Immunology News and Research

Latest Immunology News and Research

Nycomed, Merck enter co-promotion agreement for Daxas in Canada and Europe

Nycomed and Merck & Co., Inc. (based in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey and known as MSD outside the USA and Canada) today announced that they have entered into a co-promotion agreement for Canada and certain European countries for the commercialization of Daxas® (roflumilast), an investigational once-daily tablet for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, the two companies have signed an exclusive distribution agreement for the commercialization of Daxas® in the United Kingdom.

26 Apr 2010

Temperature-sensing ability in proteins remain a mystery

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute and the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation (GNF) have shed new light on the molecular mechanism that enables us to sense temperature, such as the heat from a sizzling stove. In addition to contributing to our knowledge of basic biology, the findings could one day lead to new therapies for conditions such as acute or chronic inflammatory pain.

24 Apr 2010

Plant-based vaccine factory to produce vaccines and therapeutics within weeks of outbreaks

The Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology in Newark, Delaware, the Fraunhofer Center for Manufacturing Innovation in Boston, Massachusetts, the Boston University College of Engineering, and the biopharmaceutical company iBio, Inc. in Newark, Delaware, announced today that they have developed a fully automated, scalable "factory" that uses natural (non-genetically-modified) green plants to efficiently produce large quantities of vaccines and therapeutics within weeks.

23 Apr 2010

Astellas Pharma extends tender offer for OSI Pharmaceuticals

Astellas Pharma Inc. announced today that it has extended its all-cash tender offer for $52 per share for all of the currently outstanding shares of common stock (including the associated stock purchase rights) of OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on Monday, May 17, 2010, unless further extended.

23 Apr 2010

pHase Pharmaceuticals launches new drug development company

pHase Pharmaceuticals, LLC announces the launch of its new drug development company. pHase Pharmaceuticals is led by a cohesive team of drug development experts who have extensive experience bringing new drugs to market and garnering FDA approval.

23 Apr 2010

Deadly fungus on the move

Researchers revealed this Thursday that a deadly fungus that is usually found only in the tropics is making its way to the Pacific Coast of British Columbia and south into Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

23 Apr 2010

Genetic tests that may replace biopsies

Genetic tests conducted on blood samples may replace the current biopsies when it comes to checking if immune systems are rejecting new organs of heart transplant patients. The test would be far less invasive and uncomfortable as compared to the biopsies, not to mention more affordable.

23 Apr 2010

Human lymphocytes produce hepcidin that regulate iron levels in the body: Study

For some years now a small group of scientists have been pioneering a revolutionary idea - that the vertebrate immune system could have a role in the regulation of iron in the body. And now, a work soon to be published in the journal Immunology, shows that human lymphocytes (white blood cells) actually produce hepcidin, the most important protein in the regulation of iron levels in the body.

22 Apr 2010

International Day for Fighting Infection focuses on hospital infection control

Hospital acquired infections are the focus for the 3rd International Day for Fighting Infection, being marked on St. George’s Day, as experts meet to look at the evolution of infection control in hospitals.

22 Apr 2010

FDA approves Novartis Pharmaceuticals' Zortress for preventing rejection of kidney transplants

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zortress® (everolimus) oral tablets for the prevention of rejection of kidney transplants in adult patients at low-to-moderate immunologic risk. Zortress is to be given in combination with reduced doses of the calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) cyclosporine, as well as basiliximab and corticosteroids.

22 Apr 2010

Seattle Genetics, Agensys present ASG-5ME ADC preclinical data at 101st AACR

Seattle Genetics, Inc. and Agensys, Inc., an affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., today reported preclinical data with ASG-5ME, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is being co-developed by both companies for the treatment of solid tumors. In models of human prostate and pancreatic cancer, ASG-5ME was found to have potent and long lasting antitumor activity. The findings were presented at the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) being held in Washington, D.C.

