ScienceHandy

Lipitor patent expires, all eyes on Ranbaxy generic

2011-12-15T12:22:00.000+05:30

For the Ranbaxy brass, the past week must have been the toughest in their career as they attempted to patch up with the drug regulator of United States to facilitate the exclusive launch of a low-cost version of Pfizer’s blockbuster drug Lipitor, after its patent protection expired on November 30, in the US.

An approval from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) was the only hurdle before Ranbaxy, the generic company that had successfully challenged Lipitor patent and secured a six-month exclusive right to sell the low-cost version of the $10.7-billion medicine in the US market after patent expiry, to monetise this opportunity.

Ranbaxy is expected to earn $600 million if it manages to sell the Lipitor generic, exclusively for six months.

Watson, the company other than Pfizer and Ranbaxy that can market a low-cost Lipitor by virtue of an agreement with Pfizer during the exclusivity period, announced the launch of its product on Wednesday. Unlike Ranbaxy, Watson did not require FDA approval, as the company was merely marketing the medicine produced and supplied by Pfizer.

Pfizer has also reduced the price of Lipitor to minimise the effect of the shift in prescriptions to the low-cost versions.

Ranbaxy’s ability for timely launch of this product came under doubt after two of its manufacturing facilities in India (one of which was to supply Lipitor generic) were placed under an export restriction in 2008 after the FDA raised some serious compliance issues. As a result, all new product approvals from these plants were put on hold and export of 30 drugs banned.

Now, it is the turn of Ranbaxy to secure approval and start shipping its version of Lipitor, the cheapest among the three, to the US market. Analysts expect the drug to fetch $600 million in six months, though the sheen of its profits may fade if the company pays a good portion of that as penalty to FDA to secure marketing approval.

The company had not announced the status of FDA approval till we went to press.

“Half of the revenues from Lipitor generic sales will be profit for Ranbaxy. However, it is a one-time opportunity and will not have a positive impact on the long-term performance of the company,” said Ranjit Kapadia, an analyst with Centrum Broking.

“Ranbaxy may miss a few days if the (FDA) approval comes late, but it will not impact the (six month) period of exclusivity, as its product exclusivity will kick in only from the day the company launches its product in the US,” said an industry expert, who did not wished to be named.

According to him, what will help Ranbaxy is the specific clause in the Medicare Modernisation Act (passed by the United States in 2003), which excludes all six-month exclusivity approvals gained before the enactment of the law from its stipulations. The MMA has detailed mention of the conditions under which a drug company may have to forfeit its six month marketing exclusivity if it fails to get necessary approvals on time. The Ranbaxy Lipitor challenge predates MMA.

Ranbaxy and its majority stake holder, Japanese drug major Daiichi Sankyo, had repeatedly expressed confidence over their ability to monetise the six month market exclusivity.

Ranbaxy’s approval status remaining a question, the industry was abuzz over the various marketing strategies the company might have looked at to minimise the loss of its exclusive marketing opportunity.

Daiichi Sankyo, in a recent communication, had stated Ranbaxy will start selling Lipitor generic in the US from November 30.

Earlier reports also had hinted that the company plans to manufacture the drug at its site in New Brunswick, New Jersey, US with raw materials sourced from approved sources.

Meanwhile, Pfizer hopes to hold on to the brand popularity by announcing patient friendly schemes to make consumers stick to their version of the drug even after the introduction of a low-cost variant.

The company has also, as noted earlier, authorised US-based generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals to sell the “authorised generic” of Lipitor after patent expiry. US laws permit the patent holder to allow one such “authorised generic” to be marketed during the six-month exclusivity period.

Update 1:Patent enforceability US Case (Temodar)

2010-11-09T22:42:00.000+05:30

CAFC reversed district court's findings on patent enforceability of 5,260,291 (assigned to schering)

(CAFC decision)

I have already blogged on this (Link 1) (Link 2)

News today: Settlement & Litigations

2010-04-01T22:28:00.005+05:30

1) Sanofi settlement with generic drug companies - Oxaplatin [Link]

2) Eli Lilly - Gemcitabine district court decision; Product patent (4808614) held valid and MOT patent (5464826) held invalid [Link]

3) In case between Teva/Duramed Vs Watson, District court of Nevada granted Teva summary judgement on validity of patent [7,320,969] pertaining to Seasonique (Women contraceptive: Levonorgestrol and ethinyl estradiol) [Link]

Update:Patent enforceability US Case (Temodar)

2010-03-17T19:42:00.005+05:30

Teva, in press release, said that the parties to the patent litigation of Barr vs Schering related to Temodar [temozolomide] have entered into an agreement pending resolution of Schering’s appeal to the Federal Circuit of the U.S. District Court’s decision holding the ‘291 Patent unenforceable.

Under the terms of the agreement, subject to limited exceptions, Teva will only market a generic product should the Federal Circuit uphold the District Court’s decision. Furthermore, the agreement grants Teva the right to commence selling its generic product as of August 2013, during the period of Schering’s pediatric exclusivity.

Earlier Post [Link]

Patent enforceability US Case [CRCT Vs Barr]

2010-01-31T17:11:00.009+05:30

Temodar [temozolomide] is marketed by Merck/Schering and is used for treatment of brain cancer [glioblastoma multiforme and refractory anaplastic astrocytoma]. Barr Pharma had filed ANDA seeking approval to market generic version of temozolomide. As the product patent has not expired and listed in Orange book, Barr has filed ANDA with PIV certification on product patent.

Product patent details

Patent No: US 5,260,291; Assignee: Cancer Research technology UK Ltd

Title: Tetrazine derivatives

US Expiry date: Aug 11, 2013

Patent claims original priority of first application filing date: 23/08/1982 and patent term extended around 3 years

Merck Schering is exclusive licensee of this patent ['291]

Upon filing ANDA with PIV certification on product patent, CRT has sued Barr (Teva) and consequently ANDA approval stayed for 30 months. In complaint, CRT argued that Barr's ANDA will infringe claims '291 patent. In answers, Barr has raised enforceability of '291 patent.

Defendant argument on Patent unenforceability

1) Doctrine of prosecution laches: This patent application's prosecution involves 11 patent application and 10 abandonment is unreasonable delay and no substantive prosecution for decades.

2) Inequitable conduct: Applicant was in possession of Human clinical trial data during the patent application prosecution and withheld from PTO

Court agrees on both arguments of defender by analyzing various facts and evidences submitted during trial.

Merck will appeal this decision

Links

[Teva Press release] [Merck press release] [District court decision]

Erlotinib Indian Case

2010-01-13T21:30:00.006+05:30

Erlotinib Case Summary

Erlotinib is marketed by OSI Pharma in US and by Roche in non US areas.

Pre grant opposition of product patent 537/DEL/1996

[Natco Vs Pfizer]

Erlotinib infringement case:

Erlotinib product patent is granted in India [Patent No:IN196774, Application No:537/DEL/1996] equivalent to US 5747498. Cipla announced launch of generic version of Tarceva [Erlotinib]. Roche sued Cipla in Delhi High court for infringement of product patent ['774] and to grant injunction to market cipla product.

Injunction was denied to Roche

[Lower Bench; Ravinder Bhatt decision] [Appeal Higher bench; S. Muralitharan]

Pre grant oppositions of Polymorph related patents

OSI has filed to two patent applications, which are equivalent to US 6900221

IN/PCT/2002/507/DEL [Cipla Vs OSI] granted as ??

IN/PCT/2002/497/DEL [Cipla Vs OSI] granted as ??

Power Plants for Liver Diseases

2010-01-06T16:52:00.000+05:30

1. Karisalankanni:

Botanical Name: Eclipta prostrata
Used for treatment of:
 Liver disease (herb of choice for liver diseases)
 Ulcer
 Jaundice
 Fatty liver
 Splenomegaly
 Hemorrhoids and
 Indigestion

Source: http://ayurvedichomeremedies.blogspot.com/2007/11/liver-and-ayurveda.html

2. Kizhanelli:

Botanical Name: Phyllanthus Nruri
Family: Euphorliaceae
Hindi: Buin anvalah, Jar – amla
Telugu: Nelavusari
Tamil: Kizha Nelli, Kizkhai Nelli, Kilkkay nelli, Kizvai nelli
Used for treatment of:
 Jaundice
 Gonorrhea
 Urinary tract
 Frequent menstruation
 Dysentery
 Diabetes
 hepatitis B
 Also antifungal, antiviral, and anticancerous properties

Source: http://ayurvedham.com/english/tag/keezhanelli

NDA and BLA approvals by US FDA – November 2009

2009-12-24T16:43:00.003+05:30

1. Only one New molecular entity (NME) has been approved by FDA in this month.
 Drug Name: ISTODAX
 Company: Gloucester Pharms
 Active ingredient: ROMIDEPSIN
 Review Class: Standard review drug

2. Four new formulations has been approved as shown below:
 Drug Name: LYSTEDA
 Company: Xanodyne Pharm
 Active ingredient: TRANEXAMIC ACID
 Review Class: Priority review drug

 Drug Name: NEXCEDE
 Company: Novartis
 Active ingredient: KETOPROFEN
 Review Class: Standard review drug

 Drug Name: REVATIO
 Company: Pfizer
 Active ingredient: SILDENAFIL CITRATE
 Review Class: Standard review drug

 Drug Name: PENNSAID
 Company: Nuvo Res
 Active ingredient: DICLOFENAC SODIUM
 Review Class: Standard review drug

3. One drug which is already in market (with out approval from FDA) for approved.
 Drug Name: QUTENZA
 Company: Neurogesx
 Active ingredient: CAPSAICIN
 Review Class: Standard review drug

4. A drug with out any NDA chemical type classification is also approved by US FDA
 Drug Name: KALBITOR
 Company: Dyax Corp
 Active ingredient: ECALLANTIDE
 Review Class: Unspecified

Generic Drug Approvals by FDA - November 2009

2009-12-18T17:25:00.001+05:30

A quick view on the Generic drug approvals by US FDA this month (Nov'09).

1. Akorn Inc and Alcon Inc has obtained two generic drug approvals this year for KETOROLAC TROMETHAMINE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION (0.4%, 0.5%); Notably, Apotex Inc and Sun Pharma has obtained one approval each (0.4%, 0.5% respectively) for the same drug.

2. One of the generic drug competitor, Barr Laboratories have got an approval on NORETHINDRONE ACETATE AND ETHINYL ESTRADIOL TABLETS (1 MG/0.005 MG)

3. Another generic drug competitor, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Matrix laboratories have obtained approval for LANSOPRAZOLE DELAYED-RELEASE CAPSULES (15 MG and 30 MG)

4. The Indian pharma company, Aurobindo Pharma and Roxane laboratories, Ivax Pharmaceuticals (a subsidiary of Teva) have got nod for PERINDOPRIL ERBUMINE TABLETS (2 MG, 4 MG and 8 MG)

5. Par pharmaceuticals got approval for TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE EXTENDED-RELEASE TABLETS (100 MG and 200 MG)

6. The drug, NICARDIPINE HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION (2.5 MG/ML; PACKAGED IN 25 MG/10 ML) was approved for Generamedix Inc, Pharmaforce Inc, Vavinta LLC, Sun pharma and Wockhardt Ltd.

7. NIZATIDINE ORAL SOLUTION (15 MG/ML) was approved to Amneal Pharmaceuticals.

Patent, Patenting and business

2009-12-13T18:02:00.004+05:30

Patents are the concept which was originated to protect the investment made to make inventive, novel and not known technical development for benefiting people and/or society. This is an agreement between government and inventor (Or assignee) to grant exclusive rights for bring developed, novel benefiting innovation to people and to protect your money investment made to make such innovation. The granted rights are like physical property, could be sold to anyone. This patent right is valid to limited time duration (Normally 20 years). Patents enhance industrial growth by protecting huge money involved in research and development.

Patents and their governing laws are very different from country to country, since each country has their own way of interpreting and also depends countries' industrial growth and requirement. Before 2005, India have not had granted product patent for pharmaceutical/agrochemical innovations, to protect India's generic industry.

In the name of globalization, to protect foreign investments and exploring new markets, many international agreements and co-operations, were established

1) Paris conventions

2)Patent cooperation treaty (by WIPO; UN)

3) TRIPS (by WTO; UN)

4) Regional treaty like

European patent convention (EPC), Eurasian patent organization (EAPO), The cooperation council for the arab states of the Gulf (GCC), African regional intellectual property organization (ARIPO), African intellectual property organization (OAPI).

TRIPS agreement is major break through to bring minimum standards in countries' patent/IP and related laws to enhance international business activities in unexplored big markets like many asian countries, africa, latin america and like.

New Developments are

1) patent prosecution highway (PPH) cooperation between large volume patent offices to prevent repeated work

2) Community patent for European union (enhanced version for EPC)

3) IP5 (joined project by major 5 IP offices)

Disclaimer:

there may be some errors since these are my personal views on patent and related law

Data Exclusivity India

2009-12-06T21:20:00.007+05:30

Introducing data exclusivity in indian system is now hot topic. Data Exclusivity is a kind of protection granted for safety and efficacy data established during clinical trials, which is submitted by drug companies to regulatory agencies for evaluation and subsequently for approval.

Duration of Exclusivity varies from country to country, normally 5 to 10 years. During this exclusivity time no generic players dossier will be accepted by agency for approval. This exclusivity protects innovator companies' interest on investment made for clinical studies for particular drug/drug product regardless of patent protection. This protection is granted by regulatory agencies.

For more details on data exclusivity, please refer Link 1, Link 2

As of now, India does not provide any data exclusivity to innovator companies. Being a member country in WTO, this is the obligation for India to introduce such protection to protect interest of large/innovator companies as a part of TRIPS agreement.

Recently as per news articles on Economics time and business standard, WTO and Health ministry conducting questionnaire to introduce data exclusivity in Indian system of drug approval.

Indian pharmaceutical alliance (IPA) is a group of indian pharmaceutical companies, has raised objection on this issue.

To note, India has introduced product patent protection to chemical/pharmaceutical patents as a part of TRIPS agreement on 2005.

Economics times [Link] Business standard [Link]

News Update:

ipkat post on data exclusivity in EU [Link]

FDA nods for access to investigational drugs

2009-12-03T17:55:00.000+05:30

FDA nods access to the investigational drugs that are not yet approved by FDA to seriously ill patients interested in gaining access to investigational drugs and biologics when they are not eligible to participate in a clinical trial and don’t have other satisfactory treatment options.

Closing Conference of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009

2009-12-03T14:32:00.000+05:30

A conference on Creativity and Innovation 2009 in Sweden will be held on 16th-17th December 2009.

The conference is handled by The International Programme Office for Education and Training, in collaboration with the Government Office of Sweden.

"The conference aims to provide a forum for European policy-makers and stakeholders to share and reflect on experiences related to creativity and innovation growth. The event will also highlight successful examples of innovation activities presented at various events across the Europe over the past year."

For address and further information on the conference, please visit here: http://www.programkontoret.se/sv/Languages/English/Conferences-during-the-Presidency-of-the-EU/Closing-Conference-of-the-European-Year-of-Creativity-and-Innovation-2009/

USD600000

2009-11-27T13:00:00.003+05:30

Goal Zero has got its US design patent as a Milestone patent – USD600000 issued by USPTO on September 15, 2009. The patent disclose, design of a battery system that works in conjunction with a solar briefcase that recharges the system using sunlight. The patent copy was presented to Robert Workman, the CEO of Goal Zero by Secretary Kappos and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

Source: USPTO annual report 2009

Intellectual Property Monetization

2009-11-27T12:52:00.001+05:30

A process of extracting value from Intellectual Property is termed as IP Monetization. The process involves research on the patented technology in order to raise partnership/collaboration, licensing the technology. In other words, the service provides a single platform to extract revenue/value from its IP portfolio.

According to TTC groups, the service includes,

- Thorough technology and market assessments for commercial/investor interest
- Evaluation and recommendation of appropriate funding scenarios and deal structure:

- Valuation of up-front investment, milestone payments, maintenance fees royalty structure, etc.
- Create detailed pro-forma financial models with scenario analyses, incorporating market models into revenue build
- Packaging commercial strategy and value propositions for recommended capital vehicle and deal structure, including preparation of robust business/development plan(s) to support raise, accompanied by non-confidential and confidential marketing materials
- Developing the funding strategy and contact lists
- Assembly of Offering Memorandum documents; review by legal counsel and auditors, as needed
- Presentation of investment opportunity to targeted investors/strategic partners
- Negotiation of deal terms with interested investors
- Search and recommend CEO/CFO/Senior management, as appropriate
- Search and recruit Scientific Advisory Board, as appropriate
- Search and recruit Board of Directors from non-investors, as appropriate
- Executing the commercial strategy—including dimensionalizing the technology and value propositions, and packaging the corporate entity—in an ongoing manner intended to increase valuation, engineer consent amongst gatekeeper constituents and steward the evolution of the company and its technology portfolio

USPTO Annual Report 2009

2009-11-27T12:26:00.001+05:30

USPTO has now released its Annual report - 2009.

Read it from here: http://www.uspto.gov/about/stratplan/ar/2009/2009annualreport.pdf

Abbott Vs. Medtronic

2009-07-31T11:18:00.002+05:30

Medtronic Inc will pay $400 million to Abbott Laboratories for infringing Abbott’s patent US5451233 on stent titled, “Angioplasty apparatus facilitating rapid exchanges” by marketing Xience.

Both the companies agreed not to sue each other over stents and stent-delivery systems for at least 10 years, Fridley-based Medtronic said Monday in a statement.

Recently Medtronic announced that paid J&J $270 million to settle all royalty disputes regarding certain stent patents.

Notably, late last month, a jury in Texas said Abbott should pay J&J’s Centocor unit $1.67 billion in royalties on the arthritis drug Humira, the biggest patent verdict in U.S. history. While Abbott is challenging the verdict, this is indeed good news to Abbott Laboratories.

Source: Morningstar, finance-commerce, Medicaldevicestoday

Merck's step-2 on Merck-Schering plough merger

2009-07-26T14:13:00.002+05:30

Merck, on 24th July'09 has proposed settlement of litigations involving between the two companies. The company explains that it has agreed to settle the suits in order to avoid further costs and inherent uncertainity of litigiation.

Details about the same published in Merck's website: www.merck.com

Kaye Scholer LLP

2009-07-26T13:03:00.004+05:30

Information on a U.S based LLP

Kaye Scholer LLP, is one of the leading pharma/biotech legal practitionar in the United States.

Expertise: Vast expertise in presenting complex patent cases to juries, employing full-time scientific advisors, former federal prosecutors and former patent examiners to reinforce the argument.

Recent Success: Kaye Scholer LLP has successfully defended a district court victory at the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in a patent infringement case for client Comdata Stored Value Solutions, Inc. On April 30, 2009, the Federal Circuit affirmed the decision of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, which had entered judgment in favor of Comdata and three other gift card companies in a patent infringement suit brought by the plaintiff Every Penny Counts, Inc. In affirming the district court, the Federal Circuit agreed that the patent-in-suit could not be construed to cover the purchase of a gift card.

Alan M. Fisch (Partner, Litigation, Washington Office) argued the appeal and was joined on the brief by team members Jason Hoffman, Coke Morgan Stewart (both Counsel, Litigation, Washington Office), Bill Sigler (Litigation, Washington Office), and Kevin Jakel (Litigation, Washington Office). This is the third Federal Circuit victory for Alan and his team in the last ten months.

Clients: Pfizer, Genentech, Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis, Purdue Pharma, Wyeth and Hoffmann-La Roche.

Client feedback: ‘ Kaye Scholer LLP is highly responsive, and sensitive to our budgetary needs’

Office Location: Washington DC, Shanghai, Palm Beach, New York, Los Angeles, London , Chicago and Frankfurt

Source of information:
http://www.legal500.com/firms/50515/offices/50335#
http://www.kayescholer.com/news/firm_news/20090501

Time lines of Indian Patent Act

2009-07-18T18:07:00.009+05:30

Time lines in Indian patent act

1) To file complete specification after provisional: within 12 months from the date of provisional filing

2) U/S 8 time within statement of undertaking (status of similar/equivalent applications in other countries) to be filed is "6 months from the date of application"

3) U/S 10 & U/R 13: Declaration of inventorship is to be filed within one month from the date of filing of complete specification

4) U/S 11A & U/R 24: publication of applications is ordinarily be 18 months from date of filing of application or date of priority date, whichever is earlier

5) U/S 11B & U/R 24B: Examination of applications: Request for examination is to be filed within 48 months from the date of filing of application or from the date of priority; whichever is earlier.

