Chuck Bramlage has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Pearl Therapeutics, replacing interim President and CEO Howard Rosen. Pearl, a California pharmaceutical company developing inhaled treatments for COPD and asthma, was founded in 2006. Its lead product, PT 003, a LAMA/LABA combination MDI, is moving into Phase 2b trials. Bramlage was most … [Read more...] about Pearl Therapeutics announces new President and CEO
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Pharmaxis begins marketing Aridol challenge test in US
Australian company Pharmaxis is launching its Aridol inhaled dry powder mannitol bronchial challenge test in the US. The FDA approved the product in October 2010 for the assessment of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients 6 years old or older. Aridol is already marketed in many European countries, Australia, and Korea. According to Pharmaxis, the Aridol … [Read more...] about Pharmaxis begins marketing Aridol challenge test in US
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America names “asthma capitals”
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has published its annual list of US "asthma capitals," led this year by Richmond, Virginia. The list ranks 100 metropolitan areas in terms of difficulties that they present for asthma patients living in the area. Criteria for ranking the list include factors such as the prevalence of asthma in the area, the … [Read more...] about Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America names “asthma capitals”
Positive results for Verona lead candidate
A dosage trial of Verona Pharma's inhaled mixed phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3/4 inhibitor RPL554 for the treatment of mild asthma has demonstrated positive bronchodilation without any significant adverse effects at dosages two and four times higher than had been tested in a previous safety study. Verona is looking to license the drug or to find a partner for continued … [Read more...] about Positive results for Verona lead candidate
Vectura announces better than expected financial results
Since October 1, 2010, Vectura's financial performance has exceeded the board's expectations, according to the company's interim management statement. Chief Executive Chris Blackwell attributes the improved performance to a restructured R&D program and says that Vectura expects to have more than £73m cash on hand by March 31, 2010. Read the company's press … [Read more...] about Vectura announces better than expected financial results
MAP Pharmaceuticals appoints new board chair
Scott R. Ward has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors by MAP Pharmaceuticals, replacing Staven A. Elms. MAP plans to submit an NDA for its Levadex inhaled ergotamine for the treatment of migraine headaches within the next few months. Read the company's press release. … [Read more...] about MAP Pharmaceuticals appoints new board chair
Inspire drops respiratory drug program after failure of CF drug
North Carolina specialty pharma company Inspire Pharmaceuticals has announced that it is cutting 27% of its workforce (65 jobs) after its denufosol inhalation solution for the treatment of cystic fibrosis failed a Phase 3 trial. The company says that it will drop pulmonary drug development altogether in order to focus on its opthalmic products. Read the company's … [Read more...] about Inspire drops respiratory drug program after failure of CF drug
Activaero gets €5 million in new funding
A group of investors led by LSP Life Sciences Partners of Amsterdam has put together €5 million that device company Activaero will use for continued development of its inhalation systems. Activaero recently initiated clinical studies involving the delivery of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) using its Akita Jet nebulizer system. Read the company's press release. … [Read more...] about Activaero gets €5 million in new funding
Review study supports inhaled epinephrine for croup
A review study published in The Cochrane Library finds that inhaled epinephrine provides significant relief of croup symptoms in children within 30 minutes compared to placebo. The review included 8 studies involving 225 children. Read the abstract. … [Read more...] about Review study supports inhaled epinephrine for croup
Mannkind cuts more than 40% of workforce
According to MannKind Corporation, it remains committed to gaining approval for its Afrezza inhaled insulin despite continuing requests from the FDA for additional data. The company announced that it is restructuring in order to focus on the Afrezza approval, resulting in a layoff of 41% of its workforce. MannKind's net loss for 2010 was more than $170 million. Read … [Read more...] about Mannkind cuts more than 40% of workforce