Servier: Protos shows dual action in osteoporosis

The trial results suggest that Protos may offer significant improvements over currently marketed osteoporosis therapies, rebuilding bone as well as preventing decline. If the five-year data backs this study up, the potential for Servier's drug will be strong. However, the competition from Lilly's Forteo and Evista will be fierce enough to hold Protos back outside France.

Published By Datamonitor

Roche/Schering-Plough: interferon therapy shows potential

According to French research, certain types of B cell lymphoma respond to the hepatitis C immunotherapy, interferon alfa. While this isn't the first time HCV has been linked with lymphoma, the results should still persuade makers of interferon alfa drugs, such as Roche and Schering-Plough to investigate usage in this indication.

Published By Datamonitor

NicOx/AstraZeneca: NO-Naproxen announcement stuns partner

Hopes for the leading compound in the CINOD class of arthritis drugs have been dealt a serious blow after it failed to live up to expectations in phase II trials. AstraZeneca may now pull out of its partnership with the drug's developer, NicOx. Although great things had been anticipated for the drug, it now seems highly unlikely that it will challenge the leading COX-II inhibitors.

Published By Datamonitor

NicOx/AstraZeneca: a new class of pain medication

NicOx's HCT 3012 is a new class of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug, with a superior gastrointestinal safety profile compared to naproxen. With AstraZeneca's backing, this product has the marketing strength to compete with Pharmacia and Merck - who currently dominate the non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID) market.

Published By Datamonitor

Multiple Sclerosis: the search for a vaccine continues

There are approximately 250,000 to 350,000 diagnosed cases of multiple sclerosis in the US, yet it is estimated that the actual number of Americans with MS may be even higher. As a new approach to the treatment of MS, vaccines have the potential to be both efficacious and cost effective. But can a vaccine be developed as a viable treatment for MS?

Published By Datamonitor

L'Oreal: looking pretty

Despite a weaker than expected Q4, due to the euro changeover and September 11, L'Oreal's global reach and product portfolio has brought good overall 2001 results. Its acquisition of BioMedic, meanwhile, will help sustain strong growth in the active cosmetics division through 2002. This should make L'Oreal a leading player in the emerging skincare cosmeceutical market.

Published By Datamonitor

CryoCor: competing in cardiac cryoablation

Published By Datamonitor

Bristol-Myers damp squib

After a spate of set backs Bristol-Myers Squibb has been forced to make a profit warning. While generic competition has eaten away at sales, the company's pipeline has failed to produce drugs capable of bolstering the waning revenues. So, with no signs of a reprieve, will Bristol-Myers be able to fight off unwelcome suitors or is a take-over in the offing?

Published By Datamonitor