science wire

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation finalizes settlement agreement resolving civil suit filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York Novartis Pharmaceutica

Regulatory submission for Sandoz' proposed biosimilar pegfilgrastim accepted by the FDA Sandoz demonstrates commitment to oncology by seeking approval for its proposed biosimilar pegfilgrastim.

Ultibro Breezhaler met primary endpoint and demonstrated superiority to Seretide in reducing COPD exacerbations during 52 weeks of treatment   First large-scale study to confirm Ultibro Breezhaler is an effective steroid-free option that both reduces exacerbations and improves lung function in COPD patients with one or more exacerbations in the past year, compared to Seretide   Full FLAME study results to be shared in 2016 Basel, November 17, 20

Nearly 65% of eyes treated with personalized topography-guided LASIK experienced 20/16 vision or better in clinical study   Alcon is the first refractive laser manufacturer to receive FDA approval fo

New two year data for Novartis' Cosentyx show sustained response and no progression in spinal damage as shown by x-ray in up to 80% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis A sub-study showed up to 80% of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients treated with Cosentyx had no radiographic progression in the spine over two years   Cosentyx demonstrated a sustained response for signs and symptoms of AS in anti-TNF naïve patients with around 80%* achievin

New x-ray assessment data, from a sub-study, showed no progression of joint structural damage in the majority of patients with psoriatic arthritis over two years Psoriatic arthritis patients on Cosentyx maintained treatment response in joint and skin disease, physical function and quality of life over two years Cosentyx is the first interleukin-17A inhibitor to demonstrate efficacy in Phase III studies of patients with psoriatic arthritis , The

Solid growth (cc ) in Q3 sales, core operating income, core EPS for continuing operations Net sales were USD 12.3 billion (-6%, +6% cc) Operating income was USD 2.2 billion (-18%, +2% c

Novartis receives positive CHMP opinion for the first IL-17A inhibitor Cosentyx(TM) to treat ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis Cosentyx (secukinumab) is recommended for approval in Europe for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients   Cosentyx demonstrated rapid onset of action and long-term sustainability in patients with and without prior treatment using anti-tumor-necrosis-factor (anti-T

With four programs currently in clinical trials and five more expected to enter the clinic by the end of 2016, Novartis has rapidly built a robust portfolio of programs focused on stimulating the body's immune system to combat cancers.

The groin is the usual access point for investigating or treating the heart with a catheter, but using the wrist as access point reduces bleeding and lowers mortality. These findings are from an international study with major involvement from the University of Bern published today in the Lancet. About 46,000 cardiac catheterizations are carried out each year in Switzerland; about 22,000 of involve treatments of coronary vessels.

Novartis Access is a first-of-its-kind portfolio of products aimed at increasing access to medicines against cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory illnesses and breast cancer in lowand low-m

Novartis presents new data showing that the majority of patients are able to maintain clear or almost clear skin with Cosentyx across 3 years Late-breaking data at EADV show that 8 out of 10 of psori

Long-term efficacy of Gilenya reinforced by new 'no evidence of disease activity' (NEDA-4) analysis in MS patients over seven years NEDA-4 - no evidence of disease activity based on four parameters - relapses, MRI lesions, brain shrinkage and disability progression - is a comprehensive measure of MS disease control   31.2% to 44.8% of patients continuously treated with Gilenya in the FREEDOMS core and extension trials achieved NEDA

AcrySof IQ Aspheric Intraocular Lens (IOL) with UltraSert TM Pre-loaded Delivery System helps maintain integrity of incision while facilitating smooth IOL delivery   Follows earlier FDA approval of AcrySof IQ ReSTOR +2.

Etanercept is an anti-TNF medicine used to treat a range of immunological diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

When cells from the connective tissue collide, they repel one another - this phenomenon was discovered more than 50 years ago. It is only now, however, that researchers at the University of Basel have discovered the molecular basis for this process, as they report in the journal Developmental Cell. Their findings could have important implications for cancer research.

In the FUTURE 1 study, secukinumab showed rapid and significant efficacy in active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, including improvement of skin and joint disease and reduction in progression of joint structural damage Clinical benefits with secukinumab observed in patients with previous treatment with standard of care anti-TNF therapy and those without prior treatment Secukinumab is the first IL-17A inhibitor to report positive Phase III re

Phase III data showed median overall survival of 25.6 months in patients with BRAF+ V600E/K metastatic melanoma who received Tafinlar + Mekinist Tafinlar + Mekinist combination also demonstrat

In pivotal study, everolimus reduced risk of disease progression by 52%; showed 11.0-month median progression-free survival vs 3.9 months for placebo Advanced, progressive, nonfunctional neuroendocrine tumors of GI or lung origin are rare forms of cancer with poor prognoses and limited treatment options ,[3, RADIANT-4 results highlighted at key European cancer congress; worldwide regulatory filings are underway Basel, September 27,

Positive opinion from EU review body puts Entresto on track to be approved for HFrEF patients across Europe likely by year end Entresto was studied in world's largest heart failure trial which was stopped early on strength of results that showed a 20% cut in cardiovascular deaths vs enalapril Every day 10,000 Europeans are diagnosed with heart failure and 15 million already live with the condition, facing a high risk of death and poor quality of

New leader to continue to drive long-term innovation in Novartis research in wide range of therapeutic areas Basel, September 24, 2015 - Novartis announced today that Dr. James (Jay) E.

24. EPFL scientists have found that combining antidepressants with anticoagulants slows down brain tumors (gliomas) in mice. Gliomas are aggressive brain tumors arising from the brain's supporting glial cells. They account for about a third of all brain tumors, and hold the highest incidence and mortality rate among primary brain cancer patients, creating an urgent need for effective treatments.

