Exelon Patch to treat Alzheimer's disease
A newly discovered treatment for Alzheimer's disease has gained approval in the U.S. The promising once-daily Exelon Patch, produced by an England-based company Novartis, is designed to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The Exelon Patch maintains steady drug levels in the bloodstream for a 24-hour period. Tests have endorsed the effectiveness of Exelon Patch. Users will benefit in terms of memory and ability to carry out routine tasks. Commenting on the new discovery, James Shannon, head of development at Novartis said, "The Exelon Patch addresses an important medical need by delivering a proven drug in an entirely new form that meets the needs of patients and their caregivers." It is speculated that drug will be available at U.S. pharmacies in the near future.
Nova Southeastern University to build research center
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) will build a new 208,000-square-foot research center on its Davie Campus. It will be one of the largest wet labs in the state, said university spokesperson Ken Ma. The lab will allow research scientists to work with chemicals, perform animal testing, and formulate new medications. The new center will be named the Center for Collaborative Research and will house the Rumbaugh-Goodwin Institute for Cancer Research, investigators from the Health Professions Division and Oceanographic Center, and the U.S. Geological Survey. In other NSU news, the school will launch new graduate programs in the next year in an effort to expand research capablities, according to Fred Lippman, chancellor of NSU's health professions division.
Goodwin Biotechnology joins Menarini Group for production of Abagovomab
Florida-based Goodwin Biotechnology, Inc. (GBI), and Italy-based Menarini Group have announced the successful completion of their joint venture to produce the monoclonal antibody Abagovomab. The antibody is at the heart of Menarini Group's pioneering ovarian cancer vaccine, now in phase-III clinical studies around the world. The monoclonal antibody, manufactured by GBI in accordance with U.S. and European requirements, will be used in the primary stages of a multi-center clinical trial known as Monoclonal Antibody Immunotherapy for Malignancies of the Ovary by Subcutaneous Abagovomab (MIMOSA). In an attempt to prevent the reappearance of tumors and prolong survival, Abagovomab will be administered as a maintenance therapy after surgery and first-line platinum + taxane chemotherapy. Nearly 900 women will be enrolled in the MIMOSA study throughout the world, and treatment will be provided at more than 120 highly specialized clinical sites.
