January 2016- Volume 12, Issue 1
January 2016
In this Issue
Commentary
A very busy 2016? The intersection of M&As and personalized medicine
A very busy 2016? The intersection of M&As and personalized medicine
M&As are going strong and personalized medicine is a growing force; the two are not always intertwined, but in 2016 things may shift toward them being more so than they have been
Out of order: Avoiding extremes
Out of order: Avoiding extremes
We must strive to avoid getting swept up in hype and then forget or minimize existing limitations and challenges as we try to turn exciting discoveries into life-altering products and services
Clinical Trials
CluePoints not ‘clueless’ when it comes to RBM solutions
CluePoints not ‘clueless’ when it comes to RBM solutions
Company initiates collaboration with Widler & Schiemann on risk management in trials
Initial data for IMO-8400
Initial data for IMO-8400
Idera Pharmaceuticals reports positive data from ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of toll-like receptor in patients with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia
Survey reveals majority of life-sciences companies lack automated processes
Survey reveals majority of life-sciences companies lack automated processes
Industry leaders are adopting ‘best of breed’ applications in eClinical stack to speed clinical trials
Relief in sight with FDX104?
Relief in sight with FDX104?
Phase 2 data is positive for Foamix’s acneiform rash treatment
Business & Government Policy
AstraZeneca makes $575M deal for Takeda's respiratory business
AstraZeneca makes $575M deal for Takeda's respiratory business
Deal, which is one several at year’s end, includes expansion of rights to roflumilast, the only approved oral PDE4 inhibitor for COPD
On the cutting edge
On the cutting edge
A roundup of instrumentation, software and other tools and technology news
Hyped for HBV
Hyped for HBV
Johnson & Johnson acquires Novira Therapeutics and HBV portfolio in year-end deal
FDA beats the averages on approvals
FDA beats the averages on approvals
FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research approves 45 novel new therapies in 2015
Research & Development
Cold facts
Cold facts
Oregon team refines cryopreservation technique
Opening access to ‘vital’ cell lines
Opening access to ‘vital’ cell lines
Michael J. Fox Foundation looks ‘back to the future’ toward a speedy cure for Parkinson’s disease
Dealing across the coasts
Dealing across the coasts
N.J.-based Worthington and San Diego-based Cytori ink distribution deal for GMP enzyme
Adaptimmune and Universal Cells announce collaboration to develop allogeneic T Cell Therapies
Adaptimmune and Universal Cells announce collaboration to develop allogeneic T Cell Therapies
Adaptimmune and Universal Cells announce collaboration to develop allogeneic T Cell Therapies
A gut-check for answers
A gut-check for answers
New study reveals why the gastrointestinal microbiota affects disease
Preclinical
Oncology therapeutics on the move
Oncology therapeutics on the move
Sunesis is advancing its BTK and PDK1 inhibitor programs to aid cancer patients
Twice as nice
Twice as nice
OncoMed’s preclinical comparison study shows improved antitumore, immune responses for bispecific antibody
NanoBio chlamydia vaccine prevents PID in mice
NanoBio chlamydia vaccine prevents PID in mice
Nanoemulsion adjuvanted vaccines demonstrate positive preclinical results in genital herpes, HIV and chlamydia
Discovery
Aptose expands oncology pipeline through partnerships
Aptose expands oncology pipeline through partnerships
Canadian company links up with Moffitt and Laxai Avanti Life Sciences
Transformative therapy
Transformative therapy
Collaboration focuses on molecular target for unmet medical need
Uniquely human gene variants protect older adults from cognitive decline
Uniquely human gene variants protect older adults from cognitive decline
UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers detail gene variants that convey protection against neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases
Cracking the code of CFTR
Cracking the code of CFTR
TSRI scientists find crucial disease-specific protein interactions in cystic fibrosis
Novel drivers of clinical outcomes uncovered in multiple myeloma
Novel drivers of clinical outcomes uncovered in multiple myeloma
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and GNS Healthcare present data from longitudinal study
Diagnostics
Never leave a cell behind
Never leave a cell behind
Epic Sciences brings its ‘no cell left behind’ technology to partner with Penn Medicine Abramson Cancer Center
Precision medicine unleashed
Precision medicine unleashed
Whole-exome sequencing test reveals untapped therapeutic options
Vectra DA making waves in RA
Vectra DA making waves in RA
Crescendo shares data highlighting the test’s ability to better depict disease activity
Contract Services
Two for tissues
Two for tissues
ReproCELL acquires life-sciences CRO Biopta
A cancer antibody with more punch
A cancer antibody with more punch
Zymeworks contracts ProBioGen for bispecific GlymaxX antibody cell line development to enhance ADCC potency of antibody
Vetter establishes Japan office to bolster Asian inroads
Vetter establishes Japan office to bolster Asian inroads
Company’s second office in the region will strengthen customer relations and help develop new business among emerging and established Japanese companies
Special Reports
Special Report on regenerative medicine: Outside, looking in
Special Report on regenerative medicine: Outside, looking in
Regenerative medicine turns its focus on the eye
Q&A
Q&A: RNA therapies aimed at solving cardiometabolic and lipid disorders
Q&A: RNA therapies aimed at solving cardiometabolic and lipid disorders
DDNews conducts a Q&A with Paula Soteropoulos of Akcea Therapeutics on transforming the landscape of cardiometabolic lipid disorders
Editor's Focus
Still no silver bullet, but progress continues against cancer
Still no silver bullet, but progress continues against cancer
Between the FDA picking up the pace and researchers devoting ever more knowledge and resources, we may start to gain ground in the oncology race
