Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Shire proposes acquisition of Movetis for fully diluted equity purchase price of EUR428 million

Shire plc, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces that a Luxembourg incorporated wholly-owned subsidiary of Shire plc will launch a voluntary public takeover offer for all the shares in Movetis NV, the Belgium-based European specialty gastrointestinal (GI) company. Movetis is listed on Euronext and focuses on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative treatments for GI conditions with a high unmet medical need.

5 Aug 2010

New trend in management of post-liver transplantation biliary strictures

Endoscopic intervention has emerged to become the first line treatment for benign biliary strictures following liver transplantation. The current endoscopic approach involves repetitive dilatation of the stricture and placement of multiple large-diameter parallel plastic stents with frequent stent exchange to prevent biliary infection.

3 Aug 2010

PHD1 useful for pharmacologic inhibition in IBD: Research

Research into inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) led by UCD Conway Institute scientists with national and international collaborators has identified a key regulator involved in maintaining the functional integrity of the gut lining. The findings, published recently in the scientific journal, Gastroenterology, provide information that may be important in developing a new therapeutic approach to the treatment of the disease.

3 Aug 2010

Study explores role of genetic influence on ulcerative colitis

Adults diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after age 50 are more likely to achieve remission from their symptoms than patients diagnosed at younger ages, even when those patients receive similar treatments, according to research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

3 Aug 2010

Researchers discover manipulation of microRNA-29a shows potential of novel IBS treatment

A possible cause of irritable bowel syndrome has been traced to a small piece of RNA that blocks a substance protecting the colon membrane, leading to hostile conditions that can produce diarrhea, bloating and chronic abdominal pain.New research shows that this RNA segment sends signals that stop the activity of the gene that produces glutamine, an amino acid. Previous research has linked a shortage of glutamine in the gut with the seepage of toxins and bacteria through the intestinal wall, irritating nerves and creating disease symptoms.

3 Aug 2010

Repligen receives three additional grants to develop HDAC inhibitors for neurodegenerative diseases

Repligen Corporation today announced that the Company has received three additional grants to support its research program to develop HDAC inhibitors for neurodegenerative diseases. Repligen has received $436,000 in research funding to support the ongoing development of histone deacetylase inhibitors for Friedreich's ataxia.

2 Aug 2010

Lexicon acquires equity shares of Symphony Icon Holdings

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing breakthrough treatments for human disease, today announced that it has exercised a restructured purchase option under its drug development financing collaboration with Symphony Icon Holdings LLC and acquired all the equity of Symphony Icon, Inc., thereby reacquiring all rights to LX1031, LX1032, LX1033 and the other drug programs subject to the collaboration.

2 Aug 2010

Warner Chilcott announces $2.25 billion of new debt to fund special dividend

Warner Chilcott plc today announced a recapitalization pursuant to which it intends to incur, subject to market and other conditions, $2.25 billion of new debt to fund a special dividend to Warner Chilcott's ordinary shareholders of $8.50 per share, or approximately $2.15 billion in the aggregate. The new debt is expected to be comprised of a combination of senior secured term loans and additional unsecured debt.

31 Jul 2010

VBDS secondary to nevirapine use in HIV-positive, pregnant female: Report

Vanishing bile duct syndrome refers to a group of disorders characterized by destruction and disappearance of intrahepatic (inside the liver) bile ducts. Multiple causes have been identified including infections, malignancies, autoimmune conditions and adverse effects of medications. The usual course of this condition is variable and many patients with VBDS respond to treatment of the underlying condition and/ or removal of the offending agent. However, others progress to cirrhosis and end stage liver disease requiring liver transplantation.

31 Jul 2010

Exposure of mBM-MSCs to VPA increases hepatic differentiation

Recent studies suggest that MSCs possess a greater differentiation potential than once thought and several hepatic differentiation protocols from bone marrow cells have been established. However, the incidence of bone marrow-derived hepatocytes was low. Moreover, a long culture period is needed in most cases.

31 Jul 2010

Patients with malignant gastrointestinal disease show high prevalence of malnutrition

Malnutrition is an important factor, influencing both morbidity and recovery after surgery. The early detection of nutritional risk would allow early intervention, which may prevent later complications. A traditional nutritional assessment often includes dietary and medical evaluations to identify significant weight loss over time, significantly low or high body weight(BW), skinfold thickness, serum nutritional factor levels and functional measurements of muscle strength.

31 Jul 2010

Galangin mediates apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through mitochondrial pathway: Study

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, particularly in China. However, HCC remains one of the more difficult cancers to treat. It is important to screen for new anti-cancer drugs. A number of dietary compounds possess anti-cancer properties. These dietary compounds may modify the activity of specific targets that control cell proliferation and apoptosis. Galangin could inhibit the methoxyresorufin O-demethylase activity of CYP1A2, CYP1A1 and P-form phenolsulfotransferase.

31 Jul 2010

CD74 can serve as prognostic marker for colorectal cancer

CD74 is a protein that is expressed in and on cells of the immune system, such as B lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells. This protein is known for its function in facilitating antigen presentation enabling the immune response. Additionally, Professor Shachar's lab has previously shown that CD74 serves as a survival receptor on cells of the immune system, and that its stimulation by its natural ligand -migration inhibitory factor (MIF)- prevents apoptosis (self destruction) of these cells. It was shown that CD74 is markedly expressed on numerous tumors - hematologic as well as epithelial, and can serve as a prognostic marker. CD74's expression and function on colon intestinal epithelial cells is controversial.

31 Jul 2010

Functional MRI can be used to assess tumor viability

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (the disease commonly referred to as pancreatic cancer) carries the worst prognosis of any cancer. As current treatments offer minimal benefit, entirely new approaches are needed. Given the success of local therapies, as opposed to intravenous systemic therapies, for liver diseases (such as hepatocellular carcinoma), it is thought that similar local therapies may benefit patients with pancreatic cancer. To develop such therapies, it would be useful to devise targets that are easy to obtain and can indicate the efficacy of these new therapies in models of pancreatic cancer.

31 Jul 2010

Immunosuppressive properties of TNF blockers may increase risk of malignancy in children

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of malignancies in children using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, raising concerns of an associated risk and prompting an investigation. Researchers from the FDA set out to identify all reports of malignancy in children using infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab and their report is published in the August issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.

30 Jul 2010

TNF blockers may increase the risk of malignancy in children

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of malignancies in children using tumor necrosis factor a (TNF) blockers, raising concerns of an associated risk and prompting an investigation.

29 Jul 2010

U.S. Court of Appeals rules against Eli Lily's claims in Gemzar patent lawsuit

Sun Pharma today announced that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the judgment of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against Eli Lily and Co. finding certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 5,464,826 ("'826 patent") invalid. The appeal arose out of a lawsuit that Eli Lilly filed against Sun Pharma in connection with Sun Pharma's submission of an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for a generic version of Gemzar®.

29 Jul 2010

The Children's Hospital constructs new LEED-certified patient tower

The Children's Hospital has begun the construction of a 10-story, 350,000-square-foot addition. The $230 million expansion of a new patient tower initially will have 124 beds, with two floors of shelled space for additional future beds, bringing the total number of patient beds at Children's to around 500 upon full completion. The expansion also is expected to bring approximately 500 new jobs to the hospital's workforce. Children's anticipates admitting patients in the LEED-certified tower beginning in late 2012.

29 Jul 2010

Merit Medical second-quarter revenues increase 16% to $74.9 million

Merit Medical Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of proprietary disposable medical devices used in interventional and diagnostic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology and gastroenterology, today announced record revenues of $74.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, an increase of 16% over revenues of $64.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. Revenues for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010 were a record $142.4 million, compared with $123.2 million for the corresponding period in 2009, a gain of 16%.

29 Jul 2010

Sun Pharma reports first-quarter fiscal 2011 results

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. reported numbers for the quarter ending June 30, 2010.

28 Jul 2010

Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Shire proposes acquisition of Movetis for fully diluted equity purchase price of EUR428 million

New trend in management of post-liver transplantation biliary strictures

PHD1 useful for pharmacologic inhibition in IBD: Research

Study explores role of genetic influence on ulcerative colitis

Researchers discover manipulation of microRNA-29a shows potential of novel IBS treatment

Repligen receives three additional grants to develop HDAC inhibitors for neurodegenerative diseases

Lexicon acquires equity shares of Symphony Icon Holdings

Warner Chilcott announces $2.25 billion of new debt to fund special dividend

VBDS secondary to nevirapine use in HIV-positive, pregnant female: Report

Exposure of mBM-MSCs to VPA increases hepatic differentiation

Patients with malignant gastrointestinal disease show high prevalence of malnutrition

Galangin mediates apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through mitochondrial pathway: Study

CD74 can serve as prognostic marker for colorectal cancer

Functional MRI can be used to assess tumor viability

Immunosuppressive properties of TNF blockers may increase risk of malignancy in children

TNF blockers may increase the risk of malignancy in children

U.S. Court of Appeals rules against Eli Lily's claims in Gemzar patent lawsuit

The Children's Hospital constructs new LEED-certified patient tower

Merit Medical second-quarter revenues increase 16% to $74.9 million

Sun Pharma reports first-quarter fiscal 2011 results

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Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Your full guide to the gut microbiome eBook

Fluidics in Modern Healthcare & Medical Device Innovation

Scaling 3D biology: Automation, imaging, and the future of high-throughput research

How does norepinephrine influence anxiety-related behaviours?

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