6) U/S 12 & U/R 24B (3): first examination report may be sent to applicant within 6 months from the date of request for examination or from the date of publication; whichever is later

7) U/S 16: Divisional applications may be filed, if applicant desired or as a remedy for objection raised in examination, "any time before the grant of patent"

8) U/S 21: Time to Application in order for grant is 12 months from the date of first examination report

9) U/S 25(1) & U/R 55: To file pre-grant opposition/representation: any time before the grant of patent; ordinarily no patent will be granted before 6 months from the date of publication.

10) U/S 25(2): To file post grant opposition: within one year from the date of publication of grant of patent

11) U/S 53: Term of patent is 20 years from the date of filing of application for the patent. [in case of PCT application, term of patent will be 20 years from the date of filing of international application, not from the date of indian national pahse application]

12) U/S 55: Term of patent of addition is equal to term of main patent

13) U/S 60: Application for restoration of ceased patent: within 18 months from the date of patent ceased to have effect.

14) U/S 61 & U/R 85 Opposition to restoration of patent: within two months from the date of publication of restoration

15) U/S 84: Compulsory license: any time after expiry of three years from the grant of patent

16) U/S 135: Convention Applications: within 12 months from the date of basic application

17) U/R 20 (4) (i): National phase application: within 31 months from the date of priority [U/R 20(2) no application will be processed before expiry of this time period]

What are Counterfeit Drugs?

2009-07-13T17:14:00.001+05:30

Drugs that are illegally imported to a country are termed as counterfeit drugs. These drugs are both dangerous and may potentially cause financial damages to the patent holder.

What are Gray Market Drugs?

2009-07-13T17:07:00.001+05:30

Drugs that are manufactured by the patent holder and exported to foreign market, and these drugs when re-sold into the US, they are referred to as Gray Market Drugs. These drugs are not counterfeit drugs.

Read it from site http://www.lventre.com/druginfr.html, written by Louis Ventre, Jr. The site is contentful and more interesting legal information is available in the site.

Defending an Infringement case

2009-07-13T16:52:00.001+05:30

I read an interesting article from a website “PatentandProperty” written by Kenneth B. Herman and Christopher J. Harnett.

The article provides a background on

the infringement case,
how to deal with the infringement case,
applicable rules,
safety measures and
success formulae with live example

For details, visit http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/mdd/v04/i07/html/07patents.html

(Re)search Astrazeneca Pipeline drugs Phase III

2009-07-12T20:29:00.001+05:30

Granted Pharma Patents on 10/07/2009

2009-07-12T06:44:00.001+05:30

The Indian Patent journal is published every week on Friday

Last Friday (10/07/2009) some important granted patents on pharma/biotech are published here

Novartis - Imatinib - India (High impact)

2009-07-06T20:35:00.009+05:30

Imatinib = wiki article

Novartis patent application on imatinib is rejected by IPAB

Reported - News in media

European (swiss) News Channels [1] [2]

Trading markets [Link]

SpicyIP post [1] [2]

Livemint [Link]

Deccan chronicle [Link]

Business standard [Link]

The Telegraph [Link]

Little About [Link]

Economics Times [Link]

Business line [Link]

Wall street journal [1] [2]

& in ipnewsflash repeatedly updated by various news channels

Livemint report is detailed & comprehensive

My previous post on this blog [Link]

An Historical Verdict!

2009-07-02T12:00:00.003+05:30

A case filed by Centocor -a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson against Abbott laboratory’s product, HUMIRA has turned in favor of Centocor. Abbott must now pay $1.67 billion as its HUMIRA infringes Centocor’s US7070775. That is, $1.17 billion for lost profits and $504 million as a reasonable royalty. The case was filed in 2007, and the verdict is awarded on 30th June’09 in Marshall, Texas.

Notably, Bayer has also filed a case late last year against Humira...

Source: http://thepriorart.typepad.com/the_prior_art/2009/06/centocor-v-abbott-ed-texas-jury-awards-largest-patent-verdict-ever.html

Chemical Databases

2009-06-17T12:19:00.002+05:30

Chemical Databases for Literature search

1. Chem Spider: http://www.chemspider.com/

2. Chem ID Plus: http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/chemidlite.jsp

3. Chem ID Plus-Advanced: http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/

Biomedical Databases

2009-06-17T12:09:00.006+05:30

Useful literature search sites for your research

Free Databases:

1. Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/

2. Hubmed: http://www.hubmed.org/

3. Scirus: http://www.scirus.com/

4. Medline Plus: http://medlineplus.gov/

5. National Rehabilitation Information Center: http://www.naric.com/public/default.cfm

6. ABLEDATA: http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=19327&sectionid=19327

7. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease: http://www.niams.nih.gov/

8. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

9. Protein Data Bank (RCSB): http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/home/home.do

10. NLM Gateway: http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/gw/Cmd

11. NLM Toxnet: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?HSDB

12. http://www.edqm.eu/site/page_581.php

13. US FDA: http://www.fda.gov/

14. Orange book -Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/docs/queryai.cfm

15. World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/medicines/en/

16. World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/pharmacopoeia/overview/en/index.html

17. NLM Toxnet: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/

18. Integrated Risk Information System: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?IRIS

19. Chemical Carcinogenesis Research Information System: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?CCRIS

20. Genetic Toxicology: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?GENETOX

21. LactaMed: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT

22. HOUSEHOLD PRODUCT DATABASE: http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/

23. Toxline: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?TOXLINE

24. Development and Reproductive Toxicology / Environmental Teratology Information Center: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?DARTETIC

25. PubChem Substance: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pcsubstance

26. PubChem Compound: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pccompound

27. PubChem BioAssay: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pcassay

28. Entrez Search: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/gquery

29. OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=OMIM

30. Genetic Database: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/ and http://www.genetests.org/

31. Testing laboratories for a rare disease or syndrome: http://www.orpha.net/consor/cgi-bin/home.php?Lng=IT

32. Evidence based medicine databases:
a. http://www.shef.ac.uk/scharr/ir/netting/
b. http://www.pedro.fhs.usyd.edu.au/index.html
c. http://www.rehabtrials.org/
d. Turning Research into Practice (TRIP): http://www.tripdatabase.com/index.html

33. Health Technology Assessment Databases:
a. INATHA – International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment http://www.inahta.org/Home/
b. http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/crdweb/

34. Health Service Research: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=hstat

35. Health Services Research Resources: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nichsr/hsrr_search/

36. Database Catalogs: http://databases.biomedcentral.com/browsecatalog and http://databases.biomedcentral.com/search

Share Market

2009-06-03T11:09:00.002+05:30

I came across an interesting blog on share market. The blog is written and maintained by Mr. K.R Vijay Ganesh from Salem, India. Most of the information is in Tamil language that facilitates the localites to learn shares.

His blog educates the basics of share market, stocastic (indicators), and information on time frame, MACD, camrilla equation and more. People familiar with tamil can use the website: http://krvijayganesh.wordpress.com/

Conotoxin- 1st May'09 to 31st May'09

2009-06-02T10:01:00.003+05:30

Researchers from Newraxon Inc, have invented an indole compond that can be used for Pain therapy. They have filed a patent for their invention that additionally claims that the invented indole compound can be combined with omega-conotoxin(Ziconotide)-sensitive N- type calcium channel antagonists.

The patent is a PCT application filed on 17th Nov'08 and is just been published on 22nd May'09.

Patent Number: WO2009062319 A1

Patent Title: INDOLE COMPOUNDS AND METHODS FOR TREATING VISCERAL PAIN

Assignee: NEURAXON, INC

Inventors:
MADDAFORD, Shawn
RAMNAUTH, Jailall
RAKHIT, Suman
PATMAN, Joanne
RENTON, Paul
ANNEDI, Subhash, C.
ANDREWS, John, S.
MLADENOVA, Gabriela

Singulair Patent Re-examination

2009-05-29T17:17:00.002+05:30

The U.S patent office is re-examining the patent on Merck's popular asthma treating drug , SINGULAIR. The product is worth $4.5 billion per year.

The USPTO ordered re-examination as requested by Article One Partners LLC, who are experts in identifying improperly issued patents (invalid patents).

If this patent document with actual expiry dated 2012 is invalidated, the generic drug manufacturers will pitch into the market to produce cheaper version of the drug.

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2009-05-27T13:52:00.002+05:30

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Conotoxin 1st May'09 to 31st May'09

2009-05-24T08:28:00.003+05:30

On 1st May'09, The University of Queensland, Australia has filed a patent in India for its alpha-conotoxin peptides

Application No: 8574/DELNP/2008

Title: CYCLISED ALPHA-CONOTOXIN PEPTIDES

Applicant: University of Queensland

Corresponding PCT: WO2007118270

Abstract: This invention relates to an oral or enteral pharmaceutical preparation comprising at least one synthetically cyclised alpha-conotoxinpeptide having an amide cyclised backbone such that the peptide has no free N- or C- terminus, said peptide having the ability toinhibit a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and comprising four cysteine resdues bonded in pairs to form two disulfide bonds, whereinthe N-terminus of the corresponding linear/non-cyclised conotoxin peptide is linked to the C-terminus by a peptide linker, in a vehiclewhich is pharmaceutically suitable for oral or enteral administration.

Conotoxin- 1st April'09 to 30th April'09

2009-05-20T16:36:00.002+05:30

alpha-Conotoxin AuIB in Water

Institute for Optoelectronics and Microsystems (ISOM) and ETSII, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM) presents shape, size, structure, conformational stability, and hydrodynamics of alpha-conotoxin AuIB from very long (0.5 mus) massively parallel molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in full atomistic detail.

The researcher have compared the simulation data with analytical predictions that strongly suggests that diffusivities of rigid biomolecules much larger than the alpha-conotoxin AuIB studied here can be obtained from the coarse-grained shape descriptor (ellipsoid) derived from relatively short MD simulations.

Source: Pubmed
Title: Detailed Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations of alpha-Conotoxin AuIB in Water.
PMID: 19309093

Conotoxin- 1st April'09 to 30th April'09

2009-05-18T15:54:00.003+05:30

A research publication in Toxicon from Renmin University of China suggest that "hydroxyproline residue is essential for the structure of conomarphin just like D-Phe13".

Dr. Huang et al, have published the article in the title, "Solution structure of Hyp10Pro variant of conomarphin, a cysteine-free and d-amino-acid containing conopeptide" that explains the unusual post-translational modification of conomarphin implies a unique selectivity of hydroxylation in toxin sequence.

Title: Solution structure of Hyp10Pro variant of conomarphin, a cysteine-free and d-amino-acid containing conopeptide.

Source: Pubmed

PMID: 19375441

Journal: Toxiocon

Conotoxin- 1st April'09 to 30th April'09

2009-05-18T15:40:00.003+05:30

Motagally et al from Queens University have published a literature on "Tumor necrosis factor {alpha} activates nuclear factor {kappa}B signalling to reduce N-type voltage-gated Ca2+ current in postganglionic sympathetic neurons" that was published in Journal of Physiology.

The article is based on characterizing the effect of overnight incubation in the inflammatory mediator TNFalpha (1 nM) on VGCC in dissociated neurons from mouse superior mesenteric ganglia (SMG).

Voltage-gated Ca2+ currents (ICa) were measured using the perforated patch clamp technique and the VGCC subtypes present in SMG neurons were estimated based on inhibition by selective VGCC blockers: omega-conotoxin GVIA (300 nM; N-type), nifedipine (10 muM; L-type), and omega-conotoxin MVIIC (300 nM; N, P/Q type).

Article Title: Tumor necrosis factor {alpha} activates nuclear factor {kappa}B signalling to reduce N-type voltage-gated Ca2+ current in postganglionic sympathetic neurons.

Inventor: Motagally MA, Lukewich MK, Chisholm SP, Neshat S, Lomax AE.

Source: Pubmed

PMID: 19403618

Conotoxin- 1st April'09 to 30th April'09

2009-05-16T15:11:00.002+05:30

A novel X-conntoxin peptide has been invented that is useful for prophylaxis or for the treatment of pain, inflammation, incontinence, cardiovascular conditions, mood disorders etc.

The novel peptide is invented by Dr. Richard Lewis; Dr. Paul Alewood; Dr. Dianne Alewood and Dr. Elka Palant. Xenome has filed an application for patenting the invention in Oct'08 and is been published in April'09.

The patent No: US20090088389 A1
Patent Title: NOVEL X-CONOTOXIN PEPTIDES (-II)

Conotoxin- 1st April'09 to 30th April'09

2009-05-16T15:00:00.003+05:30

Xenome is one of the leading companies in conotoxin research. The company has filed a patent application in the US in June'07, that has been recently published April'09. The inventor Dr. Richard J.Lewis is a well-known Proffesor, IMB- University of Queensland, researcher in the field of Molecular Pharmacology in particular conotoxin and pain pathways.

The invention disclose a synergistic combination of a selective inhibitor of the neuronal norepinephrine transporter and an analgesic agent (ω-conotoxin) in the therapeutic management of vertebrate animals, including humans, for the prevention or alleviation of pain, particularly moderate to severe pain.

Patent No: US20090105129 A1

Patent Title: Combination therapy

Source: USPTO

Partial compensation for N-type Ca(2+) channel loss by P/Q-type Ca(2+) channels underlines the differential release properties supported by these chan

2009-04-04T16:41:00.000+05:30

Authors: Ladera C, Martín R, Bartolomé-Martín D, Torres M, Sánchez-Prieto J.

Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.

N-type and P/Q-type Ca(2+) channels support glutamate release at central synapses. To determine whether the glutamate release mediated by these channels exhibits distinct properties, we have isolated each release component in cerebrocortical nerve terminals from wild-type mice by specifically blocking N-type Ca(2+) channels with omega-conotoxin-GVIA and P/Q-type Ca(2+) channels with omega-agatoxin-IVA. In addition, we have determined the release properties at terminals from mice lacking the alpha(1B) subunit of N-type channels (Ca(v) 2.2) to test the possibility that P/Q-type channels can compensate for the loss of N-type Ca(2+) channels. We recently demonstrated that, while evoked glutamate release depends on P/Q- and N-type channels in wild-type nerve terminals, only P/Q-type channels participate in these knockout mice. Moreover, in nerve terminals expressing solely P/Q-type channels, metabotropic glutamate receptor 7 (mGluR7) fails to inhibit the evoked Ca(2+) influx and glutamate release. Here, we show that the failure of mGluR7 to modulate evoked glutamate release is not due to a lack of receptors, as nerve terminals from mice lacking N-type Ca(2+) channels express mGluR7. Indeed, we show that other receptor responses, such as the inhibition of forskolin-induced release, are preserved in these knockout mice. N-type channels are more loosely coupled to release than P/Q-type channels in nerve terminals from wild-type mice, as reflected by the tighter coupling of release in knockout nerve terminals. We conclude that the glutamate release supported by N- and P/Q-type channels exhibits distinct properties, and that P/Q-type channels cannot fully compensate for the loss of N-type channels.

Source: Pubmed

Detailed Atomistic Molecular Dynamics Simulations of alpha-Conotoxin AuIB in Water

2009-04-04T16:38:00.000+05:30

Authors: Karayiannis NC, Laso M, Kröger M.

Institute for Optoelectronics and Microsystems (ISOM) and ETSII, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM), Jose Gutierrez Abascal 2, E-28006 Madrid, Spain.

We present results about the shape, size, structure, conformational stability, and hydrodynamics of alpha-conotoxin AuIB (a disulfide-rich peptide from the venom of Conus aulicus, recognized as a nicotinic acetylcholine antagonist with great pharmaceutical potential) from very long (0.5 mus) massively parallel molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in full atomistic detail. We extract coarse-grained descriptors of protein shape (ellipsoid), and of translational and rotational mobilities, i.e., the basic components at the lowest hierarchical level in a multiscale modeling strategy. Structural analysis reveals the folded conformation and asymmetric shape to be strongly favored for conotoxin. In accordance with experimental findings, conformational stability is observed and found to be linked to the presence of the alpha-helix along the 15 residues and to the existence of the two disulfide bonds. We find rotational (D(r)) and translational (D(t)) diffusivities to be suitable descriptors of coarse-grained dynamics, i.e., of the hydrodynamic behavior, and obtain D(r) = 3.62 (+/-0.17) x 10(8) s(- 1) and D(t) = 1.08 (+/-0.4) x 10(- 10) m(2) s(- 1). We further compare the MD-computed coarse-grained descriptors with first principles theoretical predictions based on the extended Hess-Doi Fokker-Planck approach which relates particle shape and dimensions to diffusion coefficients. An excellent agreement between simulation data and analytical predictions is observed for both dynamical descriptors. This comparison strongly suggests that diffusivities of rigid biomolecules much larger than the alpha-conotoxin AuIB studied here can be obtained from the coarse-grained shape descriptor (ellipsoid) derived from relatively short MD simulations.

Inhibition of transmitter release from rat sympathetic neurons via presynaptic M(1) muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.

2009-04-04T15:06:00.001+05:30

Authors: Kubista H, Kosenburger K, Mahlknecht P, Drobny H, Boehm S.

Centre of Biomolecular Medicine and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Background and purpose: M(2), M(3) and/or M(4) muscarinic acetylcholine receptors have been reported to mediate presynaptic inhibition in sympathetic neurons. M(1) receptors mediate an inhibition of K(v)7, Ca(V)1 and Ca(V)2.2 channels. These effects cause increases and decreases in transmitter release, respectively, but presynaptic M(1) receptors are generally considered facilitatory. Here, we searched for inhibitory presynaptic M(1) receptors. Experimental approach: In primary cultures of rat superior cervical ganglion neurons, Ca(2+) currents were recorded via the perforated patch-clamp technique, and the release of [(3)H]-noradrenaline was determined. Key results: The muscarinic agonist oxotremorine M (OxoM) transiently enhanced (3)H outflow and reduced electrically evoked release, once the stimulant effect had faded. The stimulant effect was enhanced by pertussis toxin (PTX) and was abolished by blocking M(1) receptors, by opening K(v)7 channels and by preventing action potential propagation. The inhibitory effect was not altered by preventing action potentials or by opening K(v)7 channels, but was reduced by PTX and omega-conotoxin GVIA. The inhibition remaining after PTX treatment was abolished by blockage of M(1) receptors or inhibition of phospholipase C. When [(3)H]-noradrenaline release was triggered independently of voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels (VACCs), OxoM failed to cause any inhibition. The inhibition of Ca(2+) currents by OxoM was also reduced by omega-conotoxin and PTX and was abolished by M(1) antagonism in PTX-treated neurons. Conclusions and implications: These results demonstrate that M(1), in addition to M(2), M(3) and M(4), receptors mediate presynaptic inhibition in sympathetic neurons using phospholipase C to close VACCs.

Source: Pubmed

Neuroprotective and cardioprotective conopeptides: an emerging class of drug leads.

2009-04-04T15:04:00.000+05:30

Authors: Twede VD, Miljanich G, Olivera BM, Bulaj G.

Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.

The peptides in the venoms of predatory marine snails belonging to the genus Conus ('cone snails') have well-established therapeutic applications for the treatment of pain and epilepsy. This review discusses the neuroprotective and cardioprotective potential of four families of Conus peptides (conopeptides), including omega-conotoxins that target voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, conantokins that target NMDA receptors, mu-conotoxins that target voltage-gated Na+ channels, and kappa- and kappaM-conotoxins that target K+ channels. The diversity of Conus peptides that have already been shown to exhibit neuroprotective/cardioprotective activity suggests that marine snail venoms are a potentially rich source of drug leads with diverse mechanisms.

