August 2017- Volume 13, Issue 8
In this Issue
Preclinical
Knockout mice guide future autism therapies
Knockout mice guide future autism therapies
Shank3B mice that mimic typical autism behaviors provide a valuable research tool, according to preclinical trials
Taking down Zika
Taking down Zika
Inovio and TechnoVax edge closer to a functional Zika vaccine
Alzheimer’s candidate off to a good start
Alzheimer’s candidate off to a good start
QR Pharma presents data at AAIC showing preclinical efficacy for Posiphen
Compugen presents COM701 combination data at ASCO
Compugen presents COM701 combination data at ASCO
Clinical advisory meeting held in preparation for COM701 clinical studies anticipated to begin next year
Business & Government Policy
Elsevier launches The Hive 2017
Elsevier launches The Hive 2017
Applications for showcase of pharma and biotech startup innovation close at end of August
BioTek responds to Paris Climate Accord decision
BioTek responds to Paris Climate Accord decision
Company also announces a site expansion and new product update
On the cutting edge
On the cutting edge
A roundup of instrumentation, software and other tools and technology news
Research & Development
Inhibiting varicella-zoster
Inhibiting varicella-zoster
NanoViricides drug candidates reduce extent of shingles virus infection of human skin
Expansion and partnering in stem cells
Expansion and partnering in stem cells
MilliporeSigma expands deal with Public Health England and teams with Elsevier for Reaxys
Two are better than one
Two are better than one
KaLy-Cell and CiToxLAB join forces to offer in-vitro and ex-vivo testing for hepatotoxicity and metabolism
Strategic alliance on plasmid DNA drugs extended
Strategic alliance on plasmid DNA drugs extended
Alma Bio Therapeutics and Delphi Genetics aim to rein in uncontrolled inflammation in autoimmune diseases
A polymerase-free paper
A polymerase-free paper
Quanterix, DestiNA Genomics publish study on new method for detecting liver tox biomarkers
Discovery
Partners in ‘ORBIT’ around glioblastoma multiforme
Partners in ‘ORBIT’ around glioblastoma multiforme
Heptares announces collaboration with NYU to seek brain cancer treatments
ProMIS identifies epitope target for ALS and dementia
ProMIS identifies epitope target for ALS and dementia
Company files patent application for novel target identified on misfolded forms of the protein TDP43
The match game
The match game
NCCU finds home for orphan diabetes drugs in the prevention of breast cancer
Ending the runaround with RNA
Ending the runaround with RNA
Earlham Institute and NEB tackle challenging RNA with new library prep kit
Answers for Alzheimer’s
Answers for Alzheimer’s
Risk of developing AD is linked to a network of genes associated with myeloid cells
Contract Services
Gotta catch ‘em all!
Gotta catch ‘em all!
Lonza acquires several companies in the first half of 2017
INC’s Japan presence expands with new office
INC’s Japan presence expands with new office
New office will allow for global CRO to continue to support rapid growth in Asia-Pacific’s largest pharmaceutical market
Before the trials come
Before the trials come
The Jackson Laboratory and Crown Bioscience announce global preclinical research agreement
Diagnostics
Bolstering biomarker use
Bolstering biomarker use
New Avant Diagnostics CEO wants to integrate precision diagnostics to treatment
A ‘gem’ of a partnership
A ‘gem’ of a partnership
Genoptix and Bionano to use Saphyr System to develop hematologic cancer diagnostics
Double-dose of CDx
Double-dose of CDx
Cancer Genetics launches companion diagnostic; Illumina announces NGS kit for CDx
Clinical Trials
An analgesic with ‘significant potential’
An analgesic with ‘significant potential’
Encouraging top-line results seen with CR845 pain relief trial in osteoarthritis patients
A double triple for June
A double triple for June
TG Therapeutics presents triple combination regimen data from two trials
Analyzing the microenvironment
Analyzing the microenvironment
Researchers define glioblastoma ecosystem for more effective immunotherapy trials
Moving forward on SMA
Moving forward on SMA
Cytokinetics announces baseline data from first cohort of Phase 2 trial in patients with spinal muscular atrophy
A look behind and ahead
A look behind and ahead
SCORR and Applied Clinical Trials release report on past and pending change for clinical trials
Editor's Focus
Of a mind to decode the mind
Of a mind to decode the mind
There are still many gaps in our knowledge when it comes to how the brain works, despite how many people are affected by mental image, but efforts are underway to try and close those gaps a step at a time
Commentary
The amateur scientist
The amateur scientist
As knowledge becomes more available and science more complicated, the line between amateurs and experts can seem blurred; scientists are expected to have all the answers, and those answers are supposed to be simultaneously accessible and titillating
An open letter to the biopharma community
An open letter to the biopharma community
As gender disparity continues in STEM fields, life-sciences industry leaders released an open letter to encourage gender diversity and offer guidelines for hiring practices
Feature
Show Preview: A showcase for European life sciences
Show Preview: A showcase for European life sciences
Annual congress seeks to bridge the worlds of science and business
Special Reports
Special Report on StemCells/Cell Therapy: Skin in the game
Special Report on StemCells/Cell Therapy: Skin in the game
Cell therapy meets gene therapy to advance dermatology
