Pharmacology/Pharmaceutical Industry
Four reasons why we need multiple vaccines for Covid-19
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:27h | UTCFour reasons why we need multiple vaccines for Covid-19 – Wellcome Trust
Emergency COVID-vaccine approvals pose a dilemma for scientists. It could complicate efforts to study long-term outcomes, such as safety, how long protection lasts and whether the jab prevents infection or just the disease
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:28h | UTCWhy emergency COVID-vaccine approvals pose a dilemma for scientists – Nature
Covid-19: Oxford University vaccine shows 70% protection
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:54h | UTCCovid-19: Oxford University vaccine shows 70% protection – BBC
News release: Oxford University breakthrough on global COVID-19 vaccine
Commentary on Twitter
Today marks an important milestone in the fight against #COVID19. Interim data show the #OxfordVaccine is 70.4% effective, & tests on two dose regimens show that it could be 90%, moving us one step closer to supplying it at low cost around the world>> https://t.co/fnHnKSqftT pic.twitter.com/2KYXPxFNz1
— University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) November 23, 2020
Randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial: Amantadine, modafinil, and methylphenidate are no better than placebo for fatigue in multiple sclerosis
24 Nov, 2020 | 09:02h | UTCSafety and efficacy of amantadine, modafinil, and methylphenidate for fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover, double-blind trial – The Lancet Neurology (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Updated WHO guideline on drugs for Covid-19 rejects Remdesivir and strongly recommends Corticosteroids for patients with severe and critical disease
20 Nov, 2020 | 08:51h | UTCA living WHO guideline on drugs for covid-19 – The BMJ
Commentary: WHO Guideline Development Group advises against use of remdesivir for COVID-19 – British Medical Journal
Commentary on Twitter
Today the @WHO rejects Remdesivir for #COVID19.
The same drug the @US_FDA gave a full approval.
Because the @WHO reviewed all the data and made the right call.https://t.co/u7GKTRlf37@bmj_latest pic.twitter.com/kVwmDnJRCz— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) November 20, 2020
Systematic review: Ultra-long‐acting insulins provide modest benefit compared to NPH insulin for Type 2 DM, resulting in reduced risk of hypoglycemia but no difference in HbA1c
23 Nov, 2020 | 09:45h | UTC
Phase 2 trial of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine finds it is safe and provokes immune response in young as well as in older adults
20 Nov, 2020 | 08:50h | UTCCommentaries: Covid: Oxford vaccine shows ‘encouraging’ immune response in older adults – BBC AND Age and frailty in COVID-19 vaccine development – The Lancet AND Expert reaction to phase 2 trial safety and immunogenicity data from the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine trial including in healthy older adults – Science Media Centre AND Phase 2 trial of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine in healthy older adults finds it is safe and provokes immune response – The Lancet
Commentary on Twitter
NEW—UK’s #COVID19 vaccine shows similar safety and immunogenicity results in healthy older adults (aged 56 years & over) to those seen in adults aged 18-55 years: finding from a single-blind, randomised, controlled, phase 2 trial https://t.co/OKDSySPwfK pic.twitter.com/JyXRk5ZzPT
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) November 19, 2020
Opinion: Improving care for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction—a potential polypill-based strategy
20 Nov, 2020 | 08:37h | UTC
Pfizer and BioNTech to submit Covid-19 vaccine data to FDA as full results show 95% efficacy
19 Nov, 2020 | 09:36h | UTCPfizer and BioNTech to submit Covid-19 vaccine data to FDA as full results show 95% efficacy – STAT
News release: Pfizer and Biontech conclude phase 3 study of Covid-19 vaccine candidate, meeting all primary efficacy endpoints
Commentaries: ‘Incredible milestone for science.’ Pfizer and BioNTech update their promising COVID-19 vaccine result – Science AND Pfizer: COVID-19 shot 95% effective, seeking clearance soon – Associated Press AND Expert reaction to announcement by Pfizer that they have concluded the Phase III study of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate after demonstrating 95% efficacy – Science Media Centre AND Covid vaccine: Pfizer says ‘94% effective in over-65s’ – BBC
Opinion: For billion-dollar COVID vaccines, basic government-funded science laid the groundwork
19 Nov, 2020 | 09:33h | UTC
Temperature concerns could slow the rollout of new coronavirus vaccines
19 Nov, 2020 | 09:31h | UTCTemperature concerns could slow the rollout of new coronavirus vaccines – Science
