Pharm Friday July 25, 2008
July 25, 2008 by Becky Ramsey
Filed under Business
More Than 300 New Meds Being Developed to Combat Mental Illness
A new report shows that U.S. pharmaceutical companies are developing 300+ new medicines to help those suffering from the wide range of mental illnesses. These new developments, which are all in clinical trials or awaiting FDA approval, include 89 medicines targeting dementias. The report and drug descriptions can be found here.
New U.S. Drug Application Submitted for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca have submitted a drug application for Onglyza (saxagliptin) to treat Type 2 Diabetes. The companies also simultaneously submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency for the drug.
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) Renews Investigation of Pharmaceutical Outsourcing to China
In light of large profits for pharm. companies in part due to outsourcing, Senator Brown worries about patient safety and takes a closer look.
Study Shows Vytorin Does Not Improve Heart Valve Condition
Cholesterol drug Vytorin, made by Merck and Schering-Plough, has failed to improve aortic stenosis and appears to have a possible link to an increased cancer risk. Critics and supporters will no doubt go back and forth on the statistical significance of the cancer risk.
These are just a handful of this week’s pharmaceutical happenings. What did you find/hear?
