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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 […]

Neutrons produce first direct 3-D maps of water during cell membrane fusion September 20, 2018
New 3-D maps of water distribution during cellular membrane fusion are accelerating scientific understanding of cell development, which could lead to new treatments for diseases associated with cell fusion.
Novel biomarker found in ovarian cancer patients can predict response to therapy September 20, 2018
Researchers have identified an independent prognostic factor, cancer/testis antigen 45, that is associated with extended disease-free survival for women with advanced ovarian cancer. Patients with high levels of CT45 in their tumors lived more than seven times as long as patients who lacked sufficient CT45.
A behavioral intervention for cancer patients that works September 20, 2018
This is a story about something rare in health psychology: a treatment that has gone from scientific discovery, through development and testing, to dissemination and successful implementation nationwide. In a new study, researchers found that a program designed at The Ohio State University to reduce harmful stress in cancer patients can be taught to therapists […]
Intestines modify their cellular structure in response to diet September 20, 2018
Body organs such as the intestine and ovaries undergo structural changes in response to dietary nutrients that can have lasting impacts on metabolism, as well as cancer susceptibility.
Simulations of every woman's breast tissue address delay on enhanced MRI cancer detection September 20, 2018
Researchers have simulated how over 20 different breast tissue ratios respond to heat given off by MRIs at higher field strengths than available in hospitals today.
Anti-cancer drugs may hold key to overcoming antimalarial drug resistance September 20, 2018
Scientists have found a way to boost the efficacy of the antimalarial drug artemesinin with the help of chemotherapy medicines. Artemisinin works through a 'double whammy' attack on the deadly parasite. The drug damages proteins in malaria parasites and clogs the parasite's waste disposal system, known as the proteasome, which chemo can target.
Surprise finding uncovers balancing act between birth defects and cancer September 20, 2018
Researchers have made a surprise discovery about how subtle changes in the way cell survival is regulated during embryonic development can have drastic health implications.
Understanding epilepsy in pediatric tumors September 19, 2018
Researchers have identified a neuronal BRAF somatic mutation that causes intrinsic epileptogenicity in pediatric brain tumors.
Strategies to protect bone health in hematologic stem cell transplant recipients September 19, 2018
A new review looks at the major factors affecting bone health in mematologic stem cell transplant recipients, and provides expert guidance for the monitoring, evaluation and treatment of bone loss in these patients.
Cell mechanism regulating protein synthesis in stress conditions discovered September 19, 2018
New research has uncovered the mechanism used by cells to optimize the production of proteins in stressful situations by altering tRNA abundance.

Namaste Technologies granted first ever "sales only" ACMPR licence by Health Canada September 21, 2018
Namaste Technologies (CVE:N OTCMKTS:NXTTF) President and CEO Sean Dollinger dropped in to the Vancouver Studios of Proactive Investors to talk about his companies new Access to Cannabis for Medical Purpose Regulations "sales only" license from Health Canada. This is the first of it's kind ever granted by the governing medical authority in Canada. Dollinger also […]
Namaste Technologies gets first-of-its-kind medical cannabis licence from Health Canada September 21, 2018
The company said its Cannmart subsidiary received the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations license for 'sales only'
A sixth sense for biotech helps Arix Bioscience turn risk into profit as portfolio value nearly doubles September 21, 2018
Analysts at Stifel say the venture capital firm is entering its first extended period of sustained news flow with shares trading at about 45% discount to their £2.53 price target
Arev Brands International hails terpene infusion discovery, which could be a game-changer September 21, 2018
The company discovered an efficient way to infuse aqueous solutions with oil-based extracts, it said.
Immunoprecise Antibodies' Dr Dryhurst picked for Canada life sciences leadership program September 21, 2018
The program's remit is to ensure that the Canadian life sciences sector has the executive talent needed
Titan Pharmaceuticals stock tumbles after pricing public offering September 21, 2018
Company's pricing of public offering deflates market sentiment
GTx stock crushed after Phase 2 trial failure; Baird downgrades company shares September 21, 2018
The trial involved 493 women in 60 clinical centers across the US
Medical-device giant Medtronic to buy Mazor Robotics for US$1.6bn September 21, 2018
Dublin-based Medtronic is looking to Mazor Robotics to strengthen its provision of technology for robotic-assisted spine surgeries
Corbus Pharmaceutical acquires 600 possible drug candidates September 21, 2018
The company's lead drug, lenabasum, is being studied against several autoimmune disorders
Just Eat will be just fine even if Uber snaps up Deliveroo, say City analysts September 21, 2018
Uber is reportedly interested in acquiring Deliveroo, in a deal which reports say could be worth “several billion” dollars

