Gastrointestinal Tract News and Research

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Synthetic, Enterome partner to study effects of beta-lactam antibiotics on gastrointestinal microflora

Synthetic Biologics, Inc., a developer of novel anti-infective biologic and drug candidates targeting specific pathogens that cause serious infections and diseases, and Enterome Bioscience SA, a pioneer in the development of innovative disease management solutions based on a deep understanding of the gut microbiome, today announced that they have entered into an agreement to conduct metagenomic research on the effects of beta-lactam antibiotics on the gastrointestinal microflora (microbiome) of human patients.

10 Jun 2014

Naloxegol holds hope for opioid-induced constipation

Pain medicines often lead to constipation for patients seeking long-term pain relief, but an investigational once-daily drug may help, according to study led by the University of Michigan Health System.

5 Jun 2014

FDA approves Takeda's Entyvio for severe active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc., has announced that the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) simultaneously approved a new biologic therapy, Entyvio™ (vedolizumab), for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

21 May 2014

Researchers discover genetic risk factor for premature birth

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a genetic risk factor for premature birth.

7 May 2014

Kinex receives FDA allowance for Oratecan anti-cancer drug irinotecan with enhanced oral absorption

Kinex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for Oratecan, an oral form of an approved anti-cancer drug irinotecan with enhanced oral absorption.

6 May 2014

New biomarker shows promise in improving screening for esophageal cancer

A new biomarker for esophageal cancer shows promise in improving screening for this deadly disease and its precursor, Barrett's esophagus.

6 May 2014

Stool color guide and free mobile app help diagnose liver-ravaging disorder in babies

Fecal color and consistency are well-known markers of digestive health in both children and adults, but paying attention to a newborn's shade of poop can be a decided lifesaver in babies born with the rare, liver-ravaging disorder biliary atresia, commonly heralded by white or clay-colored stool.

22 Apr 2014

Study suggests that improving newborns' bacterial environment could fend off infections

Mothers give a newborn baby a gift of germs-germs that help to kick-start the infant's immune system. But antibiotics, used to fend off infection, may paradoxically interrupt a newborn's own immune responses, leaving already-vulnerable premature babies more susceptible to dangerous pathogens.

21 Apr 2014

New parents need to pay attention to baby’s poop color, say pediatric gastroenterologists

Fecal color and consistency are well-known markers of digestive health in both children and adults, but paying attention to a newborn’s shade of poop can be a decided lifesaver in babies born with the rare, liver-ravaging disorder biliary atresia, commonly heralded by white or clay-colored stool.

18 Apr 2014

New fiber-optic device helps clinicians diagnose cancer at early-stage

An engineering researcher at the University of Arkansas has developed an inexpensive, endoscopic microscope capable of producing high-resolution, sub-cellular images of tissue in real time.

16 Apr 2014

Access provides update on new formulation of anti-inflammatory drug amlexanox

ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTCBB: ACCP) provided an update on a new formulation of the anti-inflammatory drug amlexanox, called LexaGard™, for the treatment of inflammatory and ulcerative conditions of the esophagus.

8 Apr 2014

New device simulates gastro-intestinal tract

A breakthrough in drug testing developed by a University of Huddersfield lecturer could lead to cheaper, more effective medicines. Dr Hamid Merchant is a member of the team that has created a device which accurately simulates the gastro-intestinal tract and how it absorbs medication.

1 Apr 2014

Breastfeeding increases prevalence of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in infants

Breastfeeding until at least nine months of age increases prevalence in the gastrointestinal tract of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, species which are known to contribute to development of a healthy immune system, according to a paper describing the establishment of the intestinal microbiota during the first three years of life.

24 Mar 2014

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals starts Phase IIa clinical study of IW-3718 for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: IRWD) announced today that dosing has begun in its Phase IIa clinical study of its investigational compound IW-3718 in patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who have not responded adequately to treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Data are expected in the first half of 2015.

18 Mar 2014

NeuroDerm enrolls patients in second ND0612 Phase II clinical trial for treatment of Parkinson's disease

NeuroDerm, Ltd. announced today that enrollment of patients is ongoing in its second Phase II clinical trial of ND0612, a novel drug formulation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. ND0612 is a proprietary levodopa/carbidopa liquid formulation under development for continuous subcutaneous administration through a patch pump. It is designed to provide steady levodopa blood levels for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

11 Mar 2014

Scientists use novel metagenomic approaches to characterize microbial communities that reside in human gut

The gut microbiota contains a vast number of microorganisms from all three domains of life, including bacteria, archaea and fungi, as well as viruses. These interact in a complex way to contribute towards both health and the development of disease - interactions that are only now being elucidated thanks to the application of advanced DNA sequencing technology in this field.

10 Mar 2014

Georgia Regents Medical Center explores new treatment for Parkinson's disease-related constipation

Georgia Regents Medical Center is among about a dozen centers nationally exploring the potential of a new drug that may offer relief to people with Parkinson's who have failed standard approaches to treating constipation.

5 Mar 2014

Scientists discover viruses containing genes for antibiotic resistance in fossilized human feces

A team of French investigators has discovered viruses containing genes for antibiotic resistance in a fossilized fecal sample from 14th century Belgium, long before antibiotics were used in medicine.

28 Feb 2014

REACT clinical trial provides valuable new insights for community gastroenterologists that benefit patients

The final results from an international clinical trial involving nearly 2,000 patients with Crohn's disease support the use of a new management strategy referred to as accelerated step-care as a best practice for the care of active Crohn's disease.

24 Feb 2014

Scientists propose improved method of screening salmonella vaccines in small animal studies

An innovative vaccine technology makes use of reengineered salmonella to deliver protective immunity. If such recombinant attenuated salmonella vaccines or RASVs can be perfected, they hold the promise of safe, lost-cost, orally administered defenses against viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections.

19 Feb 2014