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Scientists describe how DNA origami can enhance effect of cytostatics in cancer treatment

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden describe in a new study how so-called DNA origami can enhance the effect of certain cytostatics used in the treatment of cancer. With the aid of modern nanotechnology, scientists can target drugs direct to the tumour while leaving surrounding healthy tissue untouched.

14 Sep 2012

Multiple interventions improve medication adherence for patients with chronic conditions

Although patients with chronic conditions who do not take medications as prescribed tend to have poorer health outcomes and higher health care costs than those who adhere to medication regimens, a new report sheds light on the potential for multiple interventions to improve medication adherence.

13 Sep 2012

Old anti-inflammatory drug possible candidate to treat TB

After testing about 5,600 existing medications for their effectiveness against drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis (TB), researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College reported this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that oxyphenbutazone, "an anti-inflammatory medication marketed in the 1950s as Tandearil and still used in veterinary medicine," killed both latent and active TB bacteria in test-tube experiments, the Los Angeles Times' "Booster Shots" blog reports.

13 Sep 2012

Nature examines efforts to combat antibiotic resistance in India

Nature examines efforts to combat antibiotic resistance in India, writing, "Antibiotic resistance is a problem worldwide, but is particularly worrying in India, where hospital standards are inconsistent and antibiotics are readily available over the counter at pharmacies."

13 Sep 2012

Drugs to treat anxiety, depression and insomnia may increase risk of driving accident

Drugs prescribed to treat anxiety, depression and insomnia may increase patients’ risk of being involved in motor vehicle accidents, according to a recent study, published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Based on the findings, the researchers suggested doctors should consider advising patients not to drive while taking these drugs.

13 Sep 2012

Pam2Cys nasal spray may be useful agent against pandemics and emerging viral strains

In an advance toward development of a nasal spray that protects against infection with influenza and spread of the disease, scientists are reporting identification of a substance that activates the first-line defense system against infection inside the nose. They describe effects of a synthetic form of a natural substance found in bacterial cell walls in ACS' journal Molecular Pharmaceutics.

13 Sep 2012

Predicting breast cancer drug response by 20/20 GeneSystems’ PredicTOR test

20/20 GeneSystems, Inc. will present results this week at the Breast Cancer Symposium 2012 (San Francisco) of a 45 patient study showing the usefulness of its PredicTOR test in predicting response of breast tumors to the drug Herceptin.

13 Sep 2012

Pathogens and Global Health highlights current debate on counterfeit medicine

The latest issue of Pathogens and Global Health highlights the current debate surrounding the under-investigated, and politically sensitive, issue of counterfeit medicine. Issue 106.2 includes an interview with Dr Paul Newton, Head of the Laos arm of the Wellcome Trust's Major Overseas Programmes, and a number of articles highlighting the technological innovations and field initiatives that are challenging this threat to global health.

13 Sep 2012

Endocannabinoids may contribute to pregnancy complications

New research indicates marijuana-like compounds called endocannabinoids alter genes and biological signals critical to the formation of a normal placenta during pregnancy and may contribute to pregnancy complications like preeclampsia.

13 Sep 2012

IPS examines controversy over WHO-approved drug to prevent hemorrhage after labor

Inter Press Service examines the reaction to calls for the WHO "to reverse its listing in April 2011 of misoprostol among essential medicines that 'satisfy the health care needs of the majority of the population' and are 'available at all times in adequate amounts and in appropriate dosage forms, at a price the community can afford'" as a result of a study published in the August issue of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

13 Sep 2012

Case Western Reserve researcher discovers new antivirulence drugs against MRSA and strep

Menachem Shoham, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, has discovered novel antivirulence drugs that, without killing the bacteria, render Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus pyogenes, commonly referred to as strep, harmless by preventing the production of toxins that cause disease.

13 Sep 2012

Mayo Clinic receives FDA approval for Choline C 11 Injection to help detect prostate cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the production and use of Choline C 11 Injection, a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging agent used to help detect recurrent prostate cancer.

