News for April 2013

News Archive

THE £50M CRT PIONEER FUND ANNOUNCES FIRST INVESTMENT TO DEVELOP CANCER DRUGS THE £50M CRT PIONEER FUND ANNOUNCES FIRST INVESTMENT TO DEVELOP CANCER DRUGS

THE CANCER RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY PIONEER FUND (CPF) today (Tuesday) has made its first investment in a collaboration with the Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, to develop a promising class of drugs called MPS1 inhibitors to treat cancer.

Proposed ‘superfast’ patent service could help some companies to make the most of Patent Box but only at a price, says Withers & Rogers Proposed ‘superfast’ patent service could help some companies to make the most of Patent Box but only at a price, says Withers & Rogers

The UK Intellectual Property Office’s (UKIPO) proposed ‘superfast’ patent service could help some companies to make the most of Patent Box but only at a price, according to one of the UK’s leading firms of patent and trade mark attorneys, Withers & Rogers.

La Jolla Institute's surprising finding could alter the face of dengue vaccine development La Jolla Institute's surprising finding could alter the face of dengue vaccine development

As efforts to create a strong and effective vaccine for the dreaded dengue virus continue to hit snags, a new study from researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology offers surprising evidence that suggests the need for a revamped approach to dengue vaccine design. The finding runs counter to current scientific understanding of the key cells that need to be induced to develop a successful dengue vaccine.

MRC Technology and EMBLEM Collaborate to Streamline Drug Development MRC Technology and EMBLEM Collaborate to Streamline Drug Development

Initiative strengthens drug development and commercialization network

Merck Serono's EPP to Finance the Launch of the EspeRare Foundation, a Nonprofit Organization to Advance Treatments for Rare Diseases Merck Serono's EPP to Finance the Launch of the EspeRare Foundation, a Nonprofit Organization to Advance Treatments for Rare Diseases

Merck Serono, a division of Merck, Darmstadt, Germany, today announced the launch of the EspeRare Foundation, a nonprofit organization set up by three Merck Serono employees, in the framework of the Merck Serono Entrepreneur Partnership Program (EPP). Merck Serono will donate an initial €2.8 million funding to the EspeRare Foundation.

New antibiotic drug is based on studies of phage New antibiotic drug is based on studies of phage

A new broad range antibiotic, developed jointly by scientists at The Rockefeller University and Astex Pharmaceuticals, has been found to kill a wide range of bacteria, including drug-resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) bacteria that do not respond to traditional drugs. The antibiotic, Epimerox, targets weaknesses in bacteria that have long been exploited by viruses that attack them, known as phage, and has even been shown to protect animals from fatal infection by Bacillus anthracis, the bacteria that causes anthrax.

Found: potential therapy for human prion disease Found: potential therapy for human prion disease

Human diseases caused by misfolded proteins known as prions are some of most rare yet terrifying on the planet—incurable with disturbing symptoms that include dementia, personality shifts, hallucinations and coordination problems. The most well-known of these is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which can be described as the naturally occurring human equivalent of mad cow disease.

Drug Discovery Today: April Issue Drug Discovery Today: April 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.

Genetic vulnerability of lung cancer to lay foundation for new drug options Genetic vulnerability of lung cancer to lay foundation for new drug options

Physician-researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a vulnerability of certain lung-cancer cells – a specific genetic weakness that can be exploited for new therapies.

Scientists test new formulation of novel, low-toxicity anticancer agent Scientists test new formulation of novel, low-toxicity anticancer agent

Researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) have found that a new formulation of a promising anticancer agent, the small chemical molecule FL118, is even more effective in controlling two types of cancer than a version reported in PLOS ONE six months earlier proved to be. Additional evidence also suggests that the agent may successfully treat other solid tumors as well.

Cancer drugs an unexpected ally in the battle against malaria Cancer drugs an unexpected ally in the battle against malaria

In the fight against malaria, cancer drugs are far from being considered a useful tool. But new research at Seattle BioMed reveals that liver cells, which are first infected by Plasmodium parasites after their transmission by mosquito bite, actually behave in similar ways to cancer cells. The work also shows that with the help of cancer drugs, the liver can become a hostile environment for the malaria parasite. This exciting new development is published in this month’s issue of the journal Cell Reports.