#AHA20 [not published yet] Randomized trial: After drug-eluting stent implantation, one-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) followed by aspirin monotherapy was noninferior to 6-12 months of DAPT
19 Nov, 2020 | 09:21h | UTCCommentary: Latest Post-DES Drug Trial Tests Aspirin Monotherapy After 1 Month of DAPT – TCTMD
Chinese Covid-19 vaccine candidate (CoronaVac) appears safe and induces an immune response in healthy volunteers in phase 1/2 clinical trial
18 Nov, 2020 | 09:19h | UTCCommentaries: Covid-19: Chinese vaccine ‘successful in mid-stage trials’ – BBC AND Expecting the unexpected with COVID-19 vaccines – The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Commentary on Twitter
NEW—Chinese #COVID19 vaccine candidate (CoronaVac) based on inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus appears safe & induces an immune response in healthy volunteers: finding from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 clinical trial @TheLancetInfDis https://t.co/0AC0fP53dI pic.twitter.com/W3gMdqLzTG
— The Lancet (@TheLancet) November 18, 2020
#AHA20 – Randomized trial: Among patients with recurrent pericarditis, Rilonacept was associated with lower risk of pericarditis recurrence than placebo
18 Nov, 2020 | 09:04h | UTCPhase 3 Trial of Interleukin-1 Trap Rilonacept in Recurrent Pericarditis – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentaries: Rilonacept Prevents Recurrent Pericarditis: RHAPSODY – TCTMD AND Rilonacept inHibition of interleukin-1 Alpha and beta for recurrent Pericarditis: a pivotal Symptomatology and Outcomes stuDY – RHAPSODY – American College of Cardiology AND Trial shows drug effective in 96% of patients with recurrent pericarditis – Cleveland Clinic
Commentary on Twitter
Patients with recurrent pericarditis were treated with the interleukin-1 trap rilonacept. Those who had a response were randomly assigned to receive continued rilonacept or placebo. Rilonacept led to a significantly lower risk of pericarditis recurrence than placebo. #AHA20
— NEJM (@NEJM) November 17, 2020
#AHA20 – RCT: Sotagliflozin improved cardiovascular outcomes in patients with Diabetes and CKD. Diarrhea, genital mycotic infections, volume depletion, and diabetic ketoacidosis were more common with sotagliflozin than with placebo
18 Nov, 2020 | 09:08h | UTCSotagliflozin in Patients with Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
#AHA20 – RCT: Sotagliflozin improved cardiovascular outcomes in patients with Diabetes and Recent Worsening Heart Failure. Diarrhea and severe hypoglycemia were more common with sotagliflozin than with placebo
18 Nov, 2020 | 09:06h | UTCSotagliflozin in Patients with Diabetes and Recent Worsening Heart Failure – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Opinion: A new important study supports wider use of the polypill
18 Nov, 2020 | 09:01h | UTCRichard Smith: A new important study supports wider use of the polypill – The Lancet
Original study and commentaries: Randomized trial: A polypill comprising statins, multiple blood pressure lowering drugs, and aspirin prevents cardiovascular events among patients at intermediate cardiovascular risk
Commentary on Twitter
"We seem now to have good evidence that the polypill can reduce cardiovascular events and deaths by at least a third and probably by half in those who take the polypill regularly" @Richard56 discusses a new study in @NEJM https://t.co/B2tkN4pkDP
— The BMJ (@bmj_latest) November 17, 2020
Systematic review: Management of primary headaches in pregnancy
18 Nov, 2020 | 09:00h | UTCManagement of Primary Headaches in Pregnancy – Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Full report: Management of Primary Headaches in Pregnancy
Evidence Summary: Management of Primary Headaches in Pregnancy
[Press release – not published yet] Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate shows 94.5% protection in an interim analysis of the phase 3 COVE study
17 Nov, 2020 | 09:55h | UTCPress release: Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Meets its Primary Efficacy Endpoint in the First Interim Analysis of the Phase 3 COVE Study
See also: Moderna Announces Longer Shelf Life for its COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate at Refrigerated Temperatures
