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Bristol-Myers Squibb fourth quarter 2013 revenues increase 6% to $4.4 billion

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2013. The fourth quarter was highlighted by the company's announcement to sell its diabetes business as part of the continued evolution of its successful BioPharma strategy to a specialty care model. The company achieved important regulatory milestones in the quarter for Eliquis in the U.S., daclatasvir/asunaprevir in Japan, daclatasvir in Europe and Farxiga in the U.S. In addition, the company provided financial guidance for 2014.

24 Jan 2014

Inovio Pharmaceuticals unveils new DNA-based cytokine immune activator

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today unveiled that the company has developed a new DNA-based cytokine immune activator, interleukin -33 (IL-33), that in combination with optimized DNA vaccines delivered by electroporation increased the potency and efficacy of the therapeutic response to the DNA vaccines in a preclinical study.

23 Jan 2014

Study: Pro-inflammatory molecules linked with early death in HIV patients who abuse alcohol

A study led by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) provides new insight into the impact that pro-inflammatory molecules have on early death in HIV patients who abuse alcohol.

17 Jan 2014

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and herpesvirus saimiri: an interview with Elazar Rabbani, Chief Executive Officer of Enzo

Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition where fibrotic or scarred tissue progressively develops in the lungs. In some cases the particular cause is known but in others it remains unknown and is given the term “idiopathic”.

14 Jan 2014

THRIL could be novel biomarker for immune activation, potential target for inflammatory diseases

Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute scientists have discovered a new molecule that forms when certain white blood cells-macrophages-are stimulated in response to pathogens.

27 Dec 2013

Study explores how genetic sequencing can help fight new strains of flu

Published in the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, senior author, Associate Professor Katherine Kedzierska from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology said that being able to predict which patients will be more susceptible to the emerging influenza strain, will allow clinicians to better manage an early intervention strategy.

24 Dec 2013

Takeda to acquire exclusive license to develop Natrogen's Natura-alpha compound

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Natrogen Therapeutics International, Inc. jointly announced today an agreement whereby Takeda will acquire an exclusive license to develop Natrogen's Natura-alpha compound as well as an option to acquire Natrogen. Natura-alpha is a synthetic small molecule oral compound that is believed to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, which may help to reduce gastrointestinal inflammation. Natura-alpha is currently in Phase 2 development for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

20 Dec 2013

Research suggests new way of treating asthma in obese people

Research conducted at Boston Children's Hospital indicates that obesity might cause asthma via factors in the immune system and suggests a new way of treating asthma in obese people—who often respond poorly to standard asthma medications. The study, conducted in a mouse model of asthma and in human lung fluid, was published online Dec. 15 by Nature Medicine.

16 Dec 2013

Elevated BACE1 activity in mild cognitive impairment could be early indicator of AD, says study

The critical enzyme beta-secretase1 (BACE1) is known to be elevated in brains with sporadic Alzheimer disease (AD). Scientists have now found increased levels of BACE1 in brains with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), suggesting that BACE1 activity is important for conversion of mild cognitive impairment to AD and may be an early indicator of AD.

12 Dec 2013

Scientists discover how lymphotoxin controls production of immunoglobulins in gut

Lymphotoxin is a cytokine, or intercellular messenger, and plays an important role in the immunological balance of the gastrointestinal tract. It regulates the immune system of the digestive tract, which is made up of immune cells, immunoglobulins (antibodies) as well as intestinal bacteria.

10 Dec 2013

Children and adults with high-risk ALL benefit from novel, personalized cell therapy

Nearly 90 percent of children and adults with a highly aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia showed no evidence of cancer after receiving a novel, personalized cell therapy that reprograms a patient's immune system. In pilot studies of bioengineered T cells that attack leukemia, 24 of 27 patients (89%) experienced complete responses within 28 days after treatment. In all, 27 patients received the treatment--22 children treated at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and five adults treated at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

9 Dec 2013

Genetically engineered cell therapies demonstrate early efficacy, safety in patients with blood disorders

A series of advancements in genetically engineered cell therapies demonstrate early efficacy and safety in patients with blood disorders for whom standard treatments have been unsuccessful, according to data showcased today during the 55th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in New Orleans.

9 Dec 2013

Scientists identify key factor for limiting inflammatory responses, particularly in skin

Sanford-Burnham scientists have identified the B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator (BTLA) inhibitory receptor as a key factor in limiting inflammatory responses, particularly in the skin. The study, published online today in Immunity, provides clarity on how T cells get fired up to protect against pathogens, and then cool down to restore immune homeostasis.

6 Dec 2013

Four-drug regimen shows first-line efficacy in advanced NSCLC

A four-drug combination of cetuximab, bevacizumab, carboplatin, and paclitaxel is effective and has acceptable safety as a first-line treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer, US researchers report.

2 Dec 2013

Research: Human neural stem cells could improve blood flow in critical limb ischemia

New research has shown human neural stem cells could improve blood flow in critical limb ischemia through the growth of new vessels. Critical limb ischemia is a disease that severely obstructs arteries and reduces the blood flow to legs and feet. CLI remains an unmet clinical problem and with an ageing population and the rise in type II diabetes, the incidence of CLI is expected to increase.

27 Nov 2013

Type 2 diabetes cytokine elevation places teeth at risk

Scientists have detected significant differences in the cytokine and chemokine make up of gingival crevicular fluid taken from chronic periodontitis patients with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes and those without.

21 Nov 2013

Australian scientists unravel mystery behind immune system memory

While the principle of immune memory has been known for decades, the exact molecular mechanisms underpinning it have remained a mystery. Australian scientists have now unraveled part of that mystery, identifying the role of a gene called STAT3, which acts as a kind of roundabout, directing chemical messenger molecules to various destinations.

12 Nov 2013

TGen-led study reveals viable target to prevent spread of brain cancer

A cellular pathway interaction known as TWEAK-Fn14, often associated with repair of acute injuries, also is a viable target for drug therapy that could prevent the spread of cancer, especially brain cancer, according to a study led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute.

11 Nov 2013

ImmunGene secures $9 million in Series A financing from Ally Bridge Group

ImmunGene, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing antibody-cytokine fusion technology therapies to treat cancer, today announced it has secured $9 million in a milestone-based Series A financing from Ally Bridge Group. Previous investments in the Company were converted into Series A preferred stock. ImmunGene will use the capital to advance its early-stage development products to IND-enabling studies.

7 Nov 2013

MGH researchers identify probable mechanism for pain-induced cognitive impairment

The pain caused by a surgical incision may contribute to the risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction, a sometimes transient impairment in learning and memory that affects a small but significant number of patients in the days following a surgical procedure.