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Researchers discover genetic variant that raises risk of CHD

Although congenital heart disease represents the most common major birth defect, scientists have not previously identified the common variation in the genes that give rise to it. Now genetics and cardiology researchers, two of them brothers, have discovered a genetic variant on chromosome 5 that strongly raises the risk of congenital heart disease.

27 May 2010

Silence Therapeutics deepens diverse portfolio of RNAi intellectual property

Silence Therapeutics plc announces the issuance of United States patent 7,723,316, titled Compositions and Methods of RNAi Therapeutics For Treatment of Cancer and Other Neovascularization Disease, by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

26 May 2010

Research on new types of anti-HIV drugs presented at International Microbicides Conference

Researchers testing a vaginal microbicide based on a new type of anti-HIV drug found it provided monkeys significant protection against infection with a virus similar to HIV, according to a study reported at the International Microbicides Conference in Pittsburgh today.

24 May 2010

Study confirms genetic overlap for susceptibility to COPD and lung cancer

New research shows genes that make smokers more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or emphysema, are also closely linked to an increased likelihood of developing lung cancer, according to studies presented today at the American Thoracic Society's annual meeting.

18 May 2010

Inhibitex reports net loss of $4.8M for first-quarter 2010

Inhibitex, Inc. today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010. The Company also announced that it has initiated a Phase I single ascending dose trial of INX-189, its lead HCV nucleotide polymerase inhibitor, in healthy volunteers under an Investigational New Drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

14 May 2010

Chimerix commences first-in-human study of CMX157 for HIV

Chimerix, Inc., a biotechnology company developing orally-available antiviral therapeutics, announced the commencement of a first-in-human study of CMX157, a novel lipid conjugate of the nucleotide tenofovir with in vitro activity against both tenofovir-sensitive and tenofovir-resistant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). CMX157 has the potential to increase efficacy and decrease toxicity as compared to tenofovir, and may enable the creation of new 'one pill, once-a-day', fixed-dose combination regimens for the treatment of HIV infection.

14 May 2010

SNP biomarker could reduce guesswork associated with prescribing drugs

A tiny gene mutation in human liver cells could one day influence how high or low a dose patients need of about half of the clinically used drugs on the market, new research suggests.

11 May 2010

Pharmasset reports net loss of $16.1 million for fiscal second-quarter 2010

Pharmasset, Inc., a clinical stage pharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing, and commercializing novel drugs to treat viral infections, today reported financial results and operational highlights for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

6 May 2010

Genetics researchers use new approach to detect causal gene variants

In findings that may speed the search for disease-causing genes, a new study challenges the prevailing view that common diseases are usually caused by common gene variants (mutations). Instead, say genetics researchers, the culprits may be numerous rare variants, located in DNA sequences farther away from the original "hot spots" than scientists have been accustomed to look.

5 May 2010

Mayo Clinic researchers identify genetic variants in serotonin genes that impact IBS

Most people associate serotonin with brain neurology, but over 95 percent of the body's serotonin occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, which has a complex neuronal circuit that has been called "the second brain" of the body.

5 May 2010

Deficiency of frataxin protein causes Friedreich's ataxia

The defective gene responsible for Friedreich's ataxia was identified over 20 years ago, but so far our ideas of how this gene causes the disease have been merely speculative. It was assumed that, as a result of the mutation, the gene could no longer be transcribed because this stretch of DNA was inaccessible. FMI Group Leader Marc Bühler and his team have now carried out experiments demonstrating that this is not the case and revealing what actually happens in Friedreich's ataxia.

4 May 2010

Researchers identify genes associated with cleft lip and/or cleft palate

An international consortium of scientists, led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University has identified two genes that when altered are closely associated with cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the world's most common congenital malformations and occur in one in every 700 births. The finding is the result of the largest family-based, genome-wide study of cleft lip and/or cleft palate conducted to date. The results were published online by the journal Nature Genetics.

3 May 2010

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals announces EPO intent to grant notification for patent series covering RNAi therapeutics

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that the European Patent Office (EPO) has issued a notification of an intent to grant for the "Manoharan II" patent series (EP Application No 04 718 537), titled "Therapeutic Compositions." The new patent includes 16 claims covering compositions and methods, including pharmaceutical compositions, for chemically modified siRNAs containing phosphorothioate and 2′-O-alkyl modifications without any siRNA length restrictions.

3 May 2010

Promising results from combination therapy of pemetrexed concurrent with radiation in lung cancer

The first trial of an important new combination therapy of treatment with the chemotherapy drug pemetrexed concurrent with radiation in lung cancer has delivered promising results, French researchers report at the 2nd European Lung Cancer Conference.

3 May 2010

Researchers use healthy person's complete genome sequence to predict risk for dozens of diseases

For the first time, researchers have used a healthy person's complete genome sequence to predict his risk for dozens of diseases and how he will respond to several common medications. The risk analysis, from the Stanford University School of Medicine, also incorporates more-traditional information such as a patient's age and gender and other clinical measurements.

30 Apr 2010

NWO awards 31 grants in Investment Subsidy NWO Medium programme

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded 31 grants in the Investment Subsidy NWO Medium programme for the acquisition of equipment, the setting up of data collections and the production of software and bibliographies. The total investment amounts to 10 million euro.

30 Apr 2010

Researchers study effects of low-moderate alcohol consumption on bone health in women

For as long as our ancestors have been drawing pictograms or writing prose about food and culture, humans have been imbibing various forms of alcohol. Once simply a process by which nutritious beverages could be preserved and stored for later use, there is no doubt that the production and consumption of wines, beers, and spirits now provides integral texture to the fabric of many cultures.

30 Apr 2010

Genes that predispose to smoking behavior and lung cancer identified: More reason to quit say researchers

According to new research there are certain genes in a smoker that make it difficult for them to cut down or quit the bad habit. This report from three studies published in the journal Nature Genetics mentions at least three different genetic mutations on chromosome 15 or changes that can increase the number of cigarettes smoked per day by an individual.

25 Apr 2010

PharmaMar presents new trials with Yondelis, Zalypsis and Irvalec anti-tumor drugs at 101st AACR meeting

PharmaMar, a biopharmaceutical company owned by Grupo Zeltia (ZEL.MC), presented six new trials with marine-based anti-tumor drugs Yondelis(R), Zalypsis(R) and Irvalec(R) at the American Association for Cancer Research's (AACR) 101st Annual Meeting, held in Washington, D.C. from April 17-21.

22 Apr 2010

People with vitiligo may have less risk of developing malignant melanoma: Research

People with the skin pigmentation disorder vitiligo may have less risk of developing life-threatening malignant melanoma, according to new research. The study also further confirms the suspicion that vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, which occur when the body's immune system reacts against its own tissues or organs.

22 Apr 2010

Nucleotide News and Research

Researchers discover genetic variant that raises risk of CHD

Silence Therapeutics deepens diverse portfolio of RNAi intellectual property

Research on new types of anti-HIV drugs presented at International Microbicides Conference

Study confirms genetic overlap for susceptibility to COPD and lung cancer

Inhibitex reports net loss of $4.8M for first-quarter 2010

Chimerix commences first-in-human study of CMX157 for HIV

SNP biomarker could reduce guesswork associated with prescribing drugs

Pharmasset reports net loss of $16.1 million for fiscal second-quarter 2010

Genetics researchers use new approach to detect causal gene variants

Mayo Clinic researchers identify genetic variants in serotonin genes that impact IBS

Deficiency of frataxin protein causes Friedreich's ataxia

Researchers identify genes associated with cleft lip and/or cleft palate

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals announces EPO intent to grant notification for patent series covering RNAi therapeutics

Promising results from combination therapy of pemetrexed concurrent with radiation in lung cancer

Researchers use healthy person's complete genome sequence to predict risk for dozens of diseases

NWO awards 31 grants in Investment Subsidy NWO Medium programme

Researchers study effects of low-moderate alcohol consumption on bone health in women

Genes that predispose to smoking behavior and lung cancer identified: More reason to quit say researchers

PharmaMar presents new trials with Yondelis, Zalypsis and Irvalec anti-tumor drugs at 101st AACR meeting

People with vitiligo may have less risk of developing malignant melanoma: Research

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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