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Under your skin: Sunscreen and skin cancer this summer

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

With the northern Hemisphere officially creeping into summer, the first arguments of this season’s sun and skin debate have arisen

Anti cancer councils and organisations akin to Australia’s Sunsmart are continuing their awareness-raising campaigns, educating the public about the issue, and most importantly the practice of sun protective behaviour; although significant investment and persistence are required, well executed and long running campaigns can make significant progress, albeit on a regional scale. But a vocal group of skeptics are continuing to question whether a central element, sunscreen, might just be part of the problem.

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Acne awareness month 2010

Friday, June 18th, 2010

June is global Acne Awareness Month, an initiative of the American Acne and Rosacea Society (AARS) to educate dermatologists involved with the care of patients with acne vulgaris (commonly referred to as acne).

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) over 80% of the American population have experienced acne, and in the USA alone, this skin disorder affects 60 million people at some stage in their life.

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Sex and sport impact sun protective behaviour and skin cancer risk

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

It is known that ultraviolet radiation is one of the most important risk factors contributing to non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers. Athletes playing outdoor sports are exposed to a comparatively high amount of UV because of training and competition outdoors and thus athletes have an increased risk for cutaneous melanoma and other skin cancers.

A study has found that one in seven UK cricket players was urgently requested to see a specialist after discovering worrying moles during check-ups. For that reason the Professional Cricketer’s Association has organised screenings for all its members at dermatology specialists and already 15% of the male players were found to be in need of further investigation.

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No benefit to megadoses of vitamin D

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Vitamin D is known to help our bodies to build bones and muscles, as well as playing a suspected role in preventing chronic diseases, but too much vitamin D can prove ineffective. That’s the conclusion of a study about super doses of vitamin D; too much vitamin D does not appear to reduce the risk of falling or suffering fractures in elderly women.

Our bodies produce vitamin D naturally when exposed to UV radiation, but due to an increased concern over skin cancer and increased use of sunscreens, vitamin D deficiency has become a worrying trend. Much research is now being done to ascertain the ‘right’ amount for vitamin D supplementation; mostly among the elderly, who are at increased risk of falls and fractures, which are a major cause of death.

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The concept of senescence

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

The human body functions and survives by maintaining a biological and physiological balance. Over tens of thousands of generations we have evolved numerous systems to care for and protect our health and well being at a cellular level.

As a response to damage, various cells are programmed to self-destruct. The process is known as apoptosis, and it works to ensure that defects to the nucleus of the cell arising from any damage are not replicated and passed on in subsequent generations of cells.

A second, and lesser known process, is the concept of senescence.

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Orphan drug development legislation and regulation landscape

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Previously we have discussed the shifts which take place in the regulatory centers of the world specifically London and Maryland, which present an opportunity to the industry to respond to expressed need.  Perhaps the greatest concern of every individual is access to health and quality of life.

This implies a strong directive for drug developers to respond to the identified needs of the patients and patient communities. But amongst those with therapeutic needs are some with more unaddressed medical requirements: patients with ‘orphan’ diseases.

Orphan diseases are rare and frequently untreated diseases. The previously referred shift towards patient driven drug development made a few voices heard and legislators in the European Community and United States started to act on behalf of the population. Here the legislators and regulators provided incentives to drug developers by reducing fees, providing exemptions and protection from competitors.

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Patient driven drug development

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Pharmaceutical development is undergoing a defining shift following the ever-increasing regulatory rigor in the process of evaluating a new product. Our recent announcement reflects the conservative view we hold on 21st century drug development.

During development the innovator often seeks to create a market for the new product, a common concept applicable to various industries. The same holds true for afamelanotide: we identified and developed our lead product in an under-served market of porphyria. Adaptation to chemistry and technology, novel communication platforms, deep knowledge and relationships with academia facilitated today’s entry to market.

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Broader implications of a landmark announcement

Monday, May 17th, 2010

I take a moment on this day to discuss a separate impact of the surprising development surrounding our photoprotective drug afamelanotide, despite this being a result where Clinuvel has not played any role other than making afamelanotide available to Italian patients.

Much as afamelanotide will assist and transform the lives of the population of Italian EPP patients, it also promises to evolve Clinuvel as a mature pharmaceutical company in Europe and the US.

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Unexpected news for afamelanotide from Italy

Monday, May 17th, 2010

An unprecedented and unexpected announcement over the weekend has lead to the company’s announcement this morning that afamelanotide will be first made available to Italian erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) patients prior to its formal approval anywhere else in the world.

A governmental publication in Italy has confirmed that Clinuvel’s afamelanotide implant formulation can now be prescribed for patients diagnosed with EPP under Law 648/96, while marketing authorisation for the European Community is being prepared.

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Clinuvel’s NewMedia Network

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Evolving our communications channels, digital in particular, was an obvious and necessary next step. The launch today has provided us with a dynamic and flexible new platform from which we can continue to innovate online.

Welcome to the new
www.clinuvel.com

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