New objective response in colon cancer triggers trial expansion New objective response in colon cancer triggers trial expansion

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Agenus Launches Phase 2 Trial Expansion in Colon Cancer for AGEN1181 in Combination with Balstilimab

Global News Feed Comments Off on Agenus Launches Phase 2 Trial Expansion in Colon Cancer for AGEN1181 in Combination with Balstilimab | December 1st, 2020

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Dec. 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zogenix (Nasdaq: ZGNX), a global biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing rare disease therapies, announced that data from eleven poster presentations related to FINTEPLA® (fenfluramine) oral solution in Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and other rare epilepsies will be presented at the American Epilepsy Society (AES) Annual Meeting, being held virtually from December 4-8, 2020. Zogenix will also host a virtual scientific exhibition room and sponsor a continuing medical education (CME) symposium during AES 2020.

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Zogenix and Leading Experts to Present New Rare Epilepsy Data at AES 2020

Global News Feed Comments Off on Zogenix and Leading Experts to Present New Rare Epilepsy Data at AES 2020 | December 1st, 2020

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN) today announced the retirement of K. Peony Yu, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, and appointment of Mark Eisner, M.D., M.P.H. in that role. Dr. Yu will continue as Chief Medical Officer through December 20, 2020, the roxadustat PDUFA date, and will remain with FibroGen through March 15, 2021 serving as Executive Advisor to the CEO to support the transition.

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FibroGen Announces Retirement of K. Peony Yu, M.D., and Appointment of Mark Eisner, M.D., M.P.H. as Chief Medical Officer

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HST-001 Demonstrated Separation from Placebo at Week 18 Primary Efficacy Endpoint Assessment

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Histogen Announces Preliminary Week 18 HST-001 Study Results for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia in Men

Global News Feed Comments Off on Histogen Announces Preliminary Week 18 HST-001 Study Results for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia in Men | December 1st, 2020

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Dec. 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- electroCore, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECOR), a commercial-stage bioelectronic medicine company, announced today that its gammaCore non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator (nVNS) has been selected for evaluation in a randomized controlled study for the treatment of opioid use disorders. The study is being run by Dr. Douglas Bremner at Emory University in collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology and the City University of New York and is supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NCT04556552).

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electroCore Announces Selection of gammaCore for National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-Sponsored Study in Opioid Use Disorders

Global News Feed Comments Off on electroCore Announces Selection of gammaCore for National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-Sponsored Study in Opioid Use Disorders | December 1st, 2020

IJSS-published review finds that the novel biplanar expandable cage provides effective vertebral body slip or spondylolisthesis reduction and improvement in radiographic and clinical parameters with no reported subsidence, migration, or endplate violation IJSS-published review finds that the novel biplanar expandable cage provides effective vertebral body slip or spondylolisthesis reduction and improvement in radiographic and clinical parameters with no reported subsidence, migration, or endplate violation

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Safe and Efficacious Treatment of Spondylolisthesis via MIS TLIF Approach with the FlareHawk® Expandable Cage

Global News Feed Comments Off on Safe and Efficacious Treatment of Spondylolisthesis via MIS TLIF Approach with the FlareHawk® Expandable Cage | December 1st, 2020

ZILXI is the First FDA Approved Minocycline Product for the Treatment of Inflammatory Lesions of Rosacea in AdultsZILXI demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile for up to 52 weeks of treatmentEfficacy of ZILXI continued to develop for an additional 40 weeks of treatment after an initial treatment period of 12 weeks

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VYNE Therapeutics Announces Publication of Long-term Safety & Efficacy Data for ZILXI™ (minocycline) topical foam, 1.5% in the Journal of...

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Former CEO and Antios co-founder, Abel De La Rosa, Ph.D., appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors

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Antios Therapeutics Appoints Gregory T. Mayes Chief Executive Officer

Global News Feed Comments Off on Antios Therapeutics Appoints Gregory T. Mayes Chief Executive Officer | December 1st, 2020

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cidara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CDTX), a biotechnology company developing long-acting therapeutics designed to transform the standard of care for patients facing serious fungal or viral infections, today announced a keynote lecture, an oral presentation and two posters at the 7th European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) Influenza Conference, which takes place virtually Dec. 6-9, 2020.

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Cidara Therapeutics to Present Preclinical Data for Influenza AVCs at the 7th ESWI Influenza Conference

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MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J., Dec. 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Outlook Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OTLK), a?late clinical-stage?biopharmaceutical company?working to develop the first FDA-approved ophthalmic formulation of bevacizumab?for use in retinal?indications, announced today that it has received notification from Nasdaq that it has regained compliance with the minimum bid price for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, as the closing bid price of Outlook Therapeutics’ common stock has been at $1.00 or greater for 10 consecutive trading days. Accordingly, this matter is now closed.

