The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a supplemental new drug application for Avelox (moxifloxacin HCl) for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. Manufacturer Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corp of West Haven, Conn, says Avelox is the first antibiotic available in both tablet and IV forms approved to treat CAP caused by these strains, which the company says are resistant to the antibiotics most commonly used to treat pneumonia. Bayer reports that Avelox demonstrated excellent clinical and bacteriological success against strains resistant to two to five commonly used antibiotics, including macrolides such as clarithromycin and azithromycin, penicillin, second-generation cepholosporins such as cefuroxime, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tetracyclines with eradication rates of 93% to 100%.


Carefore Medical Changes Ownership

In May, CareFore Medical Inc transacted a change in ownership. Sean C. Squire, who founded the Lenexa, Kan-based company with Pamela Squire in 1996, acquired 100% of the company’s stock. Squire’s former business partner and the corporation’s only other stockholder, L. Robert Mogue, the former executive vice president, sales and marketing, is now consulting with the company in sales, marketing, and quality systems. Carefore develops, manufactures, and distributes respiratory accessories to the home health care and hospital market worldwide.


O2 Conserver Sales Drive

Chad Therapeutics President and CEO Earl L. Yager attributed the company’s improved revenue and net earnings for both the fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2004, to higher sales of oxygen conservers. “The success of our conservers has restored CHAD’s traditional leadership in this important market segment, and we will continue to build on that platform,” Yager says. The Chatsworth, Calif-based company in May announced that for the 12 months ended March 31, 2004, revenue increased 10% to $21,541,000 from $19,541,000 for fiscal 2003. Net earnings for fiscal 2004 were $1,001,000, or $0.10 per diluted share. This compares to a net loss for fiscal 2003 of $433,000, or $0.04 per share, after a $934,000 noncash charge. Yager expressed faith in the company’s new Sage SMART™ oxygen therapeutic device to further boost fiscal growth in 2005. He also noted progress with the company’s expansion into the sleep disorder market.