FDA approves Fragmin- an anticoagulant for children  

The FDA today approved Fragmin for the treatment of blood clots. Pfizer’s candidate Fragmin which was earlier approved for the treatment of only adults suffering from a fatal disease called VTE, which can include deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the deep veins of the leg) and pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), has now been approved to be used for children. This approval will benefit many children who are fighting cancer and struggling with serious conditions like VTE.

Symbicort reduces the rate of Asthma attack

The trials conducted by AstraZeneca for its novel Symbicort Turbuhaler (budesonide/formoterol) demonstrated that the drug holds the potential to minimize or lower the rate of Asthma attacks. The trials published in the journal “New England Journal of Medicine” stated that a reduction of around 51% was seen in the annual asthma severity. The successful trials of Symbicort will help decelerate the toll of asthma attacks which every year is around 176 million globally.

New trial to screen Group B Strep infections

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has announced to fund a new clinical trial to improve the diagnosis of any life-threatening diseases in newborn babies. The trials aim to detect any kind of disorders or bugs in pregnant women. The most commonly found Group B Streptococcus infections in women which can be passed down to babies and can pose harm. If screened properly, it can be prevented from passing it down by the administration of antibiotics during labor.

Owlstone, Actelion inks a deal for early detection of PH

Owlstone Medical recently has joined hands with Actelion Pharmaceuticals to facilitate the early diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension and its subtypes. The program aims to build a breath-based test to detect PH early. The collaborative development program will involve the collection of breath exhaled volatile organic compounds from more than 1000 patients. Actelion will be the sole funding partner whereas, Owlstone will analyze the collected samples associated with Pulmonary Hypertension.