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Outlook Therapeutics Regains Compliance with Nasdaq Minimum Bid Price Requirement

Global News Feed Comments Off on Outlook Therapeutics Regains Compliance with Nasdaq Minimum Bid Price Requirement | December 1st, 2020

WARREN, N.J., Dec. 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bellerophon Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLPH) (“Bellerophon” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company focused on developing treatments for cardiopulmonary and infectious diseases, today announced that the first patient has been enrolled in its REBUILD Phase 3 registrational clinical study evaluating INOpulse®, a pulsed inhaled nitric oxide therapy, as a potential treatment for fibrotic interstitial lung disease (fILD).

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Bellerophon Therapeutics Announces First Patient Enrolled in Phase 3 REBUILD Study Evaluating INOpulse® for the Treatment of Fibrotic Interstitial...

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Achieving lower costs, while increasing capacity Achieving lower costs, while increasing capacity

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Better Choice Showing Opportunity for Substantial Monetary Savings from Consolidation of Fulfillment Operations

Global News Feed Comments Off on Better Choice Showing Opportunity for Substantial Monetary Savings from Consolidation of Fulfillment Operations | December 1st, 2020

- Meeting Highlights Include New Long-Term Data in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex -

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Greenwich Biosciences to Present Data on EPIDIOLEX® (cannabidiol) Oral Solution at the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting

Global News Feed Comments Off on Greenwich Biosciences to Present Data on EPIDIOLEX® (cannabidiol) Oral Solution at the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting | December 1st, 2020

Hamilton, Bermuda, December 1, 2020 – Auris Medical Holding Ltd. (NASDAQ: EARS), a clinical-stage company dedicated to developing therapeutics that address important unmet medical needs in neurotology, rhinology and allergy and CNS disorders, today announced positive efficacy data from testing AM-301 in vitro. AM-301 is a drug-free nasal spray being developed by the Company’s affiliate Altamira Medica for protection against airborne pathogens and allergens.

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Auris Medical Reports Positive In vitro Efficacy Data for AM-301 in Protecting Against Sars-CoV-2 Infection

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Hopes for new treatments for osteoporosis and cartilage degeneration have been raised after scientists identified a gene that plays a key role in the ageing of bone, tendon, ligament and cartilage.

The researchers hope that they can use their findings to slow down treat age-related diseases connected to the skeletal system by creating treatments that slow down the ageing process behind them.

The i newsletter latest news and analysis

Our findings are novel and significant in finding a critical answer to how skeletal tissues lose their capability to maintain their properties and functions when we age, said Wan-Ju Li, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

We can also develop new pharmacological therapies to treat age-associated diseases based on our findings [although] it will take a few years before we can see the application happens, he said.

The study is published in the journal Stem Cells. The journals editor-in-chief, Jan Nolta, of the University of California at Davis, said the discovery is a very important accomplishment.

Researchers said it is possible that the same mechanism that has been identified for the skeletal system may also be present in neural stem cells and cardic stem cells, where it may play a role in causing diseases associated with those areas of the body.

We dont know if the molecule and mechanism we have identified in the paper also play the same role in other stem cells, such as neural stem cells and cardiac stem cells, in causing Parkinsons disease and heart diseases, respectively, since we havent tested it with these cells, Dr Lin said.

But I am sure that other scientists in the fields of aging and brain and heart will follow our study to answer these questions in the future, Dr Lin said.

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Osteoporosis treatments could be on the way after scientists identify aging gene - iNews

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on Osteoporosis treatments could be on the way after scientists identify aging gene – iNews | December 1st, 2020

Stem Cell Assay Market: Snapshot

Stem cell assay refers to the procedure of measuring the potency of antineoplastic drugs, on the basis of their capability of retarding the growth of human tumor cells. The assay consists of qualitative or quantitative analysis or testing of affected tissues andtumors, wherein their toxicity, impurity, and other aspects are studied.

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With the growing number of successfulstem cell therapytreatment cases, the global market for stem cell assays will gain substantial momentum. A number of research and development projects are lending a hand to the growth of the market. For instance, the University of Washingtons Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM) has attempted to manipulate stem cells to heal eye, kidney, and heart injuries. A number of diseases such as Alzheimers, spinal cord injury, Parkinsons, diabetes, stroke, retinal disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurological diseases can be successfully treated via stem cell therapy. Therefore, stem cell assays will exhibit growing demand.

