News for January 2012

News Archive

OGT founder Professor Sir Ed Southern awarded the 2011 MRC Millennium Medal OGT founder Professor Sir Ed Southern awarded the 2011 MRC Millennium Medal

Professor Sir Ed Southern, founder of Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), a provider of innovative clinical genetics and diagnostic solutions to advance molecular medicine, has been awarded the 2011 Medical Research Council (MRC) Millennium Medal.

Scientists reveal first 3D image of cancer-prevention molecule Scientists reveal first 3D image of cancer-prevention molecule

Cancer Research UK scientists have created the first 3D structure of a key protein that protects against the development of cancer, according to research published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.

Drug Discovery Today January Issue Drug Discovery Today January Issue

The latest issue of Drug Discovery Today is packed full of industry focused research articles, new developments in drug discovery, and expert comment and opinion.

Rapid rise in opioid abuse is among the challenges faced by pain therapy drug developers Rapid rise in opioid abuse is among the challenges faced by pain therapy drug developers

Pain therapy drug developers address the rapid rise in prescription drug abuse alongside the need for safe and effective treatments for a growing number of chronic pain sufferers. The sector has a diverse pipeline, with reformulations of existing therapies and alternative modes of drug delivery in development alongside novel compounds. However, increased generic competition will temper market growth over the next decade.

Together we will beat cancer Together we will beat cancer

Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the pharmaceutical industry and the many commentaries highlighting inefficiencies of the sectors operating model, 2011 has proven to be a near-record year for approvals of innovative new drugs. These approvals include seven new cancer treatments with two of these (Pfizer’s crizotinib, Xalkori™ and Roche’s vemurafenib, Zelboraf™) made in conjunction with companion genetic tests, reinforcing the notion that the practice of stratified medicine has truly arrived. The forthcoming special issue of Drug Discovery Today on cancer highlights innovative contributions in basic, translational and clinical research made by UK scientists and clinicians in the fight against cancer.

Charity bids to rid Africa of blinding disease Charity bids to rid Africa of blinding disease

Development charity Sightsavers has today unveiled a 10-year campaign to help eliminate one of the world’s leading causes of preventable blindness, termed onchocerciasis (also river blindness). With plans to fundraise and invest more than £27 million over the next decade to help combat this neglected tropical disease (NTD) across Africa, the charity is starting work this month in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the disease is endemic.

New cluster for life sciences as BioCity Scotland secures a future for MSD Newhouse site New cluster for life sciences as BioCity Scotland secures a future for MSD Newhouse site

BioCity Scotland Ltd, a joint venture between BioCity Nottingham and Roslin BioCentre, has today announced the acquisition of the former-MSD research facility at Newhouse, Lanarkshire. This exciting deal will enable the development of a dedicated base in central Scotland for growing bioscience, pharmaceutical, med tech and healthcare companies.

Reprogrammed oestrogen binding linked to more aggressive breast cancer Reprogrammed oestrogen binding linked to more aggressive breast cancer

Scientists based at Cancer Research UK’s Cambridge Research Institute have discovered how receptors for the female sex hormone oestrogen attach to a different part of the DNA in breast cancer patients who are more likely to relapse, according to a study published in Nature.