Articles on Beta-amyloid in Jan'09

2009-03-24T11:44:00.003+05:30

PLoS ONE Mechanism of Neuronal versus Endothelial Cell Uptake of Alzheimer's DiseaseAmyloid beta Protein. PMID: 19247480

Genetika Studying the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease in a Drosophila melanogaster model: human APP overexpression in the brain of transgenic flies leads to deficit of the synaptic protein synaptotagmin PMID: 19239106

CNS Neurosci Ther Comparative neuroprotective properties of stilbene and catechin analogs: action via a plasma membrane receptor site? PMID: 19228181

J Alzheimers Dis. nELAV Proteins Alteration in Alzheimer's Disease Brain: A Novel Putative Target for Amyloid-beta Reverberating on AbetaPP Processing. PMID: 19221430

Protein Pept Lett. Large scale refolding and purification of the catalytic domain of human BACE-2 produced in E. coli. PMID: 19200034

Curr Pharm Des. Multivalent & multifunctional ligands to beta-amyloid. PMID: 19199987

Scand J Clin Lab Invest. Update on amyloid-beta homeostasis markers for sporadic Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 19199126

Transgenic Res. Hemizygous minipigs produced by random gene insertion and handmade cloning express the Alzheimer's disease-causing dominant mutation APPsw. PMID: 19184503

J Neurochem. Chronic copper exposure exacerbates both amyloid and tau pathology and selectively dysregulates cdk5 in a mouse model of AD. PMID: 19183260

J Neurosci. Neuropeptide Y fragments derived from neprilysin processing are neuroprotective in a transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 19176820

J Neurosci. A novel nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtype in basal forebrain cholinergic neurons with high sensitivity to amyloid peptides. PMID: 19176801

FEBS J. A facile method for expression and purification of the Alzheimer's disease-associated amyloid beta-peptide. PMID: 19175671

Anal Chem. Screening Assay for Metal-Catalyzed Oxidation Inhibitors Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry with an N-Terminal beta-Amyloid Peptide. PMID: 19173589

Glia. Tripchlorolide protects neuronal cells from microglia-mediated beta-amyloid neurotoxicity through inhibiting NF-kappaB and JNK signaling. PMID: 19170180

J Neurosci Res. NMDA receptor-dependent signaling pathways that underlie amyloid beta-protein disruption of LTP in the hippocampus. PMID: 19170166

Neuroscience. Asymmetric expression patterns of brain transthyretin in normal mice and a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 19167467

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. IGF-1 promotes beta-amyloid production by a secretase-independent mechanism. PMID: 19167357

Biophys J. Replica exchange simulations of the thermodynamics of Abeta fibril growth PMID: 19167295

Neurobiol Dis. JNK regulates APP cleavage and degradation in a model of Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 19166938

Brain Res. Amyloid beta induces cellular relocalization and production of agrin and glypican-1. PMID: 19166823

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. A helix-to-coil transition at the epsilon-cut site in the transmembrane dimer of the amyloid precursor protein is required for proteolysis. PMID: 19164538

J Biol Chem. The effects of amyloid precursor protein on post-synaptic composition and activity PMID: 19164281

Bioorg Med Chem. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel dual inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and beta-secretase. PMID: 19162488

FEBS Lett. Conformation-dependent single-chain variable fragment antibodies specifically recognize beta-amyloid oligomers. PMID: 19162022

Biochemistry. Purification, Pharmacological Modulation, and Biochemical Characterization of Interactors of Endogenous Human gamma-Secretase (dagger). PMID: 19159235

PLoS ONE. S100A7, a novel Alzheimer's disease biomarker with non-amyloidogenic alpha-secretase activity acts via selective promotion of ADAM-10. PMID: 19159013

Int J Clin Exp Pathol. Cortical Neurons Transgenic for Human Abeta40 or Abeta42 Have Similar Vulnerability to Apoptosis despite Their Different Amyloidogenic Properties. PMID: 19158991

Cell Cycle. Cdk5 acts as a mediator of neuronal cell cycle re-entry triggered by amyloid-beta and prion peptides. PMID: 19158499

J Alzheimers Dis An intraperitoneally administered pentapeptide protects against Abeta (1-42) induced neuronal excitation in vivo. PMID: 19158435

J Alzheimers Dis. False recognition correlates with amyloid-beta (1-42) but not with total tau in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. PMID: 19158431

J Alzheimers Dis. Tau phosphorylation by cdk5 and Fyn in response to amyloid peptide Abeta (25-35): involvement of lipid rafts. PMID: 19158430

J Alzheimers Dis. Heterogeneity in red wine polyphenolic contents differentially influences Alzheimer's disease-type neuropathology and cognitive deterioration. PMID: 19158422

J Alzheimers Dis. Identification of antihypertensive drugs which inhibit amyloid-beta protein oligomerization. PMID: 19158421

J Alzheimers Dis. Accumulated amyloid-beta peptide and hyperphosphorylated tau protein: relationship and links in Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 19158417

J Alzheimers Dis Synaptic retrogenesis and amyloid-beta in Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 19158416

Neuroendocrinology. Sulfadiazine Partially Protects the Rat Temporal Cortex from Amyloid Beta Peptide (25-35)-Induced Alterations of the Somatostatinergic System. PMID: 19155612

Brain. Detection of elevated levels of soluble {alpha}-synuclein oligomers in post-mortem brain extracts from patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. PMID: 19155272

Neurosci Lett. Cryptotanshinone, a compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza modulates amyloid precursor protein metabolism and attenuates beta-amyloid deposition through upregulating alpha-secretase in vivo and in vitro. PMID: 19154776

Neurol Sci. The assessment of beta amyloid, tau protein and cystatin C in the cerebrospinal fluid: laboratory markers of neurodegenerative diseases. PMID: 19153649

Neurology. Intranasal insulin improves cognition and modulates beta-amyloid in early AD. PMID: 19153380

Neurology. Plasma Abeta, homocysteine, and cognition: the Vitamin Intervention for Stroke Prevention (VISP) trial. PMID: 19153374

Brain. Powerful beneficial effects of macrophage colony-stimulating factor on {beta}-amyloid deposition and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease PMID: 19151372

Vaccine. Reduced oligomeric and vascular amyloid-beta following immunization of TgCRND8 mice with an Alzheimer's DNA vaccine. PMID: 19150380

Recent Pat CNS Drug Discov. Contemporary anticholinesterase pharmaceuticals of natural origin and their synthetic analogues for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 19149713

Recent Pat CNS Drug Discov. Humanin; a defender against Alzheimer's disease? PMID: 19149712

Cell Death Differ. Netrin-1 interacts with amyloid precursor protein and regulates amyloid-beta production. PMID: 19148186

PLoS ONE. Abeta42-induced neurodegeneration via an age-dependent autophagic-lysosomal injury in Drosophila. PMID: 19145255

Neuropsychopharmacology. Phenylbutyrate Ameliorates Cognitive Deficit and Reduces Tau Pathology in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. PMID: 19145227

FASEB J. Altered Ca2+ dependence of synaptosomal plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase in human brain affected by Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 19144698

Mol Neurodegener. Insulin-degrading enzyme is exported via an unconventional protein secretion pathway. PMID: 19144176

Dtsch Med Wochenschr. MCI-plus: mild cognitive impairment with rapid progression. Part II: Biomarkers and research methods PMID: 19142839

J Neurochem. Restored degradation of the Alzheimer's amyloid-beta peptide by targeting amyloid formation. PMID: 19141082

J Neurochem. AZD2184: a radioligand for sensitive detection of -amyloid deposits. PMID: 19141073

Acta Neuropathol. Alzheimer disease macrophages shuttle amyloid-beta from neurons to vessels, contributing to amyloid angiopathy. PMID: 19139910

Arch Neurol. Carbon 11-labeled Pittsburgh Compound B and carbon 11-labeled (R)-PK11195 positron emission tomographic imaging in Alzheimer disease. PMID: 19139300

Neurol Res. Protective effect of ginsenoside Rb1 on beta-amyloid protein(1-42)-induced neurotoxicity in cortical neurons PMID: 19138476

Drug Discov Today. Monitoring the amyloid beta-peptide in vivo - caveat emptor. PMID: 19135168

J Neurosci. Microglial VEGF receptor response is an integral chemotactic component in Alzheimer's disease pathology. PMID: 19129379

J Mol Neurosci. Estrogen Regulation of the Neprilysin Gene Through A Hormone-Responsive Element. PMID: 19127446

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. Decrease of dynamin 2 levels in late-onset Alzheimer's disease alters Abeta metabolism. PMID: 19126407

Mol Neurodegener. Intracellular amyloid formation in muscle cells of Abeta-transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans: determinants and physiological role in copper detoxification. PMID: 19126228

Mol Neurodegener. Differential effects of 24-hydroxycholesterol and 27-hydroxycholesterol on beta-amyloid precursor protein levels and processing in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. PMID: 19126211

J Neuroinflammation. Beta amyloid oligomers and fibrils stimulate differential activation of primary microglia. PMID: 19123954

J Phys Chem B. Mechanism of hydrogen peroxide production by copper-bound amyloid beta peptide: a theoretical study. PMID: 19123835

Neurochem Res. Upregulation of BACE1 and beta-Amyloid Protein Mediated by Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion Contributes to Cognitive Impairment and Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease. PMID: 19123057

Nat Neurosci. Collagen VI protects neurons against Abeta toxicity. PMID: 19122666

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Increasing Cu bioavailability inhibits Abeta oligomers and tau phosphorylation. PMID: 19122148

J Am Chem Soc. Pleomorphic copper coordination by Alzheimer's disease amyloid-beta peptide. PMID: 19119811

Alzheimers Dement. Amyloid beta peptides in human plasma and tissues and their significance for Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 19118806

Chembiochem. Identification of physiological and toxic conformations in Abeta42 aggregates. PMID: 19115328

Neurotherapeutics. Novel anti-Alzheimer's dimer Bis(7)-cognitin: cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuroprotection through multiple targets. PMID: 19110209

J Neurochem. A novel reciprocal and biphasic relationship between membrane cholesterol and beta-secretase activity in SH-SY5Y cells and in human platelets. PMID: 19094065

Life Sci. Acetyl-Ile-Gly-Leu protects neurons from Abeta(1-42) induced toxicity in vitro and in V337M human tau-expressing mice. PMID: 19087881

FEBS Lett. Ovine colostrum nanopeptide affects amyloid beta aggregation. PMID: 19084010
Int J Clin Exp Pathol. Caspases as therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's disease: is it time to "cut" to the chase? PMID: 19079646

Neurodegener Dis. Expression of transgenic APP mRNA is the key determinant for beta-amyloid deposition in PS2APP transgenic mice. PMID: 19066434

Biochim Biophys Acta. Methionine does not reduce Cu(II)-beta-amyloid!-Rectification of the roles of methionine-35 and reducing agents in metal-centered oxidation chemistry of Cu(II)-beta-amyloid. PMID: 19061952

EMBO Rep. Neprilysin gene expression requires binding of the amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain to its promoter: implications for Alzheimer disease. PMID: 19057576

J Mol Biol. A new amyloid-like beta-aggregate with amyloid characteristics, except fibril morphology. PMID: 19041877

J Cell Mol Med. Pharmacotherapeutic targets in Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 19040415

J Biol Chem. S-palmitoylation of gamma-secretase subunits nicastrin and APH-1. PMID: 19028695

Neurosci Lett. Indirubin-3'-monoxime inhibits beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. PMID: 19027827

J Pept Sci. FTIR spectroscopic studies on aggregation process of the beta-amyloid 11-28 fragment and its variants. PMID: 19023881

J Biol Chem. Basal levels of eIF2alpha phosphorylation determine cellular antioxidant status by regulating ATF4 and xCT expression. PMID: 19017641

Acta Neuropathol. Cytoskeletal alterations differentiate presenilin-1 and sporadic Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 19015863

J Mol Biol. Cryoelectron microscopy structure of purified gamma-secretase at 12 A resolution. PMID: 19013469

J Neurochem. Enhanced generation of Alzheimer's amyloid-beta following chronic exposure to phorbol ester correlates with differential effects on alpha and epsilon isozymes of protein kinase C. PMID: 19012746

Histol Histopathol. The pathology of APP transgenic mice: a model of Alzheimer's disease or simply overexpression of APP? PMID: 19012248

Brain Res. Selective apoptosis induction in the hippocampal mossy fiber pathway by exposure to CT105, the C-terminal fragment of Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein. PMID: 19007761

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. The epigenetic effects of amyloid-beta(1-40) on global DNA and neprilysin genes in murine cerebral endothelial cells. PMID: 19007750

Acta Neuropathol. Lymphatic drainage of the brain and the pathophysiology of neurological disease. PMID: 19002474

Neurosci Lett. Elevated plasma levels of soluble CD40 in incipient Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 18996438

Brain Res. Promoter polymorphisms which modulate insulin degrading enzyme expression may increase susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 18996360

Brain Res. Decreased acetylcholine release is correlated to memory impairment in the Tg2576 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 18996097

J Biol Chem. MicroRNA-298 and microRNA-328 regulate expression of mouse beta-amyloid precursor protein-converting enzyme 1. PMID: 18986979

J Pathol. Herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA is located within Alzheimer's disease amyloid plaques. PMID: 18973185

J Neural Transm. The neuroprotective effect of dental pulp cells in models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. PMID: 18972063

Chem Biol Interact. Pregnenolone protects the PC-12 cell line against amyloid beta peptide toxicity but its sulfate ester does not. PMID: 18926803

Neuropsychopharmacology. Target identification for CNS diseases by transcriptional profiling. PMID: 18923405

J Pharmacol Exp Ther. First demonstration of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma A beta lowering with oral administration of a beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 inhibitor in nonhuman primates. PMID: 18854490

Phytother Res. Garlic extract exhibits antiamyloidogenic activity on amyloid-beta fibrillogenesis: relevance to Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 18844255

Biosens Bioelectron. Ultra-sensitive immunosensor for beta-amyloid (1-42) using scanning tunneling microscopy-based electrical detection. PMID: 18829296

J Neuroimmunol. Distinct fractional Abeta release patterns in human mononuclear phagocytes. PMID: 18824266

J Neurosci Methods. Characterisation of two antibodies to oligomeric Abeta and their use in ELISAs on human brain tissue homogenates. PMID: 18824027

Neurosci Lett. Peripheral and central biodistribution of (111)In-labeled anti-beta-amyloid autoantibodies in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 18786612

J Mol Neurosci. Novel N-terminal cleavage of APP precludes Abeta generation in ACAT-defective AC29 cells. PMID: 18618086

Scand J Clin Lab Invest. Beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) as a biological candidate marker of Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 18609117

J Mol Neurosci. Parkin attenuates wild-type tau modification in the presence of beta-amyloid and alpha-synuclein. PMID: 18561034

Acta Neurol Scand. Cerebrospinal fluid, serum and plasma protein oxidation in Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 18547271

Brain Pathol. Transthyretin accelerates vascular Abeta deposition in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 18429966

Neurochem Res. Reduced membrane lipids in the cortex of Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice. PMID: 18373196

Mol Psychiatry. The amyloidogenic potential and behavioral correlates of stress. PMID: 17912249

Neurobiol Aging. Menopausal transition: a possible risk factor for brain pathologic events. PMID: 17601638

Neurobiol Aging. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) suppresses beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity through inhibiting c-Abl/FE65 nuclear translocation and GSK3 beta activation. PMID: 17590240

Neurobiol Aging. Knock-out and transgenic mouse models of tauopathies. PMID: 17590238

Neurobiol Aging. Altered levels and distribution of IGF-II/M6P receptor and lysosomal enzymes in mutant APP and APP + PS1 transgenic mouse brains. PMID: 17561313

Conotoxin- 1st Feb'09 to 28th Feb'09

2009-03-03T10:55:00.001+05:30

PMID: 19221121
Interaction between the second messengers cAMP and Ca2+ in mouse Presynaptic taste cells.
Roberts CD, Dvoryanchikov G, Roper SD, Chaudhari N.

PMID: 19217942
Soluble expression and one-step purification of a neurotoxin Huwentoxin-I in Escherichia coli.
Che N, Wang L, Gao Y, An C.

PMID: 19210780
Binding of long-chain alpha-neurotoxin would stabilize the resting state of nAChR: A comparative study with alpha-conotoxin.
Nasiripourdori A, Ranjbar B, Naderi-Manesh H.

PMID: 19206132
Integrated Oxidative Folding of Cysteine/Selenocysteine Containing Peptides: Improving Chemical Synthesis of Conotoxins.
Walewska A, Zhang MM, Skalicky JJ, Yoshikami D, Olivera BM, Bulaj G.

PMID: 19187447
ACTIVATION OF PRESYNAPTIC M-TYPE K(+) CHANNELS INHIBITS [H]D-ASPARTATE RELEASE BY REDUCING Ca(2+) ENTRY THROUGH P/Q-TYPE VOLTAGE-GATED Ca(2+) CHANNELS.
Luisi R, Panza E, Barrese V, Iannotti FA, Viggiano D, Secondo A, Canzoniero LM, Martire M, Annunziato L, Taglialatela M.

PMID: 19187266
alpha7 and non-alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors modulate dopamine release in vitro and in vivo in the rat prefrontal cortex.
Livingstone PD, Srinivasan J, Kew JN, Dawson LA, Gotti C, Moretti M, Shoaib M, Wonnacott S.

PMID: 19165896
Structural studies of conotoxins.
Daly NL, Craik DJ.

PMID: 19125616
Structure and activity of (2,8)-dicarba-(3,12)-cystino alpha-ImI, an alpha-conotoxin containing a nonreducible cystine analogue.
MacRaild CA, Illesinghe J, van Lierop BJ, Townsend AL, Chebib M, Livett BG, Robinson AJ, Norton RS.

PMID: 19098004
Inhibition of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subtypes by {alpha}-Conotoxin GID and Analogues.
Millard EL, Nevin ST, Loughnan ML, Nicke A, Clark RJ, Alewood PF, Lewis RJ, Adams DJ, Craik DJ, Daly NL.

PMID: 19089803
A room temperature ionic liquid as convenient solvent for the oxidative folding of conopeptides.
Miloslavina AA, Leipold E, Kijas M, Stark A, Heinemann SH, Imhof D.

PMID: 19029195
Toluene can perturb the neuronal voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels involved in the middle-ear reflex.
Maguin K, Campo P, Parietti-Winkler C.

PMID: 19010337
Antinociceptive effects of the marine snail peptides conantokin-G and conotoxin MVIIA alone and in combination in rat models of pain.
Hama A, Sagen J.

PMID: 18845633
N-type Ca(2+) -channels in murine pancreatic beta-cells are inhibited by an exclusive coupling with somatostatin receptor subtype 1.
Smith PA.

PMID: 18824011
N-type and P/Q-type calcium channels regulate differentially the release of noradrenaline, ATP and beta-NAD in blood vessels.
Smyth LM, Yamboliev IA, Mutafova-Yambolieva VN.

Conus Venom - The University of Queensland

2009-02-20T15:49:00.004+05:30

Professor Adams, along with Professor David Craik and colleagues from the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience, have described a surprising new way of inhibiting pain sensors using mini-proteins commonly found in cone snail venoms.

“For several years, it's been known that the remarkable properties of cone shell toxins (conotoxins) hold tremendous promise for chronic pain sufferers, and drugs that can combat or alleviate pain are a holy grail in drug discovery,” Professor Adams said.

The research paper of Professor David Adams invites scientists around the world to reconsider the conventional model for how conotoxins act on target cells such as sensory neurons, opening up what could be a paradigm shift in the development of conotoxin-based therapeutics and analgesics.

Source: Physorg

Conotoxin- 1st Oct'08 to 31st Oct'08

2009-02-20T15:11:00.005+05:30

PMID: 19013796
Molecular modeling of the alpha9alpha10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtype.
Pérez EG, Cassels BK, Zapata-Torres G.

PMID: 19010337
Antinociceptive effects of the marine snail peptides conantokin-G and conotoxin MVIIA alone and in combination in rat models of pain.
Hama A, Sagen J.

PMID: 18992939
NR2B-selective conantokin peptide inhibitors of the NMDA receptor display enhanced antinociceptive properties compared to non-selective conantokins.
Xiao C, Huang Y, Dong M, Hu J, Hou S, Castellino FJ, Prorok M, Dai Q.

PMID: 18971294
omega-conotoxin GVIA alters gating charge movement of N-type (CaV2.2) calcium channels.
Yarotskyy V, Elmslie KS.

PMID: 18951936
Osthole and imperatorin, the active constituents of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson, facilitate glutamate release from rat hippocampal nerve terminals.
Wang SJ, Lin TY, Lu CW, Huang WJ.

