Drug Week

Malaria Therapy - Effects of PKC on artemisinin-induced leukemia cell differentiation clarified

AIDS Therapy - IND application filed for protease inhibitor GS 9005

Cell Biology - Wnt-1 signals could be major players in angiogenesis regulation

Cell Transduction - A unique coculture system improves in vitro investigations of gene therapy

Cervical Cancer - Cervical cancer staging is based on clinical, anatomic disease extent

Cervical Cancer - Cervical neoplasia is an HPV-associated malignancy

Cervical Cancer - Chemotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix has improved outcomes

Cervical Cancer - Combined therapy is standard treatment for Stage IIB-IVA cancer of the cervix

Cervical Cancer - DNA testing for HPV complicates management of atypical cervical cytology

Cervical Cancer - Role of injectable progesterones in cervical cancer remains unconfirmed

Chemotherapy - Helsinn signs licensing agreement for palonosetron with Japanese firm

Child Protection - Utah legislators to make parents' rights an 'emotional' issue

AIDS Treatment - AIDS activists fight for more affordable drugs

Chronic Liver Disease - Interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 denotes HCV-linked liver status

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia - Marrow fibrosis indicates therapy failure in chronic myeloid leukemia

Clinical Trials - Patient recruitment company says its panel exceeds 6 million members

Clinical Trials - Proper metrics for clinical trials outlined

Coagulation Therapy - Is LAA elimination suitable for atrial fibrillation treatment?

Cognition - Long-term progesterone deficits improve spatial performance in older rats

Collaborations - Agreement signed with Atria Genetics for tissue typing tests

Collaborations - Agreement signed with J&J to validate GPCR targets using aptamers

Collaborations - Alliance focuses on development of nanotechnology-based chemical sensors

Collaborations - Alliance targets development of protein activity profiles

AIDS Treatment - Companies agree to drop price of AIDS-combating drugs sold to Brazil

Collaborations - Alliance with Baxter to discover anti-MIF antibody

Collaborations - Biomaterials products, services orders exceed $2M in fourth quarter

Collaborations - Biopharmaceutical company enters joint SARS clinical program with Vanderbilt

Collaborations - Companies join forces to accelerate clinical trial recruitment for drugmakers

Collaborations - Deal signed with Fujisawa to develop AGI-1096 for transplant rejection

Collaborations - Drug discovery partnership to collaborate on cardiovascular therapeutics

Collaborations - Fosrenol licensing agreement expanded with Shire Pharmaceuticals

Collaborations - GPC biotech announces achievement of new milestones

Collaborations - Genedata expands genomics-based drug discovery collaboration

Collaborations - Grant received for drug development; enzyme deal signed

AIDS and HIV - Gene product restricts HIV-1 replication in resting CD4+ lymphocytes

Collaborations - KV Pharmaceutical adds to pipeline via development and marketing agreement

Collaborations - Metabasis joins forces to develop hepatitis C therapeutic

Collaborations - NIH research agreement signed to develop rapid vaccine production system

Collaborations - New cancer vaccine program launched

Collaborations - Partnership with Wyeth to develop therapeutics for neurological disorders

Collaborations - Pharmaceutical company announces research milestone with AstraZeneca

Collaborations - Pharmaceutical company identifies SARS antisense drug candidates

Collaborations - Pharmaceutical firms sign deal to develop drugs for Alzheimer disease

Collaborations - Program launched to create whole-genome arrays

Collaborations - Research alliance, licensing agreement targets RNA interference

Acute Myocardial Infarction - Scientists to study use of fat-derived regenerative cells for treating heart attack

Collaborations - Systems biology company to develop hematology model for Johnson & Johnson

Colon Cancer - Eloxatin approved in U.S. for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

Colon Cleaning - Phase II study to begin on new purgative product

Colorectal Cancer - Aggrus expression is frequently upregulated in colorectal tumors

