Drug Discovery News and Research

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The drug discovery process begins with recognizing a disease or clinical condition in which there is a lack of adequate medical treatment. Once a potential drug has been identified, pre-clinical research can begin. This process includes several stages; the first of which involves identifying and validating the prospective drug’s target through assay development, high throughput screening, hit identification and finally, lead optimization. Once the pre-clinical process is complete, the newly synthesized drug candidate is selected for future clinical development.

Study: 2-PMPA improves cognition in mice with MS

Johns Hopkins researchers report the successful use of a form of MRI to identify what appears to be a key biochemical marker for cognitive impairment in the brains of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). In follow-up experiments on mice with a rodent form of MS, researchers were able to use an experimental compound to manipulate that same marker and dramatically improve learning and memory.

21 Nov 2012

CFFT announces major expansion of research collaboration with Pfizer

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc. (CFFT), the nonprofit drug discovery and development affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, today announced a major expansion of its research collaboration with Pfizer Inc. designed to discover new drugs to treat people with the most common mutation of CF, Delta F508.

20 Nov 2012

GVK Biosciences receives AERB approvals to carry out 3H and 14C synthesis activities

GVK Biosciences, Asia's leading Drug Discovery Research & Development organization, has received approvals from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), Government of India, to carry out 3H and 14C synthesis activities.

19 Nov 2012

New nanoparticle halts relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in mouse model

In a breakthrough for nanotechnology and multiple sclerosis, a biodegradable nanoparticle turns out to be the perfect vehicle to stealthily deliver an antigen that tricks the immune system into stopping its attack on myelin and halt a model of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in mice, according to new Northwestern Medicine research.

19 Nov 2012

Scientists identify cell growth pathway that is unusually active in gliomas

Insights from a genetic condition that causes brain cancer are helping scientists better understand the most common type of brain tumor in children.

17 Nov 2012

Malaria Box helps identify three chemical series that target treatment of NTDs

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) announce today the identification of three chemical series targeting the treatment of deadly neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), through DNDi's screening of MMV's open access Malaria Box.

14 Nov 2012

UIC researchers develop transgenic Alzheimer's mouse with apoE4 gene

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have developed a transgenic mouse that carries a human gene known to increase risk of Alzheimer's 15-fold. This new mouse mimics the genetics of the human disease more closely than any of the dozen existing mouse models and may prove more useful in the development of candidate drugs to prevent or treat the disease.

9 Nov 2012

Taiho Pharmaceutical announces early stage data for eight novel oncology compounds

Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., the developer of the first orally available fluorouracil (FU) Chemotherapeutic treatment (TS-1/S-1), is presenting early stage data for eight novel oncology compounds, including potential first-in-class therapies.

7 Nov 2012

Isis Pharmaceuticals to receive $1.25M from Pfizer for continued advancement of EXC 001

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it will receive a $1.25 million contingent payment from Pfizer Inc. triggered by Pfizer's decision to advance EXC 001 into a Phase 2 study.

3 Nov 2012

Physicists to bring to market new drug-discovery tool using genetic sequencing

Today physicists at Wake Forest University and NanoMedica, their biotechnology company partner, received a $700,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to bring to market a new drug-discovery tool using next-generation genetic sequencing.

3 Nov 2012

University of Cambridge forms new spin-out company to supply hIPSC-derived cells

The potential therapeutic applications of stem cells - such as regenerating damaged tissues or organs - have generated a great deal of interest over the past decade. While these types of applications are exciting, it is a long journey from lab to clinic. The most immediate impact of stem cells on human health will most likely come from their use in the development of new drugs.

3 Nov 2012

Isis announces preliminary data from ISIS-STAT3 Phase 1 study on cancer

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that preliminary data from the Phase 1 study of ISIS-STAT3Rx in patients with cancer were presented today at the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society in Boston.

1 Nov 2012

Sprint Bioscience, TPP partner to develop small molecule inhibitors of choline kinase for cancer

TPP Global Development Ltd (TPP) enters into a collaboration with Sprint Bioscience AB to develop small molecule inhibitors of choline kinase as human therapeutics for the treatment of cancer.

30 Oct 2012

Isis commences ISIS-FXIRx Phase 2 study in knee replacement surgery patients

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the initiation of a Phase 2 comparator-controlled study evaluating ISIS-FXIRx in patients undergoing knee replacement surgery, also referred to as total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

29 Oct 2012

Researchers figure out 3D shape of promising TB drug target

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have figured out the three-dimensional shape of the protein responsible for creating unique bonds within the cell wall of the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. The bonds make the bacteria resistant to currently available drug therapies, contributing to the alarming rise of these super-bacteria throughout the world.

26 Oct 2012

Initiation of dinaciclib Phase 2b/3 CLL trial triggers $2M milestone payment from Merck

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated today announced that it will receive a $2 million milestone payment from Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, under the terms of a development and license collaboration for the development of dinaciclib.

22 Oct 2012

BioLineRx completes pre-clinical development of BL-8020 for HCV

BioLineRx, a biopharmaceutical development company, announced today that it has successfully completed the pre-clinical development of BL-8020, an orally available, interferon-free treatment for the Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and plans to commence a Phase I/II safety and efficacy study for BL-8020 in Europe during the first quarter of 2013.

17 Oct 2012

Nine Sydney researchers to receive funding for biomedical research projects

The Ramaciotti Foundations will award nearly $645,000 in grants to nine Sydney researchers at a gala dinner tonight, to support continued outstanding biomedical research. The Ramaciotti Foundations will award over $1.6 million to 23 recipients at the annual awards evening in Brisbane.

16 Oct 2012

Maryland scientists create stem cell model for Gaucher disease

A new method of using adult stem cells as a model for the hereditary condition Gaucher disease could help accelerate the discovery of new, more effective therapies for this and other conditions such as Parkinson's, according to new research from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

16 Oct 2012

AAPS recognizes top scientists in pharmaceutical sciences

During the Opening Session of the 2012 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting and Exposition, AAPS President David Y. Mitchell, Ph.D., presented the following ground-breaking researchers with awards commemorating their contributions to the pharmaceutical sciences:

15 Oct 2012