The antidepressant citalopram does not appear to reduce the occurrence of repetitive behaviors in children and teens with autism spectrum disorders. – Citalopram, a medication commonly prescribed to children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), was no more effective than a placebo at reducing repetitive behaviors, according to researchers.
Interim Analyses Indicate CHAMPION Program Will Not Meet Efficacy Endpoints. Company to Continue and Accelerate Phase 2/3 Studies of Cangrelor in Settings Where Oral Drugs Cannot Be Used or Short Half-Life Is Desirable. – The Medicines Company (NASDAQ: MDCO) announced that it is discontinuing its Phase 3 CHAMPION clinical trial program of cangrelor in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
FDA Approves Vanda Pharmaceuticals’ Fanapt(TM) for the Treatment of Schizophrenia – Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: VNDA) announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted marketing approval of Fanapt (iloperidone) for the acute treatment of adult patients with schizophrenia.
Acorda Therapeutics Announces FDA Acceptance of Fampridine-SR New Drug Application for Filing. FDA Assigns Priority Review and PDUFA Date of October_22, 2009. – Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the Fampridine-SR New Drug Application (NDA) for filing, assigning Priority Review and a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of October_22, 2009.
FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Hydroxycut Products Dietary Supplements; Pose Risk of Liver Injury. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products by Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario and distributed by Iovate Health Sciences USA Inc. of Blasdell, N.Y. Some Hydroxycut products are associated with a number of serious liver injuries. Iovate has agreed to recall Hydroxycut products from the market.
World’s largest DNA scan for autism uncovers new gene variant for disorder. Risk of autism tied to genes that influence brain cell connections. – Researchers have identified a new gene variant that is highly common in autistic children. Gene, known as CDH10, is most active in key regions that support language, speech and interpreting social behavior.
Autism may be linked to being firstborn, breech births or moms 35 or older. Study looked at group of Utah 8-year-olds. – Children who are firstborn or breech or whose mothers are 35 or older when giving birth are at significantly greater risk for developing an autism spectrum disorder, University of Utah School of Medicine researchers have reported in a new study with Utah children.
QIAGEN and Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute Partner to Establish First Large-Scale Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Kolkata, India. – QIAGEN and the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI) announced a collaboration to establish the first large-scale cervical cancer screening program for women in Kolkata, India.
PROVENGE Significantly Prolongs Survival in Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer in Pivotal Phase 3 IMPACT Study. – Dendreon Corporation (Nasdaq: DNDN) announced that the pivotal Phase 3 IMPACT study of PROVENGE (sipuleucel-T) in men with advanced prostate cancer met its primary endpoint of improving overall survival compared to a placebo control.
GE and Intel Invest $250 million in New Market Opportunity; Companies to Market and Develop Innovative Technologies for Independent Living and Chronic Disease Management. – GE (NYSE:GE) and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) announced today an alliance to market and develop home-based health technologies that will help seniors live independently and patients with chronic conditions manage their care from the comfort of their home or wherever they choose.
Autism skews developing brain with synchronous motion and sound – Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) tend to stare at people’s mouths rather than their eyes.
Human Genome Sciences Announces Positive Results In Second Of Two Phase 3 Trials Of Albuferon(R) In Chronic Hepatitis C – Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGSI) announced that Albuferon (albinterferon alfa-2b) met its primary endpoint of non-inferiority to peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) in ACHIEVE 1, a Phase 3 clinical trial of Albuferon in combination with ribavirin in treatment-naive patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (p=0.0008).