Colorectal Cancer - Beta-catenin has a role in invasion and metastasis of colorectal carcinomas

Colorectal Cancer - Increased fiber intake is associated with a smaller risk of colorectal adenomas

Colorectal Cancer - Tumor-related Rac1b not regulated by Rho-GDP dissociation inhibitors

Constipation - Second phase II trial initiated for opioid-induced constipation treatment

Addiction Medicine - Alcohol has a dose-dependent effect on endothelial adhesion molecules

Constipation - Second phase III efficacy study for constipation treatment completed

Contraception - Large clinical trial launched to test "male Pill" in 14 European centers

Contraception - Low-dose levonorgestrel is an effective emergency contraceptive

Contraception - Virginia university resumes distribution of emergency 'morning after' pill

Coronary Artery Disease - $1M milestone payment received for initiation of Binodenoson trial

Coronary Artery Disease - Statins prevent AF in chronic stable CAD patients

Coronary Bifurcations - CE Mark granted for the Axxess bifurcated stent system

Corporate Update - Biotech device company launches in San Francisco bay area

Corporate Update - Genome5000 program has yielded more than 40 drug discovery programs

Allergy Drug Trends - Popularity of OTC allergy meds puts prescription drugs under price pressure

Corporate Update - Macrofluidics, microfluidics company changes name

Corporate Update - Oncology drug maker reports initial guidance for 2004

Corporate Update - Significant increase in Levulan Kerastick end-user sales

Corporate Update - Supplement maker discusses progress in refocusing business

Counterfeit Drugs - Millions of fake drugs seized

Courts - Victims of cancer drug dilution scheme to receive checks soon

Cutaneous Lymphoma - Researchers propose guidelines for managing primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas

Cutaneous Melanoma - p53 Arg/Arg genotype linked to higher risk of cutaneous melanoma over age 50

Cystic Fibrosis - Gene conjugates can be delivered to the airway of fetal sheep in utero

Cytomegalovirus - RNAi program initiated to develop therapies for diseases associated with CMV

Allergy Medicine - Inactivated split influenza vaccine safe in children with asthma

DNA Vaccine - Hepatitis delta antigens cause varied immunity in mice

DNA Vaccine - RANK-L gene improves the T cell immune response to infectious agents

Deep-Vein Thrombosis - Study shows DVT preventative treatment not implemented in high-risk patients

Depression - Paxil CR receives Canadian approval

Dermatology - Gene targeting alters keratin 17 expression in murine hair follicles

Dermatology - Inamed acquires license rights to Juvederm

Diabetes Pathogenesis - Autoantibodies target beta cell retroviral protein in diabetic mice

Diabetes Pathogenesis - Co-transfer system in young prediabetic BB rats developed

Diabetes Pathogenesis - IL-18 promotes diabetes development in young nonobese diabetic mice

Diabetes Pathogenesis - Insulin resistance found in offspring of rats using alcohol while pregnant

Alzheimer Disease - A-beta single chain Fv antibodies isolated from immune phage library

Diabetes Pathogenesis - Mechanisms of oxidative stress in diabetes reviewed

Diabetes Surgery - Maternal pancreatic islet transplant prevents hypothalamic defect in rat pups

Diabetes Therapy - Transfer of flt-3L-derived dendritic cells delays diabetes development

Diabetic Nephrology - Bosentan protects against diabetic nephrology in diabetic rats

Diabetic Neuropathy - Hyperbaric oxygen is effective adjuvant therapy for diabetic foot ulcers

Diabetic Retinopathy - Gene mutations correlate with proliferative eye disease in diabetes patients

Diagnostics - New method for rapid protein sequence analysis developed

Diet and Cancer - Researchers report common and country-specific dietary patterns in Europe

Diet and Nutrition - Chongkukjang improves glucose, lipid levels in diabetic rats

Diet and Nutrition - Some tomatoes have antithrombotic effects

Alzheimer Disease - Gene technique targets memory loss

Dietary Cancer Exposure - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in foods increase cancer risk