Decision by Swiss Health Authority follows US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Entresto in July, serves as an important reference approval for multiple other health authorities   Entresto is  indicated in Switzerland to reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction   People with heart failure face high risk of death and poor quality of life, with only half al

Neural stem cells generate new neurons throughout life in the mammalian brain. However, with advancing age the potential for regeneration in the brain dramatically declines. Scientists of the University of Zurich now identified a novel mechanism of how neural stem cells stay relatively free of aging-induced damage.

During their formation within the cells, many proteins rely on the assistance of protectors, so-called chaperones. They help the proteins to fold correctly and thus ensure the right final structure. The roles of chaperones in membrane protein folding have long remained unclear. Researchers at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, and at ETH Zurich now show how chaperones stabilize an immature bacterial membrane protein and guide it in the right folding direction, thus protecting it from misfolding.

During their formation within the cells, many proteins rely on the assistance of molecular protectors, so-called chaperones. They help the proteins to fold correctly and thus ensure the right final structure. The roles of chaperones in membrane protein folding have long remained unclear. Researchers at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, and at ETH Zurich have now shown how chaperones stabilize an immature bacterial membrane protein and guide it in the right folding direction, thus protecting it from misfolding.

Farydak (panobinostat) combination is approved in the EU for patients with multiple myeloma who received >= 2 prior regimens including bortezomib and IMiD In clinical trials, Farydak combination i

Launch follows March 6, 2015 FDA approval Sandoz One Source TM offers patient support services The digital press release with multimedia content can be accessed here:   Holzkirchen, September 3, 2015 - Sandoz, a Novartis company, announced today that Zarxio(TM) (filgrastim-sndz) is now available in the United States.

Revolade is the first approved therapy in the EU for patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) who have not responded to other treatments   Patients living with SAA, a rare blood disorder, have limi

02. Esther Amstad and an international team of researchers have developed a method to increase the solubility of poorly soluble substances, such as many of the newly developed drugs. "Each year, pharmaceutical companies refuse many drugs during early stages of their development because of their poor solubility in the body which prevents their efficient uptake by the human body" explains Esther Amstad.

The companies plan to co-develop and co-commercialize a BACE inhibitor program in Alzheimer's Disease (AD); Novartis' oral therapy CNP520 will be the lead molecule   Novartis and Amgen also plan to c

Approval based on two Phase III studies demonstrating statistically significant overall survival benefit with combination therapy vs BRAF inhibitor monotherapy   Targeted combination offers BRAF V600

New five-year commitment includes donation of treatments worth more than USD 40 million and is expected to reach an estimated 1.3 million patients Novartis Foundation's new leprosy tracing pro

New oral suspension formulation, designed for younger children with rare blood disorder, is now approved   For about one in four children with ITP, the condition persists for more than 12 months afte

Novartis strengthens multiple sclerosis focus with the addition of Ofatumumab to leading MS portfolio which includes Gilenya and investigational treatments BAF312 and CJM112 Ofatumumab is a fully hum

Approval follows positive CHMP opinion based on pivotal Phase II study showing durable objective response rate per central review of 56% in patients with laBCC   Basal cell carcinoma is the most comm

Pivotal Phase II study showed Roche's investigational immunotherapy atezolizumab shrank tumours in people with a specific type of lung cancer Roche will discuss results with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of atezolizumab's Breakthrough Therapy Designation in lung cancer Roche today announced that in the large pivotal Phase II study, BIRCH, the investigational cancer immunotherapy atezolizumab (MPDL3280A; anti-P

Novartis is spinning off three mid stage clinical assets to Mereo for further development in exchange for equity Novartis will have a stake in the success of the development of these compounds, inclu

Every addiction is characterized by a strong desire for a certain addictive substance, be it nicotine, alcohol or other drug. Researchers at the University of Basel recently conducted a study on heroin addiction and demonstrated that the stress hormone cortisol can reduce addictive cravings. The findings from the research have been published in the medical journal Translational Psychiatry.

Approval is based on pivotal Phase II study in which objective response rate (ORR) in patients with laBCC was 58%; responses were durable   Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer,

If approved, Revolade would be the first treatment option in its class in the EU for certain patients with SAA   Approximately 40% of SAA patients unresponsive to initial immunosuppressive therapy (I

CHMP positive opinion for EU approval of Tafinlar and Mekinist combination in BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer   FDA grants priority review for full appro

Sales , core operating income and core EPS grew (cc ) for continuing operations in Q2: Net sales amounted to USD 12.7 billion (-5%, +6% cc) Operating income was USD 2.3 billion (-28%,

WHO prequalified Coartem 80/480mg is the first and only  high strength malaria treatment available for donor-funded public sector procurement   Coartem 80/480mg reduces the pill burden for patients,

In a pivotal study, Roche's investigational immunotherapy atezolizumab shrank tumours in people with a specific type of bladder cancer Results showed that high levels of PD-L1 expression were associated with greater responses to atezolizumab Roche will discuss results with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of atezolizumab's Breakthrough Therapy Designation in bladder cancer Roche today announced that in the IMvigo

Novartis' new heart failure medicine LCZ696, now called Entresto(TM), approved by FDA to reduce risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization First in the world approval brings hope

New features of the ViaOpta apps, previously available for iPhone and Android TM mobile phones, are also available to enhance the daily lives of people with visual impairments   These apps foster ind

In the FUTURE 2 study, secukinumab demonstrated rapid onset of action, was significantly superior to placebo in improving signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), with efficacy sustained over one year   Secukinumab is the first IL-17A inhibitor to significantly improve joint and skin symptoms of PsA, and provides physical functioning and quality of life benefits Global regulatory submissions have been filed for secukinumab in PsA and ank