Enobia Pharma provided an update on key developments in its comprehensive effort to develop ENB-0040 (asfotase alfa), an experimental bone-targeted enzyme replacement therapy, for the treatment of hypophosphatasia (HPP). Hypophosphatasia is a rare, inherited, and sometimes fatal metabolic bone disease that affects individuals of all ages. Enobia announced today that it has been issued United States Patent No. 7,763,712 B2, providing robust intellectual property coverage for targeting alkaline phosphatase to bone.

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Wintherix, LLC announced that WX04554, a potent small molecule activator of the Wnt pathway, has been designated as a lead drug for clinical development in bone healing and repair indications. Pre-clinical studies indicate that this class of small molecules potently activates the Wnt pathway and causes bones to heal and become stronger by forcing stem cells to become bone forming cells called osteoblasts.

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Afferent Pharmaceuticals has announced preclinical in vivo results demonstrating that an investigational P2X3 receptor antagonist significantly prevented and reversed bone cancer pain behavior in comparison to vehicle controls. These data expand on earlier findings and reveal that a marked reduction in apparent bone cancer pain occurs following oral administration of the proprietary P2X3 antagonist. Results from the study were presented in a poster session at the 13th World Congress on Pain in Montreal, Canada.

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Researchers at New York University have developed an innovative way to look at the development of osteoarthritis in the knee joint – one that relies on the examination of sodium ions in cartilage. Their work, which appears in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance, may provide a non-invasive method to diagnose osteoarthritis in its very early stages. The concentration of sodium ions, which are distributed in the body, is known to reveal the location of glycosaminogycans (GAGs) in cartilage tissues.

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CareFusion announced the national commercial launch of the AVAmax® Vertebral Balloon, a minimally invasive device for use during kyphoplasty, a procedure for treating spinal compression fractures. The AVAmax Vertebral Balloon represents a competitive breakthrough and is expected to enhance the affordability of spinal fracture procedures. CareFusion’s vertebral balloon product and related components cost up to 40 percent less than similar kyphoplasty products on the market today, making the procedure more cost effective.

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OXIS INTERNATIONAL, INC. is proud to announce that it will introduce the benefits of Ergothioneine to the consumer market in September 2010 via breakthrough products for joint health and healthy aging. The first products, ErgoFlex® and ErgoPlex®, will initially be marketed via a direct mail offering being developed in partnership with Creative Direct Marketing Group, the leading service provider in the direct mail sector of the direct to consumer channel.

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Researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center determined patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee who are treated with traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) do not experience any more benefit than those receiving sham acupuncture (placebo). The team did find that the communication style of the acupuncturist could have a significant effect on pain reduction and satisfaction in patients. Full findings are now online and will publish in the September print issue of Arthritis Care & Research.

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Ascension Orthopedics, Inc. has announced the implantation of an additional PyroTITAN™ Humeral Resurfacing Implant in Brisbane, Australia. The PyroTITAN was implanted last month at the Brisbane Private Hospital. PyroTITAN Humeral Resurfacing implant offers a conservative, bone-sparing option for patients in need of shoulder joint replacement. The PyroTITAN is available in 12 sizes, which are based on published anthropomorphic data of over 300 human humeri to provide an improved anatomic fit.

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Researchers from Loyola University Health System in Chicago, U.S., stated that binge drinking (consuming large amounts of alcohol within a short period of time) during teen years is related to an increased risk of osteoporosis and other health hazards with age. According to The Times of India (TOI), study-leader and bone-biologist John Callaci, PhD, Loyola University Health System said, “Lifestyle-related damage done to the skeleton during young adulthood may have repercussions lasting decades.”

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BioMimetic Therapeutics Inc announced that the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review its Premarket Approval (PMA) application for Augment Bone Graft for use in foot and ankle fusions in the US. The FDA has now filed the application and begun the comprehensive review of the clinical module, the company added.