Infectious Diseases News and Research

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Janssen reports positive pivotal Phase 2 study data of siltuximab for Multicentric Castleman's Disease

Janssen Research & Development, LLC today announced positive results from a pivotal Phase 2 global registration study (MCD2001) suggesting siltuximab, an investigational compound, along with best supportive care, exhibited statistically significant efficacy and a tolerable safety profile compared with placebo and BSC in treating patients with the rare disorder Multicentric Castleman's Disease who are HIV-negative and human herpes virus 8-negative.

8 Dec 2013

Imported measles poses a threat to health security

Experts report that measles still poses a threat to public health in the U.S, despite vaccination having successfully eliminated the endemic since the 1960s.

6 Dec 2013

Researchers illuminate inner workings of enzymes placed inside the outer envelopes of cells

For what is believed to be the first time, researchers at The Johns Hopkins University have illuminated the inner workings of an important class of enzymes located inside the outer envelopes of cells. Much to their surprise, they report, these protein cutters, called rhomboid proteases, are entirely different than nearly every other type of enzyme studied, showing no attraction to the proteins they cut and being extremely slow in making their cuts.

6 Dec 2013

Edison Investment Research's report examines long-term investment case for Bavarian Nordic

Edison Investment Research's report, An intriguing PROSPECT, examines the long-term investment case for Bavarian Nordic, which rests on key value driver Prostvac, its Phase III prostate cancer vaccine.

6 Dec 2013

Two intrauterine contraceptive systems safe and effective in preventing pregnancies

In a finding that could expand the use of one of the most effective forms of birth control, two intrauterine contraceptive systems that had lower doses of the contraceptive hormone, levonorgestrel, were found to be safe and effective in preventing pregnancies, according to an international study that included researchers at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed).

5 Dec 2013

Genocea commences GEN-004 Phase 1 study to prevent pneumococcus infections

Genocea Biosciences, Inc., a clinical-stage company pioneering novel T cell vaccines, announced today that it has initiated a Phase 1 study of GEN-004, an investigational vaccine candidate for pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae), a major cause of infectious disease-related death globally. GEN-004 is the first vaccine candidate designed to prevent infections caused by all strains of pneumococcus through a novel T cell-mediated mechanism of action.

5 Dec 2013

Measles still poses threat to domestic and global health security

Fifty years after the approval of an extremely effective vaccine against measles, one of the world's most contagious diseases, the virus still poses a threat to domestic and global health security.

5 Dec 2013

Soligenix initiates SGX942 Phase 2 study for treatment of oral mucositis

Soligenix, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing products to treat serious inflammatory diseases where there remains an unmet medical need, as well as developing several biodefense vaccines and therapeutics, announced today that it has initiated a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating SGX942, a first-in-class innate defense regulator, as a treatment for oral mucositis in patients undergoing chemoradiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

5 Dec 2013

"Virtual T cell" predicts how human immune system reacts to foreign substances

A platform that simulates how the body defends itself: The T cells of the immune system decide whether to trigger an immune response against foreign substances.

5 Dec 2013

IDSA released new guideline for vaccination of immunocompromised hosts

A new guideline released Thursday by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) notes that most people with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to illness and should receive the flu shot and other vaccinations.

5 Dec 2013

Roche signs research collaboration and licensing agreement with Molecular Partners

Roche and Molecular Partners AG today announced that they have entered into a research collaboration and licensing agreement to discover, develop and commercialize several proprietary therapeutics incorporating Molecular Partners' DARPin biologics conjugated to toxic agents developed at Roche for the treatment of cancer.

4 Dec 2013

1950s H2N2 avian influenza A virus still pose threat to human health

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have evidence that descendants of the H2N2 avian influenza A virus that killed millions worldwide in the 1950s still pose a threat to human health, particularly to those under 50. The research has been published in an advance online edition of the Journal of Virology.

