Archive


Category: Asthma

  • TytoCare & Carilion Clinic Partner to Expand Telehealth Offerings

    What You Should Know: – TytoCare has partnered with Carilion Clinic, a not-for-profit health care organization serving Virginia’s Blue Ridge and Southwest Virginia regions. – The integration of TytoCare into Carilion’s current virtual care offerings enhances the health system’s ability to diagnose and treat patients remotely with in-depth, physical examinations during virtual visits. Shortage of Primary Care Physicians in Rural Communities Rural […]

  • AstraZeneca, Avillion ‘first-in-class’ combination inhaler shines in Phase 3 trial

    An albuterol/budesonide fixed-dose combination rescue medication has been shown to reduce severe exacerbations in patients with asthma for the first time, according to positive Phase 3 trial results announced by AstraZeneca and Avillion. Asthma affects as many as 339 million adults and children around the world. Regardless of severity, the condition means that these patients […]

  • An Apple a Day May Keep the Pharmacist Away

    Which would save more lives: eating an apple a day or taking statin drugs? Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? That’s a public health message that’s been around since 1866, but is it true? You don’t know, until you put it to the test. As I discuss in my video Flashback […]

  • Turmeric with Black Pepper: What It’s Good For and How to Take It

    Historians have gathered evidence showing that people—from long ago and from around the world—have used herbs, often in a sophisticated way. Quinine from Cinchona bark, for instance, was used to treat the symptoms of malaria long before the disease had even been identified, and the raw ingredients of a common aspirin tablet have been a […]

  • Powered by Biofourmis, Blessing Health System Partners Launches Home Hospital Services

    What You Should Know: – Blessing Health System, an integrated rural health system selects Biofourmis, a virtual care and digital therapeutics provider to launch its own home hospital services. – As part of the selection, Biofourmis is supporting the health system with its turnkey, end-to-end, home hospital solution for participation in the Rural Home Hospital project.  Delivering Acute-Level […]

  • Overuse of asthma inhalers linked to severe attacks; study

    Data from a massive real-world study of asthma patients has suggested that overuse of inhalers is widespread and leading to an elevated risk of severe exacerbations. The results from the SABINA registry programme in more than a million people with the respiratory disease show that 40% of patients were over-using short-acting beta agonist (SABA) inhalers, […]

  • FDA clears first generic of AZ’s blockbuster Symbicort

    Viatris (formerly Mylan) has become the first drugmaker to win full FDA approval for a generic version of AstraZeneca’s top-selling respiratory drug Symbicort, although launch plans remain uncertain for now. Viatris’ generic of Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) – developed by Viatris in collaboration with 3M spin-off company Kindeva Drug Delivery – has been […]

  • Do Natural Thymol Cleaning Products Disinfect as Well as Bleach?

    What’s the best household cleaning product to use? Household cleaning products can be hazardous, landing hundreds of thousands of children in U.S. emergency rooms. The product most commonly associated with injury is bleach, which can be toxic, even if used as directed. We know that those with asthma who work with cleaning products day in […]

  • Cantex secures license to develop small molecule-drug for inflammatory lung diseases

    Clinical stage pharmaceutical company Cantex Pharmaceuticals has obtained a global licence from Harvard University’s Office of Technology Development to develop the small-molecule drug azeliragon into a treatment for inflammatory lung diseases, including COVID-19. Viral or bacterial infections, or airway irritants can damage lung cells, causing them to release damage associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecules that […]

  • Patient Data & Decentralized Web: The Key To A Healthier Future?

    Jonathan Bingham – Janeiro Digital, CEO Interoperable data and IT systems in healthcare has long been an enigma – many have tried to tackle the challenge, but until now very little has changed. A truly interconnected network that brings together the infinite number of siloed systems used in healthcare services around the world, and even […]

  • Tezepelumab (Tezspire) for Severe Asthma

    Date:  February 21, 2022 Issue #:  1644 Summary:  Tezepelumab-ekko (Tezspire – AstraZeneca/Amgen), a subcutaneously administered thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) blocker, has been approved by the FDA for add-on maintenance treatment of severe asthma in patients ≥12 years old. It is the first TSLP blocker to become available in the US and the first biologic drug […]

  • NHS drug pledge broken for asthma sufferers and smokers, report reveals

    Exclusive: charities critical of failure to meet health plan for England, despite 2019 agreement A promise to ensure that people with severe asthma and smokers who want to quit can get the drugs they need has been broken by ministers and the NHS, a health service report reveals. Health charities criticised the persistent lack of […]

  • Children’s COVID-19 Vaccine: A Key to Protecting Pediatric Asthma Patients

    What Has Everyone Excited about COVID-19 Vaccines for 5-11-year-olds? With the rollout this month of the COVID-19 vaccine for those 5-11 years of age, we can now directly protect children with asthma for whom COVID-19 infection is an even bigger hazard for our children during the pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the term “comorbidities” has […]

  • Respira Labs’ wearable device listens for lung diseases

    US company Respira Labs has developed a device worn on the chest that uses tiny speakers and microphones to project sound into the lungs and listen for signals that could indicate serious lung diseases. The Sylvee wearable uses an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to interpret sounds that may indicate trapped air in the lungs, which […]