Drug Abuse - Abuse-resistant form of oxycodone undergoes clinical testing

Drug Approvals - FDA grants approval for generic contraceptive, manic disorder drug

Drug Costs - FDA says U.S. generics a better bargain than many Canadian drugs

Drug Development - Antimicrobial agents isolated from Turkish Pimpinella plants

Drug Development - Company signs NIH agreement to develop vaccines

Drug Development - FDA approves generic drug manufacturer based in India

Drug Development - Lavendamycin analogues show promise as antiretroviral agents

Drug Development - Pharmaceutical company chooses preferred chemical supplier

Drug Development - Report: FDA will be pressed to do more with less

Stroke - Anticlotting drug may be better than aspirin in preventing third stroke or heart attack

Alzheimer Disease - Namenda now available nationwide

Drug Development - UMass medicine hunter tracks plants with healing promise

Drug Discovery - Microfluidics firm introduces system to increase analytical HPLC throughput

Drug Discovery - Microplate standards expected to accelerate, streamline industry

Drug Discovery - Research collaboration and technology transfer agreement expanded

Drug Resistance - Liposome-based approaches can target drugs to tumor tissue

Drug Resistance - New advance to combat antibiotic-resistant pneumonia and malaria

Endocrinology - Endocrine factors underlie bone disease in cirrhotic men and women

Endocrinology - High estrogen levels may make the brain more vulnerable to stress

Endocrinology - Race has little impact on adrenal hormone response to submaximal exercise

Enterococcus - Glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium found in ICU

Alzheimer Disease - Pittsburgh Compound B gives unique view of amyloid plaques in living human brain

Environmental Health - Method for dual measurement of urinary bisphenol A and alkylphenols developed

Enzymology - Lack of matrix metalloproteinase-9 ensures faulty bone formation

Enzymology - Non-apoptotic functions of caspase-3 in nervous tissue reviewed

Enzymology - RhoA stimulates signals conductive to endothelial cell invasion

Ephedra - Methods of addressing potential risks associated with ephedra use reviewed

Epidemiology - Hepatitis B virus pre-S mutants flourish in countries with HBV endemicity

Epilepsy - Expanded indication for Lamictal offers additional treatment options

Epilepsy - Rights to epilepsy drug, DP-VPA, reacquired from Shire

Escherichia Coli - Expression of N-formylated proteins in E. coli described

Fabry Disease - Biopharmaceutical company to ceases to seek U.S. approval of Replagal

Alzheimer Disease - Potential tool would aid diagnostic and therapeutic research

Fatty Liver Disease - The etiology of liver steatosis is often virus-related

Fertility Risk - Family faces risks in birth of sextuplets

Finance - Biopharmaceutical company concludes $30M second round of financing

Finance - Biotech company reports strong revenue growth for fourth quarter and 2003

Finance - Biotechnology company closes on initial round of seed funding

Finance - Company proposes increase in number of authorized common shares

Finance - Diagnostics company reports loss of $0.12 per share

Finance - Genetics company announces $2.15M private placement

Finance - Life sciences fund closes year with $211M commitment

Finance - Medical device company sees fourth quarter sales increase of 15%

Alzheimer Disease - Researchers begin unique study of brain's tangles

Finance - Medical device maker increases revenue, earnings guidance for 2003

Finance - Metabolic-focused company raises $4M in second close of private financing

Finance - Molecular regeneration company raises $18.875 million in series B financing

Finance - Nanoparticle drug developer reports loss of $0.12 per share

Finance - Orders for heparin-coated cardiopulmonary products generate $250,000

Finance - Pharmaceutical company announces $15M financing, deal with Intel

Finance - Pharmaceutical company announces closing of $50M round C financing

Finance - Pharmaceutical company gets listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange

Finance - Pharmaceutical company launches third venture capital fund

Finance - Pharmaceutical company raises $14 million in private offering

Alzheimer Disease - Two proteins may help prevent brain plaques

Finance - Pharmaceutical company raises $3.7 million in private placement

Finance - Pharmaceutical company raises $41 million in series B financing

Finance - Pharmaceutical company retires over 46% of outstanding common stock warrants

Finance - Pharmaceutical company secures $12M under new management

Finance - Research organization reports 33% increase in operating income

Finance - Veronate maker completes $20 million private placement

Food-borne Illness - Main bacteria contributing to histamine formation in seafood identified

Food-borne Illness - Results from viral monitoring of oysters in polluted estuary reported

Food-borne Illness - Rugged LC-MS/MS survey analysis developed for acrylamide in foods

Foot Ulcers - Initial dosing complete in phase I chronic diabetic neuropathic foot ulcer trial

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - AEOL 10150 clears toxicology hurdle; company makes initial draw on financing

Gastric Cancer - A PI3K inhibitor holds promise as an antitumor agent for gastric carcinoma

Gastroenterology - Effects of CDX2 on ileal bile acid-binding protein promoter outlined

Gastroenterology - Gemcitabine halts ascites formation in patients with pancreatic cancer

Gastroenterology - Thymidylate synthase antisense blocks the oncogenic properties of colon cancer

Gene Delivery - PPE-EA attains sustained gene expression in the central nervous system

Gene Expression - Roche to license Eberwine linear RNA amplification technologies

Gene Mapping - Oxford joins HapMap project

Gene Therapy - HIV vector T-cell transduction efficiency is not pseudotype-dependent

Gene Therapy - Phase I/II HIV gene therapy trial initiated

Generics - Innovative Cos. announces first generic drug; human version in pipeline

Angiogenesis - Patent granted for antiangiogenic treatments using VEGF inhibition

Genetic Disorders - Malays with distal renal tubular acidosis have high rate of SE Asian ovalocytosis

Genetic Research - Transgenomic to distribute NanoChip Molecular Biology Workstation

Genital Herpes - Healthy women volunteers sought for final trial phase of herpes vaccine

Genomics and Genetics - Genetic interaction controls intestine length in PRM/Alf mice

Genotyping - Reagent, software product launched for use with genetic analyzers

Geriatrics - The relationship between gender and well-being among older people is complex

Gerontology - Vasomotor function loss in elderly linked to eNOS phosphorylation

Glaucoma - Company reports updates in glaucoma, arthritis trials

Glucose Testing - Florida Medicaid selects provider of monitoring system

Gynecologic Oncology - CYP1A1 polymorphism unrelated to gynecological malignancies in the Japanese

Animal Models - Diets with different levels of soy affect toxicity assessments in rats

HIV Treatment - New drug class may enable body's immune system to halt HIV infection

HIV/AIDS Cancer - Low B-cell counts linked to heightened Kaposi sarcoma risk

HIV/AIDS Cancer - Serum preferable to plasma for KSHV load testing

HIV/AIDS Coinfection - Liver transplantation feasible in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients

HIV/AIDS Dementia - PMG augments glutamate output from infected macrophages

HIV/AIDS Enzymology - Yeast system facilitates study of HIV integrase

HIV/AIDS Immunology - Role of CD40L dysregulation in HIV-related APC impairment reviewed

HIV/AIDS Opportunistic Infection -  C. albicans cell wall adhesin identified

HIV/AIDS Opportunistic Infection - Molecular assay enables noninvasive PCP monitoring

HIV/AIDS Opportunistic Infection - Oral CMV therapy cost effective

Anthrax - Contract signed with Pentagon to supply vaccine

HIV/AIDS Pathogenesis - HIV Nef activates macrophage STAT3 via soluble factors

HIV/AIDS Pathogenesis - Macrophages and lymphocytes have differential effects on anti-HIV RANTES activity