PMID: 18948615
Presynaptic prostaglandin E2 EP1-receptor facilitation of cerebral nitrergic neurogenic vasodilation.
Jadhav V, Jabre A, Chen MF, Lee TJ.

PMID: 18948154
Peptide pal9a from the venom of the turrid snail Polystira albida from the Gulf of Mexico: Purification, characterization, and comparison with P-conotoxin-like (framework IX) conoidean peptides.
Aguilar MB, de la Rosa RA, Falcón A, Olivera BM, Heimer de la Cotera EP.

PMID: 18945902
Analgesic alpha-conotoxins Vc1.1 and Rg1A inhibit N-type calcium channels in rat sensory neurons via GABAB receptor activation.
Callaghan B, Haythornthwaite A, Berecki G, Clark RJ, Craik DJ, Adams DJ.

PMID: 18930043
Brain regions mediating alpha3beta4 nicotinic antagonist effects of 18-MC on methamphetamine and sucrose self-administration.
Glick SD, Sell EM, Maisonneuve IM.

PMID: 18922949
Differential Inhibition of Ca2+ channels by alpha2-adrenoceptors in three functional subclasses of rat sympathetic neurons.
Li C, Horn JP.

PMID: 18845633
N-type Ca(2+) -channels in murine pancreatic beta-cells are inhibited by an exclusive coupling with somatostatin receptor subtype 1.
Smith PA.

PMID: 18831583
NMR-based mapping of disulfide bridges in cysteine-rich peptides: application to the mu-conotoxin SxIIIA.
Walewska A, Skalicky JJ, Davis DR, Zhang MM, Lopez-Vera E, Watkins M, Han TS, Yoshikami D, Olivera BM, Bulaj G.

PMID: 18798648
Structure, dynamics, and selectivity of the sodium channel blocker mu-conotoxin SIIIA.
Yao S, Zhang MM, Yoshikami D, Azam L, Olivera BM, Bulaj G, Norton RS.

PMID: 18788721
Conformational simulations of aqueous solvated alpha-conotoxin GI and its single disulfide analogues using a polarizable force field model.
Jiang N, Ma J.

PMID: 18653802
Access and binding of local anesthetics in the closed sodium channel.
Bruhova I, Tikhonov DB, Zhorov BS.

PMID: 18644398
omega-Conotoxin inhibition of excitatory synaptic transmission evoked by dorsal root stimulation in rat superficial dorsal horn.
Motin L, Adams DJ.

PMID: 18588930
alpha4/7-conotoxin Lp1.1 is a novel antagonist of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
Peng C, Han Y, Sanders T, Chew G, Liu J, Hawrot E, Chi C, Wang C.

PMID: 18523965
Identification and characterization of a novel O-superfamily conotoxin from Conus litteratus.
Wang L, Pi C, Liu J, Chen S, Peng C, Sun D, Zhou M, Xiang H, Ren Z, Xu A.

Article One- A Winning Prior Art Search

2009-02-18T17:21:00.002+05:30

Article One Partners are research reward reform that motivates researchers for their excellent work though awards. The company had announced for winning prize of US$ 50,000 for identifying prior art for a patent US6,784,873 B1.

GARMIN'S DEFENSE AGAINST SP TECHNOLOGY'S PATENT INFRINGEMENT LITIGATION was successful with the help of two researchers.

The task was successfully achieved by Article One's most prolific Advisor, RickyJames and a computer science graduate working in the U.S. software industry, Patented (username).

Congratulations to RickyJames and Patented who successfully identified prior art for the patent no. 6,784,873 B1. Ricky James won US$ 35,000 for identifying prior art WO 91/12578 A1 and Patented won US$ 15,000 for identifying prior art from a book called “Programming Microsoft® Windows®”.

Conotoxin- 1st Dec'08 to 31st Dec'08

2009-02-18T12:58:00.002+05:30

PMID: 19118590
Structural characterization of five post-translationally modified isomorphs of a novel putative delta-conotoxin from the vermivorous snail Conus delessertii from the Mexican Caribbean Sea.
Aguilar MB, Flores-Torres A, Batista CV, Falcón A, López-Vera E, de la Cotera EP.

PMID: 19109404
GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-2 RELAXES MOUSE STOMACH THROUGH VASOACTIVE INTESTINAL PEPTIDE RELEASE.
Amato A, Baldassano S, Serio R, Mule F.

PMID: 19107760
Structurally Minimized mu-Conotoxin Analogues as Sodium Channel Blockers: Implications for Designing Conopeptide-Based Therapeutics.
Han TS, Zhang MM, Walewska A, Gruszczynski P, Robertson CR, Cheatham Iii TE, Yoshikami D, Olivera BM, Bulaj G.

PMID: 19098004
Inhibition of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subtypes by {alpha}-Conotoxin GID and Analogues.
Millard EL, Nevin ST, Loughnan ML, Nicke A, Clark RJ, Alewood PF, Lewis RJ, Adams DJ, Craik DJ, Daly NL.

PMID: 19091927
Abolishment of Serotonergic Neurotransmission to Cardiac Vagal Neurons During and After Hypoxia and Hypercapnia with Prenatal Nicotine Exposure.
Kamendi HW, Cheng Q, Dergecheva O, Gorini C, Jameson HS, Wang X, McIntosh JM, Mendelowitz D.

PMID: 19073169
Cyanocobalamin, vitamin B12, depresses glutamate release through inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes).
Hung KL, Wang CC, Huang CY, Wang SJ.

PMID: 19055493
Seletracetam (ucb 44212) inhibits high-voltage-activated Ca(2+) currents and intracellular Ca(2+) increase in rat cortical neurons in vitro.
Martella G, Bonsi P, Sciamanna G, Platania P, Madeo G, Tassone A, Cuomo D, Pisani A.

PMID: 19034250
Intrathecal therapy with ziconotide: clinical experience and considerations on its use.
Vitale V, Battelli D, Gasperoni E, Monachese N.

PMID: 18951936
Osthole and imperatorin, the active constituents of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson, facilitate glutamate release from rat hippocampal nerve terminals.
Wang SJ, Lin TY, Lu CW, Huang WJ.

PMID: 18930043
Brain regions mediating alpha3beta4 nicotinic antagonist effects of 18-MC on methamphetamine and sucrose self-administration.
Glick SD, Sell EM, Maisonneuve IM.

PMID: 18922949
Differential Inhibition of Ca2+ channels by alpha2-adrenoceptors in three functional subclasses of rat sympathetic neurons.
Li C, Horn JP.

PMID: 18831999
Reverse Na(+)/Ca(2+)-exchange mediated Ca(2+)-entry and noradrenaline release in Na(+)-loaded peripheral sympathetic nerves.
Török TL, Rácz D, Sáska Z, Dávid AZ, Tábi T, Zillikens S, Nada SA, Klebovich I, Gyires K, Magyar K.

PMID: 18792989
Mechanisms underlying the honokiol inhibition of evoked glutamate release from glutamatergic nerve terminals of the rat cerebral cortex.
Sy HN, Wu SL, Wang WF, Wang SJ.

PMID: 18783734
Hidden diversity in a hyperdiverse gastropod genus: discovery of previously unidentified members of a Conus species complex.
Duda TF Jr, Bolin MB, Meyer CP, Kohn AJ.

PMID: 18683240
Excitatory effects of low-level lead exposure on action potential firing of pyramidal neurons in CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices.
Yan D, Xiao C, Ma FL, Wang L, Luo YY, Liu J, Wang HL, Chen JT, Ruan DY.

Conotoxin-1st Nov'08 to 30th Nov'08

2009-02-18T12:07:00.000+05:30

PMID: 19075488
Vasodilatory effect of cilnidipine, an L-type and N-type calcium channel blocker, on rat kidney glomerular arterioles.
Konno Y, Kimura K.

PMID: 19029195
Toluene can perturb the neuronal voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels involved in the middle-ear reflex.
Maguin K, Campo P, Parietti-Winkler C.

PMID: 19028470
Prenatal exposure of rats to nicotine causes persistent alterations of nicotinic cholinergic receptors.
Gold AB, Keller AB, Perry DC.

PMID: 19004821
Deletion of N-type Ca2+ Channel Cav2.2 Results in Hyperaggressive Behaviors in Mice.
Kim C, Jeon D, Kim YH, Lee CJ, Kim H, Shin HS.

PMID: 18987848
Effects of subunit selective nACh receptors on operant ethanol self-administration and relapse-like ethanol-drinking behavior.
Kuzmin A, Jerlhag E, Liljequist S, Engel J.

PMID: 18954522
HDT-1, a new synthetic compound, inhibits glutamate release in rat cerebral cortex nerve terminals (synaptosomes).
Wang SJ, Chou SH, Kuo YC, Chou SS, Tzeng WF, Leu JY, Huang RF, Liew YF.

PMID: 18950653
Pruning nature: Biodiversity-derived discovery of novel sodium channel blocking conotoxins from Conus bullatus.
Holford M, Zhang MM, Gowd KH, Azam L, Green BR, Watkins M, Ownby JP, Yoshikami D, Bulaj G, Olivera BM.

PMID: 18817758
Cholinergic signal transduction in the mouse sphenopalatine ganglion.
Rafalzik S, Pehl U, Ott D, Strotmann J, Wolff M, Gerstberger R.

PMID: 18791189
Effects of clonidine on lidocaine-induced inhibition of axonal transport in cultured mouse dorsal root ganglion neurones.
Hiruma H, Shimizu K, Takenami T, Sugie H, Kawakami T.

PMID: 18775475
Characterization of catecholamine release from deer adrenal medullary chromaffin cells.
Douglas SA, Stevenson KE, Knowles PJ, Bunn SJ.

PMID: 18774645
Analgesic effect in rodents of native and recombinant Ph alpha 1beta toxin, a high-voltage-activated calcium channel blocker isolated from armed spider venom.
Souza AH, Ferreira J, Cordeiro Mdo N, Vieira LB, De Castro CJ, Trevisan G, Reis H, Souza IA, Richardson M, Prado MA, Prado VF, Gomez MV.

PMID: 18772200
Calcium-permeable presynaptic AMPA receptors in cerebellar molecular layer interneurones.
Rossi B, Maton G, Collin T.

PMID: 18752844
Mechanisms of unmodified CdSe quantum dot-induced elevation of cytoplasmic calcium levels in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons.
Tang M, Wang M, Xing T, Zeng J, Wang H, Ruan DY.

PMID: 18664588
Alpha-conotoxin Arenatus IB[V11L,V16D] [corrected] is a potent and selective antagonist at rat and human native alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
Innocent N, Livingstone PD, Hone A, Kimura A, Young T, Whiteaker P, McIntosh JM, Wonnacott S.

PMID: 18658223
Trans-channel interactions in batrachotoxin-modified rat skeletal muscle sodium channels: kinetic analysis of mutual inhibition between mu-conotoxin GIIIA derivatives and amine blockers.
Ma Q, Pavlov E, Britvina T, Zamponi GW, French RJ.

PMID: 18658222
Trans-channel interactions in batrachotoxin-modified skeletal muscle sodium channels: voltage-dependent block by cytoplasmic amines, and the influence of mu-conotoxin GIIIA derivatives and permeant ions.
Pavlov E, Britvina T, McArthur JR, Ma Q, Sierralta I, Zamponi GW, French RJ.

PMID: 18627035
Topology and patch-clamp analysis of the sodium channel in relationship to the anti-lipid a antibody in campylobacteriosis.
Usuki S, Nakatani Y, Taguchi K, Fujita T, Tanabe S, Ustunomiya I, Gu Y, Cawthraw SA, Newell DG, Pajaniappan M, Thompson SA, Ariga T, Yu RK.

Source: Pubmed

Pharma Competitive Intelligence

2009-02-17T16:05:00.002+05:30

A must to attent Competitive Intelligence Conference to be held on 15th-16th September 2009 at New Jersey. The conference is suitable for pharma CI/BI professionals.

Below are the list of speakers in the conference:

Senior Manager, New Products
Astellas
Director of Competitive Intelligence
Baxter Corporation
Sr. Associate Director, Technology Assessment
Boehringer Ingelheim
Senior Manager of Technology Planning
Boston Scientific
Vice President Competitive Intelligence
Covance, Inc.
Director of Market Research and CI
Depuy Spine (J&J)
Sr. Director, Strategic Business Intelligence
DSM Pharmaceuticals
Director, Global Market Research
Eisai
Director of Market Analytics
Exelixis
Associate Director, Competitive Intelligence & Managed Care
Forest Laboratories, Inc.
Manager, Library Services
Gen-Probe
Director of Avastin Franchise Marketing and Avastin Project Team Leader
Genentech
Group Market Planning Manager
Genentech
Director, Business Information, LSD Business
Genzyme
Vice President, Competitive & Technical Information
Genzyme Corporation
Competitor News Information
GlaxoSmithKline
CEO & President
Global Pharma Alliances
Director of Competitive Intelligence
Lifescan
Director of Technology Planning
Medtronic
Senior Director, Global Corporate Licensing
Merck & Co., Inc.
Sr. Director Global Competitive Intelligence
Merck
Vice President, Corporate Competitive Intelligence
Merck & Co., Inc.
Senior Director, Scientific & Competitor Analysis
Millennium Pharmaceuticals
Vice President of Commercial Affairs
Nicox
Head of Global CI
Novartis Pharma
Distinguished Fellow, MIT Cener for Biomedical Innovation; Chairman & President
Personalized Medicine Coalition
Director, Information & Knowledge Management
Pfizer
Manager, Information & Knowledge Management
Pfizer Global Research & Development
Partner
Richard Horowitz & Associates
Manager, CI
Roche Diagnostics
Senior Director Scientific Competitive Intelligence
Sanofi-Aventis
Director, Business Intelligence; Business Excellent, Analytics & Planning
Sanofi-Aventis
Associate Director, Scientific Competitive Intelligence
Sanofi-Aventis
Global President, Reconstructive Orthopaedics
Smith & Nephew
Senior VP & Chief Technology Officer
Steris
Corporate Development – Business Intelligence
Thermo Fisher Scientific
CIO & Senior VP
Vertex
Senior Director, Competitor Insights, Customer & Market Insights
Wyeth
Senior Director, New Business Oncology
Wyeth
Director, Research & Development & Information Services
ZymoGenetics Incorporated

Patent Data Value

2009-02-17T14:14:00.002+05:30

CI Article

United Kingdon - Intellectual Property Organization have published an article on "Unlocking value of the patent" last year (2008).

The article titled "Unlocking the value of patent data: Patent Informatics services at the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO)".

Abstract: "The UK-IPO has expanded its range of non-statutory services to include Patent Informatics: the macroscopic analysis of patent data to derive technical information. This article describes the genesis of Patent Informatics at the UK-IPO in line with Government strategy and the potential applications of Patent Informatics including informing policy decision making, horizon-scanning and responding to technology sector enquiries. Patent Informatics is a flexible technique for mining patent data; examples graphically presented include e-paper patent filings over time and a carbon capture and storage technology landscape map. Reference is made to other Patent Informatics work under taken by the UK-IPO and covers the databases, analysis tools and methodology employed. The article concludes that in a knowledge driven economy, unlocking technical information from patent data through Patent Informatics enhances Government and industry strategy, innovation and success."

Source: ScienceDirect

Patents Vs Patenting

2009-02-17T12:28:00.004+05:30

An interesting article titled "Patents versus patenting: implications of intellectual property protection for biological research", published in Nature Biotechnology.

The article is based on a new survey showing scientists considering the proliferation of intellectual property protection to have a strongly negative effect on research. Thus, reflecting the current scenario in the patenting system and the controveries & concerns in the U.S.

The article eloberates the survey methodology and detailed various areas including impact fo IP protection, cost of formal agreements, influence of patent ownership, influence of research delays, etc. and finally concludes that "The agricultural biologists we surveyed report that the IP protection of research tools is, on balance, having a negative impact on their research areas."

Article Details
PMID: 19131994
Author: Lei Z, Juneja R, Wright BD.
Source: Nature; Pubmed

Conotoxin-1st Jan'09 to 31st Jan'09

2009-02-16T17:00:00.003+05:30

PMID: 19187266
Alpha7 and non-alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors modulate dopamine release in vitro and in vivo in the rat prefrontal cortex.
Livingstone PD, Srinivasan J, Kew JN, Dawson LA, Gotti C, Moretti M, Shoaib M, Wonnacott S.

PMID: 19184584
Conotoxins: molecular and therapeutic targets.
Lewis RJ.

PMID: 19171133
Molecular mechanism of KCl-induced relaxation of the esophagus.
Yaktubay Döndaş N, Karataş Y, Kaya D, Soylu N, Singirik E, Baysal F.

PMID: 19170536
Structure of the Analgesic mu-Conotoxin KIIIA and Effects on the Structure and Function of Disulfide Deletion (dagger) (double dagger).
Khoo KK, Feng ZP, Smith BJ, Zhang MM, Yoshikami D, Olivera BM, Bulaj G, Norton RS.

PMID: 19166832
Histological protection by cilnidipine, a dual L/N-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, against neurotoxicity induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rat retina.
Sakamoto K, Kawakami T, Shimada M, Yamaguchi A, Kuwagata M, Saito M, Nakahara T, Ishii K.

PMID: 19162562
omega-conotoxin GVIA sensitive calcium channels on preganglionic nerve terminals in mouse pelvic and celiac ganglia.
Jobling P.

PMID: 19131337
The rational design of alpha -conotoxin analogues targeting alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Improved antagonistic activity by incorporation of proline derivatives.
Armishaw C, Jensen AA, Balle T, Clark RJ, Harpsøe K, Skonberg C, Liljefors T, Strømgaard K.

PMID: 19094061
Diacylglycerol analogues activate second messenger-operated calcium channels exhibiting TRPC-like properties in cortical neurons.
Tu P, Kunert-Keil C, Lucke S, Brinkmeier H, Bouron A.

PMID: 19073169
Cyanocobalamin, vitamin B12, depresses glutamate release through inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx in rat cerebrocortical nerve terminals (synaptosomes).
Hung KL, Wang CC, Huang CY, Wang SJ.

PMID: 19028470
Prenatal exposure of rats to nicotine causes persistent alterations of nicotinic cholinergic receptors.
Gold AB, Keller AB, Perry DC.

PMID: 19013796
Molecular modeling of the alpha9alpha10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtype.
Pérez EG, Cassels BK, Zapata-Torres G.

PMID: 19004821
Deletion of N-type Ca2+ Channel Cav2.2 Results in Hyperaggressive Behaviors in Mice.
Kim C, Jeon D, Kim YH, Lee CJ, Kim H, Shin HS.

PMID: 19003899
Enhanced microwave-assisted method for on-bead disulfide bond formation: Synthesis of alpha-conotoxin MII.
Galanis AS, Albericio F, Grøtli M.

PMID: 18971294
{omega}-Conotoxin GVIA Alters Gating Charge Movement of N-Type (CaV2.2) Calcium Channels.
Yarotskyy V, Elmslie KS.

PMID: 18950653
Pruning nature: Biodiversity-derived discovery of novel sodium channel blocking conotoxins from Conus bullatus.
Holford M, Zhang MM, Gowd KH, Azam L, Green BR, Watkins M, Ownby JP, Yoshikami D, Bulaj G, Olivera BM.

PMID: 18948615
Presynaptic prostaglandin E2 EP1-receptor facilitation of cerebral nitrergic neurogenic vasodilation.
Jadhav V, Jabre A, Chen MF, Lee TJ.

Pharma And Obama

2009-02-16T14:33:00.004+05:30

On 10th Feb’09, The US president Barack Obama received a letter from the US companies that invest a huge amount in R&D, explaining their concerns about Patent Law in the country.

The letter included the following topics:

 Recent Patent Reform Proposals
 Flawed Justifications
 Reducing Penalties for Patent Infringement
 Recent Changes to U.S Patent System
 Investment & Jobs are at Stake
 One Area of Consensus – Improvements are need at the USPTO

The letter concludes with proposals to change the U.S patent system, stating, “As proposals are made to change the U.S. patent system, we encourage you to consider the impact of these proposals on all stakeholders, not just a narrow group. Manufacturers and other patent stakeholders make great investments in inventing new products for sale at home and abroad, and we rely upon a balanced patent system that is good for all innovators. Drastic changes, such as reducing penalties for patent infringement, will discourage innovation, resulting in reduced investment and lost jobs at a time when the
United States can least afford it.

