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How SARS-CoV-2 infection progresses throughout the respiratory system

Researchers discuss the progression of SARS-CoV-2 infection throughout the respiratory epithelium.

9 Feb 2022

Clinical trials during a pandemic – lessons from COVID-19

In this interview, Dr. Benedicte Roquebert, Dr. Stephanie Haim-Boukobza and Dr. Souad Mehlal discuss how COVID-19 has resulted in new ways to think about clinical trials during a pandemic.

From Cerba Research 23 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 UK variant may induce more inflammation, study suggests

Since COVID-19 was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, many different variants of its causative virus – SARS-CoV-2 – have emerged. Through increased viral fitness, some of these have risen to predominance over earlier variants in a remarkably short period of time. New research, by a team of scientists at major institutions in France, examines the reasons behind this phenomenon in one such variant of concern (VOC), the so-called UK variant.

25 May 2021

NIH to conduct large trial for COVID-19 polyclonal antibody therapies

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the USA are to conduct a large-scale clinical trial to evaluate a new fully-human polyclonal antibody therapy targeted at severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

23 Apr 2021

Scientists seek Covid treatment answers in cheap, older drugs

Could a decades-old antidepressant be a secret weapon against covid? A few scientists think so, after two small studies showed that fluvoxamine, typically prescribed for obsessive-compulsive disorder, prevented serious illness in all participants who took the pills soon after developing symptoms.

29 Mar 2021

Study: SARS-CoV-2 virus adopts new strategy to ensure its replication, spread

Since COVID-19 began its menacing march across Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and then across the world, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has taken a "whatever works" strategy to ensure its replication and spread.

27 Oct 2020

Study tracks the mutation rate of SARS-Cov-2 virus

25 Aug 2020

Cardiovascular disease in COVID-19

The current COVID-19 pandemic is a primarily respiratory illness, manifesting with severe hypoxia and often progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and death. However, it is also known to be linked to a wide range of cardiovascular (CV) manifestations that are associated with a very poor prognosis.

13 Aug 2020

Treating metastatic breast cancer with immunotherapy

Breast cancer, in the stage with distant metastases, is an incurable disease with a 5 years survival rate of about 5-10%. Immunotherapy has recently improved survival in metastatic breast cancer patients with breast cancer harboring the expression of HER 2 receptor.

19 Mar 2018

UBC researchers uncover potential adverse reactions of common multiple sclerosis drug

In one of the most comprehensive studies to date, UBC researchers have identified potential adverse reactions of a commonly used multiple sclerosis drug.

15 May 2017

Dimethyl fumarate offers no added benefits for adults with RRMS

Dimethyl fumarate has been approved since January 2014 for adults with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

8 Aug 2014

Biogen Idec receives marketing authorization from EC for multiple sclerosis drug

Today Biogen Idec announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for PLEGRIDY (peginterferon beta-1a) as a treatment for adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the most common form of multiple sclerosis (MS).

25 Jul 2014

IQWiG study finds no added benefit of teriflunomide

Teriflunomide (trade name: Aubagio) has been approved in Germany since August 2013 for adults with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. In an early benefit assessment pursuant to the Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined whether this new drug offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy specified by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA).

8 Jan 2014

Researchers identify immune cell protein that sets off body's initial response against viral infection

A Massachusetts General Hospital-led research team has identified an immune cell protein that is critical to setting off the body's initial response against viral infection. The report that will be published in an upcoming issue of Nature Immunology and is receiving early online release describes finding that a protein called GEF-H1 is essential to the ability of macrophages - major contributors to the innate immune system - to respond to viral infections like influenza.

25 Nov 2013

Adrenocorticotropic hormone may help treat people with multiple sclerosis

A new study suggests that treatment with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) may be helpful for people whose multiple sclerosis (MS) is not well-controlled through their regular treatment. The study was released today and will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 65th Annual Meeting in San Diego, March 16 to 23, 2013.

11 Mar 2013

Fingolimod offers minor added benefit for patients with RRMS

The immunosuppressive drug fingolimod (trade name: Gilenya-) is approved for the treatment of highly-active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in adults. In an early benefit assessment pursuant to "Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products" (AMNOG), the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) assessed whether fingolimod offers an added benefit compared with the present standard therapy.

6 Jul 2012

High cost of multiple sclerosis drugs

According to a study released this Wednesday, drugs used in the hope of slowing multiple sclerosis progression may help some patients, but at a very high cost.

21 Jul 2011

Pharmacy costs for multiple sclerosis patients increase at a faster rate than medical costs

Analysis of direct pharmacy and medical costs for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) showed pharmacy costs are increasing at a slightly faster rate than medical costs, but new MS medications are expected to shift the majority of the direct health cost burden to pharmacy, according to a new study by Prime Therapeutics (Prime). The study will be presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's 23rd Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minn.

15 Apr 2011

Bolder BioTechnology receives $1.2 million in Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Grants

Bolder BioTechnology, Inc. today announced that it has been awarded a total of $1.2 million in Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Grants. Grants were awarded for qualified investments under the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Tax Credit Program, which authorized up to $1 billion in tax credits or grants to biopharmaceutical companies with 250 or fewer employees.

4 Nov 2010

Medicare disability recipient dies of brain tumor after having coverage interrupted

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "Paula Oertel, whose brain tumor disappeared for nine years while she was on an expensive drug and returned after she temporarily lost her insurance coverage, has died as a result of the tumor spreading through her brain. The interruption of her Medicare coverage of the drug directly contributed to her death, contends her doctor, Mark Malkin, chief of neuro-oncology at Froedtert Hospital.

16 Aug 2010