Drugs in R&D
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Rubitecan [Orathecin, 9-nitrocamptothecin, 9NC, RFS 2000] is a topoisomerase I inhibitor extracted from the bark and leaves of the Camptotheca acuminata tree, which is native to China. Rubitecan is an oral compound being developed for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and other solid tumours by SuperGen. One of the major benefits of rubitecan is that it can be administered in an outpatient setting, so patients can be treated in their homes. ⋯ SuperGen is also developing an inhaled, liposomal formulation of rubitecan. It acquired the worldwide rights to this formulation from the Clayton Foundation in December 1999. Inhaled rubitecan is in clinical trials in the US for the treatment of lung cancer and pulmonary metastatic cancer.
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Natalizumab [AN 100226, anti-alpha4 integrin monoclonal antibody, Antegren] is a humanised monoclonal antibody that blocks alpha4beta1 integrin-mediated leukocyte migration. Natalizumab is in phase III trials for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in North America and the UK, and for the treatment of Crohn's disease also in the UK. It may have potential in the treatment of other immune-related inflammatory disease. ⋯ He also predicted that Antegren could be on the market as early as 2003 for the indication of Crohn's disease and in 2004 for multiple sclerosis. The Journal stated that Biogen is under pressure to develop new drugs since its flagship product Avonex will be losing its US Orphan Drug Act protection in 2003. Antegren has a different mechanism to that of Avonex and could be used either alone or as a combination therapy.
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Gadofosveset [MS 325, MS 32520, Vasovist, ZK 236018], a gadolinium-based chelate, is an injectable angiography imaging agent for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The agent is being developed by EPIX Medical (formerly Metasyn) for diagnostic imaging of blood vessels of the cardiovascular system. Gadofosveset has potential as an alternative to the range of x-ray, invasive, catheter-based angiograms and thallium stress tests currently used in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. ⋯ However, under provision of the Hatch-Waxman Act, the terms of the patent may be extended following FDA approval. In its 2002 Annual Report, Schering predicted that gadofosveset has the potential to reach peak sales of EUR100 million, 3 years after launch - at the time, launch in the US was anticipated in 2005. Earlier, at an analyst presentation in Berlin in March 2002, the company stated that launch in the US was planned for 2004.
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Exisulind [Aptosyn trade mark, FGN 1 trade mark, Prevatac trade mark, sulindac sulfone], the sulfone derivative of sulindac, is the lead compound in a series of selective apoptotic antineoplastic drugs (SAANDs) being developed by OSI Pharmaceuticals. The compounds were originally developed by Cell Pathways, which was acquired by, and integrated into, OSI Pharmaceuticals in June 2003. Exisulind inhibits the enzyme cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (GMP-PDE), overexpressed in precancerous and cancerous colorectal cells, and induces apoptosis in such cells with minimal effects on normal cells. ⋯ The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) initiated a phase II study in NSCLC patients in September 2002 that will investigate the effects of exisulind in combination with gemcitabine and carboplatin. The objectives of the two studies are to determine the 12-month survival rate and response rates following treatment with the combination regimens. Patents covering the mechanism of action of exisulind have been allowed in Europe and Japan, and extend to the methods of identifying compounds that selectively stimulate apoptosis in precancerous and cancerous cells.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Efficacy of rebamipide as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of recurrent oral aphthous ulcers in patients with Behçet's disease: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Behçet's disease (BD) is a recurrent inflammatory disease involving chronic recurrent oral aphthous ulcers (aphthae), uveitis, skin lesions and genital ulcers. We prospectively investigated the efficacy of rebamipide, a gastroprotective drug, against oral aphthous ulcers in BD patients. ⋯ Rebamipide is well tolerated and improves the aphthae count and pain score in BD patients. It may therefore be useful in the treatment and prevention of frequently recurrent oral aphthous ulcers (not restricted to BD). Administration of rebamipide is not cumbersome, and it does not cause any discomfort, which corticosteroid ointments for example may do; furthermore, there are no specific adverse drug reactions. Rebamipide is therefore recommended as a long-term treatment for recurrent oral aphthous ulcers.