Pharmacology Archives – The Bio Connection

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Researchers Discover Llama-Derived Nanobody Can Be Used as Potential Therapy for Hard-to-Treat Diseases

July 11, 2018July 10, 2018 TheBioConnection Comment(0)

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have found a nanobody that holds promise to advance targeted therapies for a number of neurological diseases and cancer. In a recent study published in Nature Communications, Sahil Gulati, of the Department of Pharmacology at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, and colleagues identified a nanobody derived […]

The cause of prostate cancer progression to incurable stage has likely been uncovered July 20, 2018
Researchers have discovered novel genes and mechanisms that can explain how a genomic variant in a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs11672691 influences prostate cancer aggressiveness. Their findings also suggest ways to improve risk stratification and clinical treatment for advanced prostate cancer.
Diabetes raises risk of cancer, with women at even greater likelihood, a major new study has found July 19, 2018
A global review involving almost 20 million people has shown that having diabetes significantly raises the risk of developing cancer, and for women the risk is even higher. Researchers also found diabetes (type 1 and type 2) conferred an additional risk for women, compared to men, for leukaemia and cancers of the stomach, mouth and […]
Genome damage from CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing higher than thought July 19, 2018
Scientists have discovered that CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing can cause greater genetic damage in cells than was previously thought. This has safety implications for future gene therapies using CRISPR/Cas9 as the unexpected damage could lead to dangerous changes in some cells. The study revealed that standard DNA tests miss finding this genetic damage, and that caution […]
Discovery of kidney cancer driver could lead to new treatment strategy July 19, 2018
Researchers suggest that ZHX2 is a potential new therapeutic target for clear cell renal cell carcinoma, which is the most common type of kidney cancer.
Why does making new egg cells require so much cell death? July 19, 2018
A highly detailed study of how the roundworm C. elegans forms oocytes suggests that the egg-making process leads to the formation and subsequent destruction of cells with an extra nucleus, but that some cellular materials are recycled into new eggs.
Low- or no-calorie soft drinks linked to improved outcomes in colon cancer July 19, 2018
Drinking artificially-sweetened beverages is associated with a significantly lower risk of colon cancer recurrence and cancer death, scientists have found.
Complementary medicine for cancer can decrease survival July 19, 2018
People who received complementary therapy for curable cancers were more likely to refuse at least one component of their conventional cancer treatment, and were more likely to die as a result, according to researchers.
Targeting headaches and tumors with nano-submarines July 19, 2018
Scientists have developed a new method to enable miniature drug-filled nanocarriers to dock on to immune cells, which in turn attack tumors.
High fruit and vegetable consumption may reduce risk of breast cancer July 19, 2018
Women who eat a high amount of fruits and vegetables each day may have a lower risk of breast cancer, especially of aggressive tumors, than those who eat fewer fruits and vegetables, according to a new study.
Sunscreen reduces melanoma risk by 40 per cent in young people July 19, 2018
A world-first study has found that Australians aged 18-40 years who were regular users of sunscreen in childhood reduced their risk of developing melanoma by 40 percent, compared to those who rarely used sunscreen.

GlaxoSmithKline considering business break-up following investor pressure - FT report July 22, 2018
The newspaper said GSK’s chairman Philip Hampton has been in discussions with the FTSE 100-listed group’s biggest shareholders about the creation of a standalone pharma and vaccines company in the medium term
Callitas Health banks on CannaStrips and OTC products while swinging for the fence with blockbuster drugs July 20, 2018
CannaStrips will generate near-term revenue, while the company’s blue-sky pharmaceutical assets and orphan drug are solid, long-term plays
AcuityBio developing 'breakthrough' implant treatment for lung cancer July 20, 2018
AcuityBio Corp CEO Dr. John Schwartz tells Proactive Investors the biotech is developing an implant called ABC-103 that prevents post-surgical lung cancer occurrence. Dr. Schwartz says ABC-103 is in the last stages of product development, and the company is pursuing Phase 1 clinical trials.
PureTech Health surges as it hooks up with Swiss drugs giant Roche July 20, 2018
PureTech Health has been advancing internal R&D projects that focus on the brain-immune-gut axis, with an emphasis on lymphatics and immune cell trafficking to modulate immunity in a tissue-specific manner.
AorTech International looking to the future July 20, 2018
The company is now fully funded to implement its new business plan
Intuitive Surgical shares pop on robust 2Q earnings due to booming sales of its robotic surgery systems July 19, 2018
The company’s success stemmed from a jump in the sale of its da Vinci surgical systems, which provide robotic assistance to surgeons
Canntab Therapeutics building cannabis delivery facility with FSD Pharma July 19, 2018
Canntab Therapeutics Ltd (CSE:PILL) CEO Jeff Renwick and CFO Richard Goldstein tell Proactive Investor's Christine Corrado the cannabis delivery manufacturing company is lining up its ducks ahead of the legalization of cannabis in Canada on October 17 this year - as it announced a profit sharing collaboration with medical pot producer FSD Pharma Inc. Canntab […]
Mersana Therapeutics shares plummet after FDA puts partial hold on key cancer drug trial July 19, 2018
No new patients will be enrolled in the Phase 1 study of the cancer drug XMT-1522 after the death of a participant
Pressure BioSciences developing breakthrough processing method for shelf-stable milk, dairy products July 19, 2018
The Massachusetts company’s high-pressure Ultra Shear Technology will play a significant role in the preservation of 'clean label' foods and beverages
Optibiotix is a very clever business model says chairman July 19, 2018
Optibiotix PLC (LON:OPTI) is a very clever business model says chairman Neil Davidson, who just bought a sizeable chunk of additional shares in the microbiome-based additives business. Recent licensing agreements will turn into revenue streams later this year and the business will go from strength to strength, he believes. The key is to get Optibiotix’s […]

