The lead clinical candidate STX-100 has been granted orphan drug status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a debilitating and almost uniformly fatal disease in which patients experience progressive difficulty breathing due to fibrosis (scarring) of the lung.
STX-100 is a novel, investigational, humanized monoclonal antibody that targets integrin αvβ6.
Link:http://www.stromedix.com/Stromedix_STX-100_Orphan_Drug_IPF.pdf
Source:Stromedix

The investigational, oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban successfully demonstrated non-inferiority compared to the standard of care1 for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with acute symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT), with a comparable safety profile. Data from the pivotal Phase 3 EINSTEIN-DVT clinical trial were presented today during a Hot Line session at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Stockholm, Sweden.
Link:http://www.jnj.com/connect/news/all/Rivaroxaban-Successfully-Demonstrated-Non-Inferiority-Compared-to-Standard-of-Care-for-the-Prevention-of-Recurrent-Venous-Thromboembolism-in-Pivotal-Phase-3-Study
Source:Johnson & Johnson

An antibacterial enzyme, lysozyme found in human tears and other body fluids could be applied to certain foods for protection against intentional contamination with anthrax, scientists reported here today at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
Link:http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/acs-tsf080910.php
Source:EurekAlert

Giving patients with a history of heart attacks a margarine enriched with omega-3 oils in addition to standard drugs appears to make no difference to their chances of having a repeat attack.
It is published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Link:http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE67S02520100829
Source:Reuters

Results from the Phase 2 INNOVATE-PCI study of the investigational antiplatelet drug, elinogrel, the only competitive, reversible direct-acting P2Y12 ADP receptor antagonist were announced. Results in patients undergoing non-urgent percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) showed that an intravenous (i.v.) and oral elinogrel regimen provided more rapid and greater antiplatelet activity than clopidogrel (Plavix) without a significant increase in the risk of TIMI major and minor bleeding, and was generally well tolerated. These findings establish the basis for clinical dose selection for a pivotal Phase 3 program, which is anticipated to start in the first quarter of 2011. The data were presented today during the Hot Line II - Coronary Artery Disease late-breaker session at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Stockholm. 
Link:http://www.portola.com/pdfs/Portola_INNOVATE_PCI_ESC.pdf
Source:Portola

AstraZeneca's MedImmune biologics unit has been asked by U.S regulators for more information on its infant lung drug motavizumab after drug regulatory advisors recommended against approving it in June.
The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker's MedImmune unit developed motavizumab to prevent serious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in high-risk infants.
Link:http://www.reuters.com/article/idCNLDE67T0AY20100830?rpc=44
Source:Reuters

People at intermediate risk of cardiovascular disease who have high levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a blood marker for inflammation, could benefit from cholesterol-lowering therapy even if their cholesterol is already at desirable levels. Data indicates that people with only a 5 percent to 20 percent risk of having heart disease in the next ten years, but who have high levels of hsCRP could reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by more than 40 percent.
The study is published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal.
Link:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100824161503.htm
Source:ScienceDaily

The Company's New Drug Application (NDA) for Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal insert) has been accepted for filing and granted Priority Review status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Iluvien is Alimera's investigational, sustained drug delivery system that releases sub-microgram levels of fluocinolone acetonide for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME).
Link:http://investor.alimerasciences.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=503420
Source:Alimera

Phase 3 safety and efficacy data comparing tapentadol extended release (ER) tablets, an investigational pain medication, to placebo in patients with moderate to severe chronic osteoarthritis knee pain have been published by Clinical Drug Investigation.
Link:http://www.jnj.com/connect/news/all/Pivotal-Phase-3-Study-Compares-Tapentadol-Extended-Release-Tablets-to-Placebo-in-Patients-with-Chronic-Osteoarthritis-Knee-Pain
Source:Johnson & Johnson

For people suffering chronic pain, smoked cannabis reduces pain, improves mood and helps sleep, according to new research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) (pre-embargo link only) http://www.cmaj.ca/embargo/cmaj091414.pdf.
Link:http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/cmaj-scr082410.php
Source:EurekAlert