HIV/AIDS Pathogenesis - Nuclear transport of HIV integrase characterized

HIV/AIDS Pathogenesis - Opioid-regulated lymphocyte genes identified

HIV/AIDS Pathogenesis - PKA signaling underlies gp120-induced T-cell anergy

HIV/AIDS Pathogenesis - Role of dendritic cell C-type lectin receptors in HIV pathogenesis reviewed

HIV/AIDS Pathogenesis - Serum SDF-1 inactivated during HIV infection

HIV/AIDS Prevention - Incorporating HIV prevention into the medical care of persons living with HIV

HIV/AIDS Proteomics - Nuclear targeting of HIV Rev transport signals clarified

HIV/AIDS Risk Factor - Transmission risk data lacking in HIV/AIDS surveillance system

Antibiotic Testing - Pharmaceutical company begins phase I clinical trial of inhaled doripenem

HIV/AIDS Therapy - Phototherapy ameliorates nanobacteria-related peripheral neuropathy

HIV/AIDS Therapy - STAT1 blockade shows promise for clearance of latent HIV reservoirs

HIV/AIDS Therapy - Treatment-induced recovery of HIV-specific immunity more extensive in children

HIV/AIDS Therapy - Viral AAC resistance mutations identified

HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis - MDR-TB common for HIV patients in Peruvian hospitals

HIV/AIDS Vaccine - Multispecific mucosal cytotoxic T cells fail to control SIVmac239

Head and Neck Cancer - Audiotaped patient consultations are used to survey patient attitudes

Healthcare Access - AIDS activists hail victory as U.S. drug company relinquishes patent

Healthcare Access - Poor AIDS patients forced to make life-and-death choices

Healthcare Reform - Kennedy proposes major federal expansion for U.S. healthcare

Complementary and Alternative Medicine - CAM treatments could hinder cancer treatment

Anticancer Therapy - Recent developments in antitumor taxoids reviewed

Heart Attack - NHE-1 blockade ameliorates postinfarction remodeling

Heart Attack - NIH grant awarded to study the use of adipose-derived regenerative cells

Heart Disease - Registry demonstrates positive outcomes after heart valve implantation

Heart Disease Therapy - Rosuvastatin cost-effective for U.K. National Health Service

Heart Failure Therapy - Carvedilol may be superior to metoprolol tartrate

Heart Transplantation - Tolerogenic mechanisms of LF15-0195 characterized

Hematologic Disease - Platelet membrane glycoprotein mutations do not affect VWD severity

Hematology - Effects of gamma radiation on hemoglobin characterized

Hematology - Intracellular signal inhibitors block H₂ O₂ -induced platelet aggregation

Antioxidants - Curcumin has properties known to shutter diabetes complications

Hematology - Lamivudine prevents HBV flare in leukemia patients treated with campath-1H

Hepatitis A Vaccine - Two-dose hepatitis A vaccine effective in Thai children

Hepatitis B Virus - CHO cell clones expressing hepatitis B surface protein screened

Hepatitis B Virus - Hepatitis B infection appears to trigger adult-onset Still disease

Hepatitis C Therapy - Hepatitis vaccine collaboration signed

Hepatitis C Therapy - Phase I trials of Actilon initiated

Hepatitis C Virus - Company announces development of two new molecules to battle virus

Hepatitis E Vaccine - HEV-neutralizing antibodies recognize antigen of ORF2 protein vaccine

Hepatology - Alcohol dehydrogenase 6 and apolipoprotein E constructs propel liver transgenes

Hereditary Angioedema - Positive phase II study results with Icatibant

Antisense Technology - Antisense oligonucleotides depend on reliable delivery for therapeutic success

Hodgkin Lymphoma - Increased serum levels IL-9 may contribute to Hodgkin lymphoma development

Human Papillomavirus - Vaccines for cervical cancer reviewed

Huntington Disease - Abnormalities develop early in R6/2 Huntington disease transgenic mice

