Hepatitis C News and Research

Latest Hepatitis C News and Research

Biomedical scientists explore mechanisms of novel treatments for HCV

As new treatments for hepatitis C virus (HCV) are approved, biomedical scientists are exploring their mechanisms and what they reveal about the virus.

29 May 2014

First Edition: May 29, 2014

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including articles on an inspector general's report on care at VA hospitals and growing pressure from some House Republicans to vote on an alternative to the Affordable Care Act.

29 May 2014

Insurers, employers trimming costs, consumers paying more

News outlets cover how companies are puzzling through the increasing costs of health care. Insurers are changing how they pay for cancer care, aiming to blunt soaring costs and push oncologists to adhere to standardized treatment guidelines.

29 May 2014

State regulators seek to impose controls on new painkiller

Several outlets look at prescription drug issues, including how to handle Zohydro -- a powerful painkiller approved by the FDA in March, and ethical questions raised by new "smart pills."

28 May 2014

World Health Assembly approves resolution on viral hepatitis and noncommunicable diseases

The World Health Assembly approved a resolution to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis and proposals to improve global coordination of efforts to address noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, cancers, heart disease and stroke. In addition, WHO's Director-General and the President of the Health Assembly presented 4 awards to leaders in public health.

23 May 2014

AHIP hits hard on cost issue, using hepatitis C drug as example

The leading U.S. health insurance trade group on Tuesday hit out at the extremely high cost of new specialty medicines, accusing drugmakers of taking advantage of the insurance system by pricing products at unsustainable levels.

22 May 2014

Novel scrapbook-inspired test helps patients diagnosed with hepatitis C

To the relief of patients diagnosed with hepatitis C, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved two new treatments late last year, and a few more are on the way.

22 May 2014

Existing pharmaceutical drugs may offer effective therapies against MERS

A series of research articles published ahead of print in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy have identified a number of existing pharmaceutical drugs and compounds under development that may offer effective therapies against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

20 May 2014

Viewpoints: Pence on Medicaid expansion; Jindal on Obamacare repeal efforts; 'long-shot' lawsuits

From the beginning of my tenure as governor in 2013, we have been saying no to Obamacare in Indiana.

20 May 2014

DNA-directed RNA interference and hepatitis C: an interview with Carl Stubbings, Chief Business Officer, Benitec Biopharma

RNA interference (RNAi) is a naturally occurring process, which cells can use to silence, or ‘turn off’ unwanted genes.

From Quest Diagnostics 19 May 2014

OLYSIO (simeprevir) receives EC marketing authorisation for treatment of genotype 1 and 4 CHC

Janssen-Cilag International NV today announced that its next generation protease inhibitor (PI) OLYSIOTM (simeprevir) has been granted marketing authorisation by the European Commission (EC) for the treatment of adults with genotype 1 and 4 chronic hepatitis C (CHC), in combination with other medicinal products.

16 May 2014

Chronic bystander viral impairs development of memory T cells

Studies of vaccine programs in the developing world have revealed that individuals with chronic infections such as malaria and hepatitis tend to be less likely to develop the fullest possible immunity benefits from vaccines for unrelated illnesses.

16 May 2014

First Edition: May 16, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about the Indiana governor's alternative plan to expand Medicaid. Kaiser Health News staff writer Sarah Varney, working in collaboration with PBS Newshour, reports: "Men and women involved in the criminal justice system are more likely to be sicker than the general population, with higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, depression, mood disorders and alcohol and drug addiction.

16 May 2014

U.S. urges daily pill for those at risk of AIDS

The recommendation could transform AIDS prevention from reliance on condoms to a regimen that relies on an antiretroviral drug. Meanwhile, a report analyzes the costs and benefits of treating prison inmates for hepatitis C and a study finds that nearly half of American adults take prescriptions.

16 May 2014

Isis Pharmaceuticals receives $3 million milestone payment from GSK

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has earned a $3.0 million milestone payment from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) related to the initiation of a natural history study, which will support the advancement of one of the alliance programs.

15 May 2014

Medicare roundup: Alabama pain clinic spending 'hotspot'; quality improvement program scrutinized

Also, the controversy about paying for a hepatitis-C cure and reinstating physicians who lost their licenses.

13 May 2014

Spring Bank announces 3 presentations on SB 9200 at 27th ICAR

Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing novel drugs to treat a number of medical conditions, with a primary focus in antivirals, today announced three presentations on SB 9200, its lead drug candidate for the treatment of Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) infections, at the 27th International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR) being held May 12-16, 2014 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, NC.

12 May 2014

First Edition: May 12, 2014

Today's headlines include news about the inner-workings of some state-based health exchanges. Reporting for Kaiser Health News, in collaboration with NPR, Richard Knox writes: "Previous drug treatments didn't clear the virus from Bianco's system. But it's almost certain that potent new drugs for hep-C could cure him.

12 May 2014

Inovio Pharmaceuticals reports total revenue of $2.4 million for first quarter 2014

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

12 May 2014

Scientists decrypt interaction network of hepatitis C virus proteins in living human cells

Scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum München have for the first time decrypted the interaction network of hepatitis C virus proteins in living human cells. Their findings will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind inflammatory liver disease caused by hepatitis C viruses and open up new avenues for therapy development.

9 May 2014