Avastin Raises Risk of Clots: New News?
December 1, 2008
Scientists recommend 'black box' for Avastin | www.fiercepharma.com
In pooled data from 8000 patients across 15 studies, the risk of blood clots was increased by 12% in patients receiving Avastin.
Amgen Rewords Label: Less Use of Procrit
August 29, 2008
Amgen Told to Reword Drug Label | www.nytimes.com
The FDA required Amgen to revise the label for Procrit and Aranesp so that these agents are not used until a patient's hemoglobin drops below 10 or in the setting of potentially curative therapy.
Transparency in Healthcare: How to Assess?
August 29, 2008
Transparency in Healthcare | www.hospitalimpact.org
The author argues that transparency in healthcare will be an important step forward for the consumer.
August 29, 2008
Costly Cancer Drug Offers Hope, but Also a Dilemma | www.nytimes.com
Avastin improves survival in colon cancer and lung cancer and improves progression free survival in breast cancer- clinically meaningful outcomes. Yet these gains are of relatively short duration and the cost of Avastin is significant- 50,000 to 100,000 dollars per year.
NICE States Novel Therapies for Renal Cell Cancer Too Costly
August 28, 2008
UK Says Kidney Cancer Drugs Are Too Pricey | www.pharmalot.com
NICE has stated that the cost of several novel agents for the treatment of renal cell cancer including Sutent, Torisel, Avastin, and Nexavar exceeds the benefit when assessed by quality adjusted life years (QALY) gained from the therapies.
July 7, 2008
One drug, many uses. Good idea? | www.indystar.com
Lilly has devoted substantial energy/expense in developing Cymbalta for many indications. Is this at the expense of developing novel agents?
Can China Make Generics Better than They Make Toys
July 7, 2008
China Muscles In On The Generics Industry | www.pharmalot.com
Several Chinese companies are set to enter the generic drug market ove the next year. If these agents are demonstrated to be safe, they could have a large impact on the generic drug industry.
Avastin Effecitve in Lung and Breast Cancer But is it Cost Effective?
July 7, 2008
Roche decision denies cancer drug to Britons | www.ft.com
Roche has elected not to provide information on the cost effectiveness and clinical effectiveness of Avastin in breast cancer to the medicine advisory board of the British government. As such, the drug will not be able for first line treatment of these diseases in Britain.
New Agents Needed for Therapy of Neuropathy in Cancer Patients- Is AL-309 the Agent?
May 19, 2008
Allon data demonstrate potential of AL-309 as a new neuropathy treatment | www.pipelinereview.com
Cancer patients frequently develop neuropathy as a results of chemotherapy agents including oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, vinca alkaloids, and Velcade. Because many such patients have extended survival or receive treatment with curative intent, the resultant neuropathy can limit quality of life significantly. New agents are much needed for the prevention and treatment of neuropathy.
Proteosome Inhibition with Carfilzomib is Promising Therapeutic Avenue
May 19, 2008
Proteolix Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Carfilzomib in Patients with Relapsed Solid Tumors | www.pipelinereview.com
Carfilzomib is a nvelo prteosome inhibitor. Bortezomib, the only proteosome inhibitor that is currently FDA approve, has shown significant activity in myeloma and mantle cell NHL and is being tested in other hematologic malignancies. If Carfilzomib has improved toxicty and greater efficacy than Bortezomib, it may have a significant role in cancer therapy.
February 7, 2012
What do the cloud, collaboration and virtualization have in common?
January 27, 2012
Clinical diagnostic acquisitions dominate 2011 top ten list
January 12, 2012
Gene therapy success threatens drugs for hemophilia and rare diseases
December 13, 2011
Medtech M&A activity accelerates in 2011
November 30, 2011