Researchers from Ireland have reported that the probiotic B. infantis 35624 relieved symptoms in three inflammatory disorders underscoring the role that the gut microbiota plays in human health. The study appears in the July/August issue of Gut Microbes.
Novo Nordisk A/S said it expects to start a cardiovascular outcomes trial for the diabetes drug Tresiba (insulin degludec) late this year in order to satisfy requirements by the US Food and Drug Administration which turned down the drug in February.
A Phase 3 study of Afinitor (everolimus) in patients with metastatic liver cancer did not meet its primary endpoint of overall survival, Novartis announced on 7 August. The Swiss multinational said it won’t seek to register the drug for this indication.
Cytos Biotechnology Ltd of Switzerland said that top-line data from a Phase 2b clinical study of its lead product for allergic asthma should be available during the second quarter of 2014. The trial is taking place in eight countries.
With a successful initial public offering on the Nasdaq market behind it, GW Pharmaceuticals Plc is recruiting patients for two pivotal studies that will examine the efficacy of its cannabis medicine, Sativex, as a treatment for cancer pain.
Sanofi Pasteur has started a Phase 3 trial of a new vaccine for the prevention of Clostridium difficile infection, a potentially life-threatening bacterium that causes intestinal disease. The trial will enrol up to 15,000 adults in 17 countries.
Noxxon Pharma AG has finished recruitment for its Phase 2a study in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus at risk of diabetic nephropathy. The oligonucleotide therapy is intended to neutralise the pro-inflammatory chemokine CCL2.
Roche has stopped a Phase 3 trial of aleglitazar for patients with Type 2 diabetes who are at risk of cardiovascular disease because of adverse events and a lack of efficacy. This follows a review by an independent data and safety monitoring board.
Novartis said that top-line results from a Phase 3 study of its monoclonal antibody secukinumab for psoriasis, have demonstrated superiority in clearing skin compared with the standard of care, Enbrel (etanercept). The antibody targets interleukin-17A.
What do age-related hearing loss and schizophrenia have in common? Not much, on the face of it. However there is growing evidence that the two disorders may have a link through the dysfunction of certain ion channels in the central nervous system. Ion channels are membrane proteins that help convert chemical or mechanical messages into electrical signals in the cell.