The justifications made for the legislation introduced in the 110th Congress do not withstand scrutiny. There is no explosion of patent litigation. There is no explosion in patent damages. The statistics simply do not bear out such assertions. We do not oppose all legislative efforts to improve the patent system, but we feel that any legislative changes should benefit the broad spectrum of patent stakeholders. We urge you to resist changes that would benefit only a narrow group of stakeholders.

Substantial improvements to the system can be made by improving the operations of the USPTO, and many of these changes can be made administratively. We believe improving this agency is an area where consensus can be found among all stakeholders. Our goal is for the U.S. patent system to continue to be the best in the world, and that it continue to encourage the kind of investment, product creation, and job creation that our companies generate. We look forward to working with you, other policymakers and other stakeholders to ensure this outcome.”

List of companies that signed the letter include,
Amidex, Inc, Cummins Inc, DePuy, DexCom Inc, Dow Corning, DuPont, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Medical Device Manufacturers Association, MedRad, Texas Instruments and Zimmer Inc etc.

Source: Patent Baristas

Merck buying Insmed for $130 million

2009-02-16T12:15:00.004+05:30

Merck on 12th Feb announced that they are buying Insmed for $130 million that includes Insmed’s portfolio of follow-on biologic therapeutic candidates, as well as a manufacturing facility.

Insmed agreed to sell its pipeline of “biosimilars” which are drugs that are attempted copies of biotech drugs made from living cells.

The transaction, once it’s completed, will transfer Richmond, Va.-based Insmed’s research and production facility in Boulder to Merck. The Boulder plant’s 80 employees will be offered jobs to continue their work under Merck’s ownership, Insmed said.

The deals is expected to speed-up Merck's entry into Biologics. Merck will pay Insmed $10 million upfront, and will make the rest of the payment when the deal is closed. Merck will not owe any additional milestone or royalty payments.

Source: Dynamicpatents, Bizjournals

Conotoxin

2009-02-16T12:06:00.003+05:30

Patents on Conotoxin

Conotoxins: Conotoxins are neurotoxic peptides isolated from the venom of the marine cone snail, genus Conus. Conotoxins have a variety of mechanisms of actions, most of which have not been determined. However it appears that many of these peptides modulate the activity of ion channels.

Patents: There are totally about 560 patent documents that are published across various countires including Australia (AU), Brazil (BR), Germany (DE), Denmark (DK), Europe (EP), France (FR), Great Britain (GB), Israel (IL), India (IN), Japan (JP), Korea (KR), Sweden (SE) and The United States of America (US)

The first patent published on conotoxin is JP60226899A titled, Conotoxin Analog by Ajinomoto Co Inc. A few key assignees with respect to patenting activity are listed below along with the number of patents, each assignee own.

 UNIV UTAH RES FOUND (26)
 BRAINCELLS INC (12)
 SIRTRIS PHARMACEUTICALS INC (12)
 AJINOMOTO KK (10)
 NEUROMED TECH INC (8)
 COGNETIX INC (7)
 DYNOGEN PHARMACEUTICALS INC (7)
 MICROBIA INC (7)
 BRIGHAM & WOMENS HOSPITAL (6)
 NEWRON PHARM SPA (6)
 PAINCEPTOR PHARMA CORP (6)
 UNIV CALIFORNIA (6)
 UNIV QUEENSLAND (6)
 UNIV TEXAS (6)
 UNIV UTAH (6)
 HARVARD COLLEGE (5)
 PFIZER (5)
 UNIV JOHNS HOPKINS (5)
 HIBERNATION THERAPEUTICS LTD (4)
 MASSACHUSETTS INST TECHNOLOGY (4)
 UNIV COLUMBIA (4)
 WYETH CORP (4)
 AFFYMAX TECH NV (3)
 ALLERGAN INC (3)
 AMGEN INC (3)
 CAMBRIDGE NEUROSCIENCE INC (3)
 EISAI CO LTD (3)
 ELAN PHARM INC (3)
 GEN HOSPITAL CORP (3)
 MERCK & CO INC (3)
 METABOLIC PHARM LTD (3)
 NEUREX CORP (3)
 ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO (3)
 SALK INST BIOTECH IND (3)
 SOLVAY PHARM BV (3)
 UNIV LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR (3)
 UNIV MARYLAND (3)
 UNIV SYDNEY (3)
 WARNER LAMBERT CO (3)
 A & G PHARMACEUTICAL INC (2)
 ABBOTT GMBH (2)
 CHILDRENS MEDICAL CENTER (2)
 CYPROS PHARM CORP (2)
 GLOBAL CARDIAC SOLUTIONS PTY L (2)
 IONIX PHARMACEUTICALS LTD (2)
 LILLY INDUSTRIES LTD (2)
 NAT CT FOR BIOLOG SCIENCES (2)
 NUVELO INC (2)
 PHARMACIA CORP (2)
 POINT THERAPEUTICS INC (2)
 PPL THERAPEUTICS SCOTLAND LTD (2)
 UAB RESEARCH FOUNDATION (2)
 UNIV BROWN RES FOUND (2)
 UNIV OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE (2)
 UNIV ROCHESTER (2)
 US ARMY (2)
 US HEALTH (2)
 ZENECA LTD (2)

Keep watching the blog for more insights and updates on conotoxin with respect to latest patents and literatures across the world.

You are most welcome to comment and suggest on the post, and get back to me for any detail regarding the post (Patent nos, Current researchers, research institutes etc.).

Concerns in Patenting Protein

2009-02-12T17:35:00.002+05:30

Till date there is no controversial issue on patenting a large number of proteins, unlike genomic sequences. Also, all the research and protein patenting activity has not yielded large rewards in-turn unless the protein is used as a drug target or as therapeutics.

These days large-scale protein identification is making identifying proteins easier. Projects in the US and Japan have shown that they can quickly determine the structure of thousands of previously unknown proteins, providing many new drug development targets to patent.

Concern: if that patent is broadly written, others may be prevented from working on it, effectively 'ring-fencing' the protein.

Current Scenario: In the past US researchers have relied on a research exemption to avoid this problem, but this might be set to change. In a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, the research exemption was used by Duke University to defend its work on a technology patented by a previous employee. The Supreme Court decided in favour of the employee, stating that the University was not indulging in philosophical inquiry, as allowed by the research exemption, but in active research for gain. If precedent is set and the research exemption is disallowed for those working with patented proteins, work could be hindered.

Further steps to find a solution: The NIH has funded a study at the National Academy of Sciences to look into the potential impact on research of broadly interpreted patents on proteins and other biological molecules.

Patent Search

2009-02-04T17:14:00.002+05:30

A European project has created a powerful patent search service for SMEs. It is a major step forward as patents and patent information are extremely valuable.

We live in a knowledge economy, and patents are the legal tender. They define a company’s or individual’s stake and they are the mechanism by which ideas can be both exchanged and, at the same time, protected.

But getting patent information can be difficult. There are many databases scattered across Europe and the rest of the world, and the search options are limited: they are either cheap but restricted, or effective but very expensive. You must either go through each source for information, or pay hefty fees to a specialist who does it for you.

That leaves SMEs, the majority of Europe’s enterprises, in a bind: either they struggle with the awkward, difficult and time-consuming cheaper search (which ends up costing money in any case because of the time personnel must devote to the work), or they incur serious costs using professionals.

Unsuspected value

The final option is to ignore patents altogether, but this is a costly option, too. Costly in terms of the lost opportunities, as most SMEs don’t even begin to suspect the value of the information discovered through patent searches.

Innovall, an eTEN-funded project, is keen to see SMEs not miss out on the value of patenting and patent knowledge.

For example, one company that participated in the Innovall project, a tyre manufacturer, sought a solution to a problem it was having with waste rubber extruded through the mould during the manufacturing process. By using Innovall’s search service the tyre company discovered a useful patent in the baking industry of all things.

“It shows how useful and valuable information can be discovered, even if it relates to a completely different industry,” explains Alfredo Silva, coordinator of the Innovall project.

Google for patents

Innovall was set up to explore the best way to make patent search simple. The solution was to create a web portal that essentially acts as the Google for patents. The search engine connects with eight large databases, with hundreds of thousands of patent records.

There are three layers of search that companies can choose from. The most basic level is the ‘function’ search, which looks for patents in terms of what they do. This may be basic, but it is also very powerful, as the example of the tyre company shows.

Even better, Innovall has used ontologies, which are dictionaries that translate different terms to help define a search. “For example, you might be looking for a friction device, but the system will also search for words like drag, brake, decelerate and so on,” explains Silva.

That’s just the beginning. A ‘company’ search will look up all the patents registered by one company, a competitor perhaps, and it will list information such as what country, branch or even department submitted the patent. Finally, Innovall can search by ‘product name’, completing the range of services.

The results take a bit longer than a standard Google search, but given the nature of the search, this is to be expected.

Keen hunters

The 60 organisations – and hundreds of individuals within them – who are currently actively testing the system are very enthusiastic about the results and the information that Innovall retrieves.

These ‘testers’ will be a key part of the next step. Innovall hopes to convert them to a core group of users of the service when it goes live in earnest. This will boost efforts to commercialise the service, because it must become sustainable if it is going to survive.

Right now, Innovall is considering a variety of business models. One plan is to leave the ‘function’ service free, and then charge tiered subscriptions for more detailed or specific searches.

For now, the project will continue to perfect the technology until March 2009, when they hope to have their business plans finalised and ready for prime time.

The Innovall Market Validation project received funding from the eTEN programme.

NDA approvals (01-Jan-2008 to 30-Nov-2008)

2008-12-15T17:05:00.002+05:30

FDA has approved about 83 New Drugs in 36 different therapeutic areas for the period of 01-Jan-2008 to 11-Nov-2008. Maximum of eight new Anti-retrovirals are approved, followed by six anti-histamine, anti-convulsant and anti-inflammatory each approved by US FDA.

Other New Drugs approved by FDA (Jan'08 to Nov'08)

2008-12-15T16:57:00.002+05:30

Other therapeutics approved by ANDA

2008-12-11T17:05:00.001+05:30

FDA- ANDA approved Therapeutics

2008-12-11T16:49:00.001+05:30

ANDA approvals from Jan'08 to Nov08

2008-12-11T11:47:00.002+05:30

Procter & Gamble Files Infringement Lawsuit on Kraft Foods

2008-12-10T10:32:00.001+05:30

The P&G Company filed a patent lawsuit against Kraft Foods Inc., manufacturer of the Maxwell House Coffee brand.

The lawsuit, filed in the US Federal District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in Cincinnati, alleges that the new four-pound plastic container for Maxwell House coffee, now being introduced in the U.S., directly infringes key Procter & Gamble patents on Folgers Coffee.

In 2003, P&G introduced Folgers Coffee in a consumer-preferred plastic container. This innovation has grown the Folgers business for the past five years.

"We made large investments to overcome the technical challenges in making a lightweight plastic container that can withstand the pressure changes that occur between the factory and the consumer's home," said Steve Jemison, P&G chief legal officer. "Many innovations in this container are covered by P&G patents, which we believe Maxwell House has infringed. We must protect our intellectual property," he said.

The lawsuit seeks to stop Kraft Foods from selling the infringing Maxwell House Coffee package. It also seeks recovery of damages.

Source: http://www.pginvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=104574&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1200069&highlight=

ANDA approvals from US FDA [01-Nov'08 to 30-Nov'08]

2008-12-05T14:21:00.001+05:30

WIPO New Courses enrollment starts

2008-11-30T18:35:00.001+05:30

The wipo Academy introduces some distance learning courses like Basics of Patent Drafting/ Patent information search, Patent & Trademarks

The enrollment for those courses starts from tomorrow (1st Dec), link given below

http://www.wipo.int/academy/en/courses/distance_learning/catalog/c_index.html

Search patent information (Patents/ Patent News/ Patent Cases)

2008-11-29T15:49:00.001+05:30

This post includes Patent information (Patents/ Patent News/ Patent Cases) search and what are the tools are available to search

Patents/ Patent Application search:

United States: USPTO: http://www.uspto.gov

Patent Database: patft.uspto.gov/ appft.uspto.gov (Granted Patents: PATFT & Application: AppFT)

Patent Assignment: http://assignments.uspto.gov/assignments/?db=pat

PAIR (Patent Application Information Retrieval): http://portal.uspto.gov/external/portal/pair

US patent Gazette: http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/patog/

Orange book (Official listing of Patent linked marketed Pharmaceutical product): www.fda.gov/cder/ob/

European Union: EPO: http://www.epo.org

Publication Server: https://publications.european-patent-office.org/PublicationServer/search.jsp

Bulletin: http://www.epo.org/patents/patent-information/european-patent-documents/european-patent-bulletin/download.html

OPS: http://ops.espacenet.com/

India: http://www.patentoffice.nic.in

Indian patent/ Application search & patent office journal/ Gazette are available at: http://www.patentoffice.nic.in/ipr/patent/patents.htm

Canada: http://cipo.gc.ca/

Patent Search: patents1.ic.gc.ca/intro-e.html

Gazette: http://napoleon.ic.gc.ca/cipo/patgazarc.nsf/f_maincpor_e?OpenForm

Australia: http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/

Australia specification search: http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/aub/aub_pages_1.process_simple_search

Auspat: (For Legal status/ Document link): http://pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/ols/auspat/startAgain.do?previousPage=quickSearch

Old Data search: http://apa.hpa.com.au:8080/ipapa/qsearch&ei=

Singapore: http://www.ipos.gov.sg

SurfIP (Patent Search): http://www.surfip.gov.sg/

E-patents (Singapore patent search): http://www.epatents.gov.sg/PE/

Japan:http://www.jpo.go.jp/

Patent Search: http://www19.ipdl.inpit.go.jp/PA1/cgi-bin/PA1INIT

IPDL: http://www.ipdl.inpit.go.jp/homepg_e.ipdl

Newzealand: http://www.iponz.govt.nz/cms

Patent Search: http://www.iponz.govt.nz/cms/banner_template/IPPATENT

Uinted Kingdom (UK): http://www.ipo.gov.uk/

Patent Search: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/patent/p-find/p-find-number.htm

WIPO: http://www.wipo.int

PCT Patentscope (World Patent Application): http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/

Private Search engines:

Google: www.google.com/Patents

http://www.patentretriever.com/

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/

http://www.patentgenius.com/

http://www.priorsmart.com/

http://www.patentlens.net

http://www.ipnewsflash.com/get_pdf.php

http://free.patentfetcher.com/

http://www.wikipatents.com/

http://www.freshpatents.com/

http://www.pat2pdf.org/

http://www.patentsurf.net/

http://www.pattools.com/

http://www.patentbuero.ch/service/main.htm

http://india.bigpatents.org (indian patent)

http://www.tmpsearchers.com (indian patents)

and many others

Patent & Patent law Blogs/ websites, patent cases:

http://www.ag-ip-news.com/

http://www.biospace.com/

http://delawareiplaw.com/

http://depatentlaw.morrisjames.com/

http://drugpatentexpiry.blogspot.com/

http://www.drugpatentwatch.com/

http://duncanbucknell.com/

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/pharmaceuticals/index_en.htm

http://www.eyeonfda.com/eye_on_fda/

http://www.fdalawblog.net/fda_law_blog_hyman_phelps/

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch

http://www.fdalegislativewatch.com/

http://promotetheprogress.com/

http://genericpharmaceuticals.blogspot.com/

http://genericspatent.blogspot.com/

http://pipeline.corante.com/

http://indianpatentoppositions.blogspot.com/

http://www.intellectualpropertylawblog.com/

http://www.theiplawblog.com/

http://www.ipmenu.com/

http://www.ipnewsflash.com/

http://ip-updates.blogspot.com/

http://www.ipfrontline.com/

http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/

http://www.ipr-helpdesk.org/

http://jiplp.oxfordjournals.org/

http://www.managingip.com/

http://www.mondaq.com/

http://www.orangebookblog.com/

http://www.patentarcade.com/

http://www.patentbaristas.com/

http://www.patentdocs.net/patent_docs/

http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/

http://www.patenthawk.com/blog/

http://patentcircle.blogspot.com/

http://www.pharmalive.com/

http://pharmtech.findpharma.com/

http://www.pharmabiz.com/

http://www.expresspharma.com

http://www.pharmalive.com/

http://www.pharmalot.com/

http://www.pharmasianews.com/

http://www.ipnewsflash.com/

http://www.okpatents.com/phosita/

http://www.pli.edu/patentcenter/

http://www.pubpat.org/

http://spicyipindia.blogspot.com/

http://www.stemcellpatents.com/

http://inventblog.com/

http://patentlibrarian.blogspot.com/

http://thepriorart.typepad.com/

http://www.researchandmarkets.com/

http://online.wsj.com/

http://www.orglex.com/

http://patentdaily.wordpress.com/

http://www.infringementupdates.com/

http://thespcblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.wapatents.com/

http://pharmalyst.blogspot.com/

http://pharmapatents.blogspot.com/

http://thetouchstoneeffect.blogspot.com/

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casesummary/

http://www.lawyerscollective.org/

http://www.justia.com/

and many others and whenever i find information i will update this post

Conference

2008-09-29T14:15:00.001+05:30

Source: Orange Book Blog and Google

Title: CBI "Paragraph IV Disputes" Conference
Venue: Philadelphia
Date: October 15-16
Agenda:
"Strategies to Optimize Patent Lifecycle from Drafting to Maturity"
"Preparing for Paragraph IV Challenges -- Generic Pre-suit Strategies"
"Best Practices in E-Discovery -- Overcoming Obstacles, Controlling Costs and Maximizing Benefits"
"The KSR Decision and ANDA Litigation"
"Implications of Recent Developments and Trends in Litigating Paragraph IV Disputes" (I'll be speaking on this topic as one of the panelists)
"Citizen Petitions and Their Impact on Generic Entry"
"Interpreting Forfeiture Provisions -- An Analysis of Recent Cases to Increase Preparedness and Improve Product Strategy"
"The FTC, Antitrust Law and Settling Paragraph IV Litigation," presented by Markus Meier, Assistant Director, FTC

Title: ACI "Maximizing Pharmaceutical Patent Life Cycles" Conference, New York, October 15-16
Venue: New York
Date: October 15-16
Agenda:
"Constructing, Adjusting, and Executing a Pharmaceutical Patent Life Cycle Management Plan"
"View from the FTC," presented by Saralisa Brau, Health Care Services and Products Division, FTC
"Navigating the Complexity of Structuring Patent Settlement Options Between Brand Name and Generic Pharmaceutical Companies"
"Eye on the Bench: Identifying Judicial Trends in Pharmaceutical Patent Cases"
"Mastering the Intricacies of the 180-Day Generic Market Exclusivity"
"Plotting a Course Into Safe Harbor for Branded Pharma"
"View from the FDA," presented by Elizabeth Dickinson, Office of Chief Counsel, FDA
"Slicing Through the Complex Spectrum of Declaratory Judgment Actions in Pharmaceutical Patent Cases"
"Factoring the Role, Challenges, and Impact of Orange Book Listings and Delistings in Patent Portfolio Management"

Title: 2008 Competitive Intelligence Summit
Venue: Rome, Italy
Date: October 20-22
Agenda:
CI and its Relationships with Different Functions Inside the Company
CI Performed by a Single CI Practitioner
CTI: Innovation and Intelligence
Many Facets of Global CI
New Analytical Tools and E-Platforms for the CI Practitioner

Patents and Drug Approvals - Brief view

2008-08-09T19:52:00.001+05:30

How patents are playing key role in drug approvals?
In US, the drug approvals are linked to patents. The Orange book is electronic listing of Approved drugs in US and corresnponding patents covering any of one or all API, formulation and method of use.
All NDA applicants are required to submit patent information related to their product and patent information submitted by NDA applicant will be listed in orange book.
When generic company wants to market generic version of approved product, they have to file ANDA with patent certifications. The patent certifications, as i explained in previous post, are four different types which are Para I, II, III and IV. Paragraph III is the certification included with ANDA when generic company ready to wait till patent expiry and Paragraph IV is challenging patent listed in Orange book stating that the listed patents are invalid or not infringed by ANDA submitted upon manufacture, distribute and sale.
When the generic company files ANDA with para IV certification, innovator will file legal suit in district court and result in 30 month stay on drug approval. If generic company win the suit, the 180 day exclusivity offered to generic company, during this 180 days no further generic drug (ANDA) approval will not made.
The para IV filings plays key role for generic companies and Para IV filing are listed by FDA without disclosing identity of orginator. Link: http://www.fda.gov/CDER/ogd/ppiv.htm
and it is important to mention is "maintaining patent protifolio is become companies intellectual asset".
In india dispute is going on to link drug approvals with patent as like US system, if interested read this articles
1. http://www.livemint.com/2008/05/02224246/Drug-companies-oppose-bid-to-l.html (Accessed 9th Aug 2008)
2. http://www.pharmaceutical-business-review.com/article_news.asp?guid=22F598E9-6257-46E5-B107-D11DA389D018 (Accessed 9th Aug 2008)
Please write comments

For further reading:
1. generic drug product development by leon shargel and isadore Kanfer, published by Marcel dekker (2005)
2. http://www.fda.gov/cder/orange/default.htm
3. http://www.fda.gov/cder/regulatory/applications/ANDA.htm
4. http://www.fda.gov/cder/regulatory/applications/NDA.htm

Stem Cells and Patent Dispute in US

2008-08-09T19:14:00.000+05:30

Stem cells are cells which have potential to develop into any any kind of cell in the body, in technical term they are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and ability to differentiate into diverse range of specilized cell types.

