Alliance OneSource: teaming up pays off in Cleveland

Published By Datamonitor

ALS: diagnosis data points to hope on the horizon

Scientists at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have identified the first biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These findings pave the way for a reliable test that will identify ALS sufferers at an earlier stage of the disease, and give more chances to companies developing disease-modifying drugs.

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APA 2010: unmet needs in major depressive disorder remain key

Key themes presented in the field of major depressive disorder at this year's American Psychiatric Association annual meeting included treatment-resistant depression, transcranial magnetic stimulation and adjunctive use of antipsychotics. While no new clinical trial data were presented, those that were provide an interesting insight into the strategies of a number of major pharmaceutical players.

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Artificial discs: future backbone of orthopedics

As a result of emerging medium-term results, and interest in the theory behind the products' design, total disc replacement is eagerly anticipated by patients and surgeons alike. Direct-to-consumer advertising would be ideal for the technology, but marketers need to be wary of alienating surgeons.

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Asthmatx: a new approach to asthma

Asthmatx, a venture-funded med tech firm from California, has developed a new device to treat asthma by reducing the smooth muscle lining of the airways. This approach may turn out to be a helpful new treatment option for severe asthma sufferers. However, extensive studies will have to prove the feasibility of this concept before patients can really get their hopes up.

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AstraZeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim steal limelight at European Society of Cardiology meeting

Well crafted, positive results for AstraZeneca's Brilinta and an unexpected coup for Boehringer Ingelheim's Pradaxa dominated the headlines following this year's European Society of Cardiology's Annual Meeting in Barcelona. Both announcements have a number of important implications for the wider cardiology market, from both therapeutic and commercial perspectives.

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ATS 2010: developments in IPF and cystic fibrosis

The FDA's recent refusal of Esbriet and the publication of new guidelines for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis drove considerable interest in this disease at the 2010 meeting of the American Thoracic Society. Furthermore, the approval of the first new inhaled antibiotic for cystic fibrosis in over a decade brought renewed focus on this rare but extremely debilitating disease.

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ATS 2010: shift in asthma guidelines highlights focus on personalized medicine

Datamonitor attended this year's meeting of the American Thoracic Society in New Orleans. The 2010 conference was defined not only by the latest clinical trial data, but by new guidelines and an emerging discussion of the role of personalized treatment. Conclusions were also presented from the ISAAC study, highlighting some surprising global prevalence trends.

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Becton Dickinson: assay could improve MRSA treatment

The FDA has approved BD Diagnostics' StaphSR assay, which enables the rapid detection of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. Since the assay distinguishes between resistant and susceptible strains, its use will enable the faster administration of effective therapy, thereby preventing the spread of resistance and helping hospitals to reduce costs.

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Bionx Implants: new Meniscus Arrow should maintain share

The Contour Mensiscus Arrow is an updated version of Bionx's popular Meniscus Arrow. The new product is likely to rejuvenate Bionx' declining share of the meniscal repair market. Indeed, it should enable the company to take an even greater share of this market, which Datamonitor expects to be worth $42.8 million by 2005 in the US alone.

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