Geron Initiates Clinical Trial of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Based Therapy — First Patient Treated at Shepherd Center in Atlanta – Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) announced the enrollment of the first patient in the company’s clinical trial of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, GRNOPC1.
Initial trials on new ovarian cancer tests exhibit extremely high accuracy – Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have attained very promising results on their initial investigations of a new test for ovarian cancer. Using a new technique involving mass spectrometry of a single drop of blood serum, the test correctly identified women with ovarian cancer in 100 percent of the patients tested. The results can be found online in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention Research.
Vioxx trial data shows early cardiovascular risk — Provides lessons for post-market pharmaceutical safety. – US researchers revealed that the heart complications after taking Vioxx, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (rofecoxib), could have been identified nearly four years before its manufacturer Merck pulled the drug from the market.
Dabigatran vs. warfarin as long-term anticoagulant therapy in atrial fibrillation – The anticoagulant dabigatran is more effective than warfarin in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, revealed by researchers in a study RE-LY (Randomized Evaluation of Long-term anticoagulant therapY).
Britain’s first swine-flu trials under way — Research led by University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. – UK’s first swine flu vaccine trials, led by the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, are taking place at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.
NIAID set to launch clinical trials to test 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine candidates – Scientists in a network of medical research institutions across the United States are set to begin a series of clinical trials to gather critical data about influenza vaccines, including two candidate H1N1 flu vaccines.
Contrave Helps Obese Patients Initiate and Sustain Meaningful Weight Loss, Improves Multiple Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Reduces Food Cravings. – Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX) announced that all three remaining Phase 3 trials evaluating Contrave(R) (bupropion SR/naltrexone SR), its investigational drug for the treatment of obesity, met their co-primary endpoints.
Clinical Data, Inc. Announces Positive Results from Second Phase III Trial of Vilazodone for Depression – Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDA) announced positive top-line results from the second of two Phase III trials of its investigational compound, vilazodone, for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).
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).
This study suggests that acupuncture is about as effective as other treatments for chronic back pain that have been found helpful. – Acupuncture can help people with chronic low back pain feel less bothered by their symptoms and function better in their daily activities, according to the largest randomized trial of its kind, published in the May 11, 2009 Archives of Internal Medicine.