The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is the non profit technology transfer office of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and involved in stem cell research and holds many patents on stem cells. WARF gains income by licensing patented technology to many companies in US and worldwide. WARF holds significant patents on human embryonic stem cells the patents are U.S. Patent Nos. 5,843,780 (claiming primate embryonic stem (pES) cells); 6,200,806 (claiming human embryonic stem cell (hES) cells); and 7,029,913 (hES)

The request for re examination was made by nonprofit organisation the Foundation Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) and the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) saying that the work done by university researchers are obivious and works are non-patentable and also impeding scientific progress.
On march 2007, The patents, US Pat. Nos. 5,843,780, 6,200,806, and 7,029,913, cover all embryonic stem cell research in the U.S. The USPTO granted each of the requests in September 2006 and rejected all claims of each of the patents .
In recent decision on re-examination of '913 patent, USPTO has amended claim to narrow down the scope of claim.
For Further reading:
1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell
2.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Alumni_Research_Foundation
3.http://www.pubpat.org/warfstemcell.htm
4. http://patentbaristas.com/archives/2007/04/03/warf-stem-cell-patents-knocked-down-in-round-one/
5. http://patentdocs.typepad.com/patent_docs/2007/04/warf_stem_cell_.html
6. http://patentbaristas.com/archives/2008/03/03/ding-warf-wins-round-2-as-stem-cell-patent-upheld/
7. www.stemcellpatents.com

Drug Approval Process in US/ EU

2008-08-09T18:31:00.001+05:30

In this post, i write about process by which drug approvals are made in big markets like US and Europe. The drugs are being developed over many years and have to cross many barriers to get marketed.
There are regulatory Authorities to regulate drug market to ensure safety and effectiveness of marketed drug.
IN US, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
IN EU, European agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal products (EMEA)

In brief, key stages of drug development
1. Preclinical studies: to establish drug's merit to progress into clinical trials and it includes animal studies and API related studies and formulation (Tablet, capsule in small scale) Investigational new drug (IND) submitted to FDA CDER and FDA checks preclinical studies are perfomed whether in compliance with GLP or not, when clinical trial commences CDER start to monitor the trial.
2. Phase I: conducted with small group of people, to establish merits to progress into patients trials, for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
3. Phase II: conducted in larger group people, to further evaluate safety
4. Phase III: to provide pivotal trial evidence to prove safety and efficacy and FDA uses this data to decide whether to approve or not.
At the end of Phase III, Innovator/sponsor submit New drug application (NDA) FDA CDER checks and concludes the safety and efficacy established in clinical trials

Brief explanation of how process happeans
(Available at http://www.fda.gov/cder/handbook/develop.htm)

The NDA is evaluated based on the safety and efficacy established in clinical trials and scientifc dats. and Phase IV, this post marketing studies to access the drug's safety, effectiveness and monitored for unexpected health risks. CDER could put hold at any stage in this development cycle.
The above mentioned processes are when new drugs investigated for marketing approval and what is generic drugs? the generic drug applications are called Abbreviated New drug application (ANDA), No need to establish clinical trial data (safety and efficacy) generic drug manufacturers, generic drugs could enter the market after patent protection on formulation/product expired.
Orange book is FDA CDER's listing of approved products and corresponding patent protection, generic drug applications (ANDA) are evaluated for their bioequivalency with innovator/Sponsor product.

ANDA: FDA approved generic based on
1. contains same active agent as an approved (reference listed drug product)
2. should be identical dose, strength and route of administration
3. have same use/ indications
4. be bioequivalent
ANDA applicant has to file ANDA with any of one or more certifications for patent(s) listed in Orange Book (OB)
paragraph I ceritification: No patent information found in OB for which ANDA submitted,
Paragraph II certification: Listed patents are expired for which ANDA submitted,
Paragraph III: to seek approval after listed patent expiry
Paragraph IV: to challenge listed patent, saying Patent(s) listed are invalid, will not infringe to manufacture, use and sale.
Exclusivity:
Exclusivities are to protect the interest and benefit the innovator or generic applicants
Innovator's:
New Chemical entity: 5 years for first time approval of new chemical molecule
pediatric exclusivity: 6 months added to patent lifetime or existing exclusivity, but it will not stand alone.
3 years exclusivity for any significant changes, if new clinical studies conducted by innovator/ sponsor for new indication/dose etc.
generic applicant:
180 day's exclusivity: On filing ANDA with para IV certification and challenging innovator patent(s) listed in OB. First ANDA filing will get 180 days exclusivity on challenging and wining the case. it prevents other generic players from approval.

In EU, Drug approval process is regulated by European agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal products (EMEA), this agency give marketing authorization (MA) in european union (EU) member countries to market drug products. This is called centralized procedure.
In decentralized procedure/ Mutual reconization procedure: This applies to conventional drugs. Applications are made to individual member states selected by applicant.
In EU, two steps to get marketing Authorization,
1. Clinical trial Application
2. marketing Authorization Application (MAA)
Clinical trial Applications are approved in member state level and MAA approved at centralized level. Innovator/Sponsor submit clinical trial application in each member state where trials are to be conducted. In UK clinical trila applications are to be submited to medicine control agency (MCA).
Upon sucessful completion of clinical trials, MAA is to be submitted to EMEA in centralized procedure, four different MAAs are there, it depends on type of medicinal product.
In Mutual regonization procedure, if Once drug approved by any one member state, it is eligible to file MAA in other EU member states through Mutual regonization procedure.

Reference:
1. Drugs from discovery to approval by Rick Ng, PhD, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc (2004)
2. Pharmaceutical project management 2nd edition, edited by Tony Kennedy
3. generic drug product development, leon shargel and Isadore Kanfer, Marcel Dekker (2005)
4. http://www.fda.gov/cder/about/smallbiz/generic_exclusivity.htm (Accessed 9th Aug 2008)
5. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/info/understand (Accessed 9th Aug 2008)
6. http://www.fda.gov/cder/handbook/develop.htm (Accessed 9th Aug 2008)

Today i got interest to write many things on drug approval, snice i read first two books listed in reference. Please write comment on mistakes i made.

OSU-HDAC42 Blocks Prostate Cancer In Animal Study

2008-05-24T12:16:00.000+05:30

An experimental drug has blocked the progression of prostate cancer in an animal model with an aggressive form of the disease, new research shows. OSU-HDAC42, belongs to a new class of drugs called histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, compounds designed to reactivate genes that normally protect against cancer but are turned off by the cancer process.

The study, conducted by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers who also developed the drug, showed that the agent kept mice with a precancerous condition from developing advanced prostate cancer.

Instead, the animals either remained at the precancerous stage, called prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), or they developed benign enlargements of the prostate called adenomas. The main side effect of the treatment was a reversible shrinkage of the testicles. Of the animals not given the drug, 74 percent developed advanced prostate cancer.

The findings are reported in the May 15 issue of the journal Cancer Research. Human testing of the compound is expected to begin early next year.

When the drug treatment was stopped after 24 weeks, two of the animals were followed for an additional 18 weeks. The animals developed adenomas but were alive after 42 weeks, well beyond their normal 32-week life span. "The drug not only kept the animals cancer free, but also prolonged their life span," says Ching-Shih Chen, who led the drug's development and the new study at the Comprehensive Cancer Center. Chen is also professor of pharmacy and of internal medicine.

The researchers added the drug to the diet of 23 of the cancer-prone mice beginning at six weeks of age, when the animals develop the precancerous condition, and continued the treatment for 18 weeks.
They then examined the animals. Of the treated mice, one showed signs of early stage cancer, but 12 still had only the precancerous condition and 10 had adenomas. In contrast, 17 of 23 control animals developed advanced prostate cancer, two had early stage cancer, three had the precancerous condition and one an adenoma. Experiments using a nontransgenic strain of the same mouse -- they do not develop prostate cancer -- showed that the degeneration of the testicles that accompanied the drug treatment was reversible when the drug treatment stops.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080522114251.htm

RBM3, the new cancer gene

2008-05-23T11:53:00.000+05:30

Researchers at the OU Cancer Institute have identified a new gene that causes cancer. The ground-breaking research appears April 28 in Nature’s cancer journal Oncogene.

The gene and its protein, both called RBM3, are vital for cell division in normal cells. In cancers, low oxygen levels in the tumors cause the amount of this protein to go up dramatically. This causes cancer cells to divide uncontrollably, leading to increased tumor formation. Researchers used new powerful technology to genetically “silence” the protein and reduce the level of RBM3 in cancerous cells. The approach stopped cancer from growing and led to cell death. The new technique has been tested successfully on several types of cancers – breast, pancreas, colon, lung, ovarian and prostate.

“We are excited about this discovery because most cancers are thought to come from mutations in genes, and our studies, for the first time, have shown that too much of this type of protein actually causes normal cells to turn into cancer cells,” said Shrikant Anant, Ph.D., a cancer biologist at the OU Cancer Institute and principal investigator on the project. Anant said they found RBM3 protein in every stage of many cancers, and the amount of protein increased as the cancer grew.

The protein helped the cancer grow faster, avoid cell death and was part of the process that formed new blood vessels to feed the tumor. “This process, called angiogenesis, is essential for tumor growth and suggests that targeting RBM3 may be an extremely powerful tool against many and perhaps all solid tumors,” Anant said. A quarter of the funding for the cancer research comes from an $800,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health with remaining funds from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. The next step for Anant, Dr. Courtney Houchen and their research team at the OU Health Sciences Center is to develop agents that block the protein function in a variety of cancers.

Researchers expect to start clinical trials at OU in about five years.

URL Link - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508115829.htm

ScienceHandy: Warning on Biofuels

2008-04-22T10:44:00.001+05:30

ScienceHandy: Warning on Biofuels

Warning on Biofuels

2008-04-22T10:34:00.001+05:30

Two leaders warning about the effect of Biofuels:

" development of biofuels harmed the world's most impoverished people" - Bolivian President Evo Morales

"using land for biofuels was putting food out of reach for the poor" - President Alan Garcia of Peru

Spirulina - a collection

2008-04-17T13:05:00.001+05:30

Introduction to Spirulina:

Spirulina is a blue-green algae. It is a simple, one-celled form of algae that thrives in warm, alkaline fresh-water bodies. The name "spirulina" is derived from the Latin word for "helix" or "spiral"; denoting the physical configuration of the organism when it forms swirling, microscopic strands.

Spirulina is being developed as the "food of the future" because of its amazing ability to synthesize high-quality concentrated food more efficiently than any other algae. Most notably, Spirulina is 65 to 71 percent complete protein, with all essential amino acids in perfect balance. In comparison, beef is only 22 percent protein.

Spirulina has a photosynthetic conversion rate of 8 to 10 percent, compared to only 3 percent in such land-growing plants as soybeans.

In addition, Spirulina is one of the few plant sources of vitamin B12, usually found only in animal tissues. A teaspoon of Spirulina supplies 21/2 times the Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin B12 and contains over twice the amount of this vitamin found in an equivalent serving of liver.

Spirulina also provides high concentrations of many other nutrients - amino acids, chelated minerals, pigmentations, rhamnose sugars (complex natural plant sugars), trace elements, enzymes - that are in an easily assimilable form.

Even though it is single-celled, Spirulina is relatively large, attaining sizes of 0.5 millimeters in length. This is about 100 times the size of most other algae, which makes some individual Spirulina cells visible to the naked eye. Furthermore, the prolific reproductive capacity of the cells and their proclivity to adhere in colonies makes Spirulina a large and easily gathered plant mass.

The algae are differentiated according to predominating colorations, and are divided into blue-green, green, red and brown. Spirulina is one of the blue-green algae due to the presence of both chlorophyll (green) and phycocyanin (blue) pigments in its cellular structure.

Even though Spirulina is distantly related to the kelp algae, it is not a sea plant. However, the fresh-water ponds and lakes it favors are notably more saline - in the range of 8 to 11 pH than ordinary lakes and cannot sustain any other forms of microorganisms. In addition, Spirulina thrives in very warm waters of 32 to 45 degrees C (approximately 85 to 112 degrees F), and has even survived in temperatures of 60 degrees C (140 degrees F)

Certain desert-adapted species will survive when their pond habitats evaporate in the intense sun, drying to a dormant state on rocks as hot as 70 degrees Centigrade (160 degrees F). In this dormant condition, the naturally blue-green algae turns a frosted white and develops a sweet flavor as its 71 percent protein structure is transformed into polysaccharide sugars by the heat.
Some scientists speculate that the "manna" of the wandering Israelites, which appeared miraculously on rocks following a devastating dry spell and was described as tasting "like wafers made with hone" may have been a form of dried, dormant Spirulina.

This ability of Spirulina to grow in hot and alkaline environments ensures its hygienic status, as no other organisms can survive to pollute the waters in which this algae thrives. Unlike the stereotypical association of microorganisms with "germs" and "scum", Spirulina is in fact one of the cleanest, most naturally sterile foods found in nature.

Its adaptation to heat also assures that Spirulina retains its nutritional value when subject to high temperatures during processing and shelf storage, unlike many plant foods that rapidly deteriorate at high temperatures.

Spirulina is also unusual among algae because it is a "nuclear plant" meaning it is on the developmental cusp between plants and animals. It is considered somewhat above plants because it does not have the hard cellulose membranes characteristic of plant cells, nor does it have a well-defined nucleus. Yet its metabolic system is based on photosynthesis, a process of direct food energy production utilizing sunlight and chlorophyll, which is typical of plant life forms.

In essence, Spirulina straddles that fork in evolutionary development when the plant and animal kingdoms differentiated. Thus it embodies the simplest form of life. In contrast, other algae such as Chlorella have developed the hard indigestible walls characteristic of plants.
Source: http://www.naturalways.com/spirul1.htm

General Information on Spirulina:

This tiny aquatic plant offers 60% all-vegetable protein, essential vitamins and phytonutrients such as the antioxidant beta carotene, the rare essential fatty acid GLA, sulfolipids, glycolipids and polysaccharides.

Its deep green color comes from its rainbow of natural pigments - chlorophyll (green), phycocyanin (blue) and carotenoids (orange) - that harvest the sun's energy. Easy-to-digest so nutrients are absorbed quickly.

World's highest beta carotene food reduces long term health risks.Spirulina beta carotene is ten times more concentrated than carrots. So even if you don't eat the recommended 4 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day (most people eat only 1-2, including french fries), get your natural beta carotene insurance from spirulina to help support your body's defenses.

60% easy-to-digest vegetable protein without the fat and cholesterol of meat.People are eating less meat and dairy protein because they want to lower fat, cholesterol, and chemicals in their diet. Spirulina is the highest protein food with all the essential amino acids and has only a few calories to keep your waistline where you want it.

A rare essential fatty acid is a key to health.Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in mother's milk helps develop healthy babies. Studies show nutritional deficiencies can block GLA production in your body, so a good dietary source of GLA can be important. Spirulina is the only other whole food with GLA.

Iron for women and children's health.Iron is essential to build a strong system, yet is the most common mineral deficiency. Spirulina is rich in iron, magnesium and trace minerals, and is easier to absorb than iron supplements.

High in Vitamin B-12 and B Complex.Spirulina is the highest source of B-12, essential for healthy nerves and tissue, especially for vegetarians.

Unusual phytonutrients for health and cleansing.Scientists are discovering the benefits of polysaccharides, sulfolipids & glycolipids, and the rainbow of natural pigments that give spirulina a deep green color. Green (chlorophyll), blue (phycocyanin) and orange (carotenoids) colors collect the sun's energy and power growth. Chlorophyll is a natural cleanser and is often referred to as nature's green magic.

Source: http://www.spirulina.com/SPBSpirulina.html

Spirulina Uses and Pharmacology

Clinical trials have investigated spirulina's potential but have failed to indicate any consistent effects.

Allergic rhinitis and asthma
Despite experimental data suggesting that C-phycocyanin can selectively inhibit release of histamine from mast cells and prevent increases in immunoglobulin E, studies demonstrating clinical efficacy are inadequate. A small study in patients with mild to moderate asthma suggested that spirulina supplementation (1 g/day) produced improvement in lung function parameters, while a study evaluating spirulina in allergic rhinitis suggested a positive effect on laboratory values but no clinical outcomes were reported.

Antimicrobial activity
Spirulina and its extracts have been evaluated for antiviral activity. One in vitro study found that calcium spirulan extract interfered with replication of several enveloped viruses, including herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus, mumps and measles viruses, influenza A virus, and HIV-1, while another study described a slightly different range of viruses susceptible to the extract. HIV-1 adsorption and penetration were inhibited by an aqueous extract of spirulina, while a crude hot water extract reduced HIV-1 replication. This type of in vitro activity is common to acidic polysaccharides from a variety of sources. Enterovirus is also susceptible to spirulina. Spirulina demonstrated some in vitro activity against common human bacterial pathogens, but less than the standard comparator.

Cancer
C-phycocyanin showed a dose-dependent inhibition of HeLa and human chronic myeloid leukemia cell growth and proliferation in in vitro experiments. Induction of apoptosis was considered to be one of the mechanisms involved. Survival rates increased in mice with liver cancer treated with C-phycocyanin, and tumor regression has been reported in animals with oral cancer. Spirulina induced lesion regression in tobacco chewers with oral leukoplakia in a study conducted in India.

Diabetes
Two small studies have investigated the effects of spirulina supplementation in type 2 diabetes, with improvement noted in fasting blood sugar and lipid profiles. Suggested mechanisms of action include hypoglycemia caused by fiber content or possible insulin-stimulating action of peptides and polypeptides of spirulina proteins. The actions on lipids have been attributed to gamma linolenic acid content.

Dietary supplement
Spirulina, considered a food item for centuries in many countries, is now popularly thought of as a dietary supplement. Spirulina consumption was purported to aid in weight loss because of its high phenylalanine content, but a Food and Drug Administration review found no evidence to support this claim. Suggestions that spirulina is a valuable source of vitamin B 12 have been similarly disputed.

A study of spirulina supplementation for 8 weeks demonstrated clinical improvement in weight gain and increased hemoglobin levels in malnourished children in the West African nation of Burkina Faso. Similar results have been demonstrated among children who are HIV-positive.

Hyperlipidemia
Experiments in rats suggest that C-phycocyanin exhibits hypercholesterolemic action. Two small clinical studies have examined the role of spirulina in hyperlipidemia secondary to nephrotic syndrome. Both populations showed an improved lipid profile with spirulina supplementation; however, the control group in 1 experiment also showed improvement. The gamma linolenic acid content of spirulina may have played a role in the mechanism of action.

Immune system effects
In vitro and animal experiments suggest that spirulina and its extracts might be immunostimulatory. Activation of monocytes and macrophages, as well as augmentation of interleukin and interferon production, have also been demonstrated. A clinical study in healthy men found that oral administration of spirulina for 3 months resulted in enhanced interferon production and natural killer cell capacity. The clinical importance of these effects has not been determined.

