Generic versions of a popular cholesterol drug are poised to make their debut after a federal judge refused to block their approval earlier this week. AstraZeneca’s trademark on Crestor expired recently, but the London-based pharmaceutical giant filed a lawsuit seeking seven more years of trademark protection due to the recent approval for treatment of pediatric…
Promising HIV Vaccine Set for Larger Clinical Trial
A new HIV vaccine will undergo a larger clinical trial in South Africa after a small study in the country showed promising results last year. CNN reports that vaccine, ALVAC-HIV/gp120, showed sufficient immune response in the trial of 252 healthy volunteers in South Africa, who were given either the vaccine or a placebo in the…
Shkreli Poised to Argue He Relied on Attorney’s Advice in Fraud Trial
Controversial pharmaceutical entrepreneur Martin Shkreli is likely to argue that he was acting on his attorney’s advice during his forthcoming fraud trial. Shkreli and Evan Greebel, who served as outside counsel for Retrophin—where Shkreli was CEO—were indicted on securities and wire fraud charges late last year amid allegations that Shkreli used company stock to pay…
Report: Drug Trial Shows Promise For Treating Postpartum Depression
The results of a recent small clinical trial could eventually offer hope to women suffering from postpartum depression. Fortune reports that Massachusetts-based Sage Therapeutics’ experimental drug — called SAGE-547 — led to remission in seven of 10 patients. A placebo group, by contrast, saw remission in just one of 11 cases, while the drug also…
Prostate Cancer Drug At Center Of Takeover, Drug Price Fights
Pharmaceutical giants, advocacy groups, a biotech firm and a major research university are currently locked in disputes involving a new prostate cancer drug. The Los Angeles Times this week detailed the saga of Xtandi, which was discovered by scientists at the University of California-Los Angeles more than a decade ago and is currently sold by…
Johnson & Johnson Debuts Global Public Health Program
Johnson & Johnson this week unveiled a new global public health initiative stemming from a new facility in South Africa. The New Jersey-based pharmaceutical and consumer products giant officially opened its Cape Town operations on Tuesday and detailed plans to help bolster health care across the continent and world. J&J said that public health staff,…