Monthly Archives: February 2014

Innovative Therapies for treating diseases are being sought after with fresh vigor as new targets, approaches and biology is discovered. Improved health care, nutrition and preventive medicine in the last few decades have all helped in increasing the life expectancy WW. However, this has not translated into any reduction in the incidence or prevalence of chronic or critical illnesses! On the contrary the incidence of chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, arthritis etc. as well as cancer and the maladies associated…

While targeting unmet needs in the treatment of hematological malignancies/ cancer through innovative drug development strategies have witnessed favorable outcomes, the specific choice of the therapies is dependent on the identification of important genomic alterations in cancerous cells that allow for the tumor’s sub classification. Over the past decade, Proteasome inhibitor and the immunomodulatory drugs have become the cornerstone of treatment for pts with Multiple Myeloma (MM) resulting in improved survival. However, eventually, all pts relapse and use of modern…

Over the last decades, therapeutic options for Plaque Psoriasis (PsO) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) have expanded considerably and improved patients’ pain, function, and quality of life. Approved biologics fill in a critical unmet need of limited efficacy of DMARDs; however, as in most cases one drug does not fit the bill for all the patients. The lack of targeted immune therapies other than TNF-α inhibitors in Psoriasis signals opportunities for drug developers to bring agents to market that offer treatment…

Targeting unmet needs in the treatment of cancer/ hematological malignancies through innovative drug development strategies have witnessed favorable outcomes. Over the past decade, Proteasome inhibitor, Velcade (bortezomib) and the immunomodulatory drugs – Thalomid (thalidomide) and Revlimid (lenalidomide) have become the cornerstone of treatment for patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) resulting in improved survival. However, eventually all patients relapse and new treatment options for Relapsed/ Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM) are required to further improve survival and quality of life of this…

XTANDI (Enzalutamide) – Does it have potential to compete against ARN-509 in earlier setting?Zytiga (Abiraterone Acetate) – Ongoing Combination trials creates potential beyond Patent Expiry In recent past approval and launch of various newer treatment options like Xtandi (Enzalutamide, Astellas/Medivation), Zytiga (Abiraterone acetate, JNJ), Jevtana (Cabazitaxel, Sanofi), & Xofigo (radium Ra 223, Boehringer Ingelheim) has evolved the treatment paradigm of treating late stage prostate cancer. In coming years, we expect this to repeat in early stage prostate cancer treatment (nmCRPC,…

With three products and eight players already in market – Japan biosimilar market will enter new phase of biosimilars with first ‘mab’ approval expected in 2014. This approval (Remicade- FY03/13A sales ¥73.5, infiximab from Nippon Kayaku by YE 14) will be marked as a milestone development because – 1.) it will open antibody biosimilar market in Japan, and 2.) the approval will be based largely from overseas data. ~ ¥200b worth of biologic products is going off patent by 2015…

Pain is the leading cause of disability in the US, affecting more than cancer, diabetes and heart disease combined. Current analgesics for persistent pain are relatively ineffective, are associated with significant adverse effects or abuse liability, and do not reduce pain in all treated individuals. Opioids (e.g., morphine, codeine, oxycodone) are currently one of the most potent groups of analgesics used clinically, with prescriptions increasing by 50% over the past 10 years for chronic, non-cancer pain. However, there is clear…