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.

Shrink Nanotechnologies to acquire Nanopoint

Shrink Nanotechnologies, Inc., an innovative high technology company, announced today that it has executed a binding letter of intent to acquire 100% of Hawaii-based Nanopoint Inc., a biomedical instrumentation and microfluidics company with global distribution for its award-winning suites of life sciences products.

12 Apr 2011

Takeda, Heptares collaborate to develop new drugs against CNS disorders

Heptares Therapeutics and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company today announced the formation of a two-year drug discovery collaboration focused on a single G-protein coupled receptor that plays an important role in the pathology of central nervous system disorders.

11 Apr 2011

Experimental Biology 2011 to be held April 9-13 in Washington, D.C.

The meeting Experimental Biology 2011 (EB 2011) begins April 9 and runs through April 13 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

8 Apr 2011

CFFT, Vertex collaborate to develop new medicines for cystic fibrosis

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. today announced they will collaborate on the continued discovery and development of new medicines known as correctors that aim to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis in people with the most common form of the disease.

8 Apr 2011

Study sheds new light on how older people may lose their memory

Scientists have shed new light on how older people may lose their memory with a development that could aid research into treatments for age-related memory disorders.

7 Apr 2011

ChanTest to provide new system for LGIC and VGIC screening

Beginning next month, ChanTest Corporation will offer the highest throughput electrophysiology platform on the market validated for both voltage-gated and rapidly desensitizing ligand-gated ion channels.

7 Apr 2011

Study: New cancer drug shrinks tumors in mouse model with few side effects

A study led by researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center showed in animal studies that new cancer drug compounds they developed shrank tumors, with few side effects.

7 Apr 2011

Avila announces successful completion of AVL-292 Phase 1a clinical studies for B-cell cancers

Avila Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel targeted covalent drugs, today announced that it has successfully completed two Phase 1a clinical studies for AVL-292, its orally-available, selective inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk).

6 Apr 2011

Ascletis raises $100 million in committed financing

Ascletis, Inc., a U.S.-China specialty life sciences venture focused on cancer and infectious disease therapeutics, today announced the company's formation and completion of a Series A private equity financing. Ascletis has raised US$100 million in committed financing including a first tranche of US$50 million. The investors, led by Hangzhou Binjiang Investment Holding Co., Ltd., included private entrepreneurs from China and other countries including the United States.

6 Apr 2011

Caliper's CDAS unit enters cancer research collaboration with Denver-based CHI

Caliper Life Sciences, Inc., a leading provider of tools and services for drug discovery and life-sciences research, today announced that its Caliper Discovery Alliances and Services unit has formed a research collaboration with Denver-based Catholic Health Initiatives, one of the nation's largest health systems.

6 Apr 2011

Promega expands into Brazil

With the expansion of Promega Corporation into Brazil, now scientists in life science research, drug discovery, human identity and clinical diagnostics have direct access to technical service, fast delivery and the ability to request a quote online in Brazil. Promega online capabilities, tailored to meet the needs of Brazilian scientists, include access to extensive resources including online chat in Portuguese.

5 Apr 2011

Lilly presents results of JAK2, Hedgehog inhibitor preclinical cancer studies at 102nd AACR

Eli Lilly and Company announced results today from two preclinical studies of molecules that target genetic mutations and disable specific signaling pathways that can lead to cancer. The studies evaluated two unique molecules – a JAK2 inhibitor and a Hedgehog inhibitor – with results presented during the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 102nd Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla.

5 Apr 2011

Caliper introduces novel fluorescent imaging agent for pre-clinical research

Caliper Life Sciences, Inc., a leading provider of tools and services for drug discovery, life sciences research and molecular diagnostics, today announced the launch of XenoLight RediJect COX-2 Probe, a novel fluorescent imaging agent for pre-clinical research that specifically detects the cyclooxygenase-2 biomarker noninvasively in live animal models as well as in ex vivo tissue analysis applications.

5 Apr 2011

Techne's R&D Systems acquires Boston Biochem assets

Techne Corporation announced today that as of April 1, 2011, its R&D Systems subsidiary has acquired the assets of Boston Biochem, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative ubiquitin-related research products.

4 Apr 2011

Researchers identify four new genes linked to Alzheimer's disease

In the largest study of its kind, researchers from a consortium of 44 universities and research institutions in the United States, including Rush University Medical Center, identified four new genes linked to Alzheimer's disease. Each gene individually adds to the risk of having this common form of dementia later in life.

4 Apr 2011

Discovery of 4 new genes associated with Alzheimer's

In the largest study of its kind, researchers from a consortium led by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and the University of Miami identified four new genes linked to Alzheimer's disease. Each gene individually adds to the risk of having this common form of dementia later in life. These new genes offer a portal into what causes Alzheimer's disease and is a major advance in the field.

3 Apr 2011

PBI commits to sponsor APS Novel Disease Model Awards for 2011 through 2013

Plato BioPharma, Inc. announced today that the company has committed to sponsor The American Physiological Society's Novel Disease Model Awards for 2011 through 2013.

2 Apr 2011

ACADIA extends collaboration agreement with Allergan for drug discovery platform

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company utilizing innovative technology to fuel drug discovery and clinical development of novel treatments for central nervous system disorders, today announced that it has extended its drug discovery and development collaboration with Allergan, Inc.

1 Apr 2011

Researchers study role of acetylation in Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have determined that a well-known chemical process called acetylation has a previously unrecognized association with one of the biological processes associated with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. The findings were published in the latest issue of Nature Communications.

1 Apr 2011

CPRIT awards $12.6M grant to Gulf Coast Consortia to develop new cancer treatments

The Gulf Coast Consortia has been awarded a grant of more than $12.6 million from the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas to launch a collaborative program that brings together researchers with the common purpose of developing new cancer treatments.

1 Apr 2011