We are in the midst of the greatest health crisis since HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). The last time the world saw a respiratory illness of this severity was in 1918 when a very aggressive strain of influenza swept across the world. Today we are squarely in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of Americans will be infected and many … [Read more...]
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
30 years ago PAH scientists and doctors believed that PAH was caused by inappropriate or excessive squeezing (vasoconstriction) of the pulmonary arteries. The earliest medications to treat PAH focused on relaxing the pulmonary arteries. Over the next decade we learned that PAH is a much more complex disorder than just blood vessels squeezing too … [Read more...]
Liquidia Files for Approval of Inhaled Treprostinil
We were excited to hear that Liquidia has filed with the FDA for approval of their drug inhaled treprostinil. They had already reported exciting results with their medication, showing that it was well tolerated and maintained or improved six minute walk distance. Currently, United Therapeutics makes Tyvaso, which is treprostinil for inhalation. Tyvaso … [Read more...]
Acceleron Announces a Positive Trial
PULSAR Phase 2 Study Results This was a very exciting week in the world of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Acceleron announced the results of their PULSAR phase 2 study. This study used Sotatercept, a novel drug, to treat PAH. It was given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection every three weeks. The primary endpoint of … [Read more...]
Serotonin and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Serotonin is an important molecule in our bodies. It works in our brain to regulate mood, appetite, sleep, memory and probably many other aspects of our behavior. In the 1960’s and early 1970’s a drug called Aminorex was sold in Europe as a prescription weight loss medication. It was withdrawn from the market in the early 1970’s after doctors … [Read more...]
