Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

AMT, Amgen amend GDNF gene license agreement

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics Holding N.V., a leader in the development of gene-based therapies, today announced that it has amended and restated its licensing agreement with Amgen for gene therapy applications incorporating the GDNF (glial cell derived neurotrophic factor) gene, to which Amgen holds rights. Financial terms were not disclosed.

2 Dec 2010

FDA grants 510(k) clearance to Focus Diagnostics Simplexa Flu A/B & RSV test on 3M Integrated Cycler

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued 510(k) clearance to the Focus Diagnostics Simplexa Flu A/B & RSV test on the 3M™ Integrated Cycler. The Simplexa test, developed and manufactured by Quest Diagnostics' Focus Diagnostics business, is intended as an aid in the detection and discrimination of influenza A, influenza B and RSV virus infections.

From Quest Diagnostics 2 Dec 2010

More effective treatment for severe form of influenza

Flu season is upon us and while getting the nasty bug is bad news, the good news is it's now possible to treat the severe form of the virus more effectively, according to a Ryerson University researcher. Though Canada is not expecting a pandemic flu season this winter Health Canada reports that about 4,000 to 8,000 Canadians die each year from flu-related pneumonia.

2 Dec 2010

New cell-based assay for reliable testing of HIV inhibitors

EASY-HIT is a new cell-based assay system for simple and reliable testing of HIV inhibitors. This system was developed under the leadership of Professor Ruth Brack-Werner at the Institute of Virology.

2 Dec 2010

U.N. says PMTCT of HIV is achievable; efforts must target millions currently 'falling through the cracks'

A generation of babies could be born free of AIDS if the international community stepped up efforts to provide universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and social protection, the United Nations said on Tuesday, Reuters reports.

2 Dec 2010

World AIDS day observed

As the 1st of December is being observed as World AIDS day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged for stronger global efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS, including ensuring universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, after significant progress has been made over the past three decades.

1 Dec 2010

Researchers show an oncolytic virus switches off cancer cell survival signal

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified a mechanism by which specific viruses acting as oncolytic agents can enter and kill cancer cells. This finding, which is currently featured in an online edition of the Journal of Virology, could help lead to the development of more targeted treatments against many types of cancer.

1 Dec 2010

New book investigates past influenza pandemics

Influenza pandemics have been among the most unpredictable and devastating natural disasters, but discussions about them are usually confined to specialists. This book makes fascinating reading for anyone who wants to understand the context of pandemics but may have been deterred by the technical detail.

1 Dec 2010

PepTcell changes name to SEEK

PepTcell, a leading UK privately-owned drug-discovery group, today announced it is changing its name to SEEK.

1 Dec 2010

Debiopharm recognised with European Biopharmaceuticals company of the year award

The 2010 Frost & Sullivan Europe Company of the Year Award in Biopharmaceuticals is presented to Debiopharm Group™ (Debiopharm).

1 Dec 2010

SPARTAC study examines ways to limit immune system damage in HIV infection

For most people in high-income countries HIV is considered a chronic illness which can be managed with medication. But the virus still causes extensive damage to the immune system, and treatment with antiretrovirals is a lifelong commitment. Once started, usually within three to five years following infection, the course of treatment needs to be strictly followed and taken for life.

1 Dec 2010

Not all HIV viruses are bad for the immune system

Mayo Clinic researchers have shown why, in a minority of HIV patients, immune function improves despite a lack of response to standard anti-retroviral treatment. In these cases, researchers say, the virus has lost its ability to kill immune cells. The findings appear in the online journal PLoS Pathogens.

1 Dec 2010

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awards $6M grant to NanoBio to develop intranasal vaccine for RSV

NanoBio Corporation announced today that it has received a $6M grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the development of a safe and effective intranasal vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

1 Dec 2010

PhRMA reports 100 new medicines and vaccines in development for HIV/AIDS

America's biopharmaceutical research companies are working on 100 new medicines and vaccines [video] to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS and related conditions, according to a new report from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

1 Dec 2010

Roche NimbleGen announces NewGene as first certified service provider in the UK

Roche NimbleGen announces that Newcastle-based genomic services provider NewGene Ltd. has officially become a Certified Service Provider (CSP) for NimbleGen Sequence Capture. They will provide services for NimbleGen Sequence Capture Arrays with sequencing on the Genome Sequencer FLX System from 454 Life Sciences, a Roche Company.

1 Dec 2010

Research on patients' immune system may lead to new diagnostic tool for HIV treatment

1 Dec 2010

Opinions: Obama's Global Fund pledge; harm reduction in Iran; HIV prevention; African development

There are some encouraging signs in the epic battle against AIDS and HIV infections. But those bright spots dim considerably in the face of the fact that about 7,100 people a day become infected.

30 Nov 2010

HIV testing rates rise among Americans

A U.S. government report released Tuesday says that a record number of Americans are getting tested for HIV but more than 200,000 Americans are infected and are unaware of their status. In 2009 82.9 million adults age 18 to 64 had been tested for HIV. This is 11.4 million more than the total in 2006. Also until 2009 45 percent of adults had been tested at least once in their lives, up from 40 percent four years ago. However 55 percent of adults, and 28.3 percent of adults at risk for HIV, have never been tested, according to the report.

30 Nov 2010

Canadians at increased risk for flu complications not aware of all the facts

It starts with a headache, chills or that all-over-achy feeling. It comes on quickly, yet too many Canadians ignore the rapid onset of flu symptoms. But for the millions of Canadians at increased risk for developing serious complications from the flu, including people 65 and older, pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart disease and diabetes, this 'laissez faire' attitude could be putting their health in jeopardy.

30 Nov 2010

Cytheris' combinational therapy demonstrates possible therapeutic strategy for PML

Cytheris SA, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on research and development of new therapies for immune modulation, today announced the publication of a case study report based on successful treatment of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) with combination therapy consisting of two investigational agents, Cytheris' recombinant human interleukin-7 (CYT107) and CMX001, an investigational, oral broad-spectrum antiviral drug (Chimerix, Research Triangle Park, NC) in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

30 Nov 2010

Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

AMT, Amgen amend GDNF gene license agreement

FDA grants 510(k) clearance to Focus Diagnostics Simplexa Flu A/B & RSV test on 3M Integrated Cycler

More effective treatment for severe form of influenza

New cell-based assay for reliable testing of HIV inhibitors

U.N. says PMTCT of HIV is achievable; efforts must target millions currently 'falling through the cracks'

World AIDS day observed

Researchers show an oncolytic virus switches off cancer cell survival signal

New book investigates past influenza pandemics

PepTcell changes name to SEEK

Debiopharm recognised with European Biopharmaceuticals company of the year award

SPARTAC study examines ways to limit immune system damage in HIV infection

Not all HIV viruses are bad for the immune system

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awards $6M grant to NanoBio to develop intranasal vaccine for RSV

PhRMA reports 100 new medicines and vaccines in development for HIV/AIDS

Roche NimbleGen announces NewGene as first certified service provider in the UK

Research on patients' immune system may lead to new diagnostic tool for HIV treatment

Opinions: Obama's Global Fund pledge; harm reduction in Iran; HIV prevention; African development

HIV testing rates rise among Americans

Canadians at increased risk for flu complications not aware of all the facts

Cytheris' combinational therapy demonstrates possible therapeutic strategy for PML

Microplate-based assays in virology research eBook eBook

Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging