Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WASHINGTON, Sep 20, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Swiss drugmaker Novartis announced it is preparing to submit a new osteoporosis drug to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that could reduce fractures.
Reclast is administered through a single annual infusion, reported WebMD, which is sponsored by Novartis.
The company said results from the Phase III studies of the drug, which are required for FDA consideration, have come back with positive results. The three-year studies found women suffering from osteoporosis who were given Reclast once a year were 70 percent less likely to grow new spine fractures than women who were given a placebo. The women given Reclast were also 40 percent less likely to get hip fractures during the three-year period.
"The efficacy and safety data show for the first time that women may have the option of a once-yearly treatment for osteoporosis," said Dennis Black, a University of California scientist who worked on the studies. He said the drug "effectively protects women against fractures, including those of the hip, which can be devastating."
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International **********************************************************************
As of Saturday, 09-16-2006 23:59, the latest Comtex SmarTrend(SM) Alert, an automated pattern recognition system, indicated an UPTREND on 06-30-2006 for NVS @ $53.70.
For more information on Comtex SmarTrend® Alert, contact your market data provider or go to CSTADirect.com
SmarTrend is a registered trademark of Comtex News Network, Inc.
Copyright © 2004-2006 Comtex News Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
