Thomson Scientific Publishes Its 3rd Quarter Issue Of The Ones To Watch Reviewing The Most Promising Drugs In The Pharmaceutical Pipeline

Main Category: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 30 Nov 2007 - 2:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Thomson Scientific, part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC) and leading provider of information solutions to the worldwide research and business communities, has issued its quarterly The Ones-to-Watch report. It provides expert insight into the five most promising drugs entering each new phase of clinical development between July and September 2007.

"Bookending this quarter's list are three potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease, two of which are just entering clinical trials and one that has already received FDA approval," said Peter Robins, editorial and content manager, Thomson Scientific. "This quarter's The Ones to Watch report showcases the ongoing drive to find therapies for diseases that impact on ageing and sedentary populations."

Which are the Ones-to-Watch this Quarter?

Topping this quarter's approval list is Exelon TDS, a new transdermal patch formulation of rivastigmine, which looks like a winner for Novartis. In the seven years since its launch, the oral formulation of rivastigmine has seen year-on-year US dollar growth as a treatment of Alzheimer's disease - and Parkinson's disease- associated dementia. The FDA approved Exelon TDS for mild to moderate dementia in July 2007. The EU approval followed two months later. The U.S. launch is expected imminently.

Second on the list is AZOR, which was developed by Daiichi Sankyo for the treatment of hypertension and includes a combination of two component drugs. In previous Phase III trials, all doses of the combination produced greater mean reductions in blood pressure than either drug alone. This, along with its favorable side-effect profile, should make AZOR an attractive treatment option for patients whose blood pressure does not respond to either component drug in isolation. U.S. approval was granted in September 2007.

While the reason for menopause remains unknown, KV Pharmaceutical believes EvaMist, which takes the third spot on the list, may offer significant advantages to women experiencing menopause. This product is a small, easy-to-use hand-held applicator that delivers a pre-set metered dose via the skin, releasing estradoil into the bloodstream over 24 hours. EvaMist gained FDA approval in July 2007.

The first of two potential treatments for cancer on the list of notable drugs gaining approval this quarter is Yondelis, developed by PharmaMar for patients who have not responded to previous regimens in their treatment of soft tissue sarcoma. Yondelis is the first approved product from PharmaMar, a Spanish biotech specializing in cancer drugs derived from marine organisms and has Orphan Drug status in both the EU and U.S., securing extended protection against generic competition.

The second approval win for Novartis this quarter, Tasigna, is an orally available inhibitor of Bcr-Abl, c-Kit, PDGF-R and related receptor tyrosine kinases for the potential treatment of various types of leukemia. Though the drug has been approved only in Switzerland for chronic myeloid leukemia, it is awaiting approval in the U.S. and Japan and has been recommended for approval across the EU.

Following are the top five drugs in each category of phase changes:

The Five Most Promising Drugs Entering Phase III Trials

- bevasiranib sodium, (Wet AMD), Opko
- recombinant active glucocerebrosidase, (Gaucher's disease), Protalix
- odanacatib, (osteoporosis), Merck & Co
- laquinimod, (multiple sclerosis), Active Biotech/Teva
- elesclomol, (solid tumors), Synta

The Five Most Promising Drugs Entering Phase II Trials
- CPP-109, (addiction to cocaine and methamphetamine), Catalyst Pharmaceuticals
- intranasal insulin formulation, (diabetes), Nastech
- LCP-AtorFen, (cholesterol), Life Cycle
- EC-145, (ovarian and lung cancer), Endocyte
- TG-100801, (AMD, diabetic macular edemia, diabetic retinopathy), TargeGen

The Five Most Promising Drugs Entering Phase I Trials
- affitope AD-01, (Alzheimer's disease), AFFiRiS
- MEM-63908, (Alzheimer's disease, CNS disorders), Memory/Roche
- TC-5619, (schizophrenia, depression), Targacept
- RDEA-806, (HIV infection), Ardea Biosciences
- APD-791, (arterial thrombosis), Arena Pharmaceuticals

About This Quarterly Report

Data for this report was compiled and analyzed using Thomson Pharma(R), a comprehensive global pharmaceutical information solution that covers the entire drug discovery and development pipeline. Its competitive intelligence and strategic data can justify and speed decision-making, facilitate more focused collaboration, and encourage innovation.

For a copy of the full report with analysis, visit: here (PDF).

About The Thomson Corporation

The Thomson Corporation is a global leader in providing essential electronic workflow solutions to business and professional customers. With operational headquarters in Stamford, CT, Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to professionals in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, scientific research, and healthcare. The corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC).

Thomson Scientific is a business of The Thomson Corporation. Its information solutions assist professionals at every stage of research and development - from discovery to analysis to product development and distribution. Thomson Scientific information solutions can be found at http://www.scientific.thomson.com

The Thomson Corporation

• Additional
• References
• Citations