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Genetic defect in protein glycogenin can lead to cardiac arrest

Researchers have discovered a new disorder linked to heart problems that stems from a genetic defect in the protein glycogenin. In a worst case scenario, disruption of this protein's function can lead to cardiac arrest, which is exactly what happened to the young man whose case triggered the investigation at Sahlgrenska University Hospital at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, that led to a brand new diagnosis.

20 Apr 2010

SPI-Bio to distribute and sell Aterovax's sPLA2 activity test in Europe

Aterovax SA, a company developing innovative products for atherosclerosis, today announced the signing of a 3 year, exclusive agreement with SPI-Bio, a specialist distributor of products and services in drug development, to distribute and sell Aterovax's sPLA2 activity test in Europe to academic and research laboratories for research use.

19 Apr 2010

Pivotal preclinical data of YM BioSciences' CYT387 JAK1/2 inhibitor pre-published in Blood

YM BioSciences Inc., announced the pre-publication of pivotal preclinical data for CYT387, the company's highly selective and potent JAK1/2 inhibitor, currently in a Phase I/II trial for myelofibrosis.

19 Apr 2010

Potential drug to annul ADAM-17 protein activity needed

Over the past four years, in the installations of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Cadiz, a group of researchers, headed by Doctor Carmen Estrada, has been studying neurogenesis - the process of forming new neurons from mother cells - in the adult mammal brain. The purpose of this research project is to contribute to the knowledge of this process with the object of finding some additional mechanism that would facilitate the treatment of pathologies of the central nervous system (CNS) that are suffered in consequence of neuronal death.

19 Apr 2010

Potential mate's signal activates molecular switch

A mystery about the mechanism behind sexual mate selection has been resolved. According to a new study published in the journal Nature, Universit- de Montr-al researchers have discovered a molecular switch that becomes activated in response to a potential mate's signal. Simply put, an organism knows that a potential mate is close-by and healthy enough to mate.

19 Apr 2010

Surgery still the only measure to cure RCC

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for about 3% of all solid tumours in adults, and worldwide, more than 200.000 new cases and 100.000 deaths result each year from this malignancy.

19 Apr 2010

Enhancing drug residence time may help develop better diagnostic, therapeutic agents

Research conducted at the Stony Brook University Institute for Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery that enhances the time a drug remains bound to its target, or residence time, may prove to be an important step in developing better diagnostic and therapeutic agents based partly on longer drug residence time.

17 Apr 2010

Multinational phase II study: GS-9450 can reduce markers of liver damage in patients with NASH

Results from a multinational phase II study presented today at the International Liver CongressTM 2010 have shown that treatment with the caspase inhibitor GS-9450 can reduce markers of liver damage in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH - the most serious form of non-alcoholic liver disease) as demonstrated by reduced levels of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, hepatic enzymes that indicate cell damage.

17 Apr 2010

Treatment with high dose UDCA no more effective for NASH: German study

Results of a German study presented today at the International Liver CongressTM 2010, the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Liver in Vienna, Austria, have shown that overall, treatment with high dose (23-28mg/kg/d) ursodeoxycholic acid is no more effective than placebo in the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, the most advanced form of non-alcoholic liver disease associated with cirrhosis of the liver.

17 Apr 2010

International study evaluates new class of drugs for treating primary biliary cirrhosis

Results of a study presented today at the at the International Liver CongressTM 2010 reveals the effects of a new drug for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis, and shows further evaluation is necessary.

16 Apr 2010

New therapeutic approach for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Researchers from Universit- Laval's Faculty of Medicine and the CHUQ Research Center have proven that it is possible to repair the defective gene responsible for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

16 Apr 2010

LOTS results of Myozyme in older children and adults with Pompe disease published

Genzyme Corp. today announced that the results from its Late-Onset Treatment Study have been published in today's New England Journal of Medicine. The study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Myozyme (alglucosidase alfa) in older children and adults with Pompe disease.

16 Apr 2010

Study links cancer growth to sugar-based modification found naturally in the body

Researchers at Drexel University College of Medicine have discovered that a certain type of sugar found naturally in the body is elevated in breast cancer cells and is critical for cancer growth and movement. When researchers reduced and normalized the levels of this sugar, they were able to slow the growth of the cancer cells and block invasion. The findings, published in the March 1 issue of Oncogene, represent a potential new therapeutic target for treating aggressive forms of breast cancer.

15 Apr 2010

Celgene, Agios Pharmaceuticals form global strategic collaboration on targeting cancer metabolism

Celgene Corporation and Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company, today announced the formation of a global strategic collaboration focused on targeting cancer metabolism. The goal of the collaboration is to discover, develop, and deliver novel disease-altering therapies in oncology based on the transformational science of Agios' innovative cancer metabolism research platform. This platform is based on the concept that targeting key metabolic enzymes unique to rapidly proliferating cancer cells can "starve" the cancer.

15 Apr 2010

Novel drug helps discover mechanisms underlying female sexual arousal

By using a novel prototype drug, researchers have discovered more about the mechanisms underlying female sexual arousal. These findings are published today in the British Journal of Pharmacology.

15 Apr 2010

Phase I clinical trial of DFMO initiated to treat children with neuroblastoma

A new Phase I clinical trial sponsored by the Vermont Cancer Center at the University of Vermont and Fletcher Allen Health Care has opened to test the investigational drug DFMO, or alpha-difluoromethylornithine, as a treatment for the pediatric cancer neuroblastoma.

15 Apr 2010

FDA approves J&JPRD's PANCREAZE NDA

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development (J&JPRD) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new drug application (NDA) for PANCREAZE™ (pancrelipase) delayed-release capsules for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis or other conditions. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is the inability to properly digest and absorb food due to a lack of enzymes made by the pancreas that are important in the digestion of fats, proteins, and sugars.

15 Apr 2010

IVAX Diagnostics signs two-year distribution agreement with Biomerica

IVAX Diagnostics, Inc., a fully integrated in vitro diagnostics company, and Biomerica, Inc., a global biomedical company, have signed a two-year agreement for the distribution of Biomerica's products in the U.S. and globally, with certain country and product exclusions.

13 Apr 2010

Research finding suggests HCV interference with hepcidin synthesis

Iron overload, a common feature of chronic liver disorders, has been linked with oxidative DNA damage, insulin resistance and liver steatosis, and with triggering of hepatic stellate cells thus inducing liver fibrosis.

13 Apr 2010

DHA crucial for male fertility

According to a University of Illinois study, omega-3 fatty acids may be good for more than heart health. A little-known omega-3 may have implications for treating male infertility.

13 Apr 2010