Immunology News and Research

Latest Immunology News and Research

Original viral genetic sequences still present months after initial infection, says study

Scientists have been surprised to learn that, despite thousands of changes that viruses like HIV undergo in rapid fashion to evade the body's immune system, the original version that caused the infection is still present in the body months later.

30 Jun 2010

LEAPS vaccine technology generates dendritic cells to stimulate immune system to fight viral illnesses

CEL-SCI Corporation and researchers at the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM) jointly announced today that a LEAPS-based vaccine (Ligand Epitope Antigen Presentation System) study has demonstrated the technology's potential using dendritic cells to stimulate the immune system to fight viral illnesses and other diseases.

29 Jun 2010

Astellas presents ASP1941 selective SGLT2 inhibitor Phase 2 study results at 70th ADA

Astellas Pharma Inc. announced that the company presented results from a Japanese Phase 2 study conducted with ASP1941, a selective SGLT2 inhibitor, at the 70th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) on June 26, 2010 (EST). ASP1941 is designed to block the re-absorption of glucose in the kidney and excrete glucose in the urine.

29 Jun 2010

Avila's AVL-292 demonstrates disease-modifying effects in prophylactic, therapeutic models of rheumatoid arthritis

Avila Therapeutics™, Inc., a biotechnology company developing targeted covalent drugs that treat diseases through protein silencing, today announced results of preclinical studies demonstrating that its clinical candidate, AVL-292, potently inhibits B cell receptor signaling, and demonstrates efficacy in a rodent model of rheumatoid arthritis. These new data were presented Saturday, June 26, 2010 at the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) 2010 annual meeting in Boston, MA.

29 Jun 2010

'Beeglue' may help deliver new treatments for fatal infections

Bees could have a key role to play in urgently-needed new treatments to fight the virulent MRSA bug, according to research led at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.

29 Jun 2010

Cells in immune system react to stomach ulcer bacterium Helicobacter pylori, identify researchers

Researchers have identified cells in the immune system that react to the stomach ulcer bacterium Helicobacter pylori, one of the risk factors for the development of stomach cancer. This discovery could lead to faster diagnosis and treatment as well as a better prognosis for patients with stomach cancer, reveals a thesis from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

28 Jun 2010

Tolerx presents preclinical data on TRX518 anti-GITR immunotherapy for cancer

Tolerx, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies to treat autoimmune diseases and cancer by modulating T cell activity, presented results from preclinical studies with TRX518, an early-stage agent Tolerx is developing as a treatment for cancer. TRX518 is a monoclonal antibody to glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) and is designed to enhance the immune system's ability to attack tumors by activating and rendering T effector cells resistant to T regulatory cell suppression.

28 Jun 2010

TRL commences operations at San Diego facility with focus on biological drugs for autoimmune diseases

Tanabe Research Labs USA, Inc. (TRL) today announced commencement of its new operations at the TRL facility in San Diego with a focus on biological drugs for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. TRL began its new activities in May with the appointment of three new senior executives: Masaki Yamada, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer; Toshihiro Hosaka, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, and Roland Newman, Ph.D., VP and Chief Scientific Officer.

28 Jun 2010

Phase 2b clinical trial data of SGLT2 inhibitor in patients with type 2 diabetes presented at ADA 2010

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. announced today that canagliflozin, an investigational, oral, selective sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitor, improved glycemic control, and was also associated with a decrease in body weight, in a Phase 2b dose-ranging trial in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who were concurrently treated with metformin. The data were presented at the 70th American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions.

28 Jun 2010

Additional results from BLISS-76 Phase 3 trial of BENLYSTA presented at International Congress on SLE

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. today announced the presentation of additional results from BLISS-76, one of two pivotal Phase 3 trials of BENLYSTA (belimumab) in seropositive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The additional data will be presented in Vancouver at the 9th International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus on Friday and Saturday, June 25-26.

28 Jun 2010

Gilead Sciences signs definitive agreement to acquire CGI Pharmaceuticals

Gilead Sciences, Inc. and CGI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held, development-stage pharmaceutical company focused on small molecule chemistry and kinase biology, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which Gilead will acquire CGI. Under the terms of the agreement, Gilead will acquire CGI for up to $120 million, the majority as an upfront payment and the remaining based on clinical development progress, all of which will be financed through available cash on hand.

25 Jun 2010

Corgenix Medical issued additional U.S. patent covering AspirinWorks technology

Corgenix Medical Corporation, a worldwide developer and marketer of diagnostic test kits, has been issued an additional U.S. patent covering its AspirinWorks technology and product line.

