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Inviragen to present data on CHIKV vaccine at ASTMH meeting

Inviragen, a biotechnology company developing vaccines to protect against infectious diseases worldwide, together with investigators at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and the Division of Vector Borne Diseases (DVBD) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will make an oral presentation today at the annual American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) meeting on preclinical results of the Company's experimental chikungunya virus (CHIKV) vaccine.

8 Nov 2010

Researchers take first step towards understanding of rare skin cancer

Leeds-based scientists, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research headquartered in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, plan to introduce the genetic material of a virus into normal human skin cells to produce skin cells that have features of Merkel Cell Carcinoma cancers.

8 Nov 2010

InNexus receives $116,760 cash grant under QTDP program to develop DXL anti-cancer antibodies

InNexus Biotechnology Inc. a leading drug development company commercializing the next generation of antibodies based on its groundbreaking Dynamic Cross Linking (DXL) technology, today announced it has been awarded a cash grant by the U.S. government totaling $116,760 for projects related to the Company's development of DXL anti-cancer antibodies.

8 Nov 2010

Skin to blood transformation in the lab

In a new study scientists have successfully transformed human skin cells into blood without first being sent through a primordial, stem-cell-like state. The findings were published online in the journal Nature. Earlier work has shown that fibroblast cells from mouse skin, treated with the right cocktail of chemicals, can be transformed into neurons and heart muscle. This is a first with human cells.

7 Nov 2010

Tuberculosis on the rise in the UK

According to health authorities, tuberculosis (TB) – a severe lung infection that has killed millions in the past, is resurfacing again in the UK. Last year the number of cases reached more than 9,000, the highest number for nearly 30 years. The numbers were revealed by the Health Protection Agency in its annual report on tuberculosis this Thursday.

5 Nov 2010

Synta reports $10.3M net loss for third quarter 2010 vs. $118.1M net income for third quarter 2009

Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing small molecule drugs to treat severe medical conditions, today reported financial results and operational highlights for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.

4 Nov 2010

NWBT receives $490,000 in two grants under QTDP program

Northwest Biotherapeutics today announced that the company has received approximately $490,000 in two grants under the Qualified Therapeutic Discovery Project Grants Program. The maximum award was received for both grants.

4 Nov 2010

Combination of DC-CIK and stem cell therapy effective to prevent cancer recurrence after surgery

"For brain cancer patients after surgery, the combined DC-CIK and stem cell therapy from Cellonis Biotechnologies can be a very effective method in preventing cancer recurrence," says renowned cancer doctor Dr. Dinggang Li.

4 Nov 2010

Modified sugar compound protects against world's deadliest viruses

When a team of European researchers sought to discover how a class of antiviral drugs worked, they looked in an unlikely place: the sugar dish. A new research report appearing in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that a purified and modified form of a simple sugar chain may stop fast-acting and deadly viruses, such as Ebola, Lassa, or Marburg viruses, in their tracks.

4 Nov 2010

New antibody with SGN-35 drug produces remission in Hodgkin lymphoma

An antibody loaded with an anti-cancer agent produced complete or partial remissions in 38 percent of patients with relapsed or therapy-resistant Hodgkin lymphoma enrolled in a phase I clinical trial, investigators report in the Nov. 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

4 Nov 2010

Study links positive well-being to higher telomerase activity

Positive psychological changes that occur during meditation training are associated with greater telomerase activity, according to researchers at the University of California, Davis, and the University of California, San Francisco. The study is the first to link positive well-being to higher telomerase, an enzyme important for the long-term health of cells in the body.

4 Nov 2010

Alnylam third quarter revenue increases from $24.2 million to $27.7 million

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a leading RNAi therapeutics company, today reported its consolidated financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2010, and company highlights.

4 Nov 2010

Bortezomib reduces inflammation and promotes bone healing in arthritis models

A new study by Greek researchers suggests that the biologic drug bortezomib (Velcade), a proteasome inhibitor used to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer), may represent a promising treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, bortezomib displayed favorable effects in an animal model of inflammatory arthritis that mimics RA, in reducing disease severity and inflammation, and promoting bone healing. Full findings of this study are published in the November issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

3 Nov 2010

Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2011

From pill-sized cameras to radioactive compounds that let doctors "see" inside a patient's brain, Cleveland Clinic's Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2011 showcases new techniques, therapies and approaches to treating a host of diseases.

3 Nov 2010

APS summit focuses on Antiphospholipid Syndrome research

Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is a condition that may be responsible for up to one-third of strokes in people under age 50, up to one-fifth of all cases of blood clots in large veins, and one-quarter of recurrent miscarriages. Nonetheless, relatively few randomized clinical trials have been conducted involving people with APS, and those completed have included small numbers of participants.

3 Nov 2010

Immune Network to complete patient enrollment in Phase 2b imm01 trial for tuberculosis

Immune Network Ltd. a company in the business of discovery and development of immune-based therapies, today announced that patient enrollment will be completed next week for the company's future partner Immunitor's Phase 2b imm01 trial of V5 immunotherapy in 120 patients with tuberculosis.

3 Nov 2010

Tolerx establishes Scientific Advisory Board to advance type 1 diabetes study

Tolerx, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies to treat autoimmune diseases and cancer by modulating T cell activity, announced today that it has established a Scientific Advisory Board to help advance the company's research and clinical studies in type 1 diabetes.

3 Nov 2010

Immunomedics product candidates, technologies receive recognition from QTDP program

Immunomedics, Inc. a biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of monoclonal, antibody-based products for the targeted treatment of cancer, autoimmune and other serious diseases, today announced that all 12 applications from the Company were certified by the Internal Revenue Service of the Department of Treasury as qualified investments in accordance with the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) program under section 48D of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, the Company will receive an aggregate cash award of $2.9 million.

3 Nov 2010

Researchers discover FoxO1 protein interacts with macrophages to promote inflammatory response

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered that a multi-tasking protein called FoxO1 has another important but previously unknown function: It directly interacts with macrophages, promoting an inflammatory response that can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes. Contrarily, it also generates a negative feedback loop that can limit damage from excessive inflammation.

3 Nov 2010

Study shows Lactobacillus reuteri bacteria promotes health

There is a great deal of interest in the impact of lactic acid bacteria on our health. Now a new study from the Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, in Sweden, shows that the occurrence of Lactobacillus reuteri in the body promotes health.

3 Nov 2010