Please Select an e-DetailBuTranstransdermal buprenorphineMaxaltrizatriptanZoton FasTablansoprazole oro-dispersible

Editorial Latest features Anti-Obesity Treatments 2007-2012 What is obesity? Medical and Healthcare Business Reacting Bullishly to the Credit Crunch Blood Disorders Market The Hygiene Hypothesis Latest Press releases ABPI Code Introduces New Requirements For Working With Health Professionals And Patient Groups Historically a Disappointment, Neuroprotective Drug Strategies Pursuing New Targets and Mechanisms Astra Zeneca agreement reveals share price effect Synexus recruits 20% of all patients in Crestor Jupiter study Patients with early Parkinson’s disease show better symptom control1 and improvements in daily activities1 with Stalevo than levodopa/carbidopa Features Index What's new in... all features | 319 Features | view archive Anti-Obesity Treatments 2007-2012 09 May 08 “By 2010, almost 50 percent of children in North America and 38 percent of those in the European Union will be overweight, research has found”. For pharmaceutical companies looking to target growing successful markets, the anti-obesity drug treatment market offers unique opportunities. Nini Wei- Visiongain Ltd What is obesity? 06 May 08 Obesity is the heavy accumulation of fat in your body to such a degree that it rapidly increases your risk of diseases that can damage your health and knock years off your life, such as heart disease and diabetes. pharmiweb editor Medical and Healthcare Business Reacting Bullishly to the Credit Crunch 16 Apr 08 Despite the pressures, medical and healthcare businesses appear to be reacting bullishly to the credit crunch according to a new study released today. When asked if they had to start their business again in today’s economic climate, 78% of medical and healthcare businesses would do it all again tomorrow. David Barrett Blood Disorders Market 16 Apr 08 In 2007, blood diseases cost the US’s economy $114bn. In 2004, a reported 232,000 deaths in the US were due to anaemia, myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic disorders, bleeding disorders, white blood cell disorders and thrombosis collectively. From oxygen delivery to immunological defence to clotting, blood has vital physiological functions, and clear, expensive treatments. Justyna Drozdzal The Hygiene Hypothesis 15 Apr 08 Why do some people have allergies and some not? And why has the prevalence of allergic disorders been increasing over the past century, especially in industrialised, developed countries? Mike Wood Sleep Disorders Market Analysis 2008-2018 11 Apr 08 Which current or future therapies will drive the sleep disorders market from 2008 to 2018? What is the patient identification rate for each of the therapeutic areas? What is the present state of the disease awareness? What R&D opportunities exist for ‘new comers’? Which key companies are involved in the market? Justyna Drozdzal Embarrassed to blow your nose? 01 Apr 08 Forget sweat patches, VPLs and spots…a new survey commissioned by Kleenex® has found that it’s blowing your nose in public that causes us the most embarrassment! The survey of hay fever sufferers reveals that most people prefer a quiet sniff over a good nose blow when out and about. However, allergy specialists warn that the more discreet option actually makes symptoms worse. Jasmine Richards Increasing numbers of people are suffering from Asthma 31 Mar 08 Asthma is a significant health problem. Acording to the National Asthma Campaign, the condition continues to grow, and in the UK an estimated 8 million people are diagnosed as having asthma, with 5 million people receiving treatment. The cost of asthma to the NHS is more than £850 million a year. Mike Wood ExL Pharma presents: The 3rd Annual Integrated Relationship Marketing and Sales for Pharma 31 Mar 08 ADVANCED COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR DELIVERING TARGETED MESSAGES AND DEVELOPING BRAND LOYALTY Matt Milman Bell Pottinger EXPANDS healthcare business 25 Mar 08 Bell Pottinger Group has formed Bell Pottinger Health, a new business dedicated to leading the expansion of its health franchise with Shipra Singh newly hired as Managing Director. Simultaneously the company has brought in a life science investor relations team led by Mike Wort. Deborah Cockerill Versatility: The Key to Pharmaceutical Sales Performance 22 Mar 08 While having a sales force that can deliver your company¡¦s message to physicians and other health care professionals is critical to effective performance, the true key to success is having a sales force that can adapt that message to the needs and preferences of those they call on. Wilson Learning¡¦s research shows that versatile salespeople can be over 50% more