Other uses
In a small, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, spirulina plus zinc increased urinary excretion of arsenic and decreased arsenic hair-content in people with chronic exposure to arsenic.
C-phycocyanin inhibited platelet aggregation in in vitro experiments. In mice with chemically-induced arthritis, phycocyanin exerted a scavenging action against reactive oxygen species and anti-inflammatory activity.

A 5% spirulina-supplemented diet prevented fatty liver in rats. Spirulina decreased cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats, an effect attributed to an antioxidant action. Other studies suggest that spirulina is an antioxidant, but clinical importance has not been demonstrated. Spirulina also has been reported to reduce gastric secretory activity and protect mouse and human bone marrow cells against gamma radiation.
Dosage

There is insufficient clinical data to guide dosing of spirulina for therapeutic effect. Spirulina has typically been studied in daily dosage of 1 to 10 g.

Pregnancy/Lactation
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Spirulina may contain more than 180 mcg of mercury per 20 g of spirulina and should be avoided.

Interactions
None well documented. An antiplatelet effect has been demonstrated in vitro but was not clinically evaluated.

Adverse Reactions
Few reports of adverse reactions are available. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) may contain the amino acid phenylalanine; therefore, people with phenylketonuria should avoid spirulina. A case of spirulina-associated hepatotoxicity has been reported. Hepatotoxic microcystins and neurotoxic anatoxin-a are produced by a number of cyanobacteria and have been reported as spirulina contaminants. Other contaminants reported include the heavy metals mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and lead, as well as microbes cultivated on fermented animal waste. Questions have been raised regarding the potential for adverse reactions in persons with autoimmune disorders consuming immunostimulatory herbal preparations.

Toxicology
Spirulina is considered nontoxic to humans at usual levels of consumption; however, information is limited.

Source: http://www.drugs.com/npp/spirulina.html

Blogger Appreciation Day

2008-04-16T10:20:00.002+05:30

It seems that ProBlogger has declared today Blogger Appreciation Day and has asked readers to email another blogger to let them know that you appreciate something about them. He also suggested writing a post with your words of appreciation.
A list of favorites:
IP ThinkTank blog
Pharmababble
Securing Innovation
Xconomy
Orange Book Blog
What About Clients?
Innovators Network
LawPundit
lexferenda
IP News & Transactions
Boycott Novell
Blawg Review
Law Bites
California Biotech Law Blog
Antitrust Review
IPCentury
IP Law Top 10 Sources
IPNewsFlash
BlawgIT
Biosink
FDA Law Blog
Traditional Knowledge Bulletin
Patently-O
Ephemeral Law

Pfizer Feels Pain Over Celebrex

2008-04-01T12:18:00.001+05:30

The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a lower court ruling that Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. infringed two patents held by Pfizer Inc. for Celebrex, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Pfizer v. Teva (07-1271).

Pfizer has three patents listed in the FDA’s Orange Book protecting its arthritis drug Celebrex (celecoxib), selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat pain and inflammation. Pfizer sued Teva in 2004 after the company filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) filing for generic approval with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Because the patents covering celecoxib were listed in the Orange Book, Teva was required to certify that those patents were invalid or will not be infringed by the manufacture, use or sale of the new drug. Teva’s ANDA challenged the validity of the patents covering celecoxib.
Last year, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New Jersey ruled that all three of Pfizer’s Celebrex patents, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,466,823, 5,563,165, and 5,760,068, were valid and infringed by Teva’s ANDA filing. The district court also held that the asserted claims of the three patents were not invalid for a best mode violation and that the asserted claims of the ’068 patent were not invalid for obviousness-type double patenting. The court stopped Teva from selling its generic drug until until December 2015, when the ‘068 patent expires.
In a split decision, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held that one of the patents, the ‘068 patent, is invalid for double patenting in view of the earlier filed ‘165 patent.
Pfizer originally filed one patent application covering multiple inventions encompass a broad genus of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds, compositions using those compounds, and methods of using those compositions. The claims of the patents include celecoxib—the active ingredient in Celebrex. During review of the application, the patent the patent examiner issued a restriction requirement, which required an election of the following inventions under 35 U.S.C. §121: <
Claims 1-20, compounds.
Claims 21-26, compositions.
Claims 27-37, methods of use.
In response, Pfizer chose to prosecute the generic compound claims and, within that genus, the single compound species celecoxib. The resulting compound claims ultimately issued as the ’823 patent. Subsequent to the restriction requirement but before the ’594 application issued, Pfizer filed a series of continuation applications claiming priority to the ’594 application and covering the non-elected subject matter which it had elected not to prosecute in the original ’594 application.
In particular, Pfizer filed a divisional application, which ultimately issued as the ’165 patent, that included the restricted-out composition claims, and a continuation-in-part application (”CIP”), which ultimately issued as the ’068 patent, that included the restricted-out method claims.
The issue in this case is that patent law prohibits getting more than one patent on the same invention — that is, you cannot get a second patent if it claims an invention that was disclosed or would have been obvious in light of the first patent. However, there is also a rule that says the first patent can’t be used against the second one if the second one is filed in response to the restriction requirement made in the earlier parent application.
35 U.S.C. § 121 provides a safe harbor to patents that issue on applications filed as a result of a restriction requirement:
A patent issuing on an application with respect to which a requirement for restriction under this section has been made, or on an application filed as a result of such a requirement, shall not be used as a reference either in the Patent and Trademark Office or in the courts against a divisional application or against the original application or any patent issued on either of them, if the divisional application is filed before the issuance of the patent on the other application.
In addition to the express requirements of section 121, the statute requires consonance: the applicant must maintain the line of demarcation between the independent and distinct inventions that prompted the restriction requirement. The court held that this safe harbor applies exclusively to divisional applications since a divisional application contains an identical disclosure to its parent application. This consonance requirement prevents an applicant from amending the claims in the divisional application in a way that would violate the originally imposed restriction requirement and thereby impermissibly extend the patent term as to that subject matter.
In the present case, Pfizer had filed a continuation-in-part application, which includes some portion of the original application but also introduces new matter. Teva argued that section 121 applies exclusively to divisional applications, and that because the ’068 patent issued on a CIP rather than on a divisional application, it does not fall within the terms of the statute.
Pfizer tried arguing that the terminology of the application did not matter but the appeals court pooh-poohed it:
There is no suggestion, however, in the legislative history of section 121 that the safe-harbor provision was, or needed to be, directed at anything but divisional applications. The commentary and materials published since section 121’s enactment similarly contain no suggestion that section 121 was meant to cover any applications other than divisionals. Although the legislative history reveals no reason why Congress drafted section 121 only to benefit divisional applications, there are certainly plausible reasons why Congress would have concluded that section 121 should be limited to divisional applications, and not include CIPs. The need for the protection only existed when a divisional application was filed as a result of the restriction.
Because the second application then was without the safe harbor, the court held that it was invalid for obviousness-type double patenting, a judicially created doctrine that prohibits someone from obtaining an extension of their patent rights by filing a later patent that are not patentably distinct from the first. The Appeals Court ruled in Teva’s favor that the patent covering the use in the treatment of inflammation was invalid.
The court ruled that two other patents covering the active ingredient in Celebrex are valid, enforceable and infringed by the Teva’s product. The decision will keep Teva from selling a generic counterpart in the U.S. until May 2014.
It is obviously good news for Pfizer tht they did not lose all of the patents, given that it is one of its biggest sellers with global sales of Celebrex totalling $2.3 billion a year, including $1.7 billion in the U.S. alone. However, the decision will cut Pfizer’s patent term by one and a half years.

Patenting Flow Chart

2008-03-31T22:14:00.001+05:30

Patenting Procedure Flow chart
simple and very understandable
Web link:www.lexorbis.com/patent-opposition.html

Roche Erlotinib Patent suit brief

2008-03-27T20:52:00.000+05:30

Roche is an exclusive licensee for Erlitinib hydrochloride in india and patent details are below:
Granted patent: IN196774
Grant Publication: 14/Sep/2007
Application: 537/DEL/1996
Applicant: Pfizer
Corresponding patent: US5747498 [Orange Book listed]
US expiry: 30/Mar/2015

Erlotinib was developed jointly by OSI pharma and Pfizer, later pfizer granted developmental and marketing rights to OSI pharma for royalty free. OSI started clinical development and clinical studies alliance with roche and genentech. This mail-box application of erlotinib was opposed by Natco pharma (Indian drug company) before grant and lost in the pre-grant opposition.

Cipla, indian drug company, announced lunch of generic version of erlotinib (Tarceva) even when patent is in force in india. As expected Roche file infringement suit against lunch of generic version of Erlotinib by cipla and asking injunction to stop manufacture, sale and distribution in Delhi High court.

This awaited judgement of delhi high court came on 20th March 2008, allowing Cipla to continue the manufacture of drug till a final ruling on the case. Court declined the temporary injunction against cipla in the view of public interest or as the Mint put it - 'irreversible damage to the patients' since the cost of Cipla's generic version is one-third that of Roche's patented drug.

Elabarate blog article on judgement in SpicyIP: http://spicyipindia.blogspot.com/2008/03/patents-vs-patients-ciplas-victory-and.html

After this judgment, there was a news in economic times that Natco plans to lunch of generic version.

Ref:http://genericpharmaceuticals.blogspot.com/2008/01/india-erlotinib-granted-patent.html
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Patentcircle/~3/218627386/will-cipla-going-to-test-or-taste.html
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Patentcircle/~3/219554860/finally-roche-filed-patent-infringement.html

Life science patent landscape

2008-03-26T12:50:00.000+05:30

A symposium on Lifescience public policy patent landscape.

The symposium is conducted by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) & FAO (Food & Agricultural Organization) on 7th and 8th of April 2008.

The symposium concentrates on two main Trends..

1. Patent information as a tool of public policy
2. Improved analytical tools and access to patent information

"This Symposium aims to take a first step towards more systematically matching the policy needs – the international policy agenda on public policy issues of concern in the life sciences – with the practical capacities – the diverse resources that are now increasingly available to gather, analyze and extract key trends and findings from patent information."

Please read the link for further details: http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/2008/lifesciences/patent_landscaping/

Pharma patents in India

2008-03-25T17:13:00.000+05:30

Almost 86% of the patents applications in pharma are from MNCs

While novartis case has been considered a test case in pre-grant opposition of patent applications.

"research group has found that multinational drug firms have filed over 350 patent applications for drugs used in cancer treatment"

An interesting article in http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=1&subLeft=1&chklogin=N&autono=317822&tab=r

Pre-Grant Oppositions in Patent Act 1970 (India)

2008-03-22T19:13:00.000+05:30

Pre-grand opposition is executed u/s 25 (1) before the grant of patent. Any interested person, in writing, could apply to controller of patent on basis of grounds mentioned u/s25(1).
This procedure is to prevent:
a) Wrongfully obtaining patent protection
b) when Worngful Prior publication / priority date claimed
c) when claimed invention already published before the priority date
d) when claimed invention is Prior public knowledge or public use in India
e) when it is Obvious and lack of inventive step
f) when the invention is not patentable u/s 3
g) when Insufficient description in complete specification
h) when applicant failure to disclose information or furnishing false information relatingto foreign filing
i) when the Convention application not filed within the prescribed time (12 months fromfirst filing date)
j) when Incorrect mentioning of source/geographical origin of biological material used ininvetion
k) when it is anticipated with regard to traditional knowledge of anycommunity , anywhere in the world
Application could be filed with proper evidences and statement
Controller shall only consider the any such request when the applicant make request to examine the application u/s 11B. Section 11B talks about request to examine the application,No application will be examined unless untill applicant make request within 48 months fromfiling date/priority date whichever is ealier.
After consider this statement filed by interested person, if the controller is of opinion that the application shall be refused or the amendment in the application, a notice will besent to applicant with copy of the statement.
Applicant could give reply with proper evidences, if he desires, within three months from the date of notice.
The Controller shall consider the statement and evidence filed by the applicant and may either refuse the grant of patent or ask for amendment of the complete specification to his satisfaction before the grant of patent.After considering the representation and submission made during the hearing,if so requested, the Controller shall proceed further simultaneously, either rejecting the representation and granting the patent or accepting therepresentation and refusing the grant, ordinarily within one month from the completion of the above proceedings.

Ref: http://ipindia.nic.in/ipr/patent/DraftPatent_Manual_2008.pdf

Software patents in U.K

2008-03-21T12:30:00.000+05:30

An interesting case where "Court Orders UK Patent Office to Accept Software Patent"

"The European conditions for granting a patent for computer code are much stricter than in the U.S., where computer programs and business methods can be patented."

Source: CIO (http://www.cio.com/article/199400/Court_Orders_UK_Patent_Office_to_Accept_Software_Patent)

New Director General of CSIR Interview on SPICYIP

2008-03-20T22:01:00.000+05:30

In an interview new director General of CSIR labs says Patenting will continue. Patenting is also a strategy. Patenting is a strategy of a business
To see full interview, click the link below:
http://spicyipindia.blogspot.com/2008/03/spicy-ip-interview-with-dr-samir-k.html

Online Training at EPO

2008-03-19T19:11:00.001+05:30

Dear readers,
EPO's virtual class room shedules
We are very pleased to inform you that we are back again with a series of virtual classroom seminars and that our first sessions have been already added to our virtual classroom schedule. You can participate from your desk or from home (using headphones and your internet connection) and we would be pleased to welcome you to these free-of-charge events. The schedule for the first three sessions is as follows: 01 April 2008 - esp@cenet - In the beginning 04 April 2008 - So you think you know all esp@cenet? 29 April 2008 - Register Plus & WebRegMT 18 April 2008 - EPO Publications Server - an overview 16 May 2008 - ESPACE ACCESS with MIMOSA - an introduction For more detailed information about these events and for registration, please check the patent-related events section of the website, and limit your search to "online training" in the "medium" field to see the full schedule of virtual seminars: http://www.epo.org/topics/ip-events/patent-event-search.html Already under preparation are virtual seminars on "Legal Status - an introduction" and "Patent Families - an introduction". These and further seminars will be added to the training programme in the upcoming weeks. So stay tuned and have a look at our virtual seminar calendar from time to time.
We are also pleased to announce that the new Patent Information Tour has now been released at http://www.european-patent-office.org/wbt/pi-tour/ The Patent Information Tour is a collection of short e-learning modules introducing users to patents and to patent information and its application in particular. The interactive, free-of-charge modules group the content in to four topics with short animated sequences. We hope to be able to welcome you in one of our seminars! Best regards, Your EPO Patent Information Training Team http://www.epo.org/patents/learning/pi-training.html

Novartis Case

2008-03-19T19:00:00.000+05:30

Hello readers,
This is first time and first post in blog.
Just i want to share patent case with you people, propbably Novartis case you people must be knowing. opposition filed by natco and other indian pharma companies link 1 and Link 2

I keep posting on this blog

Stock World Wide

2008-02-01T14:02:00.000+05:30

Previously, various major countries such as USA, UK were the key players in the stock market. The trend has changed these days providing opportunity to the developing countries.

Adding to this, Peru leads the world wide stocks with 53% up in last one year, according to MSCI Barra. BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India & China) are the other toppers in stock market with 40% increase over past 5 years. Following to these countries, Egypt, Colombia, Indonesia, the Czech Republic and Turkey have done a good job in last five years.

Source: Forbes

http://www.forbes.com/personalfinance/funds/2008/01/27/turkcell-ishares-bric-pf-guru-in_jc_0128borderless_inl.html

Pfizer FDA

2008-01-31T13:52:00.000+05:30

FDA Approved drugs of Pfizer

A list of drugs from pfizer for FDA approval that has been taken from orange book

Proprietary name & Active ingredients as follows:

ACCUPRIL - QUINAPRIL HYDROCHLORIDE
ACCURETIC - HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE; QUINAPRIL HYDROCHLORIDE
ANTIVERT - MECLIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE
CADUET - AMLODIPINE BESYLATE; ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM
CAMPTOSAR - IRINOTECAN HYDROCHLORIDE
CARDURA - DOXAZOSIN MESYLATE
CARDURA XL - DOXAZOSIN MESYLATE
CEFOBID - CEFOPERAZONE SODIUM
CEFOBID IN PLASTIC CONTAINER - CEFOPERAZONE SODIUM
CHANTIX - VARENICLINE TARTRATE
DIABINESE - CHLORPROPAMIDE
DIFLUCAN - FLUCONAZOLE
DIFLUCAN - FLUCONAZOLE
DIFLUCAN IN DEXTROSE 5% IN PLASTIC CONTAINER - FLUCONAZOLE
DILANTIN - PHENYTOIN
ELLENCE - EPIRUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDE
EXUBERA - INSULIN RECOMBINANT HUMAN
FELDENE - PIROXICAM
GEOCILLIN - CARBENICILLIN INDANYL SODIUM
GEODON - ZIPRASIDONE MESYLATE
GEODON - ZIPRASIDONE HYDROCHLORIDE
GLUCOTROL - GLIPIZIDE
GLUCOTROL XL - GLIPIZIDE
LIPITOR - ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM
LOPID - GEMFIBROZIL
MINIPRESS XL - PRAZOSIN HYDROCHLORIDE
MINIZIDE - POLYTHIAZIDE; PRAZOSIN HYDROCHLORIDE
MITHRACIN - PLICAMYCIN
MODERIL - RESCINNAMINE
NAVANE - THIOTHIXENE HYDROCHLORIDE
NEURONTIN - GABAPENTIN
NICOTROL - NICOTINE
NITROSTAT - NITROGLYCERIN
NORVASC - AMLODIPINE BESYLATE
PENICILLIN G POTASSIUM - PENICILLIN G POTASSIUM
PERMAPEN - PENICILLIN G BENZATHINE
PROCARDIA XL - NIFEDIPINE
RELPAX - ELETRIPTAN HYDROBROMIDE
RENESE - POLYTHIAZIDE
RENESE-R - POLYTHIAZIDE; RESERPINE
REVATIO - SILDENAFIL CITRATE
SELZENTRY - MARAVIROC
SINEQUAN - DOXEPIN HYDROCHLORIDE
STREPTOMYCIN SULFATE - STREPTOMYCIN SULFATE
TERRA-CORTRIL - HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE; OXYTETRACYCLINE HYDROCHLORIDE
TERRAMYCIN - LIDOCAINE HYDROCHLORIDE; OXYTETRACYCLINE
TERRAMYCIN - OXYTETRACYCLINE HYDROCHLORIDE
TIKOSYN - DOFETILIDE
UNASYN - AMPICILLIN SODIUM; SULBACTAM SODIUM
VFEND - VORICONAZOLE
VIAGRA - SILDENAFIL CITRATE
VIBRAMYCIN - DOXYCYCLINE
VIBRA-TABS - DOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE
VISTARIL - HYDROXYZINE HYDROCHLORIDE
VISTARIL - HYDROXYZINE PAMOATE
ZITHROMAX - AZITHROMYCIN
ZMAX - AZITHROMYCIN
ZOLOFT - SERTRALINE HYDROCHLORIDE
ZYRTEC - CETIRIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Source: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/docs/tempah.cfm

"one-in-six-billion miracle"

2008-01-31T12:07:00.000+05:30

An Australian teenage girl has become the world`s first known transplant patient to change blood groups and take on the immune system of her organ donor, doctors said on Friday, calling her a "one-in-six-billion miracle."

Demi-Lee Brennan, now 15, received a donor liver when she was 9 years old and her own liver failed. "It`s like my second chance at life," Brennan told local media, recounting how her body achieved what doctors said was the holy grail of transplant surgery. "It`s kind of hard to believe."

Brennan`s body changed blood group from O negative to O positive when she became ill while on drugs to avoid rejection of the organ by her body`s immune system. Her new liver`s blood stem cells then invaded her body`s bone marrow to take over her entire immune system, meaning the teen no longer needs anti-rejection drugs. Doctors from Sydney`s Westmead Childrens` Hospital said they had no explanation for Brennan`s recovery, detailed in the latest edition of The New England Journal of Medicine.

"There was no precedent for this having happened at any other time, so we were sort of flying by the seat of our pants," Michael Stormon, a pediatric hepatologist, told local radio. S

tuart Dorney, the hospital`s former transplant unit head, said Brennan`s treatment could lead to breakthroughs in organ transplant treatment, because normally the immune system of recipients attacked the transplanted tissue. "We now need to go back over everything that happened to Demi-Lee and see why, and if it can be replicated," said Dorney. "

We think because we used a young person`s liver and Demi-Lee had low white blood cells, that could have been a reason," he told the Daily Telegraph newspaper. Rejection is normally treated with a combination of drugs, although chronic rejection is irreversible.

