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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 […]

Weight during adolescence may affect pancreatic cancer risk in adulthood November 12, 2018
New research has linked adolescent obesity with up to a four-fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer later in life. The study's results also suggest that overweight and even higher weight within the 'normal' weight range in men may increase pancreatic cancer risk in a graded manner.
Defective DNA damage repair leads to chaos in the genome November 12, 2018
Scientists have now found a cause for the frequent catastrophic events in the genetic material of cancer cells that have only been known for a few years: If an important DNA repair system of the cells has failed, this promotes fragmentation and defective assembly of the genetic material. Cancer cells with such a repair defect […]
Decrease in specific gene 'silencing' molecules linked with pediatric brain tumors November 12, 2018
Experimenting with lab-grown brain cancer cells, researchers have added to evidence that a shortage of specific tiny molecules that silence certain genes is linked to the development and growth of pediatric brain tumors known as low-grade gliomas.
Hidden estrogen receptors in breast epithelium November 9, 2018
Scientists have uncovered that next to estrogen receptor positive and negative there are cells with very low amounts of the receptor protein. The discovery has significant implications for the role of the receptor in the growth and development of the breast and breast cancer development.
Scientists solve century-old neuroscience mystery; answers may lead to epilepsy treatment November 9, 2018
Scientists have solved a 125-year-old mystery of the brain, and, in the process, uncovered a potential treatment for acquired epilepsy. Perineuronal nets modulate electrical impulses in the brain, and, should the nets dissolve, brain seizures can occur.
Genetic 'whodunnit' for cancer gene solved November 8, 2018
Long thought to suppress cancer by slowing cellular metabolism, the protein complex AMPK also seemed to help some tumors grow, confounding researchers. Now, researchers have solved the long-standing mystery around why AMPK can both hinder and help cancer.
What do metastatic cancer cells have in common with sharks? November 8, 2018
In a new study, researchers report that when cancer cells become invasive (metastatic), they start behaving in 'predatory' ways. Metastatic cancer cells differ from their non-metastatic counterparts not only in their genetics, but also in their moving strategy: they spread more rapidly and are more directional than non-invasive cancer cells.
Gene signature discovery may predict response to immune therapy November 8, 2018
Scientists have discovered a gene signature biomarker that may predict which patients will respond -- or not -- to immune therapy.
Combination chemotherapy and immunotherapy effective in Phase II leukemia study November 8, 2018
A combination of the standard-of-care chemotherapy drug known as azacitidine, with nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, demonstrated an encouraging response rate and overall survival in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia, according to new findings.
Body clock researchers prevent liver cancer growth in mice November 8, 2018
The body's internal clock could play a critical role in the fight against certain types of liver cancer, according to a recent preclinical study.

Major announcements for MaxCyte November 13, 2018
MaxCyte Inc (LON:MXCT) has signed a research agreement with Kite Pharma Inc, a subsidiary of US drugmaker Gilead Sciences Inc (NASDAQ:GILD), to use its Flow Electroporation Technology (FET) platform. The AIM-listed bioscience firm said under the agreement Kite would use the FET platform to enable non-viral cell engineering. News here too on MaxCyte's expanded relationship […]
McCarthy & Stone shares slide as annual profits plunge November 13, 2018
Higher selling prices helped revenues edged higher, but profits fell by a third as a result of a rise in build costs, increased use of part-exchange and additional marketing activity
Tissue Regenix shares rise as CellRight expands on Arthrex Inc relationship with European distribution deal November 13, 2018
The AIM-listed firm said the agreement would allow Arthrex to distribute CellRight’s proprietary ‘BioRinse’ portfolio across Europe, with an initial focus on the UK
BTG lifts full-year guidance again, this time on spike in sales of its snake bite anti-venom November 13, 2018
The upgrade came alongside half-year results, in which BTG reported a 12% in revenue and a 35% jump in adjusted operating profits
AstraZeneca sells off US rights to children’s lung disease treatment for up to US$2bn November 13, 2018
Over the past couple of weeks, the FTSE 100 drugs giant has sold off the rights to three asthma and hay fever treatments, one heartburn medicine, an arthritis drug and now a lung disease treatment
Admedus reports $6.3 million revenues amid $12.7 million Star Bright backing November 13, 2018
The voluntarily-suspended company is progressing an ongoing recapitalisation plan.
Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals ramps up testing for its cancer drugs in third quarter November 12, 2018
Research and development expenses hit $1.2 million during the quarter, up from $1 million for the same period in 2017
Unum Therapeutics pushes ahead with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma therapy as it unveils 3Q results November 12, 2018
The company is moving to advance ACTR707 in combination with rituximab as its lead product candidate to treat patients with relapsed or refractory CD20-positive B cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
VentriPoint Diagnostics receives order for its VMS Plus - from leading cardiac hospital in Toronto November 12, 2018
The VMS+ system uses standard 2D echocardiogram images and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AREV Brands completes purchase of Bare Topicals creams for $160K in stock November 12, 2018
The deal follows the company's $5.25 million acquisition of BC Bud Depot, which completed in September

STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: What did the lawmaker do with his biotech stock? Takeda edges closer to a Shire deal November 12, 2018
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating, because that oh-so-predictable routine of meetings, deadlines, and the like has, of…
STAT Plus: Vertex and U.K. agencies are pressured to resolve long-running dispute over pricey cystic fibrosis drug November 9, 2018
The failure to reach a solution has has revealed ongoing tensions between drug makers and cash-strapped governments over costly medicines.
STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings November 9, 2018
Hired someone new and exciting? Promoting a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot?
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: E.U. hospitals face persistent shortages; HHS recommends making Kratom a Schedule 1 drug November 9, 2018
The Department of Health and Human Services recommended a ban on chemicals in kratom that would make the herbal supplement as illegal as heroin or LSD.
STAT Plus: Animal rights group urges drug makers to discontinue a test that ‘traumatizes’ rodents November 8, 2018
Two drug companies singled out by PETA said they no longer conduct the tests.
STAT Plus: How one small not-for-profit company hopes to build a model for tackling needed drugs November 8, 2018
"There are vast numbers of people who are held back by disease for which we could do better," said Mark Sullivan about starting a not-for-profit to develop drugs.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: AbbVie sues U.K. over hepatitis C drug program; pharma braces for pricing proposals from Democrats November 8, 2018
The pharmaceutical industry is bracing for a deluge of pricing proposals from the soon-to-be Democratic House of Representatives.
STAT Plus: Behind the patent thicket: tactics AbbVie allegedly used to thwart biosimilar versions of Humira November 7, 2018
Boehringer Ingelheim's litigation holds the potential for peeling back the curtain on the patent thicket strategy.
STAT Plus: AmerisourceBergen suffers another setback with its ‘real doozy’ of a compounding business November 7, 2018
It remains unclear when its Pharmedium Services unit would resume shipments from a key facility in Memphis, thanks to an ongoing FDA review.
STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: Former Celgene CEO loses Senate bid; number of drug price hikes modest in October November 7, 2018
The number of October 2018 price increases increased compared with September, but remained at a low level.

GenomOncology announces partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine
GenomOncology to provide clinical researchers with real-time clinical trial matching in support of IU's Grand Challenge Precision Health Initiative
NMPA Accepts Biosimilar New Drug Application for IBI303, a Biosimilar Candidate to Humira(R) (adalimumab)
Innovent Biologics, Inc. announced today that National Medical Products Administration (NMPA, successor to CFDA) has accepted its new drug application (NDA) for adalimumab biosimilar candidate (IBI303).
Evox Therapeutics Wins Funding From Duchenne UK to Explore Exosome-Mediated Delivery of Dystrophin
Targeted delivery of dystrophin has the potential to be a highly effective treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
GBT Reports Third Quarter And 9M18 Results
DOUBLE-DIGIT EBITDA GROWTH AND FOCUS ON LAUNCHES AND EXECUTION
BerGenBio ASA: Results for the Third Quarter 2018
Phase II data in NSCLC with bemcentinib/KEYTRUDA combination: First stage of trial in previously treated patients reported 40% ORR and ca. 6 months median PFS in AXL positive patients, stage 2 actively enrolling patients
FDA Grants Priority Review to Genentech’s Tecentriq in Combination with Abraxane for the Initial Treatment of People with PD-L1-Positive, Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive disease, with high unmet medical need
Sobi™ to Acquire Synagis® US Rights From AstraZeneca - Creates a Platform for Global Growth
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB has entered into agreements to acquire the perpetual rights to Synagis® (palivizumab) in the US from AstraZeneca and to participate in 50 per cent of the future earnings of the candidate drug MEDI8897 in the US.
Generon’s F-652 Shows Positive Results in “An Open Label, Cohort Dose Escalation Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy in Patients with Alcoholic Hepatitis”
F-652 improves MELD score, reduces serum and plasma markers of inflammation and increases markers of regeneration
Deep Dive: Immunovative Therapies’ Next-Generation Cancer Vaccine Could Chang...
Checkpoint inhibitors are only effective against inflamed tumors, called ‘hot’ tumors. Unfortunately, most tumors are ‘cold’ (not inflamed) and hide from the immune system by appearing to be too similar to normal cells.
Gilead Sciences to Present at the Evercore ISI HealthCONx Conference on Tuesday, November 27
Webcast Available Through Gilead Corporate Website