Commentaries: What Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine results mean for ending the pandemic – Vox AND Moderna follows Pfizer with exciting vaccine news – how to read these dramatic developments – The Conversation AND Moderna’s COVID Vaccine Is 95% Effective – Independent NIH-Appointed Board Assessment – Higher Storage Temperature Make It Even Better News – Health Policy Watch AND Moderna’s Vaccine News “Encouraging” But Won’t Solve Immediate Problem of Virus Surge in Europe & Americas – WHO – Health Policy Watch AND COVID vaccine excitement builds as Moderna reports third positive result – Nature AND Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine is strongly effective, early look at data show – STAT AND With strong data on two Covid-19 vaccines, we have more answers about the road ahead — and questions too – STAT AND Early data show Moderna’s COVID vaccine 94.5% effective – CIDRAP AND A Note Of Caution On Moderna’s Promising Covid-19 Vaccine News – Forbes AND Promising Interim Results from Clinical Trial of NIH-Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine – NIH News Releases AND Moderna: Covid vaccine shows nearly 95% protection – BBC AND Latest vaccine success is good news but high price may restrict access – The Guardian AND ‘Just beautiful’—Another COVID-19 vaccine, from newcomer Moderna, succeeds in large-scale trial – Science AND Moderna trial success gives world more hope in race to end pandemic – Reuters AND Expert reaction to Moderna announcement of its phase 3 vaccine interim results – Science Media Centre
Primary care guidance for persons with HIV: 2020 update by the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
17 Nov, 2020 | 09:36h | UTCNews Release: IDSA and HIVMA Release New Comprehensive Primary Care Guidance for People with HIV – Infectious Diseases Society of America
[Abstract Only] In a Phase 2 randomized trial, Semaglutide at high doses improved Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), but with no significant beneficial effects in liver fibrosis
17 Nov, 2020 | 09:31h | UTCA Placebo-Controlled Trial of Subcutaneous Semaglutide in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentary: Semaglutide Shows Promise in NASH Phase 2 Study – Medscape (free registration required)
Commentary on Twitter
https://twitter.com/NEJM/status/1327238536001593346
#AHA20 – Randomized trial: In patients with atrial fibrillation and a bioprosthetic mitral valve, Rivaroxaban (20 mg) was noninferior to Warfarin (INR 2-3) for death, MACE, or major bleeding at 12 months
16 Nov, 2020 | 02:01h | UTCRivaroxaban in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and a Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
News Release: Rivaroxaban may be as effective as warfarin for bioprosthetic mitral valves, AF – American Heart Association
Commentaries: Rivaroxaban an Option for Patients with Bioprosthetic Mitral Valves and A-fib – TCTMD AND Rivaroxaban for Valvular Heart Disease and Atrial Fibrillation – RIVER – American College of Cardiology AND Rivaroxaban Noninferior to Warfarin for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Bioprosthetic Mitral Valves – NEJM Journal Watch
Commentary on Twitter
In a trial comparing rivaroxaban with dose-adjusted warfarin, rivaroxaban was noninferior to warfarin with respect to the mean time until the primary outcome of death, major cardiovascular events, or major bleeding at 12 months. #AHA20
— NEJM (@NEJM) November 14, 2020
#AHA20 – Randomized trial: A polypill comprising statins, multiple blood pressure lowering drugs, and aspirin prevents cardiovascular events among patients at intermediate cardiovascular risk
16 Nov, 2020 | 02:03h | UTCPolypill with or without Aspirin in Persons without Cardiovascular Disease – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
News release: New study confirms combo pill alone and with aspirin lowers heart disease risk – American Heart Association
Commentaries: Polypill along with aspirin cuts heart attacks and strokes by up to 40%: International study – McMaster University AND Big study supports cheap combo pill to lower heart risks – Associated Press AND TIPS-3: International Study Looks at Benefits of Polypill and Polypill Plus Aspirin in Reducing CVD Risk – American College of Cardiology
Commentary on Twitter
Public health vs precision medicine. Thinking through a one size fits all drug prevention approach. "Combined Rx w/polypill+aspirin led to lower incidence of CV events than placebo among participants w/o CV disease who were at intermediate CV risk.” #AHA20https://t.co/TsbvPtA1Pl pic.twitter.com/Ylq3AKThII
— Harlan Krumholz (@hmkyale) November 14, 2020
#AHA20 – Randomized trial: In patients with refractory hypercholesterolemia, the use of Evinacumab significantly reduced the LDL levels. Larger studies with patient-relevant outcomes are needed.
16 Nov, 2020 | 01:59h | UTCEvinacumab in Patients with Refractory Hypercholesterolemia – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentary on Twitter
In patients with hypercholesterolemia that is refractory to statin and PCSK9 inhibitor therapy, the use of evinacumab reduced plasma lipid levels by 50%. #AHA20
— NEJM (@NEJM) November 15, 2020
Sleep problems in dementia: Despite many drugs being widely prescribed, systematic review finds lack of evidence and no randomized controlled trials to guide decisions about drug treatment
17 Nov, 2020 | 09:29h | UTCPharmacotherapies for sleep disturbances in dementia – Cochrane Library