successful than their less adaptable counterparts. This was effectively demonstrated in a study with a large pharmaceutical company. Natalie Barlow Chiltern wins 4 'Pharmas' 12 Mar 08 Chiltern, a leading global research organization, is proud to announce that it won 4 ‘Pharmas’ at the PharmaTimes Clinical Researcher of the Year ceremony, including the coveted Clinical Department of the Year. Peter Lewis Movers and Shakers - Richard Wallace 21 Feb 08 Bridgehead International Board Appointment – February 2008 Richard Wallace joins Bridgehead International Board Sandra Church Is that a Smartphone in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see me? 20 Feb 08 In case you hadn’t noticed, mobile phone manufacturers – and the operators – are desperate to part you from your cash in return for a flash new device. So, to help you decide if you should give in to temptation, we have reviewed three of the latest smartphones that the market has to offer. PharmiWeb.com - editor The Golden Keys of E-Commerce 09 Jan 08 The issue of climate change is now upon us....and the news about ecology is unfolding with many variables. Here is my take on the image and branding side. Naseem Javed Pharma ROI – RIP or SOP? 27 Nov 07 PharmiWeb Solutions’ Managing Director Paul Hartigan was a speaker at the annual conference of the Pharmaceutical Marketing Society in London yesterday, November 26th, hosted by the Royal College of Nurses. He reviews his thoughts on the day here. Editor More data confirm DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin (Galvus) offers special advantages for elderly Type 2 diabetes patients 24 Sep 07 Olwen Glynn Owen - Pharmiweb Field Reporter Wyeth’s Winning Ways: Big Pharma Bounces Back 20 Apr 07 After a year or so of relatively disappointing results from Big Pharma, there seems to be a new wave of optimism sweeping across the industry. Paul Hartigan A Gala Tribute to Global Copycats 03 Apr 07 Over the decade, the art of copying and stealing other people's content and ideas has settled comfortably in the mainstream across the globe. What formerly would constitute an act of piracy is now a commonplace, everyday occurrence. Isn't it time to give these 'borrowers' a tribute, host a gala dinner and hand out awards? Naseem Javed Pharmiweb e:HR Awards 03 Apr 07 PharmiWeb Solutions – online publisher and e-business solutions provider to the pharmaceutical sector – recently announced the results of its inaugural PharmiWeb.com Annual e:HR Europe Awards. Mike Wood Reducing Risks of Infusion Related Reactions in Targeted Cancer Therapy 30 Jan 07 Infusion-related reactions occur with a wide variety of therapeutic agents used in the treatment of cancer but have become a particular concern of the targeted monoclonal antibody therapies. A post-hoc analysis performed on data from a recent large study suggests a way of minimising risk. Olwen Glynn Owen The PharmiWeb.com e:HR Awards 2006 25 Oct 06 Recognizing excellence in the application of an e-business approach in pharma and biotech HR in Europe. Mike Wood Has the current approach to pharmaceutical sales passed its expiry date? 17 Oct 06 It’s another Monday practice meeting, the usual drug representative has been roped in to provide lunch and is cooling her heels waiting for the team to finish morning surgery. The usual non-descript pile of sandwiches from the local bakery is stacked on the table and the registrar who has finished early has already picked the best sandwiches... Ian Mckenzie - PharmiWeb.com Field Reporter Age is no longer a factor 02 Oct 06 From October 1st 2006 the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 - is coming in to force, making it illegal in the UK to recruit or select candidates based on their age and to discriminate based on age whilst in employment rather than based on skills and competencies. This will apply to discrimination againt young and old, and it WILL dramatically affect recruitment and employment in the UK. Mike Wood Avandia Patents Afford Protection Against Generic Competition 06 Sep 06 Generic pharmaceutical manufacturers should proceed with caution when developing generic versions of Avandia®, (Rosiglitazone maleate), according to experts at GenericsWeb... Leighton Howard We are opening our doors here at i3 31 Aug 06 We would like to invite you to join us here at our offices in Maidenhead, Berkshire from 10.30 onwards to 14.30. Sarah Kettlewell Lean Documentation 5 30 Aug 06 In an earlier field report, we looked at some of the issues surrounding manufacturing process instructions (MPIs) and manufacturing process records (MPRs). I want to look at the issue of recording data in MPRs in more detail, as the format of your MPR has a huge impact on its usability and therefore the error