Immunology News and Research

Latest Immunology News and Research

Bioactive sponge to eliminate normally fatal tumors

InCytu Incorporated, a therapeutic device engineering company, announced the details of its Cellarium™ Cancer Vaccine program. Cellarium™ is a small bioactive sponge which regulates dendritic cells and T-cells to eliminate normally fatal tumors in a preclinical model of late stage melanoma. The details of such a promising new vaccine were published for the first time in Science’s Translational Medicine Journal.

2 Dec 2009

New approach to identify molecules that prevent immune cells from attacking body

A study led by a Scripps Research Institute scientist describes a new, highly pragmatic approach to the identification of molecules that prevent a specific type of immune cells from attacking their host. The findings add a powerful new tool to the ongoing search for potential treatments for autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as blood cancers, such as myeloid leukemia.

2 Dec 2009

FDA grants approval for Dyax' KALBITOR for treating HAE patients

Dyax Corp. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for KALBITOR® (ecallantide) for the treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in patients 16 years of age and older.

2 Dec 2009

Missouri scientists discover aspirin and Tylenol can inhibit vaccine efficacy

With flu season in full swing and the threat of H1N1 looming, demand for vaccines is at an all-time high. Although those vaccines are expected to be effective, University of Missouri researchers have found further evidence that some over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin and Tylenol, that inhibit certain enzymes could impact the effectiveness of vaccines.

1 Dec 2009

Positive results from Ardea Biosciences' ongoing drug-drug interaction study of RDEA594 and febuxostat

Ardea Biosciences, Inc. announced positive results from the first dosing group of an ongoing drug-drug interaction and pharmacodynamic study of RDEA594, its lead product candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout, and febuxostat (Uloric®, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited; Adenuric®, Ipsen). This

1 Dec 2009

DFG approves establishment of new CRCs; research topics range from modern prostheses to political reforms to marine bacteria

The DFG has approved the establishment of 17 new Collaborative Research Centres as of 1 January 2010. This decision was made recently by the relevant Grants Committee in Bonn.

1 Dec 2009

NRR to be available exclusively on OvidSP online search and discovery platform to all Ovid customers

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in China's healthcare information market, Ovid, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health and a global leader in electronic scientific, medical, and academic information research solutions, is pleased to announce an agreement with Neural Regeneration Research (NRR), an English-language monthly journal dedicated to presenting peer-reviewed, evidence-based scholarly research in stem cells and regeneration.

1 Dec 2009

Intelliject announces an exclusive license with sanofi-aventis for epinephrine auto-injector

Intelliject, Inc. today announced an exclusive license with sanofi-aventis U.S. for a novel epinephrine auto-injector, in the U.S. and Canada territory. Under the license, sanofi-aventis U.S. shall be responsible for manufacturing and commercialization.

1 Dec 2009

Sanofi-aventis, Intelliject sign an exclusive licensing agreement for novel epinephrine auto injector

Sanofi-aventis U.S. announced today the signing of an exclusive licensing agreement with Intelliject, Inc. for a novel epinephrine auto injector for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in North America (U.S. and Canada).

30 Nov 2009

MUHC's innovative treatment for HIV patients passes first clinical trial successfully

An innovative treatment for HIV patients developed by McGill University Health Centre researchers has passed its first clinical trial with flying colours. The new approach is an immunotherapy customized for each individual patient, and was developed by Dr. J-P. Routy from the Research Institute of the MUHC in collaboration with Dr. R. S-kaly from the Universit- de Montr-al.

26 Nov 2009

Scientists offer first genetic proof of new and rational treatment for osteoporosis

The so-called RANK protein and the molecule that binds to it, the RANK ligand or RANKL, form a focus of the work of Josef Penninger, director of the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) in Vienna. In 1999 his group deleted the RANKL gene from mice and showed that the RANK/RANKL system was the "master regulator" governing bone loss (Kong et al. 1999 Nature 402, 304-309).

26 Nov 2009

Alpha-fetoprotein, a well-tolerated agent for treatment and prevention of breast cancer

Researchers have found that hormones produced during pregnancy induce a protein that directly inhibits the growth of breast cancer. This protein, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), may serve as a viable, well-tolerated agent for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, according to findings published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

25 Nov 2009

EMEA grants orphan drug status for LFB Biotechnologies' recombinant anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody

The recombinant anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody produced by LFB Biotechnologies received orphan drug status for the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). This approval from the EMEA’s Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) was handed down on last October 7th.