4 Dec 2013

Antiretroviral therapy for HIV treatment saves 2.8 million years of life in South Africa

Antiretroviral therapy for the treatment of HIV infection has saved 2.8 million years of life in South Africa since 2004 and is projected to save an additional 15.1 million years of life by 2030, according to a new study published online in The Journal of Infectious Diseases. The analysis suggests these dramatic benefits could be even greater if more aggressive HIV testing and treatment strategies are implemented.

4 Dec 2013

UCI-led study results have important implications for HIV vaccine development

Infectious disease researchers have identified a novel mechanism wherein HIV-1 may facilitate its own transmission by usurping the antibody response directed against itself. These results have important implications for HIV vaccine development and for understanding the earliest events in HIV transmission.

4 Dec 2013

FDA grants QIDP status to Astellas' isavuconazole for treatment of invasive aspergillosis

Astellas Pharma US, Inc., a subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc. based in Tokyo, Japan, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated isavuconazole as a Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis.

4 Dec 2013

Older HIV-positive men at higher risk of HPV that causes anal cancer

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, which can cause cervical cancer in women, is also known to cause anal cancer in both women and men. Now, a study led by researchers at the UCLA School of Nursing has found that older HIV-positive men who have sex with men are at higher risk of becoming infected with the HPVs that most often cause anal cancer.

4 Dec 2013

PrimeraDx gets FDA clearance for ICEPlex C. difficile Assay Kit and ICEPlex System

PrimeraDx, a molecular diagnostics company, announced today that the ICEPlex C. difficile Assay Kit and the ICEPlex System have received 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration.

3 Dec 2013

Virginia Mason first to use non-invasive FibroScan technology to evaluate liver diseases

Virginia Mason today becomes the first in the Pacific Northwest to use non-invasive FibroScan technology to evaluate disease stage in patients diagnosed with liver ailments.

3 Dec 2013

Newly identified protein could prove promising new drug target for AIDS

Researchers have identified a protein that causes loss of function in immune cells combatting HIV. The scientists report in a paper appearing online Dec. 2 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that the protein, Sprouty-2, is a promising target for future HIV drug development, since disabling it could help restore the cells' ability to combat the virus that causes AIDS.

2 Dec 2013

Xagenic announces closing of $20 million Series B financing

Xagenic Inc., a molecular diagnostics company developing the first lab-free molecular diagnostic platform with a 20 minute time-to-result, today announced the close of a Series B financing totaling $20 million. The round was led by new investor Domain Associates, LLC, which was joined by existing investors including CTI Life Sciences Fund and the Ontario Emerging Technologies Fund.

2 Dec 2013

Infectious Diseases News and Research

Janssen reports positive pivotal Phase 2 study data of siltuximab for Multicentric Castleman's Disease

Imported measles poses a threat to health security

Researchers illuminate inner workings of enzymes placed inside the outer envelopes of cells

Edison Investment Research's report examines long-term investment case for Bavarian Nordic

Two intrauterine contraceptive systems safe and effective in preventing pregnancies

Genocea commences GEN-004 Phase 1 study to prevent pneumococcus infections

Measles still poses threat to domestic and global health security

Soligenix initiates SGX942 Phase 2 study for treatment of oral mucositis

"Virtual T cell" predicts how human immune system reacts to foreign substances

IDSA released new guideline for vaccination of immunocompromised hosts

Roche signs research collaboration and licensing agreement with Molecular Partners

1950s H2N2 avian influenza A virus still pose threat to human health

Antiretroviral therapy for HIV treatment saves 2.8 million years of life in South Africa

UCI-led study results have important implications for HIV vaccine development

FDA grants QIDP status to Astellas' isavuconazole for treatment of invasive aspergillosis

Older HIV-positive men at higher risk of HPV that causes anal cancer

PrimeraDx gets FDA clearance for ICEPlex C. difficile Assay Kit and ICEPlex System

Virginia Mason first to use non-invasive FibroScan technology to evaluate liver diseases

Newly identified protein could prove promising new drug target for AIDS

Xagenic announces closing of $20 million Series B financing

Industry Focus eBook - Infectious Diseases (3rd Edition) eBook

The Critical Role of Sample Storage in Drug Discovery and Development

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

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