Drugs in R&D
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Satraplatin [BMS 182751, BMY 45594, JM 216] belongs to a series of orally-active platinum compounds with anticancer activity. It was jointly originated by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson Matthey and the Institute of Cancer Research in the UK; however, Johnson Matthey has since ceased involvement with drug development. Subsequently, the agent has been licensed to and is under development with GPC Biotech, Pharmion and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. ⋯ The patents have been assigned to Johnson Matthey, a multinational chemical company in the UK, which has exclusively sub-licensed these to GPC Biotech under a co-development and licensing agreement with Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. The patents cover the composition of matter and anticancer uses of various platinum-based compounds, including satraplatin. Two of the US patents will expire in 2008 and 2010, respectively, while patents in most other countries will expire in 2009.
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Trabectedin [Ecteinascidin 743, Yondelis, ET 743, NSC 684766] is a tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid derived from the Caribbean marine tunicate, Ecteinascidia turbinata. The drug is being developed by PharmaMar (Zeltia) in partnership with Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development LLC. It was synthetically isolated and developed by the University of Illinois and licensed to PharmaMar; the company has completed the hemisynthesis of agent. ⋯ Trabectedin has completed phase II studies for small round cell sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, which are aggressive tumours occurring predominantly in children. A phase II study evaluating two dosing schedules of trabectedin has been conducted in patients with leiomyosarcomas or liposarcomas refractory to standard doxorubicin + ifosfamide chemotherapy. The study was conducted in Australia, Canada, Russia and the US.
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Methylnaltrexone is a peripheral opioid receptor antagonist undergoing phase III clinical trials for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced medical illness who are being treated with narcotics for pain. The compound does not cross the blood-brain barrier in humans and reverses the opioid effects without interfering with pain relief. Some opioid-induced adverse events that the drug may potentially target include constipation, nausea/vomiting, cough suppression and urinary retention. ⋯ Based on these phase I studies, Progenics selected an oral formulation and dose levels of methylnaltrexone that will be tested in phase II clinical trials for relief of opioid-induced constipation in patients with chronic-pain. The technology licensed from UR Labs, Inc., is the subject of issued US and European patents and several related US and foreign patent applications relating to certain compositions, formulations and uses of methylnaltrexone filed by the University of Chicago. Progenics have continued to expand the patent coverage relating to methylnaltrexone with the filing of new patent applications.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of dexmedetomidine on haemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and intubation : perioperative haemodynamics and anaesthetic requirements.
Dexmedetomidine reduces the dose requirements for opioids and anaesthetic agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single pre-induction intravenous dose of dexmedetomidine 1 microg/kg on cardiovascular response resulting from laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation, need for anaesthetic agent and perioperative haemodynamic stability. ⋯ Preoperative administration of a single dose of dexmedetomidine resulted in progressive increases in sedation, blunted the haemodynamic responses during laryngoscopy, and reduced opioid and anaesthetic requirements. Furthermore, dexmedetomidine decreased blood pressure and heart rate as well as the recovery time after the operation.
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Although oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in the treatment of a variety of acute and chronic pain conditions, their use may be associated with serious systemic adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal disorders. In order to minimise the incidence of systemic events related to such agents, topical NSAIDs have been developed. Topical NSAIDs, applied as gels, creams or sprays, penetrate the skin, subcutaneous fatty tissue and muscle in amounts that are sufficient to exert a therapeutic effect on peripheral and central mechanisms in the absence of high plasma concentrations. ⋯ Moreover, the topical ketoprofen patch was well tolerated; adverse events were primarily cutaneous in nature and occurred in a similar number of ketoprofen and placebo recipients suggesting that these events were related to the patch itself rather than the active ingredient. The incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events was low (<8% of all patients), and occurred in a similar proportion of patients receiving ketoprofen and placebo. Thus, the topical ketoprofen patch appears to be a simple, effective and safe therapeutic option for the treatment of local painful inflammation.