  • Respira Launches AI Wearable for Lung Function for COPD, COVID, Asthma

    What You Should Know: – Today, Respira is introducing its AI wearable technology to monitor for certain very serious lung conditions. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and COVID-19 were the 3rd and 4th global causes of death during the height of the pandemic. Asthma, according to […]

  • AstraZeneca and Amgen’s Tezepelumab Demonstrates 86% Reduction in Exacerbations in Patients with Asthma and Nasal Polyps

    Shots: The P-III NAVIGATOR study involves assessing Tezepelumab + SOC vs PBO +SOC in adults (18–80yrs.old) and adolescents (12–17yrs. old) with severe, uncontrolled asthma. The study showed improvements in lung function and nasal polyp symptoms The pre-specified exploratory analysis evaluated the effect of tezepelumab in NAVIGATOR patients with/ out reported nasal polyps (NP+ or NP−) […]

  • Amgen builds case for severe asthma drug tezepelumab

    Amgen and partner AstraZeneca have said their recently filed severe asthma drug tezepelumab has shown impressive results in patients who also have nasal polyps, a common complication of the respiratory disease. Tezepelumab reduced the annualised asthma exacerbation rate (AAER) by 86% in a subgroup of people with severe, uncontrolled asthma and polyps in the NAVIGATOR […]

  • Sensyne, Oxford University deploy AI to find asthma targets

    Oxford University and UK clinical artificial intelligence (AI) company Sensyne Health will partner on a project to find new drug targets for people with hard-to-treat asthma. It’s estimated that almost one in five people with asthma find it difficult to control symptoms using current therapies, while around 4% have particularly severe forms that puts them […]

  • AstraZeneca and Amgen Report the US FDA’s Acceptance of BLA and Priority Review of Tezepelumab for the Treatment of Asthma

    Shots: The BLA is based on PATHFINDER clinical program, including P-III NAVIGATOR study evaluating Tezepelumab + SOC vs PBO + SOC in 1,061 adults (18–80yrs.) & adolescents (12–17yrs.) with severe & uncontrolled asthma who receive treatment with medium/high dose ICS + at least 1 additional controller medication with/out OCS The results demonstrated superiority in 1EP […]

  • CytoReason Collaborates with Sanofi to Initiate its Project Utilizing AI Technology for Asthma

    Shots: CytoReason reports the initiation of a project with Sanofi by utilizing its cell-centered models and deconvolution techniques to counsel mechanistic insights for each asthma endotype The focus of the project is to drive a better understanding of heterogeneity in asthma patients and identify stable and reproducible asthma endotypes alongwith associated diagnostic features by using […]

  • Hikma shares rally after US launch of Advair generic resumes

    Shares in Hikma have rallied as it resumed the launch of its generic Advair Diskus in the US, after clearing up a final piece of bureaucracy with the FDA. The London-listed firm is one of several companies that had been trying to make generics of GlaxoSmithKline’s former respiratory diseases blockbuster for the US market. Advair […]

  • Scotland opens door to Translarna for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

    A disparity in UK access to a medicine for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has been addressed, after Scotland gave a green light to use of PTC Therapeutics’ Translarna for the first time.  The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) says that Translarna (ataluren) can be provided by NHS Scotland for a period of three years, once PTC […]

  • Regeneron and Sanofi Report the US FDA’s Acceptance of sBLA for Review of Dupixent to Treat Moderate-to-Severe Asthma in Children

    Shots: The sBLA is based on P-III study assessing Dupixent + SOC maintenance therapy in children aged 6-11yrs. with moderate-to-severe asthma with type 2 inflammation The study resulted in a reduction of severe asthma attacks and rapidly improved lung function within 2wks, safety results were generally consistent with the known safety profile of Dupixent. Dupixent […]

  • AstraZeneca breathes sigh of relief as court blocks US Symbicort generic

    A US court has upheld AstraZeneca’s patents on its respiratory drug Symbicort, blocking cheaper competition for the ageing blockbuster. The US District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia has decided in favour of AZ in litigation against Mylan Pharmaceuticals and Kindeva, the company said in a statement. Mylan, which is now part of […]

  • GSK hits trouble with Trelegy as EU regulators block asthma indication

    European regulators have refused to back GlaxoSmithKline’s daily triple therapy Trelegy Ellipta for asthma, denying a label extension because there was no evidence to show a reduction of flare-ups. It’s a blow for GSK, which hopes that Trelegy (fluticasone furoate+umeclidinium+vilanterol) will help to revive the fortunes of its respiratory diseases franchise. The company had been […]

  • Study: Asthma Patients Maintain High Medication Adherence Using Propeller Health’s Platform

    What You Should Know: – New study out from Propeller and Chicago’s NorthShore University HealthSystem shows that asthma patients maintain higher medication adherence and decrease their rescue inhaler use when using a digital health platform. – The study looked at 100 patients recruited from NorthShore practices, half of whom used Propeller to manage their condition […]