rate. PharmiWeb.com Field Reporter: Jo Hills Movers and Shakers of the Pharma Industry - Paul Hawkins 23 Aug 06 Paul Hawkins, the General Secretary for the Health and Beauty Association, tells us his philosophy for career progression and how the H&BA’s new website will help them to progress. The website itself promotes HBA’s attempt to bring Health and Beauty companies together in debating and discussing how to develop and adapt the industry to meet changing customer and consumer needs. Paul hopes the move towards e-business will do just that. Freya Eden-Ellis Graduates Entering the Pharmaceutical Industry 22 Aug 06 You may not exactly be breaking into the gold vaults at Fort Knox, scaling the heights of MI5 à la James Bond or hacking into The Pentagon security system, but you want to enter the pharmaceutical industry, which can be nearly as difficult. Freya Eden-Ellis US healthcare payers turn to reimbursement to contain costs 18 Aug 06 With overall healthcare spending set to continue rising, payers are implementing cost containment measures, increasing the importance of developing a robust and flexible pricing and reimbursement (P&R) strategy. In formulating and adapting a P&R strategy, it is vital for drug developers to understand how P&R fits into the US healthcare market, and to identify the different types of P&R controls. Datamonitor AstraZeneca's Symbicort the first of many new combination drugs to come 10 Aug 06 AstraZeneca has received FDA approval for its combination asthma drug Symbicort, which will now enter a fiercely competitive market, to face not only GlaxoSmithKline's blockbuster Advair but also new combination drugs, which are expected to steal market share from 2010. However, as Datamonitor's Lisette Oversteegen explains, Symbicort's SMART approach could be key to overcoming these challenges. Datamonitor Advanced Forum on IPR in CHINA 09 Aug 06 The protection of intellectual property (IP) rights has become crucial to the success of many foreign investors and enterprises who wish to profit from China’s fast growing market. As many foreign investors have discovered that counterfeiting, passing off and other forms of IP infringement are common in China. At the same time, Chinese companies are investing heavily in sophisticated technology and require an effective IP system to protect their own investment. The dynamics of protecting inte Jones Days Candidate Profile: Paul Collins 09 Aug 06 Candidate Profile: Paul Collins Current Job Title: Clinical Project Manager II Department: Clinical Commenced with ICON: July 1997 Mike Wood, Freya Eden-Ellis Movers and Shakers of the Pharma Industry - Andy Sarfas 08 Aug 06 Andy Sarfas is our mover and shaker of the week. He is the Global Internet Business Manager for Reckitt Benckiser. Freya Eden-Ellis Movers and Shakers of the Pharma Industry - David Mitchell 08 Aug 06 David Mitchell is the Commercial Director at McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a company that produces remedies for self-treatment available at pharmacies and supermarket stores. Freya Eden-Ellis Movers and Shakers of the Pharma Industry - Alex Bishop 08 Aug 06 Alex Bishop is the IT Business Manager at Pfizer, the largest supplier of medicines to the NHS. Freya Eden-Ellis Diverse challenges await generics industry 04 Aug 06 Because of the ever-increasing costs of healthcare provision the world over, many governments are enacting legislation to promote generic prescription in order to keep costs down. With drugs worth $160 billion in sales coming off patent by 2015, it would seem a good time to be in the generics industry. However the generics market is not without challenges. Datamonitor Lean Documentation 4 03 Aug 06 Manufacturing Instructions and Records: Operators are expected to follow manufacturing instructions to produce a product that meets the required specification. Typically these instructions will be written by technical experts, the chemical engineers who were responsible for the technology transfer, the process validation and so on. PharmiWeb.com Field Reporter: Joanna Hills Networking Tips 03 Aug 06 Networking: What is it and How do you do it? Jim Melling - Field Reporter Preparing for GCP Inspections: The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth 02 Aug 06 Every sponsor or CRO can expect their country’s regulatory agency to arrive on their premises periodically to conduct routine inspections. In the UK, for instance, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) conducts routine periodic inspections approximately every three years. Apart from these, the MHRA also conducts “for cause” and “follow up” inspections, and they also take part in the third-country inspection program. Because all inspections may be either announced or unan Triona Coll Elidel Eczema Cream: Dr Mark Ballard Answers Our Questions 01 Aug 06 Dr Mark Ballard, the Medical Director of Respiratory and Dermatology Therapeutic Areas at the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation answers our questions about their eczema cream Elidel. Freya Eden-Ellis A Full Pipeline of Follow-on TNF-Antagonists 01 Aug 06 The US$ 7.6 bln market of TNF-antagonists attracts numerous follow-on compounds including improved TNF-antagonists and molecules originating from new technologies La Merie Business Intelligence Sheltering under an Umbrella? 