Another key development in the stem cell assay market is the development of innovative stem cell therapies. In April 2017, for instance, the first participant in an innovative clinical trial at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health was successfully treated with stem cell therapy. CardiAMP, the investigational therapy, has been designed to direct a large dose of the patients own bone-marrow cells to the point of cardiac injury, stimulating the natural healing response of the body.

Newer areas of application in medicine are being explored constantly. Consequently, stem cell assays are likely to play a key role in the formulation of treatments of a number of diseases.

Global Stem Cell Assay Market: Overview

The increasing investment in research and development of novel therapeutics owing to the rising incidence of chronic diseases has led to immense growth in the global stem cell assay market. In the next couple of years, the market is expected to spawn into a multi-billion dollar industry as healthcare sector and governments around the world increase their research spending.

The report analyzes the prevalent opportunities for the markets growth and those that companies should capitalize in the near future to strengthen their position in the market. It presents insights into the growth drivers and lists down the major restraints. Additionally, the report gauges the effect of Porters five forces on the overall stem cell assay market.

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Global Stem Cell Assay Market: Key Market Segments

For the purpose of the study, the report segments the global stem cell assay market based on various parameters. For instance, in terms of assay type, the market can be segmented into isolation and purification, viability, cell identification, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and function. By kit, the market can be bifurcated into human embryonic stem cell kits and adult stem cell kits. Based on instruments, flow cytometer, cell imaging systems, automated cell counter, and micro electrode arrays could be the key market segments.

In terms of application, the market can be segmented into drug discovery and development, clinical research, and regenerative medicine and therapy. The growth witnessed across the aforementioned application segments will be influenced by the increasing incidence of chronic ailments which will translate into the rising demand for regenerative medicines. Finally, based on end users, research institutes and industry research constitute the key market segments.

The report includes a detailed assessment of the various factors influencing the markets expansion across its key segments. The ones holding the most lucrative prospects are analyzed, and the factors restraining its trajectory across key segments are also discussed at length.

Global Stem Cell Assay Market: Regional Analysis

Regionally, the market is expected to witness heightened demand in the developed countries across Europe and North America. The increasing incidence of chronic ailments and the subsequently expanding patient population are the chief drivers of the stem cell assay market in North America. Besides this, the market is also expected to witness lucrative opportunities in Asia Pacific and Rest of the World.

Global Stem Cell Assay Market: Vendor Landscape

A major inclusion in the report is the detailed assessment of the markets vendor landscape. For the purpose of the study the report therefore profiles some of the leading players having influence on the overall market dynamics. It also conducts SWOT analysis to study the strengths and weaknesses of the companies profiled and identify threats and opportunities that these enterprises are forecast to witness over the course of the reports forecast period.

Some of the most prominent enterprises operating in the global stem cell assay market are Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc (U.S.), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.), GE Healthcare (U.K.), Hemogenix Inc. (U.S.), Promega Corporation (U.S.), Bio-Techne Corporation (U.S.), Merck KGaA (Germany), STEMCELL Technologies Inc. (CA), Cell Biolabs, Inc. (U.S.), and Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. (U.S.).

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TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.

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Stem Cell Assay Market In-Depth Analysis and Forecast 2017-2025 - Khabar South Asia

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on Stem Cell Assay Market In-Depth Analysis and Forecast 2017-2025 – Khabar South Asia | December 1st, 2020

By Pat Anson, PNN Editor

Scientists have developed an experimental drug that can lure stem cells to damaged tissues and help them heal -- a discovery being touted as a major advancement in the field of regenerative medicine.

The findings, recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), could improve the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in treating spinal cord injuries, stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), Parkinsons disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. It could also expand the use of stem cells to treat conditions such as heart disease and arthritis.

The ability to instruct a stem cell where to go in the body or to a particular region of a given organ is the Holy Grail for regenerative medicine, said lead authorEvan Snyder, MD, director of theCenter for Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicineat Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in La Jolla, CA. Now, for the first time ever, we can direct a stem cell to a desired location and focus its therapeutic impact.

Over a decade ago, Snyder and his colleagues discovered that stem cells are drawn to inflammation -- a biological fire alarm that signals tissue damage has occurred. However, using inflammation as a therapeutic lure for stem cells wasnt advisable because they could further inflame diseased or damaged organs, joints and other tissue.

To get around that problem, scientists modified CXCL12 -- an inflammatory molecule that Snyders team discovered could guide stem cells to sites in need of repair to create a drug called SDV1a. The new drug works by enhancing stem cell binding, while minimizing inflammatory signals.

