Interferon News and Research

RSS

Antiviral therapy for hepatitis C appears to be declining in the U.S.; lack of diagnosis is primary barrier to treatment

Researchers from the University of Michigan determined that only 663,000 of the approximately 3.9 million Americans with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection received antiviral therapy between 2002 and 2007.

23 Nov 2009

Enrollment for ongoing phase 2b trial of RG7128 announced

Pharmasset, Inc. announced today that the enrollment of Cohort 2, led by its partner Roche, will continue for the remaining 300 genotype 1 and 4 patients in the ongoing phase 2b trial of RG7128, a first-in-class nucleoside analog polymerase inhibitor for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

23 Nov 2009

Researchers discover new immune mechanism against viruses

Viruses are microscopically sized parasites. They plant their genes in the cells of their victim in order to 'reprogram' them. The infected cells then no longer produce what they need to live, making lots of new viruses instead.

16 Nov 2009

AVMA confirms that a household cat in Iowa showed signs of H1N1 influenza

Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. reported that the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently confirmed that a household cat in Iowa developed signs of respiratory infection caused by H1N1 influenza virus.

12 Nov 2009

Helix BioPharma completes enrollment in its Topical Interferon Alpha-2b ano-genital warts clinical program

Helix BioPharma Corp. announced today that its Phase II trial of Topical Interferon Alpha-2b for the treatment of ano-genital warts (AGW) has completed patient enrollment, with the required 120th patient randomized to enter the trial.

5 Nov 2009

New biosensor device may help in combating cancer

A powerful new biosensor developed by European researchers will help identify cells in the immune system that actively suppress tumour growth, then put them to use. Enlisting the patient's own immune system would be like sending reinforcements for resistance fighters.

5 Nov 2009

Medivir presents OPERA-1 Phase IIa trial data at the AASLD meeting

Data were presented from the phase IIa trial (OPERA-1) for TMC435 at the ongoing 60th annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases in Boston, USA.

4 Nov 2009

TNF-alpha inhibitors ranked top for reducing biologics spend

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, forecasts that biosimilars of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors stand to erode $9.6 billion in brand sales (Amgen's Enbrel, Abbott's Humira and Centocor Ortho Biotech/Schering-Plough's Remicade) in the U.S. and Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and U.K.) by 2018. This use of TNF-alpha biosimilars will save healthcare systems in the U.S. and Europe $4 billion.

4 Nov 2009

Study results of nucleoside polymerase and protease inhibitor combination therapy for HCV promising

All approved therapy regimens to treat patients with hepatitis C are based on interferon, which must be injected. In this clinical trial to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, researchers treated patients - both treatment naive and experienced patients - with a twice daily oral combination therapy of a nucleoside polymerase and protease inhibitor.

4 Nov 2009

BMY and ZGen present Phase 1B results for PEG-Interferon lambda in HCV patients

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and ZymoGenetics, Inc. today presented final results from a Phase 1b clinical trial of PEG-Interferon lambda administered with ribavirin in relapsed and treatment-naïve hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients.

2 Nov 2009

Extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients results in sustained viral clearance

Extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients beyond current practice results in high rates of clearance of the hepatitis C virus from the blood, as well as a low rate of relapse, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.

2 Nov 2009

Schering-Plough receives FDA complete response letter regarding PEGINTRON

Schering-Plough Corp. announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a complete response letter to the company's supplemental Biologics License Application regarding PEGINTRON® (pegylated interferon alfa-2b) for the adjuvant treatment of patients with stage III malignant melanoma after complete lymphadenectomy.

31 Oct 2009

Four abstracts on RSV and influenza prevention in pediatric health to be presented

MedImmune announced today it will present four abstracts at the 47th Annual Meeting of Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) being held here October 29 through November 1, 2009. These abstracts advance the body of data surrounding respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza prevention, highlighting MedImmune's leadership in pediatric health.

31 Oct 2009

Researchers report an epidemic of sexually-transmitted HCV infection among HIV-infected men in NY City

Researchers in New York City are reporting their work uncovering a new epidemic of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) who have HIV infection.

30 Oct 2009

Idenix Pharmaceuticals reports phase I study results of IDX184 for treating HCV

Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of human viral diseases, today announced presentations of data on IDX184, a once-daily novel liver-targeted nucleotide prodrug of 2'-methyl guanosine (2'MeG) for the treatment of HCV, at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) currently being held in Boston, Massachusetts.

30 Oct 2009

Viral protein could be a major player in SARS virulence

Ever since the previously unknown SARS virus emerged from southern China in 2003, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston virologists have focused on finding the source of the pathogen's virulence - its ability to cause disease. In the 2003 epidemic, for example, between 5 and 10 percent of those who fell sick from the SARS virus died, adding up to more than 900 fatalities worldwide.

30 Oct 2009

Antiviral protein produced by immune system can tame HIV and other viruses, show researchers

Researchers have shown how an antiviral protein produced by the immune system, dubbed tetherin, tames HIV and other viruses by literally putting them on a leash, to prevent their escape from infected cells.

30 Oct 2009

Fiscal 2009 results announced by Helix BioPharma

Helix BioPharma Corp. today announced financial results for the year ended July 31, 2009.

30 Oct 2009

Supportive data from a preclinical study of SCY-635 to be presented

Drug discovery company SCYNEXIS, Inc. today announced that supportive data from a preclinical study of the Company’s lead product candidate for hepatitis C (HCV), SCY-635, will be presented in a poster session at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) being held in Boston, MA, October 30-November 3, 2009.

29 Oct 2009

Phase 2 clinical study of PEG-Interferon lambda commenced

ZymoGenetics, Inc. today announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of PEG-Interferon lambda (IL-29) and ribavirin in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (the “EMERGE” study).

27 Oct 2009