Fibrosis News and Research

RSS

Fibrosis is the growth of fibrous tissue.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease linked to coronary artery disease

Because of the prevalence of obesity in our country, many Americans are expected to develop a serious condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can lead to cirrhosis, fibrosis, and in some cases liver failure. It is also one of the best predictors for coronary artery disease.

18 Apr 2011

CoDa Therapeutics raises $19.2 million in Series B financing

CoDa Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it has raised $19.2 million in a Series B financing. Current investors Domain Associates, GBS Venture Partners and BioPacificVentures participated in the round. The company expects further Series B financing with participation from additional investors in a second closing, scheduled for a future date.

18 Apr 2011

Scientist discovers new molecular mechanism underlying asthma, COPD

Michael Croft, Ph.D., a researcher at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, has discovered a molecule's previously unknown role as a major trigger for airway remodeling, which impairs lung function, making the molecule a promising therapeutic target for chronic asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and several other lung conditions.

18 Apr 2011

Eli Lilly receives FDA complete response letter for liprotamase NDA

Eli Lilly and Company has received a complete response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its New Drug Application for liprotamase, a non-porcine pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, under investigation for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

16 Apr 2011

Klotho hormone can protect kidney from renal fibrosis

A natural hormone known to inhibit aging can also protect kidneys against renal fibrosis, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have demonstrated.

15 Apr 2011

RXi Pharmaceuticals acquires Apthera

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative therapies addressing major unmet medical needs using RNA-targeted and immunotherapy technologies, today announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of Apthera, Inc.

15 Apr 2011

Researchers manage to grow human rhinovirus in culture using sinus tissue

Using sinus tissue removed during surgery at University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have managed to grow a recently discovered species of human rhinovirus, the most frequent cause of the common cold, in culture.

11 Apr 2011

New study finds no significant benefit of bosentan against IPF

A new study has demonstrated no significant benefit of taking the drug bosentan for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

11 Apr 2011

HALT-C trial reveals high mortality rates among patients with HCV

A three-year follow-up study of patients in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-term Treatment against Cirrhosis trial revealed that increased mortality among patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C who received long-term peginterferon therapy was attributed to non-liver related causes and occurred primarily in patients with bridging fibrosis.

8 Apr 2011

Kidney transplantion more effective than previously thought

A new study from Mayo Clinic, the largest long-term study of kidney transplant recipients published to date, demonstrates that progressive damage to kidney transplants may be less common and less severe than previously reported.

8 Apr 2011

CFFT, Vertex collaborate to develop new medicines for cystic fibrosis

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. today announced they will collaborate on the continued discovery and development of new medicines known as correctors that aim to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis in people with the most common form of the disease.

8 Apr 2011

Increased mortality rates seen in chronic Hep C patients with pre-cirrhotic advanced fibrosis

A three-year follow-up study of patients in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) trial revealed that increased mortality among patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C who received long-term peginterferon therapy was attributed to non-liver related causes and occurred primarily in patients with bridging fibrosis. No pattern to this excess mortality was evident to researchers, but deaths were unrelated to the peginterferon treatment. Full findings are published in the April issue of Hepatology, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).

7 Apr 2011

Pregnancy and pre-pregnancy genetic tests approved for all

According to a government’s advisory body on genetics, genetic tests for conditions that can be passed on to future generations should be more widely available before pregnancy. There are “no specific social, ethical or legal principles” against preconception screening, a Human Genetics Commission report has ruled. It said testing should be available to any couples who may benefit from it. The UK National Screening Committee will now consider the findings.

7 Apr 2011

Novartis' TOBI Podhaler receives Health Canada NOC for Pa treatment in CF patients

Novartis Canada announced today that it has received Health Canada Notice of Compliance for TOBI Podhaler, a fast and convenient inhaled therapy for cystic fibrosis patients aged six and over.

6 Apr 2011

La Jolla acquires GliaMed's novel class of compounds

La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company today announced that it has acquired the rights to a novel class of compounds known as Regenerative Immunophilin Ligands from privately held GliaMed, Inc.

5 Apr 2011

Techne's R&D Systems acquires Boston Biochem assets

Techne Corporation announced today that as of April 1, 2011, its R&D Systems subsidiary has acquired the assets of Boston Biochem, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative ubiquitin-related research products.

4 Apr 2011

Report shows a continued decline in diagnoses, deaths for many types of cancers

Once again, the Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer shows a continued decline in diagnoses and deaths for many types of cancers. This encouraging news can be attributed primarily to preventive measures such as cessation of smoking and improved diet, and early detection.

2 Apr 2011

Study findings on novel ST2 cardiac biomarker to be presented at ACC 2011

A novel cardiac biomarker, ST2, will be highlighted in three presentations at the American College of Cardiology in New Orleans this week.

1 Apr 2011

New data confirms antiviral activity of fluvastatin in patients with HCV

New data presented today at the International Liver CongressTM confirm the antiviral activity of fluvastatin -- commonly used as a cholesterol-lowering treatment -- in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

1 Apr 2011

Merck's VICTRELIS phase III study results against HCV presented at EASL annual meeting

Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced results from several new data analyses from the pivotal Phase III studies evaluating the addition of its investigational oral protease inhibitor VICTRELIS to peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin in adult patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection.

1 Apr 2011