31 Jul 06 The Treasury is aware of a growing trend, which has recently moved into the pharmaceutical sector, for staff to be provided to clients through “umbrella” or “composite” companies. These companies promise a golden scenario of reduced costs to their clients and greater take-home pay to the individuals who work through them. Claire Jackaman Antiarrhythmics: RSD1235 woes reduce market potential but not clinical impact 31 Jul 06 Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, with an estimated nine million sufferers worldwide. Although safe, effective treatment for AF is critical, historically there has been little R&D investment and little innovation in the AF market. However, this may be about to change, with the AF market expected to triple by 2015. Datamonitor New Tools for Mental Health Professionals: Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CCBT) in Primary Care 25 Jul 06 Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) combines two very effective kinds of psychotherapy delivered face to face by medical therapists Jim Melling - PharmiWeb Field Reporter Lean Documentation 2b 25 Jul 06 In the last report we analysed part of an SOP control system for inefficiencies and opportunities for error, by mapping the system and asking ‘what if?’ at each stage. But, as we mentioned previously, documentation systems (or, indeed, any type of control system) rarely operate in isolation. So let’s look at some of the inputs and outputs there might be on a typical site, using the same process as before. Joanna Hills - PharmiWeb Field Reporter Lean Documentation 2 25 Jul 06 A well-run documentation system will support your business processes and improvements, not hold them back. How do you ensure that this is the case? Joanna Hills - PharmiWeb Field Reporter PowderMed: flying ahead in avian flu 21 Jul 06 PowderMed has submitted an application to UK regulators seeking to conduct human trials of its avian influenza vaccine. Developing an effective vaccine against the next influenza pandemic is a challenging task, but one many companies are taking on. However, until a virus able to cause a pandemic emerges, no one knows for certain which product will be most effective. Datamonitor Hints and Tips: Survive in the Work Place Part Two 19 Jul 06 Hints and Tips: Survive in the Work Place Part Two Elaine Ford - PharmiWeb Field Reporter Generic Pharmaceutical Patent Searching 13 Jul 06 'Drug In Focus' is written by Leighton Howard, a patent information expert with extensive generics experience. He has worked within the professional patent information industry and major generic pharmaceutical firms and now provides consultancy services to the generics industry and government organisations via his company XIP Pty Ltd. He is also the founder of GenericsWeb and remains instrumental in maintaining the high quality and accuracy of data contained in Pipeline Patent Intelligence. Leighton Howard Hints and Tips: Survive in the work place 11 Jul 06 Hints and tips to survive in the work place Elaine Ford - PharmiWeb Field Reporter Hints and tips: Thinking of Changing Job? 11 Jul 06 Hints and tips for job hunting Elaine Ford - PharmiWeb Field Reporter Puricase, first new drug treatment approach for gout in 40 years, offers solution to unmet need 11 Jul 06 A new class of drug for tophaceous gout, the first to be developed in 40 years, is generating hope for patients currently unable to tolerate or respond to standard therapies. Olwen Glynn Owen - PharmiWeb Field Reporter Baraclude (entecavir) offers much-needed new option for chronic hepatitis B infection 11 Jul 06 Baraclude (entecavir), a new oral drug developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb, recently approved by the European Commission for treatment of chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infections, is expected to become available in a few months in some countries of the EU, the Middle East and Africa. Olwen Glynn Owen - PharmiWeb Field Reporter Lean Documentation 1: GLP, GCP, GMP, SOP, too many documents ? 