Nucleic Acid News and Research

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Santaris Pharma, miRagen collaborate to develop microRNA-targeted medicines for cardiovascular disease

Santaris Pharma A/S, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of RNA-targeted therapies and miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative microRNA-based therapeutics for cardiovascular and muscle disease, announced today that they have formed a strategic alliance to develop microRNA-targeted medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

23 Jun 2010

FDA approves ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay to aid in diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first assay to detect both antigen and antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This assay is approved for use as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection in adults including pregnant women. It is also the first assay for use as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection in children as young as two years old.

22 Jun 2010

Applied BioCode's novel BMB technology to be presented at Biodetection Technologies 2010 Conference

Applied BioCode, Inc. announced today a presentation to be given on their Barcoded Magnetic Beads technology at the Biodetection Technologies 2010 Conference in Arlington, Virginia. The presentation is titled "Multiplexed Assays Go Digital" and will be given by Dr. Winston Ho, President at Applied BioCode, on June 18, 2010.

18 Jun 2010

Gen-Probe invests $50M in Pacific Biosciences

Gen-Probe Incorporated and Pacific Biosciences announced today that Gen-Probe has made a $50 million strategic investment in Pacific Biosciences, a private sequencing company. In addition, the companies will work together to explore co-development of new integrated clinical diagnostics systems based on Pacific Biosciences' Single Molecule Real Time (SMRT™) platform and Gen-Probe's expertise in diagnostics.

18 Jun 2010

New biomarker study explores early detection of ovarian cancer

Despite many research advances, ovarian cancer remains lethal in a majority of cases, due to late diagnosis of the disease. In a new study, Dr. Joshua LaBaer of the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, along with Arturo Ramirez and Paul Lampe, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, used a novel method for identifying biomarkers-proteins in blood that can identify ovarian cancer before symptoms appear.

17 Jun 2010

Study shows NAT programs increase HIV detection yield by 23%

Community-based HIV testing programs generally use only HIV antibody testing, but nucleic acid testing can detect the presence of HIV earlier. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine studied more than 3,000 patients who sought HIV testing in community-based clinics in or near San Diego to examine the yield of testing with a rapid test plus NAT and to see whether patients would be willing to access their results by phone or computer.

15 Jun 2010

Texas Tech signs worldwide license agreement for metallo-beta-lactamase inhibitors with RI Scientific

Officials at Texas Tech University System's Office of Technology Commercialization announced Wednesday (June 9) the signing of an exclusive worldwide license agreement for a chemical additive called an aptamer that makes certain existing antibiotics viable against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

10 Jun 2010

Takara Bio to distribute NuGEN's solutions in Japan, South Korea, China

NuGEN, the provider of innovative RNA and DNA sample preparation technologies that enable breakthrough genomic analysis, today announced it has signed a non-exclusive agreement with Takara Bio to distribute the full spectrum of NuGEN's next-generation sequencing, microarray and q-PCR nucleic acid amplification and sample preparation products in Japan, South Korea and China. In addition, Takara is authorized to offer services using NuGEN products in the same territory.

9 Jun 2010

Study demonstrates protection against Ebola infection in nonhuman primates using RNAi

Scientists using tiny particles of genetic material to interfere in the replication process of the deadly Ebola virus have successfully prevented monkeys exposed to that virus from dying of hemorrhagic fever. The proof-of-concept study, published in this week's issue of The Lancet, suggests that such protection also should be possible in humans.

29 May 2010

Thermo Fisher Scientific to acquire Fermentas International for $260M

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Fermentas International Inc. - a manufacturer and global distributor of enzymes, reagents and kits for molecular and cellular biology research - for $260 million in cash, subject to a post-closing adjustment. With headquarters in Burlington, Ontario, and principal operations in Vilnius, Lithuania, Fermentas has approximately 500 employees.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 28 May 2010

Silence Therapeutics deepens diverse portfolio of RNAi intellectual property

Silence Therapeutics plc announces the issuance of United States patent 7,723,316, titled Compositions and Methods of RNAi Therapeutics For Treatment of Cancer and Other Neovascularization Disease, by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

26 May 2010

FDA grants 510(k) market clearance for EraGen's MultiCode-RTx HSV 1&2 Kit

EraGen Biosciences Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) market clearance for EraGen's MultiCode®-RTx HSV 1&2 Kit.

20 May 2010

Rosetta Genomics announces publication of study on discovery of microRNAs in solid tumors

Rosetta Genomics, Ltd., a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostic tests, announces the publication of a study entitled, "Discovery of microRNAs and other small RNAs in solid tumors," in the online edition of Nucleic Acid Research.

19 May 2010

Health Canada grants Response Biomedical Class 3 Medical Device license for RAMP RSV Assay

Response Biomedical Corporation today announced that it has been granted a Class 3 (near patient/point-of-care) Medical Device license by Health Canada to market its RAMP® Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Assay in Canada.

18 May 2010

UGA researchers discover SERS method to identify rotavirus strains, genotypes

Using nanotechnology and a patented signal enhancing technique developed at the University of Georgia, UGA researchers have discovered a rapid, sensitive and cost-effective method to detect and identify a number of rotavirus strains and genotypes in less than one minute with greater than 96 percent accuracy.

14 May 2010

Researchers develop new approach to immunotherapy of cancer

Harnessing the immune system is emerging as one of the most promising new ways to fight cancer. Most cancer cells are eliminated by the immune system; however, over a lifetime, a few may escape this immune surveillance and lead to tumors and metastases. Hence a formidable opportunity has been to find ways to make the immune system recognize the tumor as a foreign body and trigger a response.

13 May 2010

Key mechanisms for delivery of LNP-encapsulated siRNAs to the liver

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today the publication of pre-clinical research in the journal Molecular Therapy revealing key mechanisms related to the systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).

12 May 2010

FDA grants EUA for IQuum's Liat Influenza A/2009 H1N1 Assay

IQuum, Inc. today announced it has been granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Liat™ Influenza A/2009 H1N1 Assay. The assay detects and differentiates 2009 H1N1 influenza viral RNA starting from collected nasopharyngeal swab samples in less than 30 minutes.

10 May 2010

Enzon reports income from continuing operations of $20.8M for first-quarter 2010

Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2010. During the quarter, the Company completed the sale of its specialty pharmaceutical business. This transaction has now transformed the Company, both financially and operationally, into a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of oncology medicines.

10 May 2010

QIAGEN reports 20% revenue growth in first quarter 2010

QIAGEN N.V. today announced the results of operations for its quarter ended March 31, 2010. Net sales were at the high end of, and adjusted earnings per share for the first quarter 2010 exceeded the guidance provided by the Company on February 9, 2010.

From QIAGEN Manchester Limited 4 May 2010