Novartis Initiates Phase III Trial of Ilaris to Treat COVID-19 Patients with Pneumonia
Novartis has initiated a Phase III clinical trial to examine the efficacy of utilizing canakinumab (Ilaris), an interleukin (IL)-1β blocker, to treat a type of severe immune overreaction called cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in people with COVID-19 pneumonia.
FcRn Antagonist Boosts Platelet Counts, Reduces Bleeding Risk in Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Efgartigimod, an investigational human IgG1 Fc fragment, induced a rapid reduction in total IgG levels and clinically relevant increases in platelet counts in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), according to findings from a Phase II, placebo-controlled multinational study.
High-Titer Inhibitors Reduced in PUPs with Severe Hemophilia A Treated with Fourth Generation Recombinant Factor VIII
A study in previously untreated patients (PUPs) with severe hemophilia A found replacement therapy with a fourth-generation recombinant factor VIII (FVIII) product was associated with an incidence of high-titer inhibitors similar to the rate seen in a landmark trial evaluating plasma-derived FVIII products.
Study Finds Safe Treatment for Children with Severe Hemophilia A with Inhibitors
Researchers have found combining immune tolerance induction (ITI) with Hemlibra (emicizumab, Roche) is a feasible and safe way of treating children with severe hemophilia A.
FDA Expands Indication for Octapharma’s WILATE to Hemophilia A
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved WILATE for treatment of adults and adolescents with hemophilia A for routine prophylaxis.
The Challenge of Cold Chain Logistics
While some of the guidelines for the transportation, handling, storage and delivery of temperaturesensitive medications are basic and vague, advances in technology help to ensure these drugs are
safe and effective when they reach their site of administration.
Establishing an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program
The adoption of ASPs has resulted in a reduction of antimicrobial expenditures, but stopping the tide of multidrug-resistant organisms depends on leadership’s commitment to track data down to the patient level.
Short-Dated Products: Reducing Unsalable Returns and Supply Chain Waste
The glut of soon-to-expire products within the pharmaceutical supply chain is a costly problem impacting multiple stakeholders, but smart technology and innovative inventory management systems offer cost-saving solutions.
Octapharma Introduces New SCIG Product and IgCares Program
Octapharma introduced its newest product, Cutaquig (immune globulin subcutaneous [human] 16.5% solution) at the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) National Conference in June.
FDA Approves Octaplas to Treat Pediatric Patients Who Require Multiple Coagulation Factor Replacement
A revised product label for Octapharma USA’s Octaplas (pooled plasma [human] solvent/detergent treated solution for intravenous infusion) to treat critically ill pediatric patients who require replacement of multiple coagulation factors has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