25 Nov 2009

LRI awards $3.6 million grants to drive innovative science in lupus and related diseases

The Lupus Research Institute (LRI) today named 12 new grant recipients for 2009. The awards, totaling $3.6 million, recognize innovative work across a broad spectrum of lupus research. All were selected for their creativity, novelty, and potential to drive scientific discovery to ultimately prevent, treat, and cure the complex disease of systemic lupus.

24 Nov 2009

Seattle Genetics and Agensys expand ADC collaboration

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) and Agensys, Inc., an affiliate of Astellas, announced today an expansion of the companies’ antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) collaboration. Under the amended agreement, Agensys will pay a $12 million fee for exclusive rights to ADC licenses against additional antigen targets. Seattle Genetics also receives an option to co-develop another ADC at the time of investigational new drug (IND) submission.

24 Nov 2009

Human-derived UCB stem cell transplant has positive therapeutic effects on specific lung and heart disorders

Two separate studies published in the current issue of Cell Transplantation (18:8), - now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct - have shown that transplanted human-derived umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells transplanted in an animal model had positive therapeutic effects on specific lung and heart disorders the animal models.

24 Nov 2009

Absolute Match DNA specimen verification test introduced by AIBioTech

American International Biotechnology Services™ announces the launch of its Absolute Match™ DNA specimen verification test. The test, which will be performed through AIBioTech’s Fairfax Identity Laboratories™ division, provides absolute confidence for a patient undergoing a biopsy procedure that their specimen and diagnosis is their own.

23 Nov 2009

UT Southwestern Medical Center among 10 institutions to share $56 million from NIH as part of ICAC

UT Southwestern Medical Center is among 10 institutions selected by the National Institutes of Health to share $56 million over five years as part of the Inner City Asthma Consortium (ICAC).

23 Nov 2009

Receptos raises $25 million through Series A financing

Receptos, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company, announced the closing of a two-tranche $25 million Series A financing. The company is focused on identifying and developing best- and first-in-class GPCR therapeutic candidates through information-driven drug discovery, including GPCR structure. Investors include ARCH Venture Partners, Flagship Ventures, Lilly Ventures and Venrock.

23 Nov 2009

Bio-Quant to be acquired by NexMed

NexMed, Inc., a developer of products based on the NexACT® technology, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bio-Quant, Inc., a revenue generating privately-held leading research organization for in vitro and in vivo contract drug discovery and pre-clinical development services, headquartered in San Diego, CA.

23 Nov 2009

Immunology News and Research

Latest Immunology News and Research

Bioactive sponge to eliminate normally fatal tumors

New approach to identify molecules that prevent immune cells from attacking body

FDA grants approval for Dyax' KALBITOR for treating HAE patients

Missouri scientists discover aspirin and Tylenol can inhibit vaccine efficacy

Positive results from Ardea Biosciences' ongoing drug-drug interaction study of RDEA594 and febuxostat

DFG approves establishment of new CRCs; research topics range from modern prostheses to political reforms to marine bacteria

NRR to be available exclusively on OvidSP online search and discovery platform to all Ovid customers

Intelliject announces an exclusive license with sanofi-aventis for epinephrine auto-injector

Sanofi-aventis, Intelliject sign an exclusive licensing agreement for novel epinephrine auto injector

MUHC's innovative treatment for HIV patients passes first clinical trial successfully

Scientists offer first genetic proof of new and rational treatment for osteoporosis

Alpha-fetoprotein, a well-tolerated agent for treatment and prevention of breast cancer

EMEA grants orphan drug status for LFB Biotechnologies' recombinant anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody

LRI awards $3.6 million grants to drive innovative science in lupus and related diseases

Seattle Genetics and Agensys expand ADC collaboration

Human-derived UCB stem cell transplant has positive therapeutic effects on specific lung and heart disorders

Absolute Match DNA specimen verification test introduced by AIBioTech

UT Southwestern Medical Center among 10 institutions to share $56 million from NIH as part of ICAC

Receptos raises $25 million through Series A financing

Bio-Quant to be acquired by NexMed

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