13 Sep 2012

Synthetic biology pioneer wins 2012 Heinz Award

Jay Keasling, a leading authority and pioneer on synthetic biology who has engineered microbial "factories" to manufacture an affordable version of a frontline antimalarial drug and biofuel substitutes for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, has won a 2012 Heinz Award, which is presented by the Heinz Family Foundation and carries with it a cash prize of $250,000.

13 Sep 2012

Sanofi Aventis receives FDA approval for Aubagio to treat relapsing forms of MS

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Aubagio (teriflunomide), a once-a-day tablet for the treatment of adults with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

13 Sep 2012

Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may increase risk of hearing loss among women

Headache? Back pain? At the first sign of pain, you might reach for a pain-relieving medicine to sooth your bodily woes. Analgesics are the most frequently used medications in the United States and are commonly used to treat a variety of medical conditions. But although popping a pill may make the pain go away, it may do some damage to your ears.

13 Sep 2012

Pending cases against India's patent laws threaten public health, misinterpret international IP agreements, report says

"Pending cases against India's patent laws threaten public health and misinterpret international intellectual property (IP) agreements," researchers from Queen Mary, University of London argue in a special report published online in the Lancet on Monday, PharmaTimes reports.

13 Sep 2012

Genzyme receives FDA approval for AUBAGIO to treat relapsing forms of MS

Genzyme, a Sanofi company, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved AUBAGIO (teriflunomide) as a new once-daily, oral treatment indicated for patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

13 Sep 2012

RPS honors Aston University professor with Pharmaceutical Scientist of the Year Award

Professor Yvonne Perrie, Chair in Drug Delivery at Aston University, Birmingham UK has won the prestigious Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Pharmaceutical Scientist of the Year Award for her contribution to developing a new tuberculosis vaccine.

13 Sep 2012

Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer launch new joint venture

Pfizer Inc., the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical company, and Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceuticals, a leading Chinese pharmaceutical company, today announced the launch of Hisun-Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., a joint venture formed between the two companies to develop, manufacture and commercialize off-patent pharmaceutical products in China and global markets.

13 Sep 2012

Aethic, King's College London to develop first sunscreen based on mycosporine-like amino acids

King's College London has entered into an agreement with skincare company Aethic to develop the first sunscreen based on MAA's (mycosporine-like amino acids), produced by coral.

12 Sep 2012

Pharmaceutical News

Scientists describe how DNA origami can enhance effect of cytostatics in cancer treatment

Multiple interventions improve medication adherence for patients with chronic conditions

Old anti-inflammatory drug possible candidate to treat TB

Nature examines efforts to combat antibiotic resistance in India

Drugs to treat anxiety, depression and insomnia may increase risk of driving accident

Pam2Cys nasal spray may be useful agent against pandemics and emerging viral strains

Predicting breast cancer drug response by 20/20 GeneSystems’ PredicTOR test

Pathogens and Global Health highlights current debate on counterfeit medicine

Endocannabinoids may contribute to pregnancy complications

IPS examines controversy over WHO-approved drug to prevent hemorrhage after labor

Case Western Reserve researcher discovers new antivirulence drugs against MRSA and strep

Mayo Clinic receives FDA approval for Choline C 11 Injection to help detect prostate cancer

Synthetic biology pioneer wins 2012 Heinz Award

Sanofi Aventis receives FDA approval for Aubagio to treat relapsing forms of MS

Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may increase risk of hearing loss among women

Pending cases against India's patent laws threaten public health, misinterpret international IP agreements, report says

Genzyme receives FDA approval for AUBAGIO to treat relapsing forms of MS

RPS honors Aston University professor with Pharmaceutical Scientist of the Year Award

Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer launch new joint venture

Aethic, King's College London to develop first sunscreen based on mycosporine-like amino acids

Exploring the nanoscale: How AFM is transforming cosmetic science

Innovating Texture and Culture in Plant-Based Foods

Advancing brain microphysiological systems (bMPS)

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