Takeda is … [Read more...] about Takeda reportedly pursuing Nycomed
MannKind reveals details of latest FDA review meeting
Five days after its end of review meeting with the FDA on May 4 regarding its Afrezza inhaled insulin, MannKind Corporation held a conference call to update its progress and financial situation. During the call, Alfred Mann characterized the meeting as "positive and collaborative, resulting in a redirection of the Type 2 trial that should enable us to support use of … [Read more...] about MannKind reveals details of latest FDA review meeting
S-Matrix and CI Informatics offering free inhaler testing software to UK universities
Software companies S-Matrix and CI Informatics have announced that they will provide their Fusion Inhaler Testing (FIT) software free of charge to universities in the UK. Any UK university that conducts cascade impaction studies is eligible to receive the software. “We believe that intelligent people should not be wasting their research time on transcribing … [Read more...] about S-Matrix and CI Informatics offering free inhaler testing software to UK universities
Hovione announces successful GMP inspections
Over the past 8 months, says API developer and manufacturer Hovione, its facilities have undergone a total of 6 inspections by the US FDA, the Japanese PMDA, and the Portuguese authorities. Pre-approval inspections for 2 new products for customer synthesis, and for existing molecules used in new formulations, took place at the company's facilities in New Jersey, … [Read more...] about Hovione announces successful GMP inspections
Research finds leukotriene antagonists as effective as inhaled steroids
An article in the May 5 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine finds leukotriene-receptor antagonists (LTRAs) such as montelukast (Singulair) as effective as ICS as a first-line treatment for asthma and as effective as LABAs as an add-on for those already taking inhaled corticosteroids in real-world trials. The researchers from the University of East Anglia … [Read more...] about Research finds leukotriene antagonists as effective as inhaled steroids