09 Jul 06 Pharmaceutical companies are renowned for exhaustive pages of regulatory reports and documentation procedures. An enormous amount of effort goes into creating and maintaining these documentations, usually by people for whom it is only a small part of their job. Another problem is that complexity exists in such documents and may be due to an excess of information or to inappropriate structure. Again, historically there may have been a drive to put every little detail into the procedures, in t PharmiWeb Field Reporter -Joanna Hills MRSA – How to Avoid the Spread of This Superbug 05 Jul 06 A recent Department of Health study showed that healthcare associated infection (HCAI) affects 8 per cent of acute admissions to hospitals. These infections can delay discharge home by up to 11 days. For the NHS in England this represents a loss of 3.6 million bed days, with a projected cost of £1 billion a year. Maureen Bott, Kalamazoo Security Print Erbitux: emerging data at ASCO reveal potential to further exploit benefits of the targeted EGFR therapy in mCRC 14 Jun 06 Data presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Atlanta this month suggest that administering the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor Erbitux (cetuximab) fortnightly rather than weekly in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is a feasible option. Another study probing whether scaling up the dose, to the point where patients experience the significant rash linked to long survival, achieves a better response, shows high doses are well tolerated. Olwen Glynn Owen - PharmiWeb Field Reporter Losartan, a stimulator of insulin release? 08 Jun 06 DailyUpdates 2nd June: In today’s edition of DailyUpdates we highlight exciting new data on the potential use of the antihypertensive, losartan as a modulator of insulin release and production and hence a directly acting therapeutic for the treatment of diabetes. This supplements additional beneficial activity resulting from blood pressure control. In addition we report on European approval of Thelin, Encysive’s candidate for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension LeadDiscovery From sepsis to depression 31 May 06 DailyUpdates 26th May, 2006: As our daily trip around the drug discovery world continues we hit Friday with some revealing information on sepsis and new phase 3 data on Wyeth's antidepressant desvenlafaxine. Read on for more about these highlight on visit today's edition of DailyUpdates for more on these advances or any of the other 50+ items featured today LeadDiscovery EntreMed hoping for success with Panzem/Avastin combo 31 May 06 EntreMed has initiated a phase II trial of Panzem in combination with Genentech's Avastin in carcinoid cancer. The trial will examine how the therapy fares against potential rivals and its possible use in other tumor types. With the blockbuster Avastin possessing the potential to significantly raise the profile of Panzem, the study will prove crucial for EntreMed's lead pipeline drug candidate. Datamonitor e-Detailing in 2006 and beyond 23 May 06 Colin Williams, e-Marketing Director at PharmiWeb Solutions takes a look at the current e-detailing landscape and suggests what the future could hold for this much talked about tool for pharmaceutical sales and marketing departments. Colin Williams Monthly ibandronate as effective as more frequent bisphosphonate dosing in osteoporosis 19 May 06 Without treatment, an estimated one in three women will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture during their lifetime Olwen Glynn Owen Hypertension: excitement grows around Novartis hypertension franchise update in Big Apple 17 May 06 Despite almost 200 million people suffering from hypertension in the seven major pharmaceutical markets alone, according to a new report, innovation is scarce within antihypertensive R&D. What little innovation that does exist is being delivered by Novartis, which is set to launch two new antihypertensives in 2007 in the shape of oral renin inhibitor Rasilez, and the 'two-in-one' pill Exforge. Datamonitor EntreMed hoping for success with Panzem/Avastin combo 17 May 06 EntreMed has initiated a phase II trial of Panzem in combination with Genentech's Avastin in carcinoid cancer. The trial will examine how the therapy fares against potential rivals and its possible use in other tumor types. With the blockbuster Avastin possessing the potential to significantly raise the profile of Panzem, the study will prove crucial for EntreMed's lead pipeline drug candidate. Datamonitor VEGF: Same molecular target....new approaches to cancer 15 May 06 DailyUpdates 15th May, 2006: Amongst the 50 or so papers and press releases featured today two focusing on VEGF jump out as being of especial interest. The first, a paper published by Stanford University, reports