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Preclinical data of Zalicus sodium channel compound published in journal PAIN

Zalicus Inc. today announced the publication of preclinical data in the journal PAIN. The paper describes the activity of Z212, a novel proprietary small organic compound that acts to modulate Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 sodium channels and to reduce neuropathic pain by targeting the hyper-excitability associated with chronic pain signaling pathways.

25 Feb 2011

PolyMedix completes PMX-30063 Phase 1 exposure-escalation clinical study to treat Staph infections

PolyMedix, Inc., an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders, today announced the successful completion of a Phase 1 exposure-escalation clinical study with its synthetic defensin-mimetic antibiotic, PMX-30063.

24 Feb 2011

TREK1 activity offers a key target for fluoxetine and other antidepressant drugs

Using a unique and relatively simple cell-based fluorescent assay they developed, scientists with the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley have identified a means by which fluoxetine, the active ingredient in Prozac, suppresses the activity of the TREK1 potassium channel.

8 Feb 2011

Scientists discover key clue that can lead to sudden cardiac deaths

Australian researchers have come one step closer to understanding how the rhythm of the heartbeat is controlled and why many common drugs, including some antibiotics, antihistamines and anti-psychotics, can cause a potentially fatal abnormal heart rhythm.

29 Jan 2011

Researchers discover new sensory neurons that mediate BP and metabolism regulation in liver

For 60 years, scientists have puzzled over the possibility of a hepatic osmoreceptor that influences blood pressure regulation. Now, researchers of the Max Delbr-ck Center for Molecular Medicine Berlin-Buch, the Experimental and Clinical Research Center of the MDC and Charit- and the Hannover Medical School appear to have made a breakthrough discovery.

27 Jan 2011

New investigative tool may explore intracellular processes with unprecedented clarity

Nongjian Tao and his colleagues at the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University have pioneered a new technique capable of peering into single cells and even intracellular processes with unprecedented clarity.

25 Jan 2011

New study provides insight into developing therapeutics for airway disease

Researchers from Duke University Medical Center have identified how nanoparticles from diesel exhaust damage lung airway cells, a finding that could lead to new therapies for people susceptible to airway disease.

19 Jan 2011

'Pacemaker' Hcn4 gene responsible for generation of repetitive activity in SAN tissue and heart rate regulation

The study of Dario DiFrancesco and his equipe identifies the "pacemaker" Hcn4 gene as the gene functionally responsible for the generation of repetitive activity in sinoatrial node tissue and for the regulation of heart rate. Hcn4 codes for HCN4 channels, the molecular components of "funny" ion channels of pacemaker cells of the sinoatrial node (SAN) tissue.

14 Jan 2011

ANAVEX 2-73 named 2010's 'most promising trial drug' by Alzheimer's Weekly

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. announced today that ANAVEX 2-73 has been named 2010's "most promising trial drug" by the editorial staff at Alzheimer's Weekly. The publication selected the ANAVEX 2-73 trial from a field of over 100 trials that treat dementias such as Alzheimer's and following the review of more than 10,000 articles.

7 Jan 2011

Removal of ZIP proteins from hippocampus cell protects them from injury

Researchers in the Blue Bird Circle Developmental Neurogenetics Laboratory in the department of neurology at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered that zinc enters cells through specialized protein gates known as ZIP transporters, and removing these ZIP proteins from cells in the hippocampus significantly protects them from injury.

5 Jan 2011

TRPM2 in pancreatic beta-cells may control insulin secretion levels

The research group led by professor Makoto Tominaga and Dr. Kunitoshi Uchida, National institute for Physiological Sciences, found TRPM2 ion channel in pancreatic beta-cells is important for insulin secretion stimulated by glucose and gastrointestinal hormone secreted after food intake. Their finding was reported in Diabetes.

4 Jan 2011

Genocea announces close of $35 million Series B venture financing round

Genocea Biosciences Inc., a vaccine discovery and development company pioneering a new class of T cell-based vaccines, today announced that it has closed a $35 million Series B round of venture financing, with new investors Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC), Skyline Ventures and MP Healthcare Venture Management, Inc. (MPH) joining existing investors Polaris Venture Partners, Lux Capital Management, SR One, Cycad Group, Auriga Partners and Morningside Ventures.

3 Jan 2011

Anavex files regulatory submission in Germany for ANAVEX 2-73 Phase I trial in Alzheimer's disease

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. announced today that it has filed the regulatory submission for ANAVEX 2-73 with the German Health Authority, BfArM, and the local Ethics Committee of Saxony to begin clinical studies for ANAVEX 2-73, its lead compound for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

21 Dec 2010

DNA sequence variations linked with heart's electrical rhythm in several surprising regions

A study among almost 50,000 people worldwide has identified DNA sequence variations linked with the heart's electrical rhythm in several surprising regions among 22 locations across the human genome. The variants were found by an international consortium, including Johns Hopkins researchers, and reported Nov. 14 in the Nature Genetics advance online publication.

21 Dec 2010

Inspire's denufosol tetrasodium TIGER-1 Phase 3 trial for CF published in AJRCCM

Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the results from its first Phase 3 clinical trial with denufosol tetrasodium for cystic fibrosis (CF), TIGER-1, have been published in the peer-reviewed publication, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (AJRCCM). Denufosol is an investigational, inhaled, novel ion channel regulator currently in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of CF.

20 Dec 2010

Scientists suggest targeting ion channels could offer effective pain relief

University at Buffalo neuroscience researchers conducting basic research on ion channels have demonstrated a process that could have a profound therapeutic impact on pain.

20 Dec 2010

CF patients with normal to mildly impaired lung function may benefit from new investigational drug

Cystic fibrosis patients with normal to mildly impaired lung function may benefit from a new investigational drug designed to help prevent formation of the sticky mucus that is a hallmark of the disease, according to researchers involved in a phase 3 clinical trial of the drug.

19 Dec 2010

Icagen, Pfizer select novel compound for further clinical development in Nav1.7 program

Icagen, Inc. today provided an update on its sodium channel program for pain and related disorders which is being conducted in collaboration with Pfizer. As previously reported, the companies recently conducted a clinical study in healthy volunteers of several collaboration compounds targeting the sodium ion channel Nav1.7.

1 Dec 2010

Convergence enters drug discovery collaboration with Selcia for chronic pain treatment

Convergence Pharmaceuticals Limited, the new company focused on the development of novel and high value analgesic medicines, and Selcia Limited, a contract research organisation, today are pleased to announce that they have entered into a drug discovery collaboration to identify and develop high quality candidate molecules for the treatment of chronic pain.

22 Nov 2010

Researchers document novel form of splicing in nerve cell cytoplasm

Cells have their own version of the cut-and-paste editing function called splicing. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have documented a novel form of splicing in the cytoplasm of a nerve cell, which dictates a special form of a potassium channel protein in the outer membrane.

19 Nov 2010