August 2016- Volume 12, Issue 8
August 2016
In this Issue
Diagnostics
New information about kataegis offers hope
New information about kataegis offers hope
Genetic phenomenon proves to be a positive marker in breast cancer
Mammary marker
Mammary marker
IVD test aids in breast cancer subtyping
Owlstone Medical closes $7M investment to commercialize disease breathalyzer
Owlstone Medical closes $7M investment to commercialize disease breathalyzer
Owlstone Medical Ltd. was recently spun out of parent company Owlstone Inc. to develop and commercialize a breathalyzer for use in clinical diagnostics and precision medicine
Bio-Techne acquires Advanced Cell Diagnostics
Bio-Techne acquires Advanced Cell Diagnostics
$250-million-plus deal marks Bio-Techne’s entry into the realm of genomics
Contract Services
WuXi AppTec expands reach with Reaxys license
WuXi AppTec expands reach with Reaxys license
Company plans to leverage database for synthetic, medicinal chemistry research
Cloud collaboration yields fruit
Cloud collaboration yields fruit
A multi-institution team devises new prodrug, points to PLA2 as an IBD target
Crown Bioscience strengthens immuno-oncology platform
Crown Bioscience strengthens immuno-oncology platform
Company announces the launch of the OmniScreen cell panel screening platform
Clinical Trials
A new RESORCE for cancer patients?
A new RESORCE for cancer patients?
RESORCE study finds Stivarga could improve overall survival in liver cancer
Novartis makes progress with SM
Novartis makes progress with SM
Study shows promise for patients with systemic mastocytosis
Culture of clinical trial management
Culture of clinical trial management
SCORR report explains challenges and expectations of project management
A new tactic for treating T1D
A new tactic for treating T1D
Sernova receives funding from JDRF to advance its diabetes cell therapy to a clinical trial
In with ZGN-1061, out with beloranib
In with ZGN-1061, out with beloranib
Zafgen shifts focus to second-gen MetAP2 inhibitor in wake of troubles around PWS candidate
Esperion provides update for bempedoic acid
Esperion provides update for bempedoic acid
Esperion Therapeutics Inc. recently provided updates on the bempedoic acid (ETC-1002) clinical development program and regulatory plans
Discovery
Investigating the disease connection
Investigating the disease connection
NIH research into Gaucher disease uncovers a molecule that could also treat Parkinson’s
A fresh look at polycystic kidney disease
A fresh look at polycystic kidney disease
Virtual tissue technology helps Indiana University researchers find new drug target
Progress with proteins
Progress with proteins
TSRI teams report on work that could boost anticancer efforts and drug development
Five Prime collaborates with University of Minnesota
Five Prime collaborates with University of Minnesota
The organizations are partnering to expand hematopoietic stem cell options
Research & Development
Two for biopharmaceutical characterization
Two for biopharmaceutical characterization
Thermo Fisher and NIBRT pursue analytical solutions designed to streamline workflows, quickly generate data
Possible explanation for lithium efficacy
Possible explanation for lithium efficacy
Pharmacological success as a mood stabilizer poorly understood
Novel data confirm optimal drug-like properties of BiXAb antibodies
Novel data confirm optimal drug-like properties of BiXAb antibodies
BiXAb ‘plug-and-play’ bispecific antibodies reportedly demonstrated excellent in-vitro properties and in-vivo activity
Reliable and robust
Reliable and robust
Probiodrug and Crossbeta create strategic partnership for Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers
Building a better way of cancer modeling
Building a better way of cancer modeling
International collaboration plans to create new cancer cell culture models to accelerate research
Preclinical
Lupus drug moves forward
Lupus drug moves forward
Dalazatide found to suppress cytokines associated with lupus nephritis in children and teens
Getting ahead with GWAS
Getting ahead with GWAS
Research team uses new genomic testing technique to link mouse genes with behavioral traits
Silenc(ing) disease-driving genes is golden
Silenc(ing) disease-driving genes is golden
Dicerna unveils new preclinical data for GalXC delivery of RNAi-based therapy in fight vs. chronic liver disease
Managing mast cells with masitinib
Managing mast cells with masitinib
AB Science tyrosine kinase inhibitor shows potential in mediating ALS progression
Business & Government Policy
A busy June for Teva
A busy June for Teva
Pharma giant inks several agreements divesting assets in preparation for closing Allergan generics deal
Aligning drugs and diagnostics
Aligning drugs and diagnostics
FDA releases draft guidance to outline principles of codeveloping therapeutics and companion diagnostics
On the cutting edge
On the cutting edge
A roundup of instrumentation, software and other tools and technology news
BioTek Instruments embarks on major site expansion
BioTek Instruments embarks on major site expansion
July sees start of $4-million facility expansion to meet company’s growing manufacturing and design needs
Samsung Bioepis a step closer to marketing Humira biosimilar in Europe
Samsung Bioepis a step closer to marketing Humira biosimilar in Europe
Marketing Authorization Application for SB5 adalimumab biosimilar candidate accepted for review by the EMA
Special Reports
Special Report on Stem Cells: Finding common ground
Special Report on Stem Cells: Finding common ground
Gene-based and stem cell-based therapies look for synergies
Q&A
Q&A: A conversation on Coversin
Q&A: A conversation on Coversin
Gur Roshwalb expands on the complement system and its treatment candidate for rare diseases triggered by complement dysregulation
Editor's Focus
Life sciences and pharma in ‘black and white’
Life sciences and pharma in ‘black and white’
True representation of the population in clinical trials is something we aren't yet achieving, but we need to get closer to that goal even if we never do truly reach it
Commentary
Moonshot for pediatric pharmacology
Moonshot for pediatric pharmacology
Children tend to get left out in the cold when it comes to clinical research, but they are an important population that deserves better consideration when it comes to developing therapeutics
Market insight: The changing biopharma risk equation
Market insight: The changing biopharma risk equation
MilliporeSigma in June announced survey results of 250 global biopharmaceutical executives on how their companies will manage new risks associated with the changing biopharma landscape