  • AstraZeneca and Amgen Report Results of Tezepelumab in P-III NAVIGATOR for Asthma

    Shots: The P-III NAVIGATOR study involves assessing Tezepelumab + SOC vs pbo + SOC in adults (18–80yrs.) & adolescents (12–17yrs.) with severe, uncontrolled asthma, who were receiving treatment with medium/high dose ICS + at least 1 additional controller medication with or without OCS Trial met its 1EPs i.e. reduction in AAER @52wks. in the overall […]

  • Aptar Pharma Acquires the Assets of Respiratory Startup Cohero Health

    What You Should Know: – Apstar Pharma acquires the assets of respiratory health company Cohero Health to expands its digital portfolio with a focus on respiratory disease management. – Cohero Health develops digital tools and technologies to improve respiratory care, reduce avoidable costs, and optimize medication utilization. AptarGroup, Inc., a global leader in consumer dispensing, […]

  • AstraZenca Reports Results of Fasenra (benralizumab) in P-lllb PONENTE Trial for Asthma

    Shots: It is based on P-lllb PONENTE trial assessing Fasenra (benralizumab, 30mg) in adult patients with severe Asthma on high-dose ICS + LABA and long-term use of OCS therapy with or without additional asthma controller. This study included approx. 600 patients in EU, North America, South America, and Taiwan Results: 62% of patients achieved complete […]

  • What White Blood Cell Count Should We Shoot for?

    At the start of my video What Does a Low White Blood Cell Count Mean?, you can see what it looks like when you take a drop of blood, smear it between two pieces of glass, and view at it under a microscope: a whole bunch of little, round, red blood cells and a few […]

  • CareLinx, Doctor on Demand Partner to Bring In-Home Virtual Care to Seniors

    What You Should Know:  – Doctor On Demand and CareLinx, one of the largest professional networks for in-home care, have announced a collaboration to bring in-home virtual care services to CareLinx clients.  – At a time when seniors have been encouraged to stay home to avoid exposure to COVID, Doctor On Demand’s partnership with CareLinx […]

  • Innovaccer, CareSignal Partner to Enable Deviceless Remote Patient Monitoring

    What You Should Know: – Innovaccer has recently partnered with CareSignal to address healthcare’s urgent need amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: to create and maintain solid, clinically actionable relationships with patients in a new set of predominantly virtual care. – CareSignal offers evidence-based end-to-end support services for chronic medical conditions such as asthma, CHF, COPD, diabetes, […]

  • Lemonaid Health Raises $33M to Expand On-Demand Consumer Telehealth Platform

    – Lemonaid Health, a direct to consumer telehealth company raises $33M in Series B funding to expand the company’s medical team and number of services being offered to patients. – To date, the company has treated more than a million patients online for a variety of medical conditions ranging from erectile dysfunction to sinus infections to […]

  • Combating Air Pollution Effects with Food

    There is a food that offers the best of both worlds—significantly improving our ability to detox carcinogens like diesel fumes and decreasing inflammation in our airways—all while improving our respiratory defenses against infections. Outdoor air pollution may be the ninth leading cause of death and disability in the world, responsible for millions of deaths from […]

  • Teva launches digital asthma and COPD rescue inhaler in US

    Teva has launched new digital inhaler and drug combination in the US, containing built-in sensors that connect to a phone to help manage asthma and COPD symptoms.  Israel-based Teva said the system conveys information to patients, who can use the product branded as ProAir Digihaler (albuterol sulfate) for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  Teva noted […]

  • Philips and BioIntelliSense Integrate to Enhance Remote Patient Monitoring

    What You Should Know: – Philips integrates the BioIntelliSense FDA-cleared BioSticker™ sensor as part of its remote patient monitoring solutions for patients outside the hospital. – Multi-parameter sensors aid monitoring across multiple chronic conditions with medical-grade vital signs for physicians to remotely track core symptoms, including COVID-19. – Healthcare Highways is the first to leverage […]

  • Propeller Health, Novartis Co-Package Asthma Medication in Europe for Prescription

    What You Should Know: – Propeller Health announced it will co-package a new asthma medication from Novartis, which was approved by the European Commission this week for use in the EU. – Enerzair® Breezhaler® plus Propeller Health sensor is the first asthma medication to be co-packaged and co-prescribed with a digital health platform. – Propeller’s […]

  • One Way to Treat Asthma and Autoimmune Diseases with Diet

    Cutting two teaspoons of salt’s worth of sodium from one’s daily diet can significantly improve lung function in asthmatics In the 1960s and 1970s, a mystery was emerging. Why were childhood asthma rates between 2 to 5 percent in the developed world but as low as 0.007 percent in the developing world? For example, in […]

  • The Benefits of Slow Breathing

    There are all manner of purported hiccup “cures,” which include everything from chewing on a lemon, inhaling pepper, or, our dog’s favorite, eating a spoonful of peanut butter. In my video How to Strengthen the Mind-Body Connection, I talk about the technique I’m excited to try the next time I get hiccups: “supra-supramaximal inspiration,” where […]