Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Meets Goals
As Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) faces the loss of drugs that are patent-protected, it was good news for the company to learn its experimental rheumatoid arthritis drug met the main goals of a late-stage clinical trial.
Reuters said, “The drug, tofacitinib, is one of the most important in Pfizer’s pipeline. The company said the safety profile of the drug was consistent with that seen previously in the clinical program, and no new safety signals were seen.
“The trial showed the drug reduced the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by a statistically significant amount compared with a placebo at six months. The drug significantly improved physical function at three months. It also showed significantly greater disease remission at six months.
“The trial is the second of six late-stage trials. Results of the first were released last November. Damien Conover, an analyst at Morningstar, expects the drug, if approved, to generate peak annual sales of about $2 billion.”
Pfizer closed Friday at $19.66, down $0.11, or 0.56 percent.
Article source: http://everythinggold.blogspot.com/2011/03/pfizer-nysepfe-rheumatoid-arthritis.html
Pfizer rheumatoid arthritis drug meets primary endpoint
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Article source: http://clinicaltrials.pharmaceutical-business-review.com/news/pfizer-rheumatoid-arthritis-drug-meets-primary-endpoint-070311
Arthritis Drug in Late Clinical Trials
Article source: http://www.thirdage.com/news/arthritis-drug-late-clinical-trials_3-5-2011
Pfizer drug meets rheumatoid arthritis study goals
NEW YORK
Drug developer Pfizer Inc. said Friday its potential rheumatoid arthritis drug met its key treatment goals in a late-stage study.
The company said the drug tofacitinib, formerly called tasocitinib, met its key goals of reducing signs and symptoms of the condition in a six-month period. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease typically affecting joints.
Tofacitinib is a key developing drug for Pfizer and is also being studied as a potential treatment for psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and renal transplant. A topical version of the drug is being studied as a psoriasis treatment and a dry eye disease treatment.
Pfizer said a full analysis of the data will be submitted to a future scientific meeting.
In early trading Friday, Pfizer shares were down 2 cents to $19.75.
Article source: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9LOGK580.htm
Student Designs Special Pot Handles For Those With Arthritis
Even though Ching-Hao Hsu, a graduate student at Australia’s Queensland University of Technology, is focused on a career as a lighting designer, he has shown a unique interest in and talent for developing assistive tools for persons with disabilities. On the first short list of the James Dyson sponsored Australian Design Awards, the Arthritis Handle was clearly developed after significant research.
Arthritis Handles, designed by Ching-Hao Hsu: image via student.designawards.com
In fact, Hsu’s research was specifically about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which can severely limit use of the hands, a definite impediment in the kitchen. Hsu’s unique understanding of this impediment came through several interviews and observations of persons with RA, specifically as to how they tried to adapt to the difficulty of lifting a full pot or pan from the stove.
Because of weakness in their hands, he found that RA sufferers tend to lift kitchen tools with their forearms. “If a saucepan
only had one handle,” Hsu explained, “most people (would) put a towel over their other forearm to grasp
the opposite side of the pot, but this was a slippery and dangerous way of
lifting, exposing the person to the risk of burns.
That’s why Hsu’s Arthritis Handle has ridges that grasps the rims of a pot. Though not a handle in the traditional sense, because it does not need to be held by a hand, the Arthritis Handle is supported by the user’s wrist which is stronger than the hand.
Arthritis Handles, designed by Ching-Hao Hsu: image via student.designawards.com
Arthritis Handles, designed by Ching-Hao Hsu: image via student.designawards.com
These Arthritis Handles look very ergonomic. In fact, the design is so balanced, the Handles don’t seem to place their weight on any one area of the hand/wrist anatomy. Another special feature is the thermoplastic elastomer used on the inside of the handle, which can withstand heat up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
In case you can’t picture just how these kitchen tools work, here’s a short video that demonstrates them…
Notification of finalists for the 2011 Australian Design Award will be in late April and the winner named in late July.
source: Australian Design Award/James Dyson Award via Queensland University of Technology news release.
Keeping you posted…
Article source: http://inventorspot.com/articles/student_designs_special_pot_handles_those_arthritis