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CAMBRIDGE, Mass — Zafgen on Wednesday announced initial results from its Phase 2a study of beloranib, a selective inhibitor of methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2), in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome, a severe form of genetic obesity. These results showed improvements in body weight, hunger-related behaviors and body composition, including reductions in body fat content and preserved lean body mass following four weeks of treatment. 

EWING, N.J. — A new drug for autoimmune diseases from Antares Pharma that the company calls the first of its kind is now available, the drug maker said Wednesday.

Antares announced the availability of Otrexup for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis in adults and polyarticular idiopathic arthritis in children. The company said the drug is the first Food and Drug Administration-approved subcutaneous methotrexate product for once-weekly self-administration. Otrexup, which the FDA approved in October, is available with a single-dose auto injector.

SAN ANTONIO — Nearly three-quarters of osteoporosis patients prefer to take their medication in a form other than an oral solid, according to a new survey.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday recommended healthcare professionals discontinue prescribing and dispensing prescription combination drug products that contain more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per tablet, capsule or other dosage unit. 

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday announced it is donating the value of 3 million vaccines for children in developing countries upon successful completion of its immunizations campaign developed in partnership with the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign.

Walgreens pledged to donate the value of one vaccine through Shot@Life for each immunization the company administered from Sept. 4 through Oct. 14, with a goal to reach three million vaccines to benefit children in developing countries by protecting them against such diseases as measles and polio. 

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — A drug maker has started a program to find the genetic determinants of human disease and speed the discovery and development of new drugs. The program includes a five-year project that it said would be one of the largest of its kind in terms of the number of patients involved.

ATLANTA — According to this week's FluView report, overall flu activity continued to be high across the nation, with activity continuing to spread from state to state, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday. Thirty-five states are now experiencing widespread activity, and 20 states are reporting high levels of influenza-like illness. 

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — More than three-dozen pharmacists in 41 states will receive the 2013 National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations' Excellence in Innovation Award, which is designed to recognize pharmacists who have demonstrated significant innovation in their practice.

The award, sponsored by drug maker Upsher-Smith Labs, focuses on those innovations in practice, method or service that directly or indirectly improve patient care and the advancement of the pharmacy profession.