on the anti-cancer activity of an oncolytic virus in combination with gene therapy. The virus was engineered to selectively replicate in and kill cancer cells . The gene therapy encoded a soluble version of Flk1, one of the VEGF receptors. The two approaches together produce effective a LeadDiscovery AVIAN FLU SUMMIT FOR BUSINESS 13 May 06 This summit aims to provide both strategic and practical information that will ensure that organisations can prepare for and survive what is now considered to be the inevitable pandemic. Professor Hugh Pennington from the Department of Medical Microbiology at University of Aberdeen will repeat his warning that, “Only one thing is certain and that is that there will be a pandemic.” Susie Wilson Movement in cancer vaccine development plus breaking antidepressant research 12 May 06 DailyUpdates 12th May, 2006 (click here for entire bulletin): Today appears to be cancer vaccine day with two important announements being made. First off, Genitope Corporation announce the initiation of an ealry phase clinical trial of their MyVax idiotype immunotherapy; this was followed by an announcement by Biovest reporting that fast track status had been awarded to their phase 3 candidate, BiovaxID. This follows in the footsteps of the company's announcement that the FDA had approved sale LeadDiscovery Adult acute leukemia: demand for innovative drugs that prolong survival 11 May 06 A new report estimates that there will be approximately 84,000 cases of adult and childhood leukemia in the world's seven major pharmaceutical markets in 2006. Acute leukemias will account for 43% of these cases, and, although this market is relatively small compared to other cancer types, the clear unmet needs and regulatory incentives should help encourage drug makers. Datamonitor Pharma's growing concern over parallel trade 05 May 06 In recent years, parallel trade of pharmaceutical products has grown to some the highest levels ever seen, exerting additional pressure on pharmaceutical companies' profitability. Companies need to be proactive to restrict parallel trade, especially in the EU, which is expected to continue to be the market of most concern for pharmaceutical firms. Datamonitor New tools for Mental Health Professionals: 27 Apr 06 In many areas there is a long waiting list for CBT delivered by a therapist and these new programmes offer genuine help for patients, which ought to reduce waiting lists and give greater access to services. Jim Melling Travellers’ Diarrhoea Vaccines – a good run for your money? 27 Apr 06 Travellers’ Diarrhoea (TD) frequently occurs in individuals from industrialised countries when visiting destinations in developing countries. Consequences of TD include disruption of holiday and work capacity, and occasionally severe chronic disease. Existing methods of prevention are inadequate. We calculate that the number of travellers to TD risk regions was 88 million in 2003 and may reach 190 million per annum by 2020, suggesting that a significant potential market exists for a TD vaccine. Nicholas Miller and Ingelise Saunders 2nd Annual Specialty Pharmaceuticals Global Summit 25 Apr 06 Specialty Pharma transformations and venture investments have continued to grow at an unprecedented pace. The 2006 meeting is an elite opportunity for Big Pharma, Biotech, and Drug Delivery to network with the industry's fastest growing Specialty Pharma companies and discover what makes them so attractive as a partner. Ed Drilon 17th International Contracting & Negotiating Clinical Trails 25 Apr 06 The Definitive Conference for Clinical Research Contract Professionals! Glenn Pascual PAH: market ripe for expansion as big pharma interest increases 13 Apr 06 Off-label anti-coagulants, diuretics, and calcium-channel blockers are often used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), with more targeted therapies like endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and prostacyclins also used extensively. While these treatments have all shown considerable efficacy, their shortcomings leave considerable unmet need in the PAH market. Datamonitor Pharma Opportunities in the COPD Market 07 Apr 06 COPD is a disease that will grow in importance in the future and it will have a major impact on society, particular amongst those that smoke. At the moment, although new treatments are being developed for COPD the pharmaceutical market remains undeveloped. There will be a high demand for effective medicines and so COPD should be an area of interest for pharmaceutical companies who specialise in the respiratory therapeutic field. Dr Faiz Kermani A Changing Course for Healthcare in Latin America? 