Lumiracoxib, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), is under development by Novartis for the potential treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and pain. By late December 2000, phase III trials had been initiated and were ongoing in December 2001.

Mitsubishi Pharma Corp and Novartis AG are developing fingolimod, an orally active immunosuppressant affecting lymphocyte re-circulation, for the potential prevention of transplant rejection and the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis. Fingolimodis a synthetic sphingosine analog that becomes phosphorylated in vivo and acts as a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonist.

before — a hotbed of gene therapy research. It was a remarkable opportunity. Mulligan was offered one laboratory at the Children's Hospital to work on the basic science of viral vectors, and a second laboratory in a central Harvard building that will manufacture the vectors for use in human trials. Despite all these enticements, Mulligan did not agree to move — and leave a position at the White...