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Biotech / Medical : Novartis
NVS 125.48+0.4%3:59 PM EST
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To: Steve Becker who wrote (168)2/11/1998 2:50:00 PM
From: Starlight  Read Replies (1) of 296
 
Steve - I'm new here on the Novartis topic, but I thought all of you might be interested in something I learned yesterday about this company. I toured a research lab at the UCSD Medical School where they are doing research on rheumatoid arthritis. Novartis is a corporate partner in this research. The researchers have isolated a peptide in collagen that they think causes RA. They removed one cell in the peptide and treated it with monoclonal antibodies, then put it back in the peptide and replicated it to make a solution that in nasal spray form is given to the patient. They are now in Phase I trials with patients to prove the safety of the drug and determine dosage. So far, ALL patients given the maximum dosage (25 mg.) have shown favorable results -- i.e., less inflamation and pain -- and even some of the weakest dosage patients (can't remember the exact dose-- maybe 2.5 mg.) have expressed some relief of symptoms. The drug seems to turn off the inflamatory response. Additionally, THERE HAVE BEEN NO ADVERSE SIDE EFFECTS REPORTED.
Keep in mind that it will be some time yet before this is proven successful, as they still have to do Phase II and Phase III trials, which will involve many more patients and will be done in medical centers in different cities. This is still several years away, but the progress made so far (which has taken 10 yrs.) is very exciting. Also exciting is the fact that this treatment "model" could possibly be used for other diseases or illnesses. This could open up many possibilities. I think Novartis will be exciting to watch.

Betty
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