25 Jun 2010

Specific virus can interact with mutation in host's genes to trigger diseases: Scientists

Scientists have shown that a specific virus can interact with a mutation in the host's genes to trigger disease. The observation may help explain why many people with disease risk genes do not actually develop disease.

25 Jun 2010

UCSD researchers awarded $2.5M CIRM grant to explore stem cells

A pair of University of California San Diego researchers - Martin Marsala, a specialist in spinal cord trauma and disorders, and Yang Xu, an immunologist - have been awarded more than $2.5 million in new grants from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

24 Jun 2010

Extract of French maritime pine tree bark reduces hay fever symptoms

An estimated 60 million people in the U.S. are affected by allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Hay fever is an allergic inflammation of the nasal airways that causes itching, swelling, mucus production, hives and rashes. A study published in the June 14, 2010 issue of Phytotherapy Research demonstrates Pycnogenol- (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant plant extract derived from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, substantially improves the symptoms of hay fever.

24 Jun 2010

Corgenix receives new European patent for AtherOx technology

Corgenix Medical Corporation, a worldwide developer and marketer of diagnostic test kits, announced today the issuance of one new European patent for the company's AtherOx® (oxLDL/B2GPI) technology and the publication of an important clinical trial studying oxLDL/B2GPI levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

23 Jun 2010

Neurologix announces positive results from Phase 2 trial of NLX-P101 for advanced PD

Neurologix, Inc., today announced positive results in a Phase 2 trial of its investigational gene therapy for advanced Parkinson's disease, NLX-P101. Study participants who received NLX-P101 experienced statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in off-medication motor scores compared to control subjects who received sham surgery.

22 Jun 2010

Diabetes control in COPD patients could improve outcomes, length of hospital stays and risk of death

A new study in the journal Respirology reveals that patients with diabetes who are hospitalized with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience longer time in the hospital and are also at an increased risk of death, compared to those without diabetes.

22 Jun 2010

Antibody treatment could significantly improve lives following spinal cord injury: Researchers

The United States Department of Defense Spinal Cord Injury Research Program has announced a grant of more than a million dollars U.S. to support research at the Robarts Research Institute at The University of Western Ontario (Western). The spinal cord injury research team of Gregory Dekaban, Arthur Brown, Lynne Weaver and Paula Foster, in collaboration with Brian Kwon of the University of British Columbia and Kyle Petersen of the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center, is working on a new therapy designed to limit the damage caused by inflammation immediately following spinal cord injury.

22 Jun 2010

Antibacterial lab coats to help prevent spread of disease in hospitals

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 99,000 people die every year from infections acquired while in hospitals. "The goal in our profession is to help cure you not introduce you to another deadly infection," said Dr. Charles Kinder, Heart Rhythm expert and Director of Heart Rhythm Program at Heart Care Centers of Illinois.

21 Jun 2010

Immunology News and Research

Latest Immunology News and Research

Original viral genetic sequences still present months after initial infection, says study

LEAPS vaccine technology generates dendritic cells to stimulate immune system to fight viral illnesses

Astellas presents ASP1941 selective SGLT2 inhibitor Phase 2 study results at 70th ADA

Avila's AVL-292 demonstrates disease-modifying effects in prophylactic, therapeutic models of rheumatoid arthritis

'Beeglue' may help deliver new treatments for fatal infections

Cells in immune system react to stomach ulcer bacterium Helicobacter pylori, identify researchers

Tolerx presents preclinical data on TRX518 anti-GITR immunotherapy for cancer

TRL commences operations at San Diego facility with focus on biological drugs for autoimmune diseases

Phase 2b clinical trial data of SGLT2 inhibitor in patients with type 2 diabetes presented at ADA 2010

Additional results from BLISS-76 Phase 3 trial of BENLYSTA presented at International Congress on SLE

Gilead Sciences signs definitive agreement to acquire CGI Pharmaceuticals

Corgenix Medical issued additional U.S. patent covering AspirinWorks technology

Specific virus can interact with mutation in host's genes to trigger diseases: Scientists

UCSD researchers awarded $2.5M CIRM grant to explore stem cells

Extract of French maritime pine tree bark reduces hay fever symptoms

Corgenix receives new European patent for AtherOx technology

Neurologix announces positive results from Phase 2 trial of NLX-P101 for advanced PD

Diabetes control in COPD patients could improve outcomes, length of hospital stays and risk of death

Antibody treatment could significantly improve lives following spinal cord injury: Researchers

Antibacterial lab coats to help prevent spread of disease in hospitals

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