Watson Launch Generic Dronabinol

Watson have announced the launch of generic dronabinol under a supply agreement with Solvay Pharmaceuticals.

Novartis initiate Clinical Trial Oral Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Novartis have initiated a Phase I of Oral Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) in postmenopausal women.The oral formulation was created using Emisphere’s proprietary Eligen technology.

United Therapeutics submit Treprostinil NDA for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)

United Therapeutics have submitted a NDA to the U.S. FDA the approval of an inhaled formulation of treprostinil in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)

Bosentan receives positive EU opinion for treatment of patients with mildly symptomatic WHO Functional Class II pulmonary arterial hypertension

Actelion have announced that Bosentan (Tracleer) has received a positive EU opinion for treatment of patients with mildly symptomatic WHO Functional Class II pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)

MAPS dihydroergotamine MAP0004 demonstrates preclincal activity

Data presented at the American Headache Society meeting shows that MAP Pharmaceutical’s inhaled dihydroergotamine MAP0004 stimulated receptors known to relieve migraine without activating receptors associated with side effects

Mercks CGRP receptor antagonist telcagepant shows efficacy in migraine

Data from a Phase III trial show that Merck’s calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) Receptor antagonist telcagepant (MK-0974) demonstrates migraine relief and has fewer adverse events than Zolmitriptan.

Pfizer to initiate Phase 1 Study Of CP-945598 In Patients With NASH

Pfizer are about to begin a Phase I study of Cannabinoid 1 antagonist CP-945598 In Patients With Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

ProStrakan receives positive EMEA opinion for Rapinyl (Abstral) in cancer pain

The EMEA has issued a positive opinion for ProStrakan’s sublingual fentanyl product Rapinyl (Abstral) for use in cancer pain.

Merck/Schering withdraw Loratadine/Montelukast NDA and Terminate Collaboration

Schering-Plough and Merck have withdrawn the NDA for the loratadine/montelukast and announced that they will terminate the joint venture which was formed to develop and market a fixed-combination product that would combine loratadine and montelukast. This follows the receipt of a not-approvable letter from the FDA in April 2008.

FDA recommends approval of Tolvaptan for Hyponatremia

The FDA Advisory Committee on Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs has voted to recommend the approval of Otsuka’s V2-vasopressin receptor antagonist tolvaptan for the treatment of  hyponatremia.