Scientists associated with VIB (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology) and Ghent University (UGent) have discovered that A20 protein plays an important protective role in diseases associated with chronic bowel inflammation. This makes A20 into a promising therapeutic target for the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs. The NF-kB protein plays a critical role in the inflammatory response and is activated by e.g. TNF, which is produced by the white blood cells.

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InterMune Inc. announced that it will initiate an open-label roll-over study to evaluate the long-term safety of pirfenidone in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)who have completed one of the two concurrent Phase III CAPACITY trials of pirfenidone in IPF. Pirfenidone, which has been granted orphan drug designation in the both the U.S. and Europe, has depicted positive impact on lung function and disease progression in patients suffering from the fatal IPF disease.

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has received FDA approval for its NDA (New Drug Application) for Flo-Pred (prednisolone acetate oral suspension) in its NonSpil liquid drug delivery system. Flo-Pred is an anti-inflammatory agent used in the treatment of asthma, certain allergic and dermatologic conditions as well as various other indications. Taro expects to launch the product later this year. Adverse reactions common to corticosteroids include fluid retention, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, mood swings and weight gain.