22 Apr 2010

No more needles for vaccines – a two minute Nanopatch may suffice, say researchers

Vaccines have been associated with painful injections for a very long time. In a new and important discovery researchers have developed special ‘nano patches’ that can deliver vaccines without needles in just two minutes using 100 times less dose than used conventionally.

22 Apr 2010

Abbott acquires Facet Biotech

Abbott has completed its acquisition of Facet Biotech Corporation, strengthening its pharmaceutical pipeline in immunology and oncology.

22 Apr 2010

Catabasis Pharmaceuticals to advance program targeting type 2 diabetes with $39.6 million Series A financing

Catabasis Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory and metabolic diseases, today announced it has completed a $39.6 million Series A financing led by SV Life Sciences, Clarus Ventures, and MedImmune Ventures. Also participating in the round is Advanced Technology Ventures.

21 Apr 2010

Abbott's first-quarter worldwide pharmaceutical sales increases by 12.9%

Abbott today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

21 Apr 2010

A*STAR's BMRC and SIgN award grants for twelve research projects on infectious diseases and immunology

Twelve research projects on infectious diseases and immunology have been awarded grants by A*STAR's Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) and Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) this year.

21 Apr 2010

Modest weight reduction reverses immune cell damage in obese people with diabetes

Australian scientists have shown for the first time that even modest weight loss reverses many of the damaging changes often seen in the immune cells of obese people, particularly those with Type 2 diabetes.

21 Apr 2010

ABRAXANE-bevacizumab combination therapy may exhibit potential in treatment of triple-negative breast cancers

Abraxis BioScience, Inc., a fully integrated biotechnology company, announced study results today that demonstrate a regimen of ABRAXANE® (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound) given in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin®) may have potential in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancers.

21 Apr 2010

Certain genetic mutations lead to Type 1 diabetes: The Scripps Research Institute

Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute have provided an answer to the 40-year-old mystery of how certain genetic mutations lead to Type 1 diabetes. This new molecular understanding could lead to novel therapies for Type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases.

20 Apr 2010

S1P5 may serve as future strategy in biotherapy for esophageal cancer: Study

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Its mortality is very high due to relatively late diagnosis and inefficient treatment. The ability to reverse the outcome of esophageal cancer is limited due to a poor understanding of its biology. Progression of esophageal cancer may be associated with sphingosine 1-phosphate and its receptors S1P1-5, which play an important role in other cancers.

20 Apr 2010

Immunology News and Research

Latest Immunology News and Research

Nycomed, Merck enter co-promotion agreement for Daxas in Canada and Europe

Temperature-sensing ability in proteins remain a mystery

Plant-based vaccine factory to produce vaccines and therapeutics within weeks of outbreaks

Astellas Pharma extends tender offer for OSI Pharmaceuticals

pHase Pharmaceuticals launches new drug development company

Deadly fungus on the move

Genetic tests that may replace biopsies

Human lymphocytes produce hepcidin that regulate iron levels in the body: Study

International Day for Fighting Infection focuses on hospital infection control

FDA approves Novartis Pharmaceuticals' Zortress for preventing rejection of kidney transplants

Seattle Genetics, Agensys present ASG-5ME ADC preclinical data at 101st AACR

No more needles for vaccines – a two minute Nanopatch may suffice, say researchers

Abbott acquires Facet Biotech

Catabasis Pharmaceuticals to advance program targeting type 2 diabetes with $39.6 million Series A financing

Abbott's first-quarter worldwide pharmaceutical sales increases by 12.9%

A*STAR's BMRC and SIgN award grants for twelve research projects on infectious diseases and immunology

Modest weight reduction reverses immune cell damage in obese people with diabetes

ABRAXANE-bevacizumab combination therapy may exhibit potential in treatment of triple-negative breast cancers

Certain genetic mutations lead to Type 1 diabetes: The Scripps Research Institute

S1P5 may serve as future strategy in biotherapy for esophageal cancer: Study

Immunology eBook

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut