Smallpox News and Research

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Smallpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the variola virus, a member of the Orthopox virus family. It is one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity, with a mortality rate as high as 30%. In 1967, the World Health Organization embarked upon an intensified vaccination campaign to eliminate smallpox, which culminated in the successful eradication of the disease globally by 1980.

By the mid-1980s, there were only two known repositories of variola virus: the Institute of Virus Preparations in Russia, and the US CDC. The events in the US in September and October 2001 highlighted the risk that the variola virus might be used as an agent of bioterrorism. Governments around the world are taking precautionary measures to be ready to deal with a potential smallpox outbreak.

Peregrine's PS-targeting antibodies block HIV from entry into blood cells

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the publication of data showing phosphatidylserine (PS)-targeting antibodies can block one of the key ways the AIDS virus gains entry into certain blood cells. The data were generated by scientists at Duke University as part of their ongoing AIDS vaccine research. The article titled "Anti-Phospholipid Human Monoclonal Antibodies Inhibit CCR5-Tropic HIV-1 and Induces β-Chemokines" is available online today and will be published in the April 12, 2010 edition of the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

5 Apr 2010

Cangene extends botulism antitoxin contract with BARDA

Cangene Corporation today reports that it has signed a no-cost modification to extend its botulism antitoxin contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority ("BARDA"). BARDA is the department within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that manages the two biodefence-related, stockpiling contracts Cangene has with HHS.

30 Mar 2010

Scientists synthesize multifunctional polymer that can decontaminate biological and chemical toxins

In an ongoing effort to mirror the ability of biological tissues to respond rapidly and appropriately to changing environments, scientists from the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine have synthesized a single, multifunctional polymer material that can decontaminate both biological and chemical toxins. They described the findings recently in Biomaterials.

19 Mar 2010

Bavarian Nordic completes last step to support use of IMVAMUNE, receives FDA notification

Bavarian Nordic A/S announced today that it has received notification that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted all the actions taken by the company to address the observations made during the inspection of the manufacturing facilities in 2009. This was the last step along with the clinical and preclinical data that will be used to potentially support the use of IMVAMUNE® following a declared emergency.

18 Mar 2010

Cangene receives European Commission approval to market ImmunoGam

Cangene Corporation today reports that it has received European Commission approval to market Cangene's ImmunoGam(TM) (Human Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin), indicated for immunoprophylaxis of hepatitis B.

18 Mar 2010

WHO welcomes Gates Foundation support in advancing global vaccine efforts

WHO welcomes the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledge of US$ 10 billion over the next ten years to accelerate global vaccine efforts.

12 Mar 2010

Response Biomedical's 2009 total revenues up 69%

Response Biomedical Corporation reported that it recorded total revenues of $9,946,269, an increase of 69% compared to $5,876,337 in 2008. Clinical products revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009 increased 85% to $6,828,651 compared to $3,683,706 in 2008.

11 Mar 2010

Bavarian Nordic' Annual Report 2009

Today Bavarian Nordic published the company's Annual Report 2009. The report is available on the company's website: www.bavarian-nordic.com

10 Mar 2010

Chimerix initiates CMX001 Phase 2 clinical trial in stem cell transplant patients for CMV

Chimerix, Inc., a biotechnology company developing orally-available antiviral therapeutics, today announced the initiation of a multi-center Phase 2 clinical trial designed to evaluate CMX001 in stem cell transplant recipients who are seropositive for cytomegalovirus (CMV).

9 Mar 2010

Inovio Biomedical introduces new CELLECTRA-SP series of hand-held, cordless electroporation devices

Inovio Biomedical Corporation, a leader in DNA vaccine design, development and delivery, has unveiled its new CELLECTRA®-SP series of hand-held, cordless electroporation devices at the DNA Vaccines 2010 conference being held in New Orleans, LA.

3 Mar 2010

Media examine efforts to eradicate Guinea worm

Agence France-Presse reports on efforts to eradicate Guinea worm, a "painful water-borne parasite that can leave people weakened and sick for months every year" (2/17).

18 Feb 2010

CINJ researchers develop new vaccine strategy for pancreatic cancer

More than 42,500 people in the United States were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year and nearly 35,200 died from the disease, according to The American Cancer Society.

11 Feb 2010

Response Biomedical continues global market expansion, signs Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech in China

Response Biomedical Corporation announced that the Company has signed a second partner, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech Co., Ltd. (Wondfo) in China to sell the Company’s diagnostic products, expanding its strategic presence in this important global market.

2 Feb 2010

Inovio Biomedical unveils new clinical-grade, miniaturized electroporation device

Inovio Biomedical Corporation, a leader in DNA vaccine design, development and delivery, today unveiled its new clinical-grade, miniaturized electroporation device designed to be an easy-to-use, portable delivery product for DNA vaccines.

28 Jan 2010

New study indicates viruses employ a novel mechanism to spread more quickly than thought possible

New video footage of a virus infecting cells is challenging what researchers have long believed about how viruses spread, suggesting that scientists may be able to create new drugs to tackle some viruses.

22 Jan 2010

H1N1 can spread during commercial flights; avoid economy and fly first class, UCLA researchers say

Viruses love plane travel. They get to fly around the world inside a closed container while their infected carrier breathes and coughs, spreading pathogens to other passengers, either by direct contact or through the air. And once people deplane, the virus can spread to other geographical areas.

8 Jan 2010

EPO grants notice of allowance for Response Biomedical’s ‘Fong Patent’

Response Biomedical Corporation announced today that the Company has received a Notice of Allowance from the European Patent Office for the patent entitled “Sensitive Immunochromatographic Assay”, referred to as the “Fong Patent”.

7 Jan 2010

Scientists explain how smallpox viruses disrupt immune systems

A team of researchers working in a high containment laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA, have solved a fundamental mystery about smallpox that has puzzled scientists long after the natural disease was eradicated by vaccination.: they know how it kills us.

23 Dec 2009

Response Biomedical receives USPTO Notice of Allowance for its “Sensitive Immunochromatographic Assay”

Response Biomedical Corporation announced that the Company has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a continuation of the patent entitled “Sensitive Immunochromatographic Assay”. This patent covers key aspects of Response Biomedical’s lateral flow immunoassays with the proprietary RAMP® testing platform.

21 Dec 2009

EMA's CHMP issues positive opinion for Cangene's Human Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin product

Cangene Corporation today reports that it has received a positive opinion from the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use ("CHMP") regarding the immunoprophylaxis indication of Cangene's ImmunoGam(TM) (Human Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin).

18 Dec 2009