Therapeutics News and Research

RSS

Non-pharmacologic interventions for the control of osteoporosis and obesity

The Department of Biomedical Engineering at Stony Brook University received a $1.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate the biologic and physical mechanisms of very low-magnitude mechanical signals and how they strengthen bone and muscle.

20 Nov 2008

Possible new target for anticancer therapeutics

New data, generated in mice, by Pierre Sonveaux and colleagues, at University catholique de Louvain, Belgium, have identified a potential new target for anticancer therapeutics.

20 Nov 2008

Lactic acid found to be important energy source for tumor cells

Many tumors have cells that burn fuel for activities in different ways. Tumor cells near blood vessels have adequate oxygen sources and can either burn glucose like normal cells, or lactic acid (lactate). Tumor cells further from vessels are hypoxic and inefficiently burn a lot of glucose to keep going. In turn, they produce lactate as a waste product.

20 Nov 2008

Nanoparticle reports on drug delivery to breast tumors, predicts response to therapy

One of the hallmarks of many nanoparticle-based anticancer therapeutics and imaging agents is that they accumulate in tumors thanks to the fact that they are small enough to escape from the bloodstream through the leaky blood vessels that surround tumors.

20 Nov 2008

Cytori announces seven new investigator-initiated clinical studies in Japan

All seven studies are investigator-initiated and to be performed under local and country guidelines. Cytori, who will not sponsor these studies, will continue work with country authorities, such as the Ministry of Health and Labor in Japan, to obtain specific regulatory approvals for its products.

19 Nov 2008

Musculoskeletal Center wins $2.2 million to study biologics safety

The UAB Center for Education and Research on Therapeutics has won a $2.2 million federal grant to study the risks and benefits of a class of drugs called ‘biologics' -- genetically engineered agents targeting the immune system of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders.

18 Nov 2008

Kynurenic acid in brain shows potential as schizophrenia target

New research has traced elevated levels of a specific compound in the brain to problem-solving deficits in patients with schizophrenia.

18 Nov 2008

Targanta Therapeutics announces posting of briefing documents for review of FDA

Targanta Therapeutics Corporation announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted on its website briefing documents for the November 19, 2008 Anti-Infective Drugs Advisory Committee (AIDAC) meeting.

18 Nov 2008

Protein enzyme BubR1 provides new understanding of processes behind cancer-cell survival and drug-resistance

A study of how one protein enzyme, BubR1, helps make sure chromosomes are equally distributed during mitosis might explain how the process of cell division goes so awry in cancer, according to researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center.

17 Nov 2008

Scientists find intra cellular pathway driving a deadly sub-type of breast cancer

An intra cellular pathway not previously linked to breast cancer is driving a sub-type of the disease that is highly lethal and disproportionately over-represented in African American women.

16 Nov 2008

Previously unknown regulatory step during HIV replication provides potential new target for HIV/AIDS therapy

A previously unknown regulatory step during human immunodeficiency (HIV) replication provides a potentially valuable new target for HIV/AIDS therapy, report researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

16 Nov 2008

Santaris Pharma releases positive data on LNA-based survivin inhibitor

Santaris Pharma announced today that SPC3042, a RNA-based antisense oligonucleotide developed using the company's proprietary Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) technology, potently blocks survivin, a key survival protein in cancer cells, in both in vitro and in vivo models of prostate cancer. Importantly, SPC3042 works synergistically with the anticancer drug paclitaxel (Taxol) in both model systems.

10 Nov 2008

Variations of MYH9 gene help explain high rate of kidney disease in African Americans

Several recent studies have suggested that common gene variations may be responsible for much of the elevated risk of kidney disease in African Americans.

8 Nov 2008

FDA approves Ranexa for the treatment of chronic angina

CV Therapeutics, Inc. has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new, first line indication for Ranexa(R) (ranolazine extended-release tablets) for the treatment of chronic angina.

7 Nov 2008

Scientists identify compounds for stem-cell production from adult cells

In the study, the scientists screened known drugs and identified small molecules that could replace conventional reprogramming genes, which can have dangerous side effects.

6 Nov 2008

SurModics acquires drug delivery assets of PR Pharmaceuticals

SurModics, Inc. announced today that it has acquired a portfolio of intellectual property and collaborative drug delivery projects from PR Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a drug delivery company specializing in injectable, biodegradable sustained release formulations.

4 Nov 2008

Adding protein sarcospan to muscle cells might help Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The overlooked and undervalued protein, sarcospan, just got its moment in the spotlight.

4 Nov 2008

Halozyme Therapeutics starts phase 2 trial of insulin with rHuPH20 in type 1 diabetes

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. today announced it has started a Phase 2 study of proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20) co-formulations with Humulin R (regular insulin human injection) and with Humalog (insulin lispro) in Type 1 diabetic patients.

3 Nov 2008

Researchers develop DNA vaccine for West Nile virus

Researchers are developing a DNA-based vaccine against the dreaded West Nile virus (WNV), which can be transmitted from animals to humans. The unique feature of this vaccine is that it is also effective after onset of the disease, for it has therapeutic properties.

3 Nov 2008

FDA accepts Arana's anti-inflammatory IND

Biotechnology company Arana Therapeutics Limited today announced that lead anti-inflammatory compound, ART621 has successfully passed review of its rheumatoid arthritis Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

2 Nov 2008