Pulmonary hypertension (PH) occurs when the walls of the blood vessels that supply the lungs begin to thicken, increasing pressure and restricting blood flow to these vessels. As a result, excessive stress is placed on the heart as it begins to overcompensate for this reduced blood flow. Currently, there is no cure for…
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Researchers at England’s University of Sheffield have identified a microRNA that, when lacking in patients, appears to be driving the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The findings, identifying potential new drug targets, open up avenues of research that might lead to better treatments for this fatal disease. “This research opens…
Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., recently announced in a press release the pricing of its initial public offering of 5,500,000 shares of its Class A common stock at $11.00 per share, before underwriting discounts and commissions. The Irving, Texas-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company says it intends to use net proceeds from the offering…
Monday night is usually a “dark night” in the theater world — a time of rest and renewal. But this Monday, June 6, is “Breathless on Broadway” night, and musical theater stars will be out in force in New York City, singing to remember a teenager who lost her life…
According to a new study, oral treprostinil (Orenitram) could benefit patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) who are currently dependent on injectable drugs. There is, however, limited data guiding the transition from injection to oral therapies. The case series, which described the transition to oral treprostinil, showed that the switch needs…
Several Broadway popular performers will focus their attention on pulmonary hypertension (PH) at the Second Annual “Breathless on Broadway” benefit on June 6 at Sardi’s Restaurant in New York City. Some of Broadway’s favorites will help the Phware Global Association raise awareness about the disease. The event will include a…
Reviva Pharmaceuticals, Inc. recently presented positive preclinical efficacy results for RP5063 in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2016 International Conference, held in San Francisco from May 13-18. RP5063 is a novel atypical antipsychotic drug with a relatively unique pharmacology and a novel target for treating PAH. Its…
Riociguat treatment administered at steady state (2.5 mg, three times a day) to women with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) did not alter the effectiveness of oral contraceptives or make their use unsafe, researchers reported. The study, “Pharmacokinetic interaction study between riociguat and the combined oral contraceptives levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol in…
Actelion recently announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorization for Uptravi (selexipag) for the treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Uptravi is a prostacyclin receptor agonist that leads to vasodilation in the pulmonary circulation. It has been proven effective in the treatment of subsets of patients…
Anticoagulant use in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is surrounded by scientific disagreement. A perspective attempted to analyze the differences between the two largest studies investigating the issue, but concluded that differences in study populations made comparisons meaningless. Randomized clinical or registry studies are needed to determine whether anticoagulant medication offers benefits, or…
Mast Therapeutics Inc. announced positive interim results from an ongoing Phase 2a clinical study of its investigational drug AIR001 for the treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Results were presented by the trial’s lead investigator, Marc A. Simon, MD, MS, FACC, in a…
Vascular BioSciences presented six studies, five of which revealed new data on pulmonary hypertension in animal models and novel therapeutic approaches, at the recent American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2016 International Conference  in San Francisco, California. The first abstracts presented, “Oral CAR Peptide Adjuvant Enhances Sildenafil Therapy for Pulmonary…
