--(www.USEquityNews.com)-- 12/11/2007 - Pharmaceutical industry alert provided by U.S. Equity News. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) recently announced results from a second randomized, pivotal Phase 3 study where NplateTM (romiplostim) increased and sustained platelet counts in non-splenectomized (spleen not removed) adult patients with chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Additionally, Nplate-treated patients taking concurrent ITP medications such as corticosteroids were able to reduce or discontinue these medications. Adult ITP is a chronic and serious autoimmune disorder characterized by low platelet counts in the blood, a condition known as thrombocytopenia.
Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL), recently reported phase 1 data from an ongoing phase 1 trial of XL019 in patients with myelofibrosis, a myeloproliferative disorder (MPD). XL019 is an investigational small molecule that selectively inhibits the tyrosine kinase JAK2, one of four JAK family members activated in response to cytokines and hematopoietic growth factors. JAK2 is inappropriately activated in the majority of MPD patients and is deregulated in a number of solid tumors, including certain subtypes of lymphoma.
Shares of Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) plunged recently, as analysts were disappointed with results from trials of Celgene's drug Revlimid as a treatment for a blood cancer. The stock gave up $9.16, or 17 percent, to $48.20 in morning trading. Recently, Celgene reported results from two late stage tests of Revlimid, combined with a steroid, in treating patients recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
Aida Pharmaceuticals (OTCBB: AIDA) recently announced that the company's upcoming Rh-Apo2L cancer drug has been named as a "New and High-Tech Transforming Products of 2007" by the Shanghai New High Technology Service Centre ("SNHTSC"), a special government commercialization division led by the Shanghai Municipal Government. This designation will allow Rh-Apo2L to have preferential policies during the commercialization process after Aida completes China's State Food and Drug Administration ("SFDA") clinical testing of the product. The stated role of the SNHTSC, according to its website http://www.hitec.net.cn, is to be a clearinghouse that allows the Chinese government to evaluate and narrow down technology candidates that have the greatest potential for national and global commercialization.
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