07 Apr 06 Healthcare is receiving greater attention in Latin America than ever before and a number of countries in the region are in the midst of major reforms. The government policies that are being developed have important implications for pharmaceutical companies looking to expand in this emerging pharmaceutical region. Dr Faiz Kermani Cystic fibrosis: hope remains for a ‘miracle cure’ 07 Apr 06 After the first failure of gene therapy, it's widely accepted that treatment leading to a cure for the 50,000 cystic fibrosis sufferers worldwide is an unachievable goal. The limited R&D efforts are instead directed towards disease modification and symptomatic treatments with ion channel modulators thought to hold some promise for the future. Datamonitor Fifth International World Pharmaceutical Congress 06 Apr 06 If you attend only one Drug Discovery World Congress this year, you don't want to miss this event! James Prudhomme Canada's Hidden Pharma Potential 06 Apr 06 Given its proximity to the huge US market, Canada is often overlooked with respect to its contribution to the pharmaceutical sector. Yet it is a well-established market in which all the major players are active and it has a vibrant R&D environment, both for traditional pharmaceutical companies and emerging biotech companies. Dr Faiz Kermani Mergers emerging in Japan 06 Apr 06 Japanese pharmaceutical companies have tended to avoid using mergers in their efforts to grow, but in recent times this attitude appears to have changed. Key mergers currently underway include Sankyo and Daiichi Pharmaceutical, Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical (who now operate as Astellas), and a tie-up between Dainippon Pharmaceutical and Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals. Dr Faiz Kermani China's Challenge to Pharma 06 Apr 06 China is a country that is rapidly modernising and as its economy grows its consumer base is changing. Many international biopharmaceutical companies have started to invest in China and believe that in the long-term the healthcare market offers huge commercial potential. Dr Faiz Kermani Corning Life Sciences Announces New Ultra-Low Attachment Surface Products 03 Apr 06 Corning Life Sciences today announced several new products coated with the Ultra-Low Attachment surface including the 25 and 75 cm2 flasks and CELLSTACK® Culture Chambers which are well-suited for many cell culture applications including stem cell, cancer, and immune system research, and enable customers to increase the scale of cell culture, improve yields, and reduce contamination risks Corning Life Sciences Search Engine Marketing Health Pharmaceutical Labs clinical 30 Mar 06 Why ? Decision makers were not aware of the ROI that can have a search engine marketing strategy. Elias KAI Deployable Medicine 29 Mar 06 Deployable medicine involves the complete employment of military health professionals. The nature of the deployment can vary from conventional ‘warfighting’ campaigns to humanitarian relief operations. The methods for employing highly skilled military professionals within the area or operations and the level of care they provide are crucial to the success of the mission marcus evans Study supports aggressive use of atorvastatin (Lipitor) 29 Mar 06 The antidyslipidemics market is driven by the statins, which account for 87% of this segment. However, as many statins are expected to face patent expiry in the coming decade manufacturers are looking to novel products to protect their franchise. Such products include combination such as Pfizer's atorvastatin/torcetrapib. Studies demonstrating that higher doses of existing products can offer improved efficacy but with no increase in side-effects will also help optimize sales in the antidyslipid LeadDiscovery Diagnosing acute congestive heart failure 28 Mar 06 Heart failure affects more than 5 million people in the U.S. Approximately 20% of hospitalizations are due to acute congestive heart failure translating into a health-care system cost of $15 billion. Given the paucity of the pipeline for acute congestive heart failure, the best hope of clinical improvement will involve improved utilization of existing therapies. However early intervention requires rapid and accurate diagnosis. Given its diagnostic potential, the measurement of plasma BNP a LeadDiscovery PABORD 2006 27 Mar 06 The 2nd international exhibition and conference event focussed exclusively on the theme of outsourcing in the research and development of new medicines. Companies both large and small are adopting this increasingly popular business strategy. ANDREW CLARK 6th Annual e-Clinical Trials 23 Mar 06 e-Clinical Trials continue to be used more and more by the market leaders - There is no doubt though that the industry is soon to go fully electronic, so don't get behind the