drug development Archives – The Bio Connection

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Neoadjuvant Combination Checkpoint Blockade Trial Yields High Response Rates for Patients with High-Risk Stage 3 Melanoma

October 8, 2018 TheBioConnection Comment(0)

Combination checkpoint blockade before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy) produced a high response rate among patients with high-risk stage 3 melanoma, with nearly half having no sign of disease at surgery, but a high incidence of side effects caused the trial to be closed early. The phase II study was led by researchers at The University of […]

Antibiotics Clinical Trials drug development rare diseases

Taking a Pill Can Effectively Treat Brutal Lung Disease

August 8, 2018 TheBioConnection Comment(0)

Researchers report in Nature Communications they figured out why air sacs in the lungs clog up with a thick substance called surfactant in a brutal disease called Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP), and they show taking cholesterol-busting pills called statins can effectively treat the disease. That’s good news for people with PAP because at present the […]

Lymphatic system, key player in human health October 16, 2018
Defects in the lymphatic system have been linked to a wide range of health consequences, but new findings of how the system works could lead to future therapies.
Age-related increase in estrogen may cause common men's hernia October 16, 2018
An age-related increase in estrogen may be the culprit behind inguinal hernias, a condition common among elderly men that often requires corrective surgery. Men could be treated with hormone inhibitor to strengthen muscle, the researcher suggests.
This RNA-based technique could make gene therapy more effective October 16, 2018
Biological engineers have devised a way to regulate the expression of messenger RNA once it gets into cells, giving them more precise control over gene therapy treatments for cancer and other diseases.
A bad influence: Interplay between tumor cells and immune cells October 16, 2018
Research has yielded new insights into the environment surrounding different types of lung tumors, and described how these complex cell ecosystems may in turn ultimately affect response to treatment.
Automated system identifies dense tissue, a risk factor for breast cancer, in mammograms October 16, 2018
Researchers have developed an automated model that assesses dense breast tissue in mammograms -- which is an independent risk factor for breast cancer -- as reliably as expert radiologists. This marks the first time a deep-learning model of its kind has successfully been used in a clinic on real patients, according to the researchers. With […]
Diets rich in fish oil could slow the spread and growth of breast cancer cells October 16, 2018
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those typically contained in fish oil, may suppress the growth and spread of breast cancer cells in mice.
New way to determine whether metastatic cancer cells in breast cancer patients are dormant or soon to turn deadly October 16, 2018
For the first time ever, researchers have identified a protein as a marker that can indicate whether a cancer patient will develop a recurrence of lethal, metastatic cancer.
Finding better drug 'fits,' avoiding medication tragedies like thalidomide October 15, 2018
Researchers, including chemistry professor and Nobel Prize winner Ei-ichi Negishi, have developed technology to create a new chemical process to synthesize drug-like molecules with ultra-high purity.
3D mammography detected 34 percent more breast cancers in screening October 15, 2018
After screening 15,000 women over a period of five years, a major clinical study in Sweden has shown that 3D mammography, or breast tomosynthesis, detects over 30% more cancers compared to traditional mammography -- with a majority of the detected tumors proving to be invasive cancers.
More clues revealed in link between normal breast changes and invasive breast cancer October 15, 2018
A research team details how a natural and dramatic process -- changes in mammary glands to accommodate breastfeeding -- uses a molecular process believed to contribute to survival of pre-malignant breast cells.

Enzo Biochem shares slip after posting fiscal fourth-quarter loss of $5.8m October 16, 2018
The company also reported this quarter that it received approval from the New York State Department of Health for an additional three women’s health infectious disease diagnostic assays
CV Sciences partners with the Rodale Institute on organic and industrial hemp research October 16, 2018
The Rodale Institute is one of the country's leading organic farming institutions
Namaste Technologies stock briefly halted due to volatility October 16, 2018
It's been a wild ride for Namaste Technologies in general: the stock has had wild swings
Green Organic Dutchman receives medical sales license from Health Canada October 16, 2018
CEO Brian Athaide said the receipt of the sales license was a 'critical step' in the company's path to becoming a global leading organic cannabis brand
Neovasc shares jump after medical journal publishes favorable article about its Tiara valve October 16, 2018
Not yet commercially approved, the Tiara is a new transcatheter device that treats mitral regurgitation, a severe heart condition
OptiBiotix boss Stephen O’Hara highlights recent direct share purchases in Proactive interview October 16, 2018
“It’s really reassuring to ourselves within OptiBiotix and hopefully to investors that two big industry players…have committed large amounts of money to the company”
Johnson & Johnson third-quarter results beat estimates; raises guidance for 2018 October 16, 2018
Company's sterling performance relied on its pharmaceutical, consumer and medical device businesses
IXICO Plc announces strong top-line growth with a number of lucrative contracts October 16, 2018
Giulio Cerroni, chief executive of IXICO Plc (LON:IXI), caught up with Proactive London's Andrew Scott to discuss the data science company's trading update for year to September 2018. Revenues rose 32% to £5.4mln in the 12 months. Total income rose 25% to £6.0mln (2017: £4.8mln).
Canadian cannabis company Emerald Health Therapeutics files 17 US patent applications to protect product line October 16, 2018
The patent applications advance the company's efforts to develop distinctive cannabis products for medical use as well as recreational purposes
Smith & Nephew downgraded to 'hold' by HSBC as it awaits signs of a turnaround October 16, 2018
"For Reconstruction (32% of sales) we anticipate an uptick in Knee (+4%) and Hip implants (+1.5%), rebounding from the soft start to the year that was affected by fewer elective surgeries in the US and UK," HSBC said

STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Legal issues loom over disclosing prices in TV ads; AstraZeneca halts U.K. investment over Brexit worries October 16, 2018
AstraZeneca has suspended investments in the U.K. due to the lack of clarity over the country's looming departure from the European Union.
STAT Plus: A cost-effectiveness watchdog may charge drug makers for ‘early scientific advice’ October 15, 2018
An ICER spokesman said "we would only do so in a manner that would preserve ICER’s independence and integrity."
STAT Plus: Controversy over a Sanofi dengue vaccine caused a crisis of confidence in the Philippines October 15, 2018
After a recent scandal in the Philippines over a Sanofi dengue vaccine, public confidence in vaccines in general has plummeted in the country, according to a new survey.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Trump to require drug prices in ads; Europe cracks down on valsartan ingredients maker October 15, 2018
Europe cracks down on valsartan ingredients maker in China.
STAT Plus: Merck scraps plans to sell a biosimilar version of Lantus as the insulin market gets crowded October 12, 2018
In an unexpected move, Merck (MRK) scrapped plans to market a biosimilar version of the widely used Lantus insulin only a year after winning tentative U.S. regularly approval. The decision…
STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings October 12, 2018
Hired someone new and exciting? Promoting a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot?
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: FDA approves a record number of generics; Bristol-Myers’ Opdivo fails lung cancer study goal October 12, 2018
As of November, specialist clinicians in the U.K. will be able to prescribe cannabis-derived medicinal products for the first time after a change in the law.
STAT Plus: Industry influence over clinical trial design and reporting lacks transparency October 11, 2018
Few industry-funded trials were conducted completely independently by academics, and sometimes industry involvement was downplayed or omitted.
STAT Plus: Pfizer pays $700,000 to settle charges over misleading copay coupons October 11, 2018
Critics say coupons are, in reality, slick marketing tools used to direct consumers to higher-priced drugs.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Azar promises more action on drug costs; Trump flubs explanation of ‘gag clause’ law October 11, 2018
President Trump finally signed a bill that he says will lower drug prices, but don’t ask him to explain how.

Alphamab Oncology's HER2 bispecific antibody KN026 gained US IND approval; phase I clinical trial started in China
Alphamab Oncology announced that it has received US FDA's IND approval for its proprietary HER2 bispecific antibody (product code: KN026), and KN026 is anticipated to enter clinical development later in the US.
ERS Genomics and Syngulon Sign License Agreement on CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing Patents for Industrial Applications
ERS Genomics Limited and Syngulon announced today a non-exclusive license agreement which provides Syngulon with worldwide access to ERS’ CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing intellectual property for use in combination with Syngulon Patent Rights.
Exclusive: 4 Life Science Companies Merge into Discovery Life Sciences
Discovery Life Sciences, a leading research biobank located in Los Osos, California, recently got much, much bigger via a four-company merger. Ann Dover, Discovery’s founder, president and CEO, took time to speak with BioSpace about the merger and the new identity of the company.
Quotient Sciences Constructs State-of-the-Art Early-Phase Formulation and Manufacturing Facility in U.S.
Quotient Sciences announces a significant expansion to its operations in the U.S. with the opening of a state-of-the-art, 45,000-square-foot facility located near Philadelphia, in Garnet Valley, Pa.
Listen up! Researchers Find Key to Regrowing Cells Related to Hearing Loss
Among life on earth, mammals are some of the only creatures that can’t regenerate damaged hearing. Birds, frogs, fish, they all have the ability to regenerate sensory hair cells after they’re damaged.
Arcis Biotechnology and Teleflex Sign License Agreement
Agreement gives Teleflex access to Arcis’ nucleic acid sample preparation technology
Five-Year Data Shows Novartis’ Cosentyx Safe and Effective in Treating Arthritis
New data from an ongoing late-stage study reinforced the safety and efficacy of Cosentyx (secukinumab) as a beneficial treatment for patients with psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
Applied DNA Subsidiary LineaRx Licenses CAR T Drug Candidate and Initiates Pre-Clinical Development of Non-Viral, Plasmid-Free CAR T Manufacturing Platform
Novel DNA Manufacturing Platform Pioneering a New Generation of Faster, More Affordable CAR T Therapeutics. Offering Available to CRO/CMO Customers.
MERGER CREATES NEW GLOBAL LEADER IN BIOSPECIMEN SOLUTIONS: FOUR COMPANIES UNITE TO FORM DISCOVERY LIFE SCIENCES
Conversant Bio, Folio Bio, Discovery Life Sciences and Phylogeny announced today that they have merged under the name Discovery Life Sciences™ (Discovery) to create a global market leader in biospecimen analysis and procurement for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostics industries.
Sanofi, Genentech Both Eye U.S. Expansions; Could Add up to 2,300 Jobs
Two well-established pharma companies are expanding in two different U.S. cities. One city is known for the plethora of pharma and biotech jobs, while the other is in an area that might not immediately spring to mind when it comes to biotech hubs.