STAT Plus: A federal appeals court just slammed the door on Allergan’s deal with the Mohawk tribe July 20, 2018
The drug maker Allergan tried to transfer rights to one of its medicines to a Native American tribe to avoid a patent challenge. An appeals court said the move could…
Up and Down the Ladder: The latest comings and goings July 20, 2018
Send us your changes, and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is coming and going.
Pharmalittle: Trump officials urge drug makers to lower prices; Drug dealers are sued for creating opioid crisis July 20, 2018
Pharmalittle: Your daily rundown of all things pharma, by @edsilverman
Merck joins the list of drug makers agreeing to freeze or lower some prices July 19, 2018
“It’s as clear as the drug pricing system is clear,” Dr. Walid Gellad said about vows to halt price hikes.
STAT Plus: Allergan trial results for a new eye treatment are underwhelming to Wall Street July 19, 2018
Clinical trial results for an experimental eye treatment that would compete in a lucrative market made an underwhelming impression on Wall Street.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Gilead and Lousiana eye a ‘Netflix’ model; Trump thanks Novartis for price freeze July 19, 2018
President Trump tweeted a thank you to Novartis (NVS) for joining Pfizer (PFE) in agreeing not to raise prices.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: CVS and Ohio battle over Medicaid data; AbbVie strikes another Humira biosimilar deal July 18, 2018
CVS Caremark is suing the Ohio Medicaid to block release of a report detailing how the PBM charged taxpayers up six times as much to process prescription drugs as the…
Novartis hits the brakes on price hikes as political pressure builds July 18, 2018
The decision to forestall further price increases also comes at a highly delicate time for the company: renewed attention to its deal with Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.
STAT Plus: FDA eyes new ways to lower some drug costs and boost consumer access July 17, 2018
The guidance, which the agency called a “first step,” is designed to encourage drug makers to think about ways to seek approval for over-the-counter approvals.
STAT Plus: Health Canada is ordered to provide clinical trial data on several medicines to a researcher July 17, 2018
This was the first case to test Vanessa’s Law, passed after a 15-year-old died of a heart attack after taking a heartburn drug whose risks were insufficiently communicated.

U.S. FDA Approves Pfizer’s Biosimilar NIVESTYM™ (filgrastim-aafi)
NIVESTYM™, a biosimilar to Neupogen® (filgrastim), is Pfizer’s fourth biosimilar to be approved by the FDA.
PureTech Health and Roche Sign Collaboration Deal Worth $1 Billion-Plus
Boston-based PureTech Health inked a multi-year collaboration deal with Swiss-based Roche to advance PureTech’s milk-derived exosome platform technology for oral dosing of Roche’s antisense oligonucleotide platform.
Alpine Immune Sciences Completes Sale of S-Nitrosoglutathione Reductase (GSNOR) Assets to Laurel Venture Capital
Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc., a company focused on discovering and developing innovative, protein-based immunotherapies to treat cancer, autoimmune/inflammatory, and other diseases, and Laurel Venture Capital, a life science focused venture capital fund based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang China, today announced the completion of the sale and transfer of global rights to the S-Nitrosoglutathione Reductase assets from […]
Agios Pharmaceuticals Scores FDA Approval For Tibsovo, Second AML Drug Win in Less Than a Year
Shares of Agios Pharmaceuticals jumped this morning after the company said the FDA approved its oral leukemia treatment Tibsovo (ivosidenib). It’s the second approval for the company in less than a year.
Rumor Alert: Merck KGaA to Buy Madrigal and Roche to Acquire Tesaro?
Investors love their takeover rumors, and with biopharma having a good year for mergers and acquisitions, there’s been plenty to keep them busy. Here’s two takeover rumors that came out of Spanish media group Intereconomia.
Report: New Jersey Heating Up for Biopharma Incubators and Innovation Spaces
The Institute for Life Science Entrepreneurship (ILSE) released a white paper highlighting life science incubator space and innovation trends in New Jersey. The report, entitled “Recent Advances in Laboratory and Innovation Space in New Jersey” profiles these efforts.
Koutif Therapeutics Confirms Clinical Candidate Drug
Company Expects to File IND Application in Late 2018.
Karius Liquid Biopsy Accurately Detects Invasive Fungal Infections
Some diagnostics testing for infectious diseases can be quite invasive and uncomfortable for a patient. Now though, a new form of test is available that can mitigate the need for those invasive tests.
Highlights from Lilly's Alzheimer's Disease Pipeline at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference® 2018 (AAIC® 2018)
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced that new results from a number of studies across the company's Alzheimer's disease pipeline will be presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in Chicago, July 22-26, 2018. Nearly 30 oral and poster presentations will underscore Lilly's focus on making a meaningful difference in the lives […]
July 20 Research Roundup: PARPi and Rare Cancers, “Pleasure” Brain Chemicals and Cancer Suppressi...
There are plenty of great scientific research stories out this week. Here’s a look at just a few of them.