game... Our delegates have been demanding we run this event for the last 6 years! Here is what they have said about our past events: "...one of the best. I have learned a great deal about many of the important issues associated with e-Clinical Trials", Clinical Trial Manager/EDC Liason, Forest Labs Inc. "Informatio Amir Sebahat New advertising code of conduct established in Vioxx withdrawal fallout 23 Mar 06 Recent high-profile drug withdrawals have resulted in a new code of conduct to govern direct-to-consumer advertising. As more and more drugs are likely to come under regulatory and public scrutiny, the pharmaceutical industry will need to employ effective marketing and education strategies to ensure patient and physician confidence is retained and the impact of drug safety scares is minimized. Datamonitor Cdk5 inhibitors as novel candidate analgesics 22 Mar 06 According to our recent feature Pain Therapeutics 2005 the value of the pharmaceutical market for pain relief approached $23 billion in 2004.  The pain market can be divided into acute pain which is well served by OTC medications, post-operative pain and chronic pain. One of the most challenging areas of analgesia is the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain.  Cancer pain also represents a largely unmet market which along with post-operative analgesia depends to a large extent on opioid-based th LeadDiscovery Pharma IQ announces inaugural event in Pharma Sales Force Effectiveness 21 Mar 06 If Sales Force Effectiveness is high on your agenda in the current climate, then don’t miss Pharma IQ’s Next Generation Pharmaceutical Sales Strategies event in June. Learn from speakers who have effectively increased their sales force ROI & successfully implemented alternative options to drive sales effectiveness. Rachel Davis The irresistible sirene’s chant of needle-free insulins 13 Mar 06 Insulin analogs are conquering the insulin market, inhaled insulins are the next generation, and oral insulins might bypass other delivery technologies La Merie Business Intelligence Multi-resistant bugs require a multi-pronged approach 10 Mar 06 The Infectious Disease Society of America's new hit list of dangerous resistant bugs has drawn attention to the lack of new antibiotics under development. The society calls for the passing of legislation to encourage companies to re-enter the antibiotics arena. However, as Datamonitor's Lisette Oversteegen investigates, legislation alone is not enough to counter the growing threat of 'superbugs'. Datamonitor Antibodies are the first wave of IGF-1R antagonists for cancer therapy 06 Mar 06 At least six fully human or humanized antibodies against insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) are in early clinical development or close to phase I La Merie Business Intelligence Big Challenges For Pharma 06 Mar 06 Back in 2000, I was really, really excited. Had I got a date with Kylie Minogue? No. Had West Ham won the Champions League? Not likely. I was excited because I thought I had discovered the best investment sector in the market -- life sciences. Ed Bowsher Working for Merck Pharmaceuticals UK 03 Mar 06 PharmiWeb recently asked Merck to provide some insight into what it was like to work as a sales rep for their company. Rather than just telling us what they thought we wanted to hear, they took the more open approach of asking their team for "real life" comments, and then gave us their rather impressive raw responses, with no additions or changes. Vincent Lody Rituxan approval to mark a new era of B-cell targeted therapies of autoimmune disease? 01 Mar 06 Genentech and Biogen Idec announced yesterday that the FDA has approved Rituxan (Rituximab) for use as a treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Hopefully this news will mark the start of a new era in the treatment of autoimmune disease. LeadDiscovery An Interview with Andrew Copestake Vice President - BD Europe 28 Feb 06 ICON’s core competency is project management, built up over the last fifteen years managing complex projects and underpinned by comprehensive and consistent processes which conform to the ISO9001:2000 quality certification. Mike Wood Abbott - Planning to Win 24 Feb 06 A glimpse of the broad-based, versatile business strategy that has enabled Abbott to combine dynamic growth with long-term stability. Caroline Johnson Abbott - Pipeline going from strength to strength 24 Feb 06 Abbott recently had the largest gain in reputation of any company in its industry when Fortune magazine ranked it number three in the magazine’s list of the most admired companies in the United States – Fortune’s highest ranking for Abbott since 1989. How was this achieved and what factors led up to it? Caroline Johnson