News

Scientists from Cancer Research UK have discovered that they could kill bowel cancer cells in the laboratory by targeting a protein complex that regulates energy generation in the cell. 

The Roche group has announced European approval of its cancer drug, Tarceva (erlotinib), as a first-line therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer whose tumours express mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

Researchers at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute have reported the reprogramming of adult mouse skin cells directly into a type of motor neuron by a method which they say is more efficient than the process for creating induced pluripotent stem cells.

Ipsen SA has raised its sales target for sales of speciality pharmaceutical products for 2011 following a robust first-half year when total sales of medicines increased by 5.4% to €567 million, Speciality products were 65% of group consolidated sales.

Oxford BioMedica Plc said that recent, promising data from an ongoing Phase 1/2 study of its gene therapy, ProSavin, support the therapy’s potential as a treatment for the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Ipsen SA has taken another step in the implementation of its speciality pharmaceutical strategy with plans to launch a new European commercial organisation to sell two still-to-be authorised products for people with haemophilia.

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a ‘complete response letter’ to Novartis for its proposed treatment for gouty arthritis, canakinumab, requesting additional data on the drug’s benefit-risk profile in difficult-to-treat patients.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new personalised medicine, Xalkori (crizotinib) together with a diagnostic, for the treatment of patients with late-stage non-small cell lung cancer who have abnormalities of the ALK gene.

Milestone payments from collaborations contributed to a 27% rise in revenue to €12.8 million at Ablynx NV in the first half of 2011. Meanwhile, the company’s technology achieved its first clinical proof-of-concept in a trial for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the period.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Shire Plc’s new drug for acute attacks of hereditary angioedema, Firazyr (icatibant), the third treatment to be approved by the US regulator for this disease.