Eli Lilly, Wyeth, Schering-Plough Rated Top Pharma Companies in Europe

Results of the CenterWatch 2008 Survey of Investigative Sites in Europe found Eli Lilly rated the top sponsor to work with. Also rated highly were Wyeth and Schering-Plough. The 2008 survey had more sites in Central and Eastern Europe reporting, and the survey was also extended to Canada. The number of countries reporting increased by 11 to 37. CenterWatch rated a total of 16 large pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Cardiac Safety Services Back in Rhythm

Cardiac safety monitoring has developed into a sizable industry sector and the growing demand for these services has led to much activity in the space recently. Cardiac safety effects have become a common cause for drug withdrawals and delays in regulatory approval. Many concerns about serious cardiovascular side effects are related to drugs used for non-cardiac indications, such as the arthritis drug Vioxx.

European Biotech Outsourcing on Steep Learning Curve

Demand for contracted services in the European biotech sector is buoyant. As the industry matures and more biotech drug candidates reach clinical development, business opportunities for contract research organizations (CROs) and other service providers are growing.

Eye On: Muscular Dystrophy

There are nine known types of muscular dystrophy, which is a group of genetically based, degenerative diseases characterized by a progressive wasting and weakening of fibers of voluntary muscles. They are classified based on their pattern of inheritance, age of onset, and typical symptoms; together, they affect more than 110,000 people in the United States alone. In each of these forms, there is a defect in one of several proteins involved in linking the muscle fiber component F-actin to the sheath of tissue surrounding the muscle fiber.

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