Only seven-in-10 transplant operations in Australia are successful after a five-year period due to rejection complications.

Source: Angola press (http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=591274)

Product from Novartis

2008-01-25T11:47:00.001+05:30

Product Name: Trioptal
Generic Name: Oxcarbazepine
Use: Anti-epileptic (Treatment for Fits/seizures)

Primary Complex

2007-10-05T16:26:00.000+05:30

Welcome to our new visitor - Vijay ganesh

Primar Complex

Primary complex is condition where there is a lymph node enlargement in the chest which is seen on X-ray chest with some parenchymal (lung) involvement. Lymph nodes outside chest are not defined as primary complex. Ideal way to confirm the diagnosis of tuberculosis is to document ther tubercular germs either from lymph node or from sputum/secretions obtained from the lungs.

Drugs and its actions

The medication contains three different compounds (below) which act together to kill bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB).

Rifampicin: Rifampicin is typically used to treat Mycobacterium infections, including tuberculosis and leprosy;

Isoniazid: Isoniazid is a first-line antituberculous medication used in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis.

Pyrazinamide: Pyrazinamide is a drug used to treat tuberculosis in afflicted patients. The drug is largely bacteriostatic, but can be bacteriocidal on actively replicating tuberculosis bacteria.

Treatment

There are two stages in the treatment of tuberculosis. In the first two months after infection (the initial phase), treatment is aimed at killing as many bacteria as possible. Therefore several anti-TB drugs with different mechanisms of action are used in combination. After this time some of the medications are stopped and the others are continued for a further four months (continuation phase) to kill any remaining bacteria. Rifampicin and isoniazid are used in both stages of treatment whilst pyrazinamide is used in the inital phase of treatment only.

The bacteria that cause TB are difficult to treat. By using medications in combiation, the bacteria can be targeted in different ways and hence treatment is more likely to be effective than a single medicine alone. In addition, using different medications make it less likely that bacteria will develop resistance to treatment.

As the period of treatment is long the combination of the three drugs in one tablet helps compliance with the treatment.

Sample Q&A

Q. This is about our baby who is 13 months old. She was away in Coimbatore for about 3 weeks. When she came back to Chennai she had a very bad cold and cough. Upon checking with our doctor it was confirmed that she had severe chest congestion and due to that she was given medication. But even after this there was no let up and she continued having cough with phlegm coming out when she coughed and vomitted. Our doctor recommended doing a chest x-ray and Mantoux test. When this was done blood test revealed the following: Haemoglobin: 10 g%, Total leucocyte count: 12,400 cells, Polymorphs 42%, Lymphocytes 50%, Eosinophils 8%; Mantoux test +ve. I am unable to describe the x-ray because we did not get a report, but looking at the x-ray one side of the chest looked hazy and the other side quite clear. The doctor confirmed that she had primary complex. Now after medication she is quite better but continues to cough occasionally. My question is will she be cured or will it lead to TB since the doctor has given medication for 1 year?

A. Primary complex is an infection due to the Tuberculosis bacteria. When the full treatment course is completed, she should be completely cured. However, it is possible that at a later stage, the Primary Complex may get re-activated, if he general level of Health or Immunity were to decline in your daughter, for some reason.

SOURCE: http://www.doctorndtv.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

FDA Reform

2007-09-26T09:42:00.000+05:30

Source: Forbes
Author:Matthew Herper

You wouldn't know it from the lack of fanfare, but the Food and Drug Administration is getting its biggest overhaul in a decade in a dramatic coda to Merck's withdrawal of the blockbuster painkiller Vioxx three years ago.
A bill to give the FDA more power passed both houses of Congress with only a handful of no votes, and the president is expected to sign it into law. Because the bill is attached to the re-authorization of an important part of the FDA's funding, a veto is unlikely. If the law doesn't pass soon, FDA head Andrew Von Eschenbach is going to have to start informing staffers that their jobs are no longer funded.
The bill represents a victory for advocates of higher standards for making sure that drug side effects are known and promptly dealt with. Before Vioxx was yanked, some of the changes being made would be unimaginable. Until now the claims drug companies like Merck (nyse: MRK - news - people ) and Pfizer (nyse: PFE - news - people ) made about their medicines were, to a degree, negotiated. Labeling discussions between Merck and the FDA dragged on, and as a result, the agency will now be able to dictate what claims companies can make with much more force.
Another change: The FDA will be able to force drug makers to do clinical trials even after a medicine is approved and fine them if they don't follow through. Previously, many big clinical trials regulators asked for weren't finished. And there will be more money to study side effects of new medicines post-approval. Companies will pay more in fees when they submit drug applications, increasing the amount of money the FDA gets from industry by 25% to $400 million.
One of the farthest-reaching changes may be a new requirement demanding that the drug companies list all of their clinical trials in a registry maintained by the National Institutes of Health accessible to anyone with an Internet browser. After the studies finish, the results will also have to be posted. This will expose drug companies to new levels of scrutiny about the safety of their medicines. (See: Lynch 'Em)
Rough-and-ready analyses of existing data set off the Vioxx controversy and the recent kerfluffle over the diabetes drug Avandia. Such analyses, where researchers try to combine different studies to get a better idea of what kinds of side effects emerge in incredibly large groups, also linked antidepressants like GlaxoSmithKline's (nyse: GSK - news - people ) Paxil to suicide risk and the Johnson & Johnson (nyse: JNJ - news - people ) heart failure medicine Natrecor to kidney problems. In both cases, there are still debates about how real the risks are, but they put a squeeze on sales.
Lots of stuff didn't go into the bill. The Union of Concerned Scientists, while lauding the bill, worried that it didn't do enough to deal with the financial conflicts of FDA advisers. It appears to only increase the FDA's power to regulate direct-to-consumer ads a little bit. Pharmaceutical companies had at one point hoped that the bill would contain language that helped protect products that had been vetted by the FDA from product liability suits.
At one point, it looked as if the bill might address how the FDA should go about approving cheaper copycat versions of biotech protein drugs like insulin and human growth hormone. Right now, there's no mechanism for approving true generics of these products, which can be extremely expensive. Part of the reason: Complex safety issues arise because proteins are far more difficult to manufacture than the simpler chemicals in pills like Vioxx and Lipitor.
But all of these issues were Johnny-come-latelies to the Congressional debate. The focus was creating a more transparent FDA with the power to better study and regulate drug safety. Legislators were probably smart, in the end, to stick with the issues they had debated the most and approve a bill that is uncontroversial now but would have seemed like a radical step three years ago.
Hopefully, the changes will strengthen the FDA, renewing the public's shaken faith in the safety of medicines. Drug makers could wish for nothing more.

Link to this site: Link: http://www.forbes.com/business/healthcare/2007/09/21/drugs-safety-fda-biz-sci-cx_mh_0924fda.html

Cancer Treatments

2007-09-07T13:05:00.000+05:30

HIV Protease Inhibitors Show Potential as Cancer Treatments

Several protease inhibitors that are used in combination with other drugs to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection may also be effective against certain types of cancer, according to researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. Nelfinavir (Viracept(r)), Ritonavir (Norvir(r)), and Saquinavir (Invirase(r)) inhibited growth of several types of cancer cells, with Nelfinavir being the most effective. These results appear in the September 1, 2007 issue of "Clinical Cancer Research".

The NCI research team investigated HIV protease inhibitors because these drugs are known to inhibit the activation of Akt, a protein that has been implicated in the development of many types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer. Using mouse models and "in vitro" studies, the researchers tested six different protease inhibitors against non-small cell lung cancer as well as a panel of 60 human cancer cell types, in cultures (called cell lines) derived from nine different kinds of malignant tissue. When given in doses that were previously proven to be safe in HIV-infected patients, three of the six protease inhibitors (nelfinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir) inhibited growth of non-small cell lung cancer and every cell type in the set of 60 kinds of cancer cells.

"There are many common threads between cancer and HIV/AIDS, and this research underscores the value of NCI's involvement in HIV/AIDS research," said NCI Director John E. Niederhuber, M.D.

In this study, nelfinavir and saquinavir were more potent than the other HIV protease inhibitors examined. They each had similar abilities to prevent tumor growth, and induce programmed cell death, or apoptosis, which is a normal process that rids the body of old or damaged cells. The molecular structures of these two drugs share a trait that is not found in the other drugs that were tested, and the researchers speculate that this trait might provide an explanation for the relatively higher potency of these two drugs. Nelfinavir was the most effective of all the protease inhibitors tested, and was able to cause two different types of cancer cell death -- apoptosis and non-apoptotic cell death.

In this study, non-apoptopic cell death was related to induction of stress on part of the cell that synthesizes proteins called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which subsequently led to autophagy, a normal process of self digestion that generates energy for the cell under conditions of stress. In the past, other anti-cancer agents have been shown to induce either ER stress or autophagy in a test tube, but in this study nelfinavir was also able to initiate this process in cells that had been transplanted into mice. Other studies have also shown that nelfinavir could induce apoptosis, but non-apoptopic cell death via nelfinavir was a new discovery.

"ER stress and autophagy are cellular processes that are gaining importance in cancer research because we suspect that impaired autophagy may contribute to cancer development," said Niederhuber. "Markers of ER stress and autophagy will be useful biomarkers for nelfinavir as its clinical development proceeds."

Nelfinavir was successful in inhibiting growth of both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant breast cancer cells, indicating that this drug could be useful against cancer cells that have acquired resistance to common anti-cancer therapies, such as tamoxifen and trastuzumab. There is also evidence that use of nelfinavir may be able to overcome resistance to radiation.

Based on the results of this study, senior investigator, Phillip A. Dennis, M.D., Ph.D., from the Medical Oncology Branch of the NCI Center for Cancer Research, and his colleagues have just begun a new clinical trial to test nelfinavir in cancer patients. This trial will determine how much of the drug can be tolerated by cancer patients (toxicity), and how the drug behaves in the body and reacts with the tumors (pharmacokinetics).

The process of identifying new indications for already approved drugs, called repositioning, takes advantage of existing data on toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and potential side effects. There are several successful examples of this approach, including the use of COX-2 inhibitors (anti-inflammatory drugs) for colon cancer prevention and lenalidomide (a morning sickness drug) for myelodysplastic syndromes. NCI researchers are currently conducting other repositioning studies using rapamycin (an immunosuppressant) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (a birth-control hormone). Drug repositioning could complement new drug development, with decreased risks and reduced costs.

"The need for expedited development of effective cancer therapies is critical," said Dennis. "Repositioning drugs that are already FDA-approved for use in humans could greatly accelerate the development of new cancer therapies. Our data suggest that, given its wide spectrum of activity and ability to be administered through two different transmission routes [oral and intraperitoneal], nelfinavir could be successfully repositioned as a cancer therapeutic."

For more information about cancer, visit the NCI Web site at or call NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

For more information on Dr. Dennis's research, go to .

For more information about the new Phase I trial of Nelfinavir at the NIH Clinical Center, please visit

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- The Nation's Medical Research Agency -- includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit .

REFERENCE: Gills JJ, LoPiccolo J, Tsurutani J, Shoemaker RH, Best CJM, Abu-Asab MS, Borojerdi J, Warfel NA, Gardner ER, Danish M, Hollander MC, Kawabata S, Tsokos M, Figg WD, Steeg PS, and Dennis PA. Nelfinavir, a lead HIV protease inhibitor, is a broad spectrum, anticancer agent that induces ER stress, autophagy and apoptosis "in vitro" and "in vivo". "Clin Can. Res." Vol. 13, No. 17. September 1, 2007.

Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

"cancer stem cells"

2007-09-07T07:16:00.000+05:30

Team finds way to create cancer stem cells

MIT achievement could aid cancer research

Alyssa Kneller , Whitehead Institute
August 13, 2007

MIT scientists and colleagues have found a way to create in the lab large amounts of cancer stem cells, or cells that can initiate tumors. The work, reported in the August 13 issue of Cancer Cell, could be a boon to researchers who study these elusive cells. Labs could easily grow them for use in experiments.

The findings also contradict an assumption about the trajectory of cancer cells. According to current cancer models, any normal cell can evolve toward a malignant state through a series of alterations, including mutations. Given the right alterations, any cell could eventually acquire the ability to invade other tissues.

But the new study suggests that some normal cells are more prone to become tumor-initiating and have a higher potential to metastasize, or spread to other tissues.

According to the researchers involved in the current work, in some ways certain tumors resemble bee colonies. Each cancer cell in the tumor plays a specific role, and just a fraction of the cells serve as "queens," possessing the unique ability to maintain themselves in an unspecialized state and seed new tumors. These cells can also divide and produce the "worker" cells that form the bulk of the tumor.

These "queens" are cancer stem cells, and they are the cells recently created by MIT biology professor and Whitehead Institute Member Robert Weinberg and colleagues. They did so by isolating and transforming a particular population of cells from human breast tissue. After being injected with just 100 of these transformed cells, mice developed tumors that metastasized.

"The operational definition of a cancer stem cell is the ability to initiate a tumor, so these are cancer stem cells," said Weinberg.

Tan Ince didn't set out to engineer these potent cells. As a postdoctoral researcher in Weinberg's lab and gynecologic pathologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, he was simply trying to create breast cancer models that look like real human tumors under the microscope and behave like those seen in many patients.

Now an independent investigator at Brigham and Women's and instructor at Harvard Medical School, Ince developed a recipe for a new chemically defined culture medium and managed to grow a different type of human breast cell that ordinarily dies in culture. He transformed it into a cancer cell by inserting specific genes through a standard procedure.

The engineered cells proved to be extremely powerful. When Ince injected more than 100,000 of them into a mouse with a compromised immune system, it quickly developed massive, deadly tumors. In initial experiments, a few tissue slices revealed a primary tumor structure that resembled that of cancer patients with metastases.

He repeated the experiment in other mice, reducing the number of cells in the injection to as few as 100. The cancer cells continued to seed tumors and those tumors metastasized.

In sharp contrast, scientists must inject about one million cells to get a tumor when working with the cancer cell lines routinely used in the laboratory.

The study also offers clues about the trajectory of cancer cells. A normal cell is thought to evolve progressively toward a malignant state through a series of genetic mutations. The early alterations confer uncontrolled growth, while later alterations enable the cell to migrate and invade other tissues.

The new study suggests, however, that some normal cells are more prone to become tumor-initiating cells and have a higher metastatic potential when they become cancer cells than other normal cells. The culture medium Ince created favors the growth of the human breast cells with high tumor-making and metastatic potential while the standard culture medium favors cells with low tumor-making potential. Although the two types are only slightly different, the cells behave completely differently after acquiring the same mutations.

Ince confirmed this behavioral difference by taking a single human breast tissue sample, splitting it in two and growing the cells in the two culture mediums, which select for different cells. Next, he transformed the two populations with the same tumor-initiating genes, injected them in mice and watched the result. The cells that were grown in the new culture medium were 10,000 times more potent as tumor initiators and were the only ones able to metastasize. Thus genes that were previously thought to only initiate tumors initiated metastasis, which is the main cause of cancer mortality in the clinic.

Ince's and Weinberg's colleagues on this work are Andrea Richardson, George Bell, Maki Saitoh, Samuel Godar, and James Iglehart. This research is funded by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

(http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2007/breast-cancer-0813.html)

Novartis' IMATINIB MESYLATE EMR

2007-08-30T14:04:00.000+05:30

India's patent system faces clinical trial

ANTI-CANCER drug imatinib mesylate is having a positive side-effect on the country's patent system. The disputes following the award of an exclusive marketing right (EMR) for the drug to Novartis India, a subsidiary of the $24-billion, Switzerland-based multinational Novartis AG, are showing up the loopholes in the system.The Patent Controller's Office, which is responsible for granting EMRs (and will be responsible for issuing patents from 2005), gave the one for imatinib mesylate to Novartis. Meanwhile, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), which only checks whether a drug is fit to market, allowed a number of generics companies to do so. Neither of the two bodies is required to tell the other what it is doing. Therefore, what they ended up doing was create a situation where the two permissions are in conflict. "The current law is a recipe for litigation," says Rajiv Gulati, chairman and managing director, Eli Lilly India, the Indian subsidiary of the US-based drug company Eli Lilly. Lilly has also applied for an EMR for its anti-impotency drug Tadalafil, but the market has been hijacked by Ajanta Pharma and now Ranbaxy Laboratories with permits from DCGI.Moreover, there is no special court to handle patent disputes. Novartis' EMR has been challenged in the Delhi High Court by Hyderabad-based drug company Natco Pharma India, which has DCGI permission to market imatinib mesylate. But Novartis, on the basis of the EMR, filed a suit in the Chennai High court against six generic drug companies and managed to get a stay against them for the same drug. Now if Natco wins in Delhi, the Chennai High Court's stay will conflict with the Delhi High Court's verdict.Meanwhile, Novartis has also filed a case in the Mumbai High Court against Natco Pharma and two others - Shantha Biotechnics and Camlin - for infringing on its EMR. In its petition in Mumbai, Novartis disclosed to the judge that the EMR was disputed and the matter was under consideration by the Delhi High Court. Four hearings have already been held in Mumbai on 4, 12 and 25 February and 11 March, but the final decision is likely to be taken only after the Delhi High Court gives its verdict in the other case between the two companies.Novartis India chief executive officer Ranjit Shahani says the company will defend the EMR. The CEO of another drug firm says that one knew there were loopholes in the law, but "they would have never come to light if the EMR had not been granted (for imatinib mesylate) and challenged".

Source: BusinessWorld (http://www.businessworldindia.com/mar2904/news17.asp)

Novozyme buys Biocon!

2007-08-14T12:20:00.000+05:30

India's leading biotechnology enterprise, Biocon, has entered into an agreement to sell its enzymes unit to Denmark's Novozymes for $115 million.

The Danish firm will pay $97 million upfront, and $5 million after meeting certain business targets. In addition, $13 million will be paid in service fees and lease payments over a period of up to 10 years.

According to Novozymes, use of enzymes is still in its infancy in India, but awareness of their potential and benefits in food and beverage formulation is growing."The activities of Biocon have a good strategic fit to our existing enzyme business," said Novozymes Chief Executive Steen Riisgaard. "We see several interesting market opportunities combined with synergy potential, making this a very interesting acquisition."

"The acquisition of Biocon's enzyme activities provides an important step for Novozymes in strengthening our position on the Indian market, which we believe has an attractive growth potential," he said.

The acquisition will contribute to Novozyme's R&D strategy and brings Biocon's expertise in solid-state fermentation technology.Biocon's enzyme activities are made up of industrial enzymes, food additives and processing aids.In financial year 2006-7, Biocon's enzyme sales amounted to $25 million - 12 percent of the company's overall revenue.

"Industrial enzymes was our original business when we had started, and over the years became a smaller part of our business. It was a difficult decision to divest the business as it has been with us from the start. But since we wanted to concentrate on bio-pharma, and we got a good valuation for the enzymes business, we decided to sell it," national daily The Times of India (TOI) quoted Biocon Chairman and Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw as saying.

Biocon will use the proceeds of the sale, the latest in a wave of cross-border merger and acquisition deals involving Indian firms, to buy companies in Europe, Mazumdar-Shaw said.Novozymes, the world's largest maker of industrial enzymes, said its acquisition was expected to have long-term annual sales growth of more than 15 percent.

Novozymes entered the Indian market in 1987 and is setting up research and development facilities in Bangalore, where Biocon is based.Allegro Capital Advisors advised Biocon, while SEB Enskilda and KPMG Investment Banking advised Novozymes on the deal.

The transaction will be completed by the end of this year.

Source of Information: International Business Times

Blog Information

2007-08-13T11:53:00.000+05:30

Dear Readers,

All the information provided in this blog are taken from websites available online. Authors post the interested information from research articles / Weblinks / News articles etc., to share a wide range of interested topics in single platform.

The Authors will also specify the SOURCE OF INFORMATION on each POST hereafter!

Thankyou

Drugs info link.

2007-08-09T09:58:00.000+05:30

Dear friends,

This is a very useful site with ample imfo about drugs and drug-related info's.

http://www.coreynahman.com/druginfopage.html

Enjoy.......

Regards,

Prakash