October 2016- Volume 12, Issue 10
October 2016
In this Issue
Preclinical
Abeta, pGlu-Abeta and Alzheimer’s
Abeta, pGlu-Abeta and Alzheimer’s
German biopharmaceutical Probiodrug’s preclinical trial takes giant step toward treating Alzheimer’s disease
DRGNET aims for less reliance on animals in pain research
DRGNET aims for less reliance on animals in pain research
Metrion is latest to join international consortium with aim to better support target discovery and drug testing with human DRG neurons
The amygdala and alcohol dependence
The amygdala and alcohol dependence
TSRI scientists find that targeting certain neurons can negate alcohol dependence
Treating NASH and AMN with fewer side effects
Treating NASH and AMN with fewer side effects
DeuteRx enters clinical-stage development with DRX-065 after promising preclinical work
Novel mechanism for a new generation
Novel mechanism for a new generation
Idera presents preclinical data demonstrating novel mechanism of action of its third-generation antisense technology
Plasticell and CellSpring seek to validate osteogenic cell therapy and 3D cell culture models
Plasticell and CellSpring seek to validate osteogenic cell therapy and 3D cell culture models
Plasticell, a biotechnology company using combinatorial technologies for stem cell research and optimization of cell and gene therapy manufacturing, has announced it is collaborating with CellSpring
Clinical Trials
Out of the starting gate
Out of the starting gate
A roundup of clinical trial startups and initial breakthroughs
Achillion announces 100-percent SVR in trial evaluating triple combination of odalasvir, AL-335 and simeprevir
Achillion announces 100-percent SVR in trial evaluating triple combination of odalasvir, AL-335 and simeprevir
Achillion Pharmaceuticals Inc. has announced that new interim results from a Phase 2a study being conducted by Alios BioPharma Inc., part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, were published as part of the abstracts released for the European Association for the Study of the Liver Special Conference held Sept. 23-24 in Paris
Illumina software supports cancer study
Illumina software supports cancer study
Company’s technology is being brought to bear on behalf of the TAPUR Molecular Tumor Board for precision medicine cancer study
Oh, Canada; oh, diabetes
Oh, Canada; oh, diabetes
Sernova seeks FDA approval for U.S. clinical trial on Cell Pouch System for diabetics
Promising data for patients with Crohn’s disease
Promising data for patients with Crohn’s disease
Celgene announces promising top-line data from trial of oral mongersen for both endoscopic and clinical outcomes
Sanofi shines in diabetes and dermatology
Sanofi shines in diabetes and dermatology
Recent study results for Toujeo and Dupixent mark two clinical trial successes this fall
Business & Government Policy
Determining cell death
Determining cell death
NIH-university collaboration advances potential Zika virus treatments
French connection
French connection
Advanced Analytical establishes office in Genopole, France
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: The Trans-Pacific Partnership--What it may mean for the pharmaceutical industry
Patent Docs: The Trans-Pacific Partnership--What it may mean for the pharmaceutical industry
While the treaty’s principal provisions include lower tariffs and dispute resolution mechanisms, there are several sections related to patent law relevant to the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, and Kevin Noonan explains
Discovery
New understanding of cocaine addiction
New understanding of cocaine addiction
Recent TSRI study findings suggest pharmacological remedies are possible
Warp speed ahead
Warp speed ahead
Company gets SMART Platform patent for identifying new therapeutic agents naturally
The promise of peroxiredoxin
The promise of peroxiredoxin
A protein that clears hydrogen peroxide from cells could offer new options for antibiotics
Stanford and twoXAR team up against liver cancer
Stanford and twoXAR team up against liver cancer
Researchers to validate computationally derived drug candidates targeting hepatocellular carcinoma
Diagnostics
A new ANGLE on biopsies
A new ANGLE on biopsies
MD Anderson Cancer Center research validates efficacy of Parsortix liquid biopsy system
A federal challenge
A federal challenge
NIH competition seeks diagnostic tools to combat antimicrobial resistance
More precision for personalized medicine
More precision for personalized medicine
Mount Sinai center aims to use computer vision technology for diagnosis and treatment
Breaking new ground with infectious disease
Breaking new ground with infectious disease
JAX-bioMérieux diagnostics partnership aims at better pathogen identification and countering antimicrobial resistance
Contract Services
Calithera selects ProTrials for early-phase trial support
Calithera selects ProTrials for early-phase trial support
Agreement provides clinical development services for Calithera’s CB-839 oncology therapeutic
Crown Bioscience boosts oncology offerings
Crown Bioscience boosts oncology offerings
Company expands site and services at San Diego Center of Excellence for Oncology
Charles River acquires Agilux Laboratories
Charles River acquires Agilux Laboratories
M&A deal enhances Charles River’s early-stage capabilities in bioanalytical services
Cinven expands clinical services footprint
Cinven expands clinical services footprint
Bioclinica acquisition deal marks the first investment with the Sixth Cinven Fund
Research & Development
Junk DNA and genomic stability
Junk DNA and genomic stability
Duke researchers discover connection between junk DNA variations and increased risk of cancer or other diseases
Four months, four agreements
Four months, four agreements
Selexis inks cell license agreement with Pieris for immuno-oncology bispecific drug candidate
Of eggs and enzymes
Of eggs and enzymes
‘Egg unboiling’ technology could change the way enzymes are used in research
Getting to the heart of HCM
Getting to the heart of HCM
Stem-cell model of heart condition reveals how the fibrosis is perpetuated
InSphero launches 3D mitochondrial toxicity testing service
InSphero launches 3D mitochondrial toxicity testing service
InSight Mitochondrial Toxicity Testing provides for the identification of mitochondrial liabilities during drug development and safety testing
First proposal of strategies for validating antibody specificity
First proposal of strategies for validating antibody specificity
The International Working Group on Antibody Validation announced recently the publication of initial strategies developed to address a critical unmet need for antibody specificity, functionality and reproducibility
Delving into drug delivery
Delving into drug delivery
F-star and Denali to develop multispecific antibody platform for crossing blood-brain barrier
Q&A
Q&A: Working to deal a critical blow to brain cancer in kids
Q&A: Working to deal a critical blow to brain cancer in kids
National Brain Tumor Society talks about its part in launching Project Impact and what that means to the landscape of pediatric brain tumor treatment
Commentary
Guest Commentary: What if mice could be more like humans?
Guest Commentary: What if mice could be more like humans?
In efforts to improve upon the human relevance of mouse-based studies, investigators are increasingly turning to models with genetically introduced human components
Pediatric pharmacology, part 2
Pediatric pharmacology, part 2
Thanks to a lack of appropriate trials, pharma, healthcare professionals, government, educators, caring/hopeful parents and others are forced to wing it with drugs not fully vetted in the pediatric population
Editor's Focus
A different sort of animal magnetism
A different sort of animal magnetism
Where does the target market for drugs intersect with regard to humans and animals...and should it?
Special Reports
Special Report on Drug Metabolism: Identifying toxicity
Special Report on Drug Metabolism: Identifying toxicity
Will embracing complexity lead to safer drugs?
Feature
Show Preview: Explore the brain and nervous system at Neuroscience 2016
Show Preview: Explore the brain and nervous system at Neuroscience 2016
After visiting Chicago last year, the Society for Neuroscience brings its annual meeting to the warmer climes of Southern California
