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BioMarin's BMN-701 receives FDA orphan drug designation for treatment of Pompe disease

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. announced today that it has received orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for BMN-701, a novel fusion of insulin-like growth factor 2 and alpha glucosidase (IGF2-GAA) in development for the treatment of Pompe disease. An investigational new drug application (IND) for BMN-701 has been submitted, investigational material has been manufactured and a Phase I/II study is expected to start in the first quarter of 2011.

30 Aug 2010

New high throughput sequencing technology to identify genetic defects in rare diseases

The majority of rare diseases are hereditary. But despite significant progress in genome research, in most cases their exact cause remains unclear. The discovery of the underlying genetic defect is, however, a prerequisite for their definitive diagnosis and the development of innovative approaches to their treatment. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics and the Institute of Medical Genetics at the Charit- Universit-tsmedizin - Berlin have succeeded in using a new process with which all of the genes in the human genome can be analysed simultaneously.

30 Aug 2010

Scientists report frog skin contains new genera of antibiotics

Kissing a frog won't turn it into a prince except in fairy tales but frogs may be hopping toward a real world transformation into princely allies in humanity's battle with antibiotic-resistant infections that threaten millions of people worldwide. Scientists today reported that frog skin contains natural substances that could be the basis for a powerful new genre of antibiotics.

30 Aug 2010

Scientist suggests guidelines to safeguard physical health in college

College can be some of the best years of a person's life. But it is also a critical time, a time when students need to be aware of their health and safety. For women, many on their own for the first time in their lives, developing the ability to safeguard their emotional and physical health is paramount.

30 Aug 2010

FDA approves Novartis' Tekamlo for treatment of high blood pressure

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tekamlo™ (aliskiren and amlodipine) tablets, a single-pill for the treatment of high blood pressure combining the only approved direct renin inhibitor, Tekturna® (aliskiren), with the widely used calcium channel blocker amlodipine. Tekamlo is approved as initial therapy for patients who are likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals, and as replacement therapy for patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with either aliskiren or amlodipine alone.

27 Aug 2010

Second-hand smoke triggers complex inflammatory response

Second-hand smoke is associated with a number of diseases and conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and emphysema. It is an irritant to lung tissue and blood vessels, but the processes through which the body reacts to second-hand smoke comprise a mystery scientists are only beginning to unravel. Researchers at the University of Colorado-Denver are currently studying how second-hand smoke affects the lungs of rats, and so far it appears that second-hand smoke triggers a complex inflammatory response.

27 Aug 2010

Shire receives European marketing approval for VPRIV therapy to treat type 1 Gaucher disease

Shire, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announced today that the European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for VPRIV(R) (velaglucerase alfa), a human cell line derived enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for the long-term treatment of type 1 Gaucher disease.

27 Aug 2010

New York State permits Genelex Corporation's DNA Drug Sensitivity Tests

The New York State Department of Health has licensed Genelex Corporation's DNA Drug Sensitivity Tests for use by doctors in the state. The issued Clinical Laboratory Permit is for DNA testing of three enzymes, the cytochrome P450s, that process more than 50 percent of the most commonly prescribed medicines.

27 Aug 2010

Disulfiram drug effective in treating cocaine addiction: Research

Doctors have used the drug disulfiram to help patients stay sober for several decades. It interferes with the body's ability to metabolize alcohol, giving a fierce hangover to someone who consumes even a small amount of alcohol.More recently, disulfiram was shown to be effective in treating cocaine addiction as well, even though alcohol and cocaine affect the nervous system in different ways.

27 Aug 2010

Lysozyme can protect anthrax contamination in processed foods: Study

An antibacterial enzyme found in human tears and other body fluids could be applied to certain foods for protection against intentional contamination with anthrax, scientists reported here today at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

27 Aug 2010

Scientist finds man-made chemical enzyme to neutralize toxin

For the first time ever, a completely man-made chemical enzyme has been successfully used to neutralise a toxin found naturally in fruits and vegetables. While studying for her PhD in chemistry at the University of Copenhagen Dr. Jeannette Bjerre showed how a novel so called chemzyme was able to decompose glycoside esculin, a toxin found in horse-chestnuts.