Huntington Disease - Different phenotype found in monozygotic twins with Huntington disease

Hypertension - B-type natriuretic peptide levels have limited value for diastolic HF diagnosis

Hypertension - Genomic influence of angiotensin II elucidated

Hypertension - Glucocorticoids act in dorsal hindbrain to increase arterial pressure

Hypertension - Melatonin may have an effect on nocturnal blood pressure

Asthma - Asthma drug program licensed from Abbott Laboratories

Idiopathic Myelofibrosis - Thalidomide yields success in patients treated for idiopathic myelofibrosis

Imaging - Ultrasound-guided liposomes boost imaging, target drug/gene therapy

Immune Reconstitution - Phase I trial of CYT 99 007 initiated

Immunology - Effects of TCR activation on naive cord blood T cells characterized

Immunology - Hepatitis C virus NS4 uses subversive tactics to thwart Th1 response

Immunology - Pathway for cell-associated antigens by dendritic cells characterized

Immunology - Peripheral blood should be used for flow cytometry T-cell counts

Immunology - Roles of TLR2 and -4 in antimycobacterial host defense characterized

Immunology - Soluble TLR2 isoforms present in plasma, breast milk

Immunology - Soluble adhesion factor marks microvascular changes in arthritis patients

Asthma - Controlled-release treatment for asthma and COPD to be developed

Immunology - Viral interleukin-10 gene transfer suppresses genes upregulated by inflammation

Industry Certification - Device manufacturer achieves ISO quality system standard

Infection - Patent granted for nonlive FluINsure vaccine

Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Phase I trial of Traficet-EN initiated

Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Plantain extract may be future treatment

Inflammatory Diseases - Small molecule collaboration extended

Inflammatory Response - Interleukin-18-binding protein staunches inflammatory response in mouse livers

Influenza - Flu shots last winter not perceived as effective prevention, surveys show

Influenza - FluMist to be donated to public health agencies

Information Technology - Company launches S-PLUS validation and clinical reporting solutions

Asthma - Disappointing phase IIa clinical trial results reported for oral asthma drug

Information Technology - Company launches enhanced Drug Information Framework

Kidney Dialysis - Advanced glycation end product role in uremia and dialysis outlined

Kinetic Research - Short rest periods stimulate some bone formation in active female mice

Laryngeal Cancer - Angiotensin-converting enzyme might be a marker for laryngeal cancer

Leg Ulcers - Researchers discuss wound bed preparation for treating venous leg ulcers

Legal Issues - Makers of OxyContin made unsubstantiated claims, report says

Legal Issues - Oregon man files lawsuit against ephedra manufacturer, marketer

Legionnaires Disease - Type I secretion system in Legionella pneumophila described

Leptin Studies - Leptin may play direct role in bone metabolism

Leptin Studies - Leptin overexpression decreases basal lipolysis, PKA activity, and perilipin

Asthma - Doubling of steroids before severe asthma attacks ineffective

Leukemia - Adaphostin can damage both myeloid and lymphoid leukemia cells

Leukemia - Dosing commenced in trial of Clofarabine first line treatment

Leukemia - Hematopoietic reserve in B-cell CLL evaluated

Leukemia - High spontaneous colony growth in CMML predicts short survival

Leukemia - Rare combination of genes cause leukemia

Leukemia - Resistance to different classes of chemo agents indicates a poor outcome in ALL

Leukemia - SIN lentivectors can transfer the CD40L gene to leukemia precursor cells

Leukemia - Somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations are associated with adult-onset leukemia

Leukemia - TP53 is frequently altered in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Avian Influenza - Bird flu vaccine not likely for 6 months

Leukemia Therapy - Dendritic cell recovery slow after allo-SCT

Leukemia Therapy - Filgrastim stem-cell mobilization safe and effective during imatinib treatment

Licensing Trends - Study looks at maximizing in-licensing opportunities in leading organizations