STAT Plus: A European health insurer sues AstraZeneca over a patent maneuver September 21, 2018
Patient advocates object to "evergreening" a drug patent to keep making money. Now an insurer is suing a drug maker over the practice.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Novartis employees brace for layoffs; FDA signals it will levy fines if trials aren’t reported September 21, 2018
The FDA may start fining clinical trial sponsors if they fail to meet legal requirements to publicly register trials and report results.
STAT Plus: Senate bill to encourage generic drug development would yield $3.3 billion in savings September 20, 2018
"It's going to make a dent for people who are paying for expensive drugs," said David Mitchell of Patients for Affordable Drugs.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Merck to halve Keytruda price in China; FDA rejects record number of generic applications September 20, 2018
Merck will halve the price of its Keytruda cancer drug for its China launch, following a similar move by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: AbbVie accused of sweeping Humira scheme; pharma dodging taxes in the developing world September 19, 2018
AbbVie is accused of using old-fashioned kickbacks to doctors and a stealthy network of nurses to illegally boost prescriptions of its best-selling Humira.
STAT Plus: Clovis Oncology pays $20 million to settle charges of misleading investors September 18, 2018
Clovis Oncology, its chief executive, and a former chief financial officer will collectively pay more than $20 million to settle civil charges of misleading investors about a lung cancer drug…
AbbVie is accused of paying kickbacks, using a stealthy network of nurses to promote Humira September 18, 2018
In a wide-ranging scheme, AbbVie used a combination of old-fashioned kickbacks to doctors and a stealthy network of nurses to illegally boost prescriptions of its best-selling Humira treatment.
STAT Plus: Facing criticism, CVS may modify its new cost-effectiveness program for covering some drugs September 18, 2018
CVS Caremark may revisit a plan that allows its clients to exclude coverage of most new, high-priced drugs after advocacy groups complained the effort would discriminate against very sick or…
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Novo Nordisk to cut 400 R&D jobs; Novartis ties bonuses to ethics September 18, 2018
Novartis is paying its employees a bonus only if they meet or exceed expectations for ethical behavior as it seeks to address past shortcomings.
STAT Plus: How much? Drug prices rose twice as quickly as expected during shortages September 17, 2018
“We think the results suggest manufacturers are leveraging the imbalance between demand and supply ... in an opportunistic manner.”

Ipsen Receives Positive CHMP Opinion for Cabometyx® (Cabozantinib) for the Second-line Treatment of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
Ipsen announced today that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), provided a positive opinion for Cabometyx® (cabozantinib) as a monotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in adults
Astellas Pushes Outside of Oncology, Releases Positive Results in Anemia Trials
Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma announced that its roxadustat met its primary endpoints in the Phase III ALPS clinical trial in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with anemia not on dialysis. The focus of the drug is on anemia.
Viking Therapeutics Announces Pricing of $175.8 Million Public Offering of Common Stock
Viking Therapeutics, Inc. today announced the pricing of its public offering of 9,500,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $18.50 per share.
Rhode Island Looks to Beef up Its Life Sciences Jobs
In the biotech hub area known as Pharm Country, the small state of Rhode Island often gets overlooked in favor of its larger neighbors, such as New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. But, the Ocean State is making some moves to enhance its image as a biotech hub, particularly in the wake of some ...
Bay Area’s uBiome Secures $83 Million as It Moves into Drug Development, Taps...
San Francisco-based uBiome snagged $83 million in a Series C financing round and also tapped industry veteran Joe Jimenez, the former chief executive officer of Swiss pharma giant Novartis, to its board of directors.
Going Its Own Way, European Regulators Reject Sarepta's Exondys 51 for DMD
In September 2016, the U.S. FDA approved Sarepta Therapeutics’ eteplirsen, now marketed as Exondys 51, for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). And now, two years later, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has rejected Sarepta’s application for Exondys 51.
Innovent Presents Clinical Data of Anti-PD-1 Antibody Sintilimab in Patients with Previously Treated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer at Annual Meeting of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology
Innovent Biologics, Inc. today presented clinical research data on cohort C at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO).
Updated: Y-mAbs Therapeutics Looks at a $96 Million IPO
New York-based Y-mAbs Therapeutics will look at securing $96 million through an initial public offering to support development of its antibody-based therapeutic treatments for cancer.
BioTime Warrants to Expire on October 1, 2018
BioTime, Inc. is advising the holders of its publicly traded warrants (NYSE American: BTX.WS) that the warrants will expire and not be exercisable after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 1, 2018 (the “Expiration Date”).
Agenus Closes $15 Million Partial Royalty Monetization With XOMA
Agenus Inc. cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapies1, today announced the closing of its non-dilutive royalty transaction with XOMA Corporation