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New SPC3649 drug found effective in treating HCV infections

In a dramatic finding, a new drug for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections that targets liver cells produced a substantial drop in blood levels of the virus in animals and continued to work up to several months after treatment, say scientists at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR) in San Antonio.

4 Dec 2009

Santaris Pharma's LNA technology based microRNA-targeted therapy holds promise for HCV

A study published online in this week's Science shows that SPC3649, a breakthrough microRNA-targeted therapy developed by Santaris Pharma A/S using its proprietary Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) technology, holds promise as a novel treatment for patients infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

4 Dec 2009

Scientists discover mechanism by which E6 oncoprotein of high-risk HPV16 promotes carcinogenesis

In the 1980s, Harald zur Hausen and his co-workers discovered that specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause cervical cancer. Scientists soon found out how these pathogens cause cells to degenerate. It is known today that the main culprits are viral proteins E6 and E7. Both proteins switch off different cellular control functions, thus promoting cell growth.

4 Dec 2009

Tripep receives approval to extend ChronVac-C study

Today Tripep (STO:TPEP) received the approval from the Swedish Medical Products Agency and the local ethical committee to give three patients in the highest dose group in the ChronVac-C® study one additional treatment with the therapeutic vaccine.

3 Dec 2009

Rights Issue to be carried out by keeping the authorization by the Annual General Meeting, resolves Tripep

The Board of Directors of Tripep AB (publhas on the 27th of November 2009, based on the authorization by the Annual General Meeting resolved to carry out a rights issue.

27 Nov 2009

Human Genome Sciences submits BLA for ZALBIN

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. today announced that it has submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ZALBIN™ (albinterferon alfa-2b) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. The BLA submission includes the results of two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials showing that 900-mcg albinterferon alfa-2b dosed every two weeks met its primary endpoint of non-inferiority to peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) dosed once each week.

25 Nov 2009

CHMP positive opinion for marketing ELONVA in Europe

PROLOR Biotech, Inc., today noted the positive opinion by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency for marketing approval in Europe for ELONVA(R), a long-acting CTP-modified version of the fertility hormone FSH from Merck & Co. Merck and PROLOR are both licensees of the CTP technology from Washington University in St. Louis.

25 Nov 2009

US Patent & Trademark Office allows patent application for NOD technology

NOD Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced the US Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) has allowed the patent application for its nano-particle oral delivery or NOD technology.

25 Nov 2009

Treatment rates for hepatitis C virus declining, say researchers

Researchers from the University of Michigan determined that only 663,000 of the approximately 3.9 million Americans with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection received antiviral therapy between 2002 and 2007.

24 Nov 2009

Antiviral therapy for hepatitis C appears to be declining in the U.S.; lack of diagnosis is primary barrier to treatment

23 Nov 2009

Enrollment for ongoing phase 2b trial of RG7128 announced

Pharmasset, Inc. announced today that the enrollment of Cohort 2, led by its partner Roche, will continue for the remaining 300 genotype 1 and 4 patients in the ongoing phase 2b trial of RG7128, a first-in-class nucleoside analog polymerase inhibitor for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

23 Nov 2009

Researchers discover new immune mechanism against viruses

Viruses are microscopically sized parasites. They plant their genes in the cells of their victim in order to 'reprogram' them. The infected cells then no longer produce what they need to live, making lots of new viruses instead.

16 Nov 2009

AVMA confirms that a household cat in Iowa showed signs of H1N1 influenza

Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. reported that the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently confirmed that a household cat in Iowa developed signs of respiratory infection caused by H1N1 influenza virus.

12 Nov 2009

Helix BioPharma completes enrollment in its Topical Interferon Alpha-2b ano-genital warts clinical program

Helix BioPharma Corp. announced today that its Phase II trial of Topical Interferon Alpha-2b for the treatment of ano-genital warts (AGW) has completed patient enrollment, with the required 120th patient randomized to enter the trial.

5 Nov 2009

New biosensor device may help in combating cancer

A powerful new biosensor developed by European researchers will help identify cells in the immune system that actively suppress tumour growth, then put them to use. Enlisting the patient's own immune system would be like sending reinforcements for resistance fighters.

5 Nov 2009

Medivir presents OPERA-1 Phase IIa trial data at the AASLD meeting

Data were presented from the phase IIa trial (OPERA-1) for TMC435 at the ongoing 60th annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases in Boston, USA.

4 Nov 2009

TNF-alpha inhibitors ranked top for reducing biologics spend

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, forecasts that biosimilars of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors stand to erode $9.6 billion in brand sales (Amgen's Enbrel, Abbott's Humira and Centocor Ortho Biotech/Schering-Plough's Remicade) in the U.S. and Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and U.K.) by 2018. This use of TNF-alpha biosimilars will save healthcare systems in the U.S. and Europe $4 billion.

4 Nov 2009

Study results of nucleoside polymerase and protease inhibitor combination therapy for HCV promising

All approved therapy regimens to treat patients with hepatitis C are based on interferon, which must be injected. In this clinical trial to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, researchers treated patients - both treatment naive and experienced patients - with a twice daily oral combination therapy of a nucleoside polymerase and protease inhibitor.

4 Nov 2009

BMY and ZGen present Phase 1B results for PEG-Interferon lambda in HCV patients

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and ZymoGenetics, Inc. today presented final results from a Phase 1b clinical trial of PEG-Interferon lambda administered with ribavirin in relapsed and treatment-naïve hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients.

2 Nov 2009

Extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients results in sustained viral clearance

Extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients beyond current practice results in high rates of clearance of the hepatitis C virus from the blood, as well as a low rate of relapse, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.

2 Nov 2009