Tag Archive for 'Strategic Alliances in World Pharma and Biotech Markets'

Air Force Bans E-Cigarettes

Another week, another series of articles and debates over whether e-cigarettes are drug delivery devices and should be regulated by the FDA. In a follow-up to last week’s report, the Wall Street Journal asks readers: “Should the devices be regulated? Have you tried them?”

New Pump Created for Microneedle Drug-Delivery Patch

Purdue University researchers have developed a new type of pump for drug-delivery patches that might use arrays of “microneedles” to deliver a wider range of medications than now possible with conventional patches.  The current “transdermal” patches are limited to delivering drugs that, like nicotine, are made of small hydrophobic molecules that can be absorbed through [...]

First Genetic Link to Common Migraine Found

The results suggest that a buildup of that chemical, called glutamate, may play a role in the mechanism of migraines. An international scientific team has identified for the first time a genetic risk factor associated with common migraines and say their research could open the way for new treatments to prevent migraine attacks.

Surgeons use Twitter during Double-Hand Transplant

Surgeons tweeted updates during a recent double hand transplant at Jewish Hospital Hand Care Center in Louisville. While the operation would be only the third double hand transplant in the U.S., it’s probably the first accompanied by live tweeting.

Feds Aim to Fortify Biodefense by Fixing Product Development Pipeline

A leaky product development pipeline is hampering the country’s ability to ensure a steady output of new medical countermeasures, such as medications, vaccines, equipment and supplies needed for health emergencies, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said.

Drug Counterfeiting – a $200 Billion Business

Drug counterfeiting has become a $200-billion business annually, according to the World Customs Organization. By some calculations, the counterfeiting trade has become more lucrative than the narcotics business. It’s a global problem. The World Health Organization estimates that counterfeit drugs make up ten percent of the drug market worldwide. And experts say that solving it–or [...]

Researchers get $21M to Study HIV

A team headed by researchers from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute has been awarded a $21 million grant to ascertain how the immune system reacts immediately after it is exposed to the AIDS virus. The project will bring together the expertise of 13 research groups at seven institutions [...]

Drug Recalls Hit All-Time High

More drugs are hitting the recall list these days. As CNN Money reports, the number of recalls hit 1,742 last year–that’s an increase of 309 percent over 2008. “We’ve seen a trend where the last four years are among the top five for the most number of drug recalls since we began tallying recalls in [...]

FDA Bans Cancer Drug on Facebook

Pharmaceuticals promoting their products through Facebook “Shares” have been warned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)… and they’re apparently heeding that warning. Pharmaceutical company Novartis removed it’s Facebook Share after receiving a letter from the FDA warning that the Facebook Share button it is using to promote its cancer medication, Tasigna, violates FDA [...]

China Plans to Bolster Biotech

In a bid to break out of its dependence on manufacturing and cheap labor, the Chinese government is planning to invest $1.5 billion into new drug development between 2011 and 2016. And biotechnology is one of seven emerging industries that the Asian powerhouse will use to spearhead the next big step in its economic development, [...]