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【drug-news】BIO 产业新闻报道汇集 8/28
U.S. researchers used gene therapy to grow cochlear hair cells in mice fetuses while they were still in the womb. The hair cells seem to function normally, but scientists have yet to determine whether the technique could help restore hearing in deaf mice. The findings could prove useful in developing treatment approaches for deafness and other hearing problems in humans, researchers said. The Times (London) (8/28) , Reuters (8/27)
Brain chemical may hold clues to obesity, study finds
A brain chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor that has been linked to appetite and weight control in animal studies may help scientists identify biological pathways that play a role in obesity, according to a U.S. study. Researchers observed 33 people with a genetic condition called WAGR syndrome and found that those who lacked the BDNF gene were obese by age 10 and more likely to overeat. Those who had two working copies of the gene were not prone to childhood obesity and did not have elevated levels of overeating, researchers said. The Washington Post/HealthDay News (8/27)
Researchers uncover protein's role in "dry" macular degeneration
U.S. and Chinese scientists who worked on mice and human cells found that TLR3, an immune system protein, increases the risk of "dry" macular degeneration by targeting infected retinal cells. A mutated version of the gene, however, appears to prevent the development of the eye disease by inhibiting retinal death. The discovery could pave the way for new treatments for the disease, a study co-author said. Yahoo!/HealthDay News (8/27)
Scientist: Immune system manages microbial communities in humans
The human immune system does not only target invading microbes, it also regulates the communities of benign bacteria that thrive inside the body, according to a hypothesis from Margaret McFall-Ngai, a biology and immunology professor at the University of Wisconsin. The validation of the hypothesis could shed light on obesity, inflammatory bowel disease and other conditions that have been associated with an imbalance in the microbial population. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (8/28)
Fertility methods raise risk of Y-chromosome defects, study finds
A Chinese study found that males conceived through in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection seem to be susceptible to Y-chromosome flaws known as "microdeletions," which could lead to faulty sperm production and a birth defect of the penis called hypospadias. The study "sounds an alarm about the genetic safety of assisted reproductive technology," but larger trials should be conducted to verify the findings, researchers said. Reuters (8/27)
Biomarkers-A paradigm shift in Drug Discovery to Development
High clinical development cost and declining of the drug discovery success rates poses a potential threat to the pharmaceutical sector. The biomarker market will be the area of opportunity and redefine the discovery process by remaining competitive. Download the HCL white paper to learn more.
Company & Financial News
Study on Genentech's eye drugs may affect Medicare
Results from an ongoing study that compares the efficacy of Genentech's Avastin and Lucentis in treating "wet" age-related macular degeneration may affect Medicare coverage of the eye drugs, raising financial stakes for the biotech firm. CMS officials said it would be cheaper to treat patients with Avastin, which costs $60 per treatment, compared with Lucentis, which costs $2,000 per dose. Genentech thinks Lucentis is the best treatment for the condition regardless of the study's outcome, a company spokeswoman said. Yahoo!/Associated Press (8/27)
Amgen to alter pricing policies for Aranesp, other drugs
Amgen announced that it will stop giving oncology clinics rebates for Aranesp starting Oct. 1 in a move that came amid growing concern about the anemia drug's safety. The company will also halt discounts on two infection treatments -- Neulasta and Neupogen -- based on a physician's purchase of Aranesp. Critics said Amgen's pricing practices have led to an overuse of Aranesp. The drugmaker said the changes help "clear up those possible misperceptions." The New York Times (8/27)
Patient deaths prompt Cell Genesys to stop GVAX trials
Cell Genesys halted Phase III clinical trials of GVAX, an experimental treatment for advanced prostate cancer, after identifying an increase in death rates. An independent data-monitoring panel found that among the 408 study patients, 67 treated with a combination of GVAX and chemotherapy drug Taxotere died compared with 47 of those who were on Taxotere and prednisone, the company said. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) (8/27) , Forbes (8/27)
Replidyne unveils restructuring efforts
Replidyne said it will reduce staffing by 80% and focus on reviewing strategic alternatives, such as merging or selling its programs for C. difficile and DNA-replication inhibition. The announcement came after the ***aceutical firm failed to find a partner to develop faropenem, an experimental antibiotic. Reuters (8/27)
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作者:admin@医学,生命科学 2011-01-07 17:14
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