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Targanta Therapeutics announces posting of briefing documents for review of FDA

Targanta Therapeutics Corporation announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted on its website briefing documents for the November 19, 2008 Anti-Infective Drugs Advisory Committee (AIDAC) meeting.

18 Nov 2008

Protein enzyme BubR1 provides new understanding of processes behind cancer-cell survival and drug-resistance

A study of how one protein enzyme, BubR1, helps make sure chromosomes are equally distributed during mitosis might explain how the process of cell division goes so awry in cancer, according to researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center.

17 Nov 2008

Scientists find intra cellular pathway driving a deadly sub-type of breast cancer

An intra cellular pathway not previously linked to breast cancer is driving a sub-type of the disease that is highly lethal and disproportionately over-represented in African American women.

16 Nov 2008

Previously unknown regulatory step during HIV replication provides potential new target for HIV/AIDS therapy

A previously unknown regulatory step during human immunodeficiency (HIV) replication provides a potentially valuable new target for HIV/AIDS therapy, report researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

16 Nov 2008

Santaris Pharma releases positive data on LNA-based survivin inhibitor

Santaris Pharma announced today that SPC3042, a RNA-based antisense oligonucleotide developed using the company's proprietary Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) technology, potently blocks survivin, a key survival protein in cancer cells, in both in vitro and in vivo models of prostate cancer. Importantly, SPC3042 works synergistically with the anticancer drug paclitaxel (Taxol) in both model systems.

10 Nov 2008

Variations of MYH9 gene help explain high rate of kidney disease in African Americans

Several recent studies have suggested that common gene variations may be responsible for much of the elevated risk of kidney disease in African Americans.

8 Nov 2008

FDA approves Ranexa for the treatment of chronic angina

CV Therapeutics, Inc. has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new, first line indication for Ranexa(R) (ranolazine extended-release tablets) for the treatment of chronic angina.

7 Nov 2008

Scientists identify compounds for stem-cell production from adult cells

In the study, the scientists screened known drugs and identified small molecules that could replace conventional reprogramming genes, which can have dangerous side effects.

6 Nov 2008

SurModics acquires drug delivery assets of PR Pharmaceuticals

SurModics, Inc. announced today that it has acquired a portfolio of intellectual property and collaborative drug delivery projects from PR Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a drug delivery company specializing in injectable, biodegradable sustained release formulations.

4 Nov 2008

Adding protein sarcospan to muscle cells might help Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The overlooked and undervalued protein, sarcospan, just got its moment in the spotlight.

4 Nov 2008

Halozyme Therapeutics starts phase 2 trial of insulin with rHuPH20 in type 1 diabetes

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. today announced it has started a Phase 2 study of proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20) co-formulations with Humulin R (regular insulin human injection) and with Humalog (insulin lispro) in Type 1 diabetic patients.

3 Nov 2008

Researchers develop DNA vaccine for West Nile virus

Researchers are developing a DNA-based vaccine against the dreaded West Nile virus (WNV), which can be transmitted from animals to humans. The unique feature of this vaccine is that it is also effective after onset of the disease, for it has therapeutic properties.

3 Nov 2008

FDA accepts Arana's anti-inflammatory IND

Biotechnology company Arana Therapeutics Limited today announced that lead anti-inflammatory compound, ART621 has successfully passed review of its rheumatoid arthritis Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

2 Nov 2008

Scientists discover a catalytic antibody that degrades a known appetite stimulant

The antibody works against the gastric hormone ghrelin (pronounced "grell-in"), which has been linked to weight gain and fat storage through its metabolic actions. These findings point towards a potentially novel treatment for obesity that would interfere directly with the some of the biological mechanisms determining weight.

28 Oct 2008

Targanta Therapeutics presents preclinical data on Oritavancin against Clostridium difficile infection

Targanta Therapeutics Corporation has released the in vivo data from a preclinical study comparing the activity of its antibiotic drug candidate, oritavancin, to vancomycin in a hamster model of Clostridium difficile infection.

26 Oct 2008

ZymoGenetics presents interim Interleukin 21 phase 2 results in renal cell cancer

ZymoGenetics, Inc. presented interim results today from a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating Interleukin 21 (IL-21) in combination with Nexavar (sorafenib) tablets in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer.

22 Oct 2008

Trius Therapeutics awarded $28 million to develop novel drugs targeting bacterial DNA Gyrase and Topoisomerase IV

Trius Therapeutics, Inc., today announced the award of a $28 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a component of the National Institutes of Health, for the development of novel antibiotics directed against multiple Gram-negative bacterial pathogens.

22 Oct 2008

St. Jude Medical gets U.S. and European approval of Angio-Seal Evolution Vascular Closure Device

St. Jude Medical, Inc. has announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European CE Mark approval of the Angio-Seal Evolution Vascular Closure Device. The approval and global launch was announced at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics conference in Washington, D.C.

14 Oct 2008

New maturation inhibitor drugs may help solve HIV treatment conundrum

Since AIDS was first recognized in 1981, significant advances have been made in developing an effective arsenal of drugs to manage the disease and extend patients' lives.

13 Oct 2008

Quark Pharmaceuticals' siRNAs examined alone and in xombination with chemotherapy

Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced that the journal Cancer Research published results on efficacy of siRNA targeting its proprietary target gene against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the edition dated October 1, 2008.

12 Oct 2008