Novartis said that a Phase 3 trial of its new drug for acromegaly, pasireotide, is superior to the current standard of care for the disease. The current standard of care, Sandostatin (octreotide), is an older Novartis medicine.
New research has been published in Nature suggesting that the peptide pyroglutamate amyloid beta may play a crucial role in the initiation of Alzheimer’s disease. The research was conducted by scientists at Probiodrug AG and their academic partners.
Two Phase 3 studies of an ultra-long-acting insulin, degludec, and developed by Novo Nordisk A/S, have been published in the 21 April edition of The Lancet. The data were originally disclosed at two scientific conferences in 2011.
Research published in the Lancet Oncology suggests that the use of high intensity focused ultrasound may be an alternative to surgery or radiotherapy to treat men with prostate cancer, with fewer side effects. The study involved 42 patients.
Oxford BioMedica Plc said that its gene therapy for Parkinson’s disease, ProSavin, met is primary endpoint in a Phase 1/2 study which evaluated the safety of the medicine in three ascending doses. Fifteen patients participated in the trial.
UCB SA said that a Phase 3 study of its antibody, Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), in the new indication of axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) reached its primary endpoint. Cimzia is a peglated, anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) compound.
Wilex AG has announced the start of a Phase 1b/2 trial in patients with solid tumours of its experimental drug that inhibits the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK). The study will be conducted in the UK.
UCB SA of Belgium and Amgen Inc have launched a Phase 3 trial of their jointly developed monoclonal antibody for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The antibody binds to and inhibits sclerostin, a protein secreted by bone cells.
Venture capital-backed Noxxon Pharma AG has reported new preclinical data for one of its oligonucleotide-based drugs that is being investigated for a number of oncology indications. The compound, NOX-A12, is in early clinical development.
The Roche group said that its antibody-drug conjugate drug (ADC) for metastatic breast cancer, trastuzumab emtansine, has shown positive topline data at Phase 3. Roche, and its Genentech unit, plan to make regulatory filings this year.