July 2016- Volume 12, Issue 7
July 2016
In this Issue
Discovery
Brain enzyme may protect against neurodegeneration
Brain enzyme may protect against neurodegeneration
New study suggests correlation between NMNAT2 levels and disease
Addressing the cause of schizophrenia
Addressing the cause of schizophrenia
LDC and Boehringer Ingelheim team up to move beyond merely treating ‘positive symptoms’ of the disease
Is depression a coordinated assault?
Is depression a coordinated assault?
Study suggests depression is driven by networks of genes that span brain circuits
Next-generation mapping for genomic assemblies
Next-generation mapping for genomic assemblies
Study published in Nature Methods describes use of BioNano Irys with Illumina-based NGS methods
Answers about alpha- synuclein
Answers about alpha- synuclein
University of Pittsburgh team uncovers the cause of alpha-synuclein toxicity in Parkinson’s
Business & Government Policy
A medley of M&As
A medley of M&As
Though the ongoing Sanofi/Medivation struggle drags on, multimillion-dollar deals are still getting done
Brexit could mean big changes for EMA
Brexit could mean big changes for EMA
In addition to challenges potentially facing UK-based companies in wake of electing to leave EU, Britons will likely lose EMA office
On the cutting edge
On the cutting edge
A roundup of instrumentation, software and other tools and technology news
For your approval
For your approval
A collection of recent regulatory approvals and other actions globally
Patent Docs: BIO International Convention Wrap-up
Patent Docs: BIO International Convention Wrap-up
Kevin Noonan takes a look at intellectual property- and patent-related activity at the recent meeting of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization
Preclinical
Forward momentum in Fragile X
Forward momentum in Fragile X
Anavex reports positive preclinical results with ANAVEX 2-73 in Fragile X
A compelling combination for TNBC
A compelling combination for TNBC
Bavituximab with an anti-PD-1 therapy causes tumor regression and improves survival, immune system activation
A designer drug for breast cancer
A designer drug for breast cancer
Scripps scientists develop cancer-targeting drug that is a ‘clear breakthrough’ in precision medicine
DepoVax vaccine may improve efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors
DepoVax vaccine may improve efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors
Data show control of cancer in advanced tumors previously non-responsive to PD-1 blockades alone
Natural killer cell therapy advancing toward first-in-human clinical trial
Natural killer cell therapy advancing toward first-in-human clinical trial
Fate Therapeutics Inc. presented data on its Adaptive NK Cell Therapy at the Innate Killer Summit 2016 in May in San Diego
Research & Development
Baring the bones
Baring the bones
New 3D constructs enable a closer look at cancer progression in bones
Small entities; big implications
Small entities; big implications
Seres enters into trio of strategic collaborations on infectious disease, immunologic disease and metabolic disease, with particular focus on microbiome research
The impact of inflammation
The impact of inflammation
Risk of autism linked to mother’s immune system dysfunction during pregnancy
Could microbiome research tool revolutionize drug development?
Could microbiome research tool revolutionize drug development?
The University of Luxembourg announces ‘breakthrough’ HuMiX organ-on-a-chip model for the human gastrointestinal tract
Contract Services
Horizon, Ubiquigent partner with focus on ubiquitin
Horizon, Ubiquigent partner with focus on ubiquitin
Ubiquitin modification plays key roles in homeostasis, cell signaling
Moving on up
Moving on up
ClinTec adds offices in Spain, hires new manager
MuScreen comes on scene
MuScreen comes on scene
Crown launches platform to expand in-vivo efficacy research of immuno-oncology agents
PPD gains some recognition and a new face
PPD gains some recognition and a new face
PPD announced in June that it had been named best contract research organization in the Triangle Business Journal’s 2016 Life Sciences Awards
Diagnostics
The apnea connection
The apnea connection
Study illuminates link between myocardial fibrosis and obstructive sleep apnea
An ally against colon cancer
An ally against colon cancer
Novigenix reports validation data on Colox blood test for colorectal cancer
Myriad acquires Sividon Diagnostics
Myriad acquires Sividon Diagnostics
Move strengthens product portfolio with breast cancer prognostic test EndoPredict
Confirmation for ConfirmMDx
Confirmation for ConfirmMDx
Multicenter validation study indicates ConfirmMDx stratifies risk for aggressive prostate cancer
Clinical Trials
Answering an urgent need
Answering an urgent need
Data on AbbVie SCLC antibody-drug conjugate are presented at ASCO
Changing focus
Changing focus
Marinus Pharmaceuticals now concentrates on status epilepticus and pediatric orphan indications
Phase 1 pass for APG101
Phase 1 pass for APG101
Data shows APG101 decreases necessary transfusions in low to intermediate-1 risk transfusion-dependent MDS patients
Adamas steps up
Adamas steps up
Phase 2 study shows ADS-5102 offers improvement for MS patients with walking impairment
One last study in LEMS
One last study in LEMS
Catalyst inches closer to FDA approval for Firdapse
Commentary
Newly published PLOS paper calls for better sharing of genomic data
Newly published PLOS paper calls for better sharing of genomic data
Better data sharing would improve research, providing benefits for patients, clinicians and researchers
Out of order: The cost of a free market
Out of order: The cost of a free market
Maybe it's time for the federal government to get into the business of funding (and perhaps even spearheading) antibiotic discovery and development, since this is an area where the free market seems to be falling short
Special Reports
Special Report on Cell Biology: Sweetening the pot
Special Report on Cell Biology: Sweetening the pot
Is improved understanding of glycobiology the secret to improved biologics?
Q&A
Q&A: Small molecules and the cancer landscape
Q&A: Small molecules and the cancer landscape
Dr. Thomas Dubensky, chief scientific officer at Aduro Biotech, talks about small-molecule therapeutics, immuno-oncology, the STING pathway and more
Editor's Focus
Exposing that murderous ole FDA
Exposing that murderous ole FDA
The 'FDA Death Meter' website is a great example of why people with an agenda and with minimal understanding of statistics should not be allowed anywhere near stats to make a point
