ALZUMAb, Indian Psoriasis Drug

• The first instance of a breakthrough innovation from India with a potential to treat multiple autoimmune diseases.
• Biocon’s ALZUMAb™ (Itolizumab) is the first anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody to be commercialized, an outcome of path breaking research in India. This new line of treatment will usher in a paradigm shift in the management of psoriasis.
• What makes this drug so special is that it is an antibody that targets a surface marker on T cells! The drug targets the CD6 surface receptor, binding to it and blocking activation of T cells in inflammatory environments within the body. The surface receptor, CD6, is also important for T-cell migration to sites of inflammation and maturation to become pro-inflammatory. 
•  Reference: http://www.medicaldaily.com/alzumab-indian-psoriasis-drug-first-biologic-med-its-kind-when-will-it-hit-us-market-250987

 

Dual and pan PPAR agonists

PPAR agonists are drugs which act upon the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor. They are used for the treatment of symptoms of the metabolic syndrome, mainly for lowering triglycerides and blood sugar.

Dual and pan PPAR agonists

• A fourth class of dual PPAR agonists, so-called glitazars, which bind to both the α and γ PPAR isoforms, are currently under active investigation for treatment of a larger subset of the symptoms of the metabolic syndrome. These include the experimental compounds aleglitazar, muraglitazar and tesaglitazar. In June 2013, saroglitazar was the first glitazar to be approved for clinical use.
• In addition, there is continuing research and development of new dual α/δ and γ/δ PPAR agonists for additional therapeutic indications, as well as "pan" agonists acting on all three isoforms.

Depofoam Technology; Proprietary Technology of Pacira Pharmaceuticals

DepoFoam^® consists of microscopic, spherical, lipid-based particles composed of a honeycomb of numerous, non-concentric, internal aqueous chambers containing the encapsulated drug. Each chamber is separated from adjacent chambers by lipid membranes. Following injection, the DepoFoam particles release the drug over an extended period of time due to erosion and/or reorganization of the lipid membranes. 

DepoFoam permits systemic delivery of medications by releasing the drug into the bloodstream via the interstitial space. Locally, DepoFoam can release the drug into a body compartment, such as a joint.

Both small and large molecule compounds can successfully be encapsulated into DepoFoam, including:

• Traditional injectable pharmaceuticals
• Proteins
• Peptides
• Antisense oligonucleotides
• DNA

DepoFoam has been used in two FDA-approved commercial products, including DepoCyt(e)^® (cytarabine liposome injection), EXPAREL^® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension).

Reference:

 

http://www.pacira.com

Acticoat* ; Antimicrobial Barrier Dressing

Acticoat* (with Nanocrystalline Silver) ^† dressing is an effective antimicrobial barrier dressing. The nanocrystalline coating of silver rapidly kills a broad spectrum of bacteria in as little as 30 minutes. Acticoat dressing consists of three layers: an absorbent inner core sandwiched between outer layers of silver coated, low adherent polyethylene net. Nanocrystalline silver protects the wound site from bacterial contamination while the inner core helps maintain the moist environment optimal for wound healing.

 

Acticoat is an effective barrier to over 150 pathogens which includes a broad spectrum of gram positive and gram negative bacteria and fungal wound pathogens. Acticoat is an effective barrier to antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).  

References:

http://www.smith-nephew.com/australia/healthcare/products/product-types/antimicrobial-dressings/silver-dressings/acticoat--product-range/acticoat-/

                                               -HAVE A GOOD DAY-

Avastin; angiogenesis inhibitor for chemotherapy

Avastin (Bevacizumab) is approved for:

• Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) 
• Advanced nonsquamous non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in people who have not received chemotherapy for their advanced disease.
• Metastatic kidney cancer (mRCC) when used with interferon alfa.
• Glioblastoma (GBM) when taken alone in adult patients whose cancer has progressed after prior treatment. The effectiveness of Avastin in GBM is based on tumor response. 

Avastin is designed to directly bind to VEGF extracellularly to prevent interaction with 

VEGF receptors (VEGFR) on the surface of endothelial cells, thereby inhibiting its biologic

activity.VEGFR is the family of receptors primarily responsible for pro-angiogenic VEGF 

signaling. Extracellular VEGF binding may provide specific inhibition of the VEGF pathway.

Reference:

http://www.avastin-hcp.com/mrcc/efficacy/role-of-VEGF

http://www.avastin.com/patient

ARESTIN®; exhibits synergistic effect with scaling and root planing (SRP) for periodontal disease.

ARESTIN® contains microspheres—tiny particles—that are smaller than grains of sand and are not visible to the eye. The microspheres are filled with the antibiotic minocycline hydrochloride. These microspheres release the antibiotic over time, killing bacteria so your gums can heal better than with SRP alone. 

Arestin makes SRP more effective in the treatment of periodontal disease.

Reference:

http://www.arestin.com/effectiveness/

                                                            -Good evening-

ARESTIN^® makes scaling and root
planing (SRP) more effective - See more at: http://www.arestin.com/effectiveness/#sthash.cLr62blg.dpuf

FDA Approves Abraxane Drug for Pancreatic Cancer

ABRAXANE® for Injectable Suspension: (paclitaxel protein-bound particles) for Injectable Suspension.

The albumin serves as a delivery vehicle, improving the transportation of the drug to the target cancer sites.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved the use of Abraxane in those patients suffering from end-stage pancreatic cancer. Based upon clinical trials, the novel drug should help to extend life expectancy and, hopefully, provide a better quality of life.

Paclitaxel is one of several cytoskeletal drugs hat target tubulin. Paclitaxel-treated cells have defects in mitotic spindle assembly, chromosome segregation, and cell division. Unlike other tubulin-targeting drugs that inhibit microtubule assembly, paclitaxel stabilizes the microtubule polymer and protects it from disassembly. Chromosomes are thus unable to achieve a metaphase spindle configuration. This blocks progression of mitosis, and prolonged activation of the mitotic checkpoint triggers apoptosis or reversion to the G-phase of the cell cycle without cell division.