Infection Control Archives – The Bio Connection

Could A Rare, Deadly ‘Superbug’ Fungus Be Gaining A Foothold?

February 12, 2018 TheBioConnection Comment(0)

(Kaiser Health News) The number of U.S. patients infected with a rare but dangerous fungal “superbug” called Candida auris has climbed quickly to 200 as of Dec. 31, according to the latest figures from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2016, there were only seven cases of the multidrug-resistant infection on the […]

Embryonic mammary gland stem cells identified May 22, 2018
Scientists have identified the mechanisms that regulate mammary gland development. Using a combination of lineage tracing, molecular profiling, single cell sequencing and functional experiments, they have demonstrated that mammary gland initially develops from multipotent progenitors during the early steps of embryonic mammary gland morphogenesis whereas postnatal mammary gland development is mediated by lineage-restricted stem cells.
New data changes the way scientists explain how cancer tumors develop May 21, 2018
A collaborative research team has uncovered new information that more accurately explains how cancerous tumors grow within the body. This study is currently available in Nature Genetics.
Deep space radiation treatment reboots brain's immune system May 21, 2018
NASA and private company SpaceX plan to send humans to Mars within the next 15 years -- but need to figure out how to protect astronauts from the dangerous cosmic radiation of deep space. Now neuroscientists have identified a potential treatment for the brain damage caused by cosmic rays -- a drug that prevents memory […]
Are humans causing cancer in wild animals? May 21, 2018
As humans, we know that some of our activities can cause cancer to develop in our bodies. Smoking, poor diets, pollution, chemicals used as additives in food and personal hygiene products, and even too much sun can contribute to an increased risk of cancer. But, are human activities also causing cancer in wild animals? Researchers […]
Another potential mechanism links androgen deprivation therapy to cardiovascular mortality May 21, 2018
The mechanisms by which ADT may lead to an increased risk of sudden death were unclear.
Scientist reveals likely cause of childhood leukemia May 21, 2018
A major new analysis reveals for the first time the likely cause of most cases of childhood leukemia, following more than a century of controversy about its origins.
Ice cream funds research showing new strategy against thyroid cancer May 21, 2018
A new study shows that stereotactic body radiation (SBRT) may be better against anaplastic thyroid cancer, and with fewer side effects.
Hotter bodies fight infections and tumors better -- researchers show how May 21, 2018
The hotter our body temperature, the more our bodies speed up a key defense system that fights against tumors, wounds or infections, new research has found.
Nanoparticles derived from tea leaves destroy lung cancer cells: Quantum dots have great potential May 21, 2018
Nanoparticles derived from tea leaves inhibit the growth of lung cancer cells, destroying up to 80 percent of them, new research has shown. The team made the discovery while they were testing out a new method of producing a type of nanoparticle called quantum dots. These are tiny particles which measure less than 10 nanometers. […]
Fewer men are being screened, diagnosed, and treated for prostate cancer May 21, 2018
A new study reveals declines in prostate cancer screening and diagnoses in the United States in recent years, as well as decreases in the use of definitive treatments in men who have been diagnosed.

Melinta Therapeutics Inc. shares plunge after US$75mln stock offering May 22, 2018
The share sale will fund the Connecticut-based firm’s expansion of its antibiotics portfolio
Callitas Health bolsters cannabis products business by hiring industry expert as advisor May 22, 2018
Dr Gregory Smith has become the firm's chief medical cannabis advisor, said Callitas
OptiBiotix Health inks US deal for cholesterol breakthrough May 22, 2018
The UK life sciences group has partnered with Seed Health in the States
Avacta hails encouraging results of tie-up with Finnish firm, shares gain May 22, 2018
Avacta has teamed up with FIT Biotech to find a way of delivering DNA treatments more effectively
Admedus progressing to animal trials of its unique heart valve device May 22, 2018
The 3D valve recently passed a critical viability test, successfully completing more than 200 million simulated cycles.
Pharmaxis has the "secret sauce" for developing drugs through to commercialisation May 21, 2018
Pharmaxis Ltd (ASX:PXS) non-executive director Dr Kathleen Metters explains what attracted her to the board of the pharmaceutical research company less than a year ago, following a long and illustrious career in big pharma. "This is an incredibly innovative research group. They have managed to move into the clinic - and not just into the […]
Zelda Therapeutics attracts experienced biopharmaceutical managing director May 21, 2018
The company is focused on developing a range of cannabinoid-based medical treatments.
Xtant Medical shoots up after it gets FDA green light for InTice spinal implant May 21, 2018
The Montana-based firm’s new spinal implant is engineered using porous titanium
Daily CryptoCann Report: Mosque to accept crypto alms for Ramadan; Oregon’s retail marijuana price slashed in half May 21, 2018
The Shacklewell Lane Mosque in London will begin accepting crypto donations
Avenue Therapeutics shares soar on rosy results from Phase 3 clinical trial May 21, 2018
The pain killer IV tramadol reduces the pain in patients who undergo bunionectomy surgery

STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Roche hemophilia drug gets a boost; lawmaker challenges Trump on plan to use trade to lower prices May 21, 2018
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is challenging the Trump administration to explain how negotiating trade agreements will help lower drug prices for Americans.
ALS patients losing time and hope as they wait for insurers to cover a pricey new drug May 21, 2018
ALS patients are losing time and hope as they wait for insurers to cover a pricey new drug.
STAT Plus: A tip from the FDA: don’t use the same equipment to make drugs and pesticides May 18, 2018
Sometimes the FDA “says things it just should not have to.”
STAT Plus: Aetna pressures whistleblower who alleged CVS Caremark ripped off Medicare May 18, 2018
A whistleblower might help pull the curtain back on the practices of pharmacy benefit managers, yet the federal government has so not gotten involved in the case.
STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings May 18, 2018
From new hires to departures and promotions, the latest comings and goings in the pharmaceutical industry.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Amgen migraine drug costs less than expected; J&J halts development on Alzheimer’s drug May 18, 2018
The FDA released a list of drug makers that are potentially blocking generic drug makers from accessing samples of their products.
STAT Plus: FDA admonishes big data provider over error concerning opioid prescriptions May 17, 2018
The FDA plans to brief members of Congress for potential public health implications.
STAT Plus: McCaskill urges two government agencies to rethink purchases of Teva medicines May 17, 2018
McCaskill urged the DOD and VA to “evaluate whether (they) should contract with an entity that has refused to respond to requests during a Senate investigation.”
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Breast cancer patients need less of a Roche drug; China extends patent protection May 17, 2018
China will lengthen patent protection on pharmaceuticals to up to 25 years from 20 starting this month, in a move that appears aimed at deflecting U.S. criticism over intellectual property…
Novartis outlines more steps to contain fallout from payments to Trump’s lawyer May 16, 2018
Amid the fallout over the $1.2 million payments to President Trump’s personal attorney, Novartis is trying to move quickly to contain the damage.

PathoQuest Announces Enrollment of First Patient in IDENTIFY, a Prospective Clinical Study Assessing the Medico-Economic Benefit of iDTECT™ Blood for the Diagnosis of Bloodstream Infection in Immunocompromised Patients
PathoQuest, a genomic expert for biologics testing and a leader in improving pathogen identification in clinical biological samples, today announced the initiation and enrollment of the first patient in a medico-economic study testing the company’s metagenomic iDTECT™ Blood test.
Monarch Biosciences Announces Fred Hutch Exclusive License and Presentations at BIO Regarding Cell Therapy Delivery Technology
- Company to give two presentations at BIO International Convention in Boston June 4th - 7th, 2018: (i) Start-Up Stadium Finalist Presentation - Tuesday, June 5th from 3:15 - 3:30, Boston Convention Center, North Lobby; (ii) Company Presentation - Wednesday, June 6th from 2:15 - 2:30, Boston Convention Center, Theater 1 - Presentations to focus […]
Evotec and Celgene Ink Strategic Oncology Deal with $65 Million Upfront Payment
Celgene Corporation and Evotec AG announced they have inked a long-term strategic partnership to find and develop new cancer drugs.The partnership will lean on Evotec’s preclinical discovery and development platforms.
NanoViricides Files Quarterly Report for Period Ending March 31, 2018; Company Has Over A Year's Worth of Cash in Hand, and It Is Scaling Up Production of Certain Herpecide Program Drug Candidates
NanoViricides, Inc. (NYSE MKT: NNVC) (the "Company") a global leader in the development of highly effective antiviral therapies based on a novel nanomedicines platform (the "Company"), filed its quarterly report for its third quarter of financial year 2018.
GRAIL Grabs $300 Million Ahead of Possible IPO on Hong Kong Exchange
With a new chief executive officer on board, GRAIL, Inc. has secured a whopping $300 million in an oversubscribed Series C financing round led by multiple Chinese investment groups.
Cytox Launches Collaboration Agreement with Mayo Clinic to Evaluate Novel Genetic Based Approaches for Assessing Alzheimer’s Risk
Important research collaboration for pioneering PRS approach
Sesen Bio Shares Plunge Despite Reporting Positive Interim Phase III Results
Shares of newly dubbed Sesen Bio (formerly Eleven Biotherapeutics) have plunged 23 percent after the company released positive, three-month data from its ongoing Phase III high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) trial.
Pliant Therapeutics Presents Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Biomarker Discovery Research at American Thoracic Society 2018 International Conference
Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. today presents at the American Thoracic Society 2018 International Conference a new approach to identify novel biomarkers to improve diagnosis, selection and assessment of treatments for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Crowdsource Funding to Launch a Biotech: Is it as Crazy as it Sounds?
The typical way for a biotech to launch is for a scientist, often academia-based, to have come up with a discovery that shows commercial promise—sometimes rather far down the line. Venture capital (VC) firms are on the alert for this type of thing (and vice versa).
Who are the Top 3 Biotech Takeover Targets?
Most investors thought 2018 would be a big year for mergers and acquisitions in the biopharma industry because of changes to the tax law, and so far they’ve been right.