Myasthenia Gravis News and Research

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Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Muscles that control eye and eyelid movements, facial expression, chewing, talking, and swallowing are often, but not always, involved. The muscles that control breathing and neck and limb movements may also be affected. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. Normally when impulses travel down the nerve, the nerve endings release a neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine. In myasthenia gravis, antibodies produced by the body's own immune system block, alter, or destroy the receptors for acetylcholine. The first noticeable symptoms of myasthenia gravis may be weakness of the eye muscles, difficulty in swallowing, or slurred speech. Symptoms vary in type and severity. Myasthenia gravis is not directly inherited nor is it contagious.

FDA approves BOTOX as prophylactic treatment for Chronic Migraine

Allergan, Inc. today announced the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved BOTOX(onabotulinumtoxinA) for the prophylactic (preventive) treatment of headaches in adults with Chronic Migraine.

18 Oct 2010

Bayhill to present BHT-3009 Phase 2 clinical trial data at European Committee Congress

Bayhill Therapeutics Inc, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary BHT-DNA platform to develop targeted autoimmune disease treatments, today announced that it will present at the 26th Congress of the European Committee for the Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and 15th Annual Conference of Rehabilitation in MS in Gothenburg, Sweden, data from its concluded Phase 2 clinical trial showing that baseline blood plasma anti-MBP (myelin basic protein) profiles identify responders to BHT-3009 treatment.

14 Oct 2010

Xeomin botulinum toxin for cervical dystonia now available in the U.S.

Merz Pharmaceuticals today announced that Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA), a new botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of adults with cervical dystonia (CD)or blepharospasm, is now commercially available in the U.S. XEOMIN was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 30, 2010.

6 Oct 2010

Mayo Clinic opens newly expanded neurophysiology laboratory at Florida campus

Mayo Clinic unveiled a newly expanded, state-of-the-art neurophysiology laboratory on its Florida campus to provide additional services and care for more patients, many of whom are referred by community physicians for specialized diagnostic testing.

10 Sep 2010

Egg recall raises questions about FDA

The recent salmonella outbreak/egg recall is raising questions about whether the FDA is fulfilling its regulatory role, PBS' NewsHour reports. "For the past few years, it's been one food safety scare after another. There was E. coli-laced spinach, salmonella-tainted peppers. ... There have also been problems with drugs. The ingredients in a contaminated blood thinner came from China.

3 Sep 2010

First Edition: September 2, 2010

Today's headlines include reports about a new study examining the impact of the health overhaul on the small business workforce.

2 Sep 2010

US WorldMeds announces acquisition of Solstice Neurosciences for $35M

US WorldMeds, LLC, a Kentucky-based specialty pharmaceutical company that develops unique products to address unmet medical needs, today announced it has acquired Solstice Neurosciences, Inc. for $35 million. The acquisition expands US WorldMeds' operations, adds to the company's growing portfolio of products and enhances the company's ability to create and deliver high-quality specialty pharmaceutical products to its targeted global markets.

16 Aug 2010

GTC Biotherapeutics reports lower total net loss of $7.7M for first-quarter 2010

GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc. today reported its financial results for the first fiscal quarter ended April 4, 2010. The total net loss for the first quarter was $7.7 million, or $0.26 per share, compared to $10.4 million, or $0.99 per share, for the first quarter of 2009.

12 May 2010

Meda AB's net sales for first-quarter 2010 decrease 14% to SEK 2,943M

After a strong Q4 in 2009, net sales decreased 14% in Q1 to SEK 2,943 million (3,437). Mainly currency effects but also increased competition for Astelin and Optivar reduced sales by more than SEK 400 million, compared with the same period last year.

5 May 2010

Team of neurologists from the U.S. face Canadian neurologists in annual "Neurobowl"

In a competition modeled after TV quiz shows, a team of neurologists from the United States will face Canadian neurologists in the annual "Neurobowl®" on April 11.

12 Apr 2010

Barrow Neurological Institute scientist receives grant to study myasthenia gravis

A scientist at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix has been awarded a major grant from the Muscular Dystrophy Association to continue his groundbreaking work in the disease of myasthenia gravis.

6 Apr 2010

MDA awards 42 medical researchers and labs over $21M for critical neuromuscular research

Forty-two medical researchers and their labs have been awarded over $21 million by the Muscular Dystrophy Association to continue critical neuromuscular research. Many of the grants are multi-year awards to be dispersed over the next three years.

1 Apr 2010

AARDA launches campaign on family AQ

In honor of the designation of March as National Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month by the U.S. Senate on March 4, 2010, the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) wants to help you learn your family's AQ. AQ is a play on IQ that stands for Autoimmune Quotient. It's about knowing how likely you or a loved one is to develop an autoimmune disease, based on the prevalence of these diseases and your family history. The campaign features AARDA National Spokesperson and Actress Kellie Martin, best known for her memorable roles on "E.R." and "Life Goes On."

22 Mar 2010

GTC Biotherapeutics reports total net loss of $1.7M for fourth-quarter 2009

GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc. today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 3, 2010. The total net loss for the fourth quarter was $1.7 million, or $0.09 per share, compared with $6.2 million, or $0.60 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2008. The total net loss for 2009 was $27.9 million, or $2.18 per share, compared to $22.7 million, or $2.31 per share, for 2008.

12 Mar 2010

March designated as 'National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month'

On the evening of March 4, 2010, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating March as "National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month" and supporting efforts to increase awareness of autoimmune diseases and increase funding for autoimmune disease research. The Senate resolution (S.RES.372) was introduced by Michigan Senator Carl Levin on December 8, 2009.

9 Mar 2010

GTC Biotherapeutics achieves high-level production of TG20 monoclonal antibody

GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc. announced that it has achieved high-level production of TG20; an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (MAb). The TG20 MAb, which is produced in the milk of transgenic goats, is being co-developed by GTC and LFB as part of the LFB-GTC joint venture.

2 Mar 2010

LFB Biotechnologies provides new loan financing to GTC Biotherapeutics for key strategic programs

GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc. (“GTC”, NASDAQ: GTCB) announced that it has entered into an agreement with its strategic partner, LFB Biotechnologies (Les Ulis, France), pursuant to which LFB has agreed to provide $7 million of new loan financing to GTC.

23 Feb 2010

Meda publishes 2009 year-end report

“The Meda Group expects to achieve sales of about SEK 13,000 million and an EBITDA of about SEK 4,200 million for full-year 2009.”

16 Feb 2010

LFB completes conversion of all acquired preferred stock

GTC Biotherapeutics, Inc. announced that LFB Biotechnologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of LFB S.A. (Laboratoire Français du Fractionnement et des Biotechnologies S.A., Les Ulis, France) and a strategic shareholder in GTC, has converted the convertible preferred stock it previously purchased in November 2009 under the terms described in the financing agreements approved by GTC shareholders in July 2009 into a total of 5.3 million shares of common stock.

9 Jan 2010

Myasthenia Gravis Alliance receives Global Pharmaceuticals grant to further research and awareness

Global Pharmaceuticals, the generic products division of Impax Laboratories, Inc., today announced their cooperation in awarding a modest grant to Myasthenia Gravis Alliance, also known as Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of Greater New York, Inc., a 501(3)(c) non profit membership corporation, incorporated in the State of New York.

25 Nov 2009