27 Aug 2010

Vitamin D may be effective in preventing allergies in patients cystic fibrosis, asthma

Vitamin D may be an effective therapy to treat and even prevent allergy to a common mold that can cause severe complications for patients with cystic fibrosis and asthma.

26 Aug 2010

Continuous boosting of natural painkiller shuts down brain cell receptor response

ERepeatedly boosting brain levels of one natural painkiller soon shuts down the brain cell receptors that respond to it, so that the painkilling effect is lost, according to a surprising new study led by Scripps Research Institute and Virginia Commonwealth University scientists. The study has important implications for drug development.

25 Aug 2010

Study identifies four genetic variants associated with ESRD disease in Chinese diabetic patients

Examination of a gene involved in cell signaling finds that four common variants of this gene are associated with the development of end-stage renal disease in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study in the August 25 issue of JAMA.

25 Aug 2010

Dyadic International completes private placement of secured promissory notes

Dyadic International, Inc., a global biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of specialty enzyme products and solutions for the bioenergy, industrial enzyme and biopharmaceutical industries, today announced that it has completed a private placement of $3,000,000 in convertible subordinated secured promissory notes (the "Notes") with two investors.

25 Aug 2010

Guthy-Renker partners with leading dermatologist for new skincare line

Guthy-Renker LLC, one of the largest and most respected direct marketing companies in the world and marketers of Proactiv, America's #1 acne system, is pleased to announce its partnership with leading dermatologist, Susan Evans, M.D., for a new skincare line called The Papaya Renewal Collection by Dr. Evans Cosmeceuticals.

24 Aug 2010

HighRes Biosolutions to install automation platform in China

HighRes Biosolutions, the leader in laboratory automation for life sciences, announced today that it is building a system for an undisclosed laboratory in Shanghai, China. The new system will be installed in the fall of 2010 by HighRes and Tekon Biotech Ltd, the Asian distributor representing HighRes in this region.

24 Aug 2010

Researchers find new drug to treat circadian rhythm disorders

Researchers funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) have successfully used a drug to reset and restart the natural 24 hour body clock of mice in the lab. The ability to do this in a mammal opens up the possibility of dealing with a range of human difficulties including some psychiatric disorders, jet lag and the health impacts of shift work.

24 Aug 2010

Research on fruit fly provides inroads into understanding cancer development

Changes to proteins in a cell underlay many cancers. Rui Martinho at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ci-ncia (IGC), in Portugal, in collaboration with researchers in Ghent (Belgium) and Bergen (Norway) will use the fruit fly to understand exactly how changes to proteins, identified in the test-tube, impact on the way cells divide in a living organism

24 Aug 2010

Genzyme announces publication of phase 2 clinical trial results of eliglustat tartrate for Gaucher disease

Genzyme Corporation announced today that the two-year follow-up results from the phase 2 clinical trial of its investigational therapy known as eliglustat tartrate have been accepted for publication in the journal Blood. The results have been pre-published on the journal's website and are available to subscribers.

23 Aug 2010

Enzyme News and Research

BioMarin's BMN-701 receives FDA orphan drug designation for treatment of Pompe disease

New high throughput sequencing technology to identify genetic defects in rare diseases

Scientists report frog skin contains new genera of antibiotics

Scientist suggests guidelines to safeguard physical health in college

FDA approves Novartis' Tekamlo for treatment of high blood pressure

Second-hand smoke triggers complex inflammatory response

Shire receives European marketing approval for VPRIV therapy to treat type 1 Gaucher disease

New York State permits Genelex Corporation's DNA Drug Sensitivity Tests

Disulfiram drug effective in treating cocaine addiction: Research

Lysozyme can protect anthrax contamination in processed foods: Study

Scientist finds man-made chemical enzyme to neutralize toxin

Vitamin D may be effective in preventing allergies in patients cystic fibrosis, asthma

Continuous boosting of natural painkiller shuts down brain cell receptor response

Study identifies four genetic variants associated with ESRD disease in Chinese diabetic patients

Dyadic International completes private placement of secured promissory notes

Guthy-Renker partners with leading dermatologist for new skincare line

HighRes Biosolutions to install automation platform in China

Researchers find new drug to treat circadian rhythm disorders

Research on fruit fly provides inroads into understanding cancer development

Genzyme announces publication of phase 2 clinical trial results of eliglustat tartrate for Gaucher disease

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