Study Shows EUFLEXXA(R) Patients Report Significant Improvements In Osteoarthritis Of The Knee Pain Over A Six Month Period

Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. recently presented results from the FLEXX Trial of Osteoarthritis of the Knee, showing that EUFLEXXA(R) (1% sodium hyaluronate), a highly pure non-avian high molecular weight form of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IA-HA), is superior to intra-articular saline (IA-saline) for the relief of pain in knee osteoarthritis (OA) at 26 weeks.

Arthritis Patients Benefit From Exercise Programs, Education

Arthritis is the nation's most common cause of disability. The number of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis is projected to increase to 67 million by 2030, and a large proportion of U.S. adults will limit their activity as a result, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Number Of Joint Replacement Procedures, Revisions Increases

The AP/Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday examined how the number of hip and knee replacements is "skyrocketing because they can successfully relieve pain and help people to walk normally again" and how the number of more complex and more expensive "revisions," or subsequent replacements, also has increased. The

Evotec Announces Phase I Initiation With P2X7 Antagonist

Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT; NASDAQ: EVTC) announced today that Phase I clinical studies for its proprietary, small molecule P2X7 receptor antagonist have been initiated. The P2X7 receptor is an ATP-gated ion channel primarily expressed on cells of the immune system and is thought to play an important role in inflammatory processes through the regulation of a number of proinflammatory cytokines.

Access To Psychological Support And Self-Management Courses Could Ease The Emotional Burden Of Arthritis/Rheumatism, Survey Says

An online survey for World Arthritis Day (WAD), completed by over 3,600* respondents revealed that access to psychological support and self-management courses could help people with arthritis/rheumatism cope more effectively with their condition and achieve better quality of life. Healthcare professionals, people with rheumatic disease and their carers, who responded to the survey, highlight the importance of integrating psychological support into the standard treatment regime.

Vioxx Heart Risk Persists One Year After Stopping Use

A new international study found that Merck's pain killer Vioxx (rofecoxib), which the drug company voluntarily withdrew from the market in 2004, found that a near two-fold increased risk of heart, stroke and death persisted for up to one year after stopping use.

Long-Term Follow-Up Data Confirm Cox-2 Inhibitor Rofecoxib Substantially Increases Risk Of Stroke, Heart Attack, And Death

Long term follow-up data from the APPROVe trial confirms that use of the Cox-2 inhibitor rofecoxib* substantially increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and death compared with placebo. These are the conclusions of an Article published early Online and in an upcoming edition of The Lancet.

9.5% Of American Adults Treated For Arthritis

Approximately 21 million Americans - 9.5 percent of adults 18 and older - either visited or called a doctor for a prescription to reduce arthritis pain in 2005, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It is usually associated with aging and most often causes pain and stiffness in the fingers, knees, and hips.

Knee Arthritis Did Not Benefit From Supplements

US scientists found that the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate were no more effective than placebo at slowing down the rate of cartilage loss in the knees of patients with osteoarthritis; however they also said the trial was probably too short and too small, and spoke more to scientists about how to conduct further research in this area than than to patients. The two-year multicenter study was the work of rheumatologist Dr Allen D.

Follow-On Phase I Study For Novel Oral Anti-Inflammatory Drug Targeting Rheumatoid Arthritis And Type 1 Diabetes

VGX Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company that is developing DNA vaccines for cancer and HIV and therapeutics for other diseases, announced today the results of a Phase I single ascending dose (SAD) study that demonstrated that its lead anti-inflammatory compound, VGX-1027, was generally safe and well tolerated in humans. As a result, VGX Pharmaceuticals and VGX International, a Korean affiliate that is jointly developing VGX-1027, have commenced a multiple ascending dose (MAD) study.

Arana Files IND For Lead Anti-Inflammatory Product ART621 In Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Indication

Biotechnology company Arana Therapeutics Limited (ASX: AAH) announced it has submitted an Investigational New Drug application (IND) to the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) for the anti-inflammatory product ART621 in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) indication. The IND includes a Phase II dose ranging study of ART621/221 in RA which is planned to be an international multi-centred trial of approximately 200 patients.