Since inflammation can be dangerous, we modified CXCL12 by stripping away the risky bit and maximizing the good bit, Snyder explained. Now we have a drug that draws stem cells to a region of pathology, but without creating or worsening unwanted inflammation.

To demonstrate its effectiveness, Snyders team injected SDV1a and human neural stem cells into the brains of mice with a neurodegenerative disease called Sandhoff disease. The experiment showed that the drug helped stem cells migrate and perform healing functions, which included extending lifespan, delaying symptom onset, and preserving motor function for much longer than mice that didnt receive the drug. Importantly, the stem cells also did not worsen the inflammation.

Researchers are now testing SDV1as ability to improve stem cell therapy in a mouse model of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, which is caused by a progressive loss of motor neurons in the brain. Previous studies conducted by Snyders team found that broadening the spread of neural stem cells helps more motor neurons survive so they are hopeful that SDV1a will improve the effectiveness of neuroprotective stem cells and help slow the onset and progression of ALS.

We are optimistic that this drugs mechanism of action may potentially benefit a variety of neurodegenerative disorders, as well as non-neurological conditions such as heart disease, arthritis and even brain cancer, says Snyder. Interestingly, because CXCL12 and its receptor are implicated in the cytokine storm that characterizes severe COVID-19, some of our insights into how to selectively inhibit inflammation without suppressing other normal processes may be useful in that arena as well.

Snyders research is supported by the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Defense, National Tay-Sachs & Allied Disease Foundation, Childrens Neurobiological Solutions Foundation, and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

Thanks to decades of investment in stem cell science, we are making tremendous progress in our understanding of how these cells work and how they can be harnessed to help reverse injury or disease, says Maria Millan, MD, president and CEO of CIRM. This drug could help speed the development of stem cell treatments for spinal cord injury, Alzheimers, heart disease and many other conditions for which no effective treatment exists.

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New Drug Could Improve Effectiveness of Stem Cell Therapy - Pain News Network

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on New Drug Could Improve Effectiveness of Stem Cell Therapy – Pain News Network | December 1st, 2020

MELBOURNE, Australia and BAAR, Switzerland, Nov. 29, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX, Telix, the Company) announces it has entered into an agreement with Scintec Diagnostics GmbH (Scintec) to acquire TheraPharm GmbH (TheraPharm), a Swiss-German biotechnology company developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic solutions in the field of hematology.

The acquisition of TheraPharm provides Telix with access to a portfolio of patents, technologies, production systems, clinical data and know-how in relation to the use of Molecularly Targeted Radiation (MTR) in hematology and immunology. TheraPharm is developing antibody MTR technology against CD66, a cell surface target highly expressed by neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. As such, the technology has potentially very broad applications in the diagnosis and treatment of hematologic diseases (e.g. blood cancers), lymphoproliferative disorders and immune-mediated diseases (e.g. lupus, and multiple sclerosis). Of particular interest is the demonstrated use of the technology to safely and effectively perform bone marrow conditioning (BMC) prior to bone marrow stem cell transplant.

Telix CEO, Dr. Christian Behrenbruch stated, Telix is committed to extending and improving the lives of patients with serious diseases. As such, the acquisition of TheraPharm and its MTR assets are uniquely aligned to Telixs mission and technical strengths in antibody engineering and radiochemistry. TheraPharms technology has a significant role to play in BMC and stem cell transplantation across a broad range of blood cancers and rare diseases. The current approach to BMC employs highly toxic drugs that have a poor morbidity and mortality profile, and for which many patients are ineligible. MTR offers an excellent safety profile that may greatly expand the number of patients able to undergo life prolonging stem cell transplantation while greatly reducing the hospitalisation burden and cost associated with such procedures.

TheraPharm co-founder and Managing Director, Dr. Klaus Bosslet added, Over the past 5 years, TheraPharm, in collaboration with Dr. Kim Orchard from the University of Southampton (UK), has made excellent progress developing 90Y-besilesomab for the treatment of hematologic cancers and several related conditions including multiple myeloma, leukemia and amyloidosis. This unique asset is a logical addition to Telixs portfolio, offering a potentially rapid development path to a first commercial indication for the treatment of patients with SALA, while at the same time having potentially broad applications for stem cell transplantation in patients with more common cancers of the blood, including multiple myeloma and leukemia. We look forward to joining the Telix team in order to expedite the development of products for this under-served field.

Full transaction details, including financial terms, can be found via the Telix website and ASX portal here.

About Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT)

Bone marrow conditioning (BMC) followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is presently performed to treat patients with hematologic malignancies (blood cancers), with the objective of extending patient survival or achieving cure. HSCT is also performed for a broad range of non-cancer conditions. HSCT is preferentially performed in countries of high income (Europe >30,000, Americas >20,000, worldwide >65,000 p.a., respectively) and is growing at around 5% annually.

About Systemic Amyloid Light-Chain Amyloidosis (SALA)

SALA is a rare, but serious protein deposition disease, caused by a protein known as amyloid that is produced by abnormal plasma cells residing in the bone marrow. As amyloid accumulates in the organs of the body, organ function will eventually deteriorate, ultimately causing organ failure. SALA has an estimated prevalence of 30,000 and 45,000 in United States and Europe, respectively and while a rare disease, SALA portends a very poor prognosis, with a median survival from diagnosis of ~11 months if untreated.

The current standard of care comprises of induction therapy (typically cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, dexamethasone) plus high dose melphalan BMC, followed by HSCT. This approach is typically only accessible to a small proportion of patients (<20%) who are able to tolerate induction therapy and melphalan BMC.

About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited

Telix is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of diagnostic and therapeutic products using Molecularly Targeted Radiation (MTR). Telix is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia with international operations in Belgium, Japan and the United States. Telix is developing a portfolio of clinical-stage oncology products that address significant unmet medical needs in prostate, kidney and brain cancer. Telix is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: TLX). For more information visit http://www.telixpharma.com.

AboutTheraPharm GmbH

TheraPharm is a biotechnology company specialised in the research, development and manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies for targeted radiation of hematopoietic malignant and non-malignant diseases, lymphoproliferative diseases, conditioning for allogeneic stem cells as well as in diagnostics of inflammatory diseases and bone marrow metastases.

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Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited Acquires TheraPharm GmbH, Broadening Reach to Hematologic Cancers and Transplant Medicine - BioSpace

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited Acquires TheraPharm GmbH, Broadening Reach to Hematologic Cancers and Transplant Medicine – BioSpace | November 30th, 2020

Scientists at Bay Area universities, laboratories, biotechnology companies and drug manufacturers are fashioning drug concoctions out of blood plasma, chimpanzee viruses and cells taken from bone marrow in the race to rid the world of COVID-19.

The microbial treasure hunt is not just to find a cure which may not be possible but to control the debilitating health problems caused by the coronavirus.

Major progress has been made this year. The antiviral drug remdesivir, produced in Foster City, has improved recovery times, and the steroid dexamethasone has cut the number of deaths in severely ill patients.

What follows is a list of some of the most promising medications and vaccines with ties to the Bay Area:

Antibodies

and Immunity

Mesenchymal stem cells / UCSF and UC Davis Medical Center:

UCSF Dr. Michael Matthay is leading a study of whether a kind of stem cell found in bone marrow can help critically ill patients with severe respiratory failure, known as ARDS. Matthay hopes the stem cells can help reduce the inflammation associated with some of ARDS most dire respiratory symptoms, and help patients lungs recover.

In all, 120 patients are being enrolled at UCSF Medical Center, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and hospitals in Oregon and Texas. He said the trial, which includes a small number of ARDS patients who dont have COVID-19, should have results by summer or fall 2021. So far, 28 patients are enrolled in San Francisco.

Lambda-interferon / Stanford University:

Lambda-interferon is a manufactured version of a naturally occurring protein that had been used to treat hepatitis, and researchers hoped it would help patients in the early stages of COVID-19.

Stanford researchers completed their trial of lambda-interferon and found that it did not boost the immune system response to coronavirus infections.

That trial did not find any difference in outcomes between the treatment and placebo, said Yvonne Maldonado, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital at Stanford, where 120 patients were enrolled in the trial. It didnt work.

Antiviral drugs

Remdesivir / Gilead Sciences (Foster City):

Remdesivir, once conceived as a potential treatment for Ebola, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in October for use on hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Trademarked under the name Veklury, the drug interferes with the process through which the virus replicates itself. It was one of the drugs given to President Trump and has been used regularly in hospitals under what is known as an emergency use authorization.

It was approved after three clinical trials showed hospitalized coronavirus patients who received remdesivir recovered five days faster on average than those who received a placebo. Patients who required oxygen recovered seven days faster, according to the studies.

Gilead now plans to conduct clinical trials to see how remdesivir works on pediatric patients, from newborns to teenagers, with moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms. Remdesivir is also being studied with steroids and other drugs to see if it works better as part of a medicinal cocktail. An inhalable form of the drug is also being developed.

Favipiravir / Fujifilm Toyama Chemical (Stanford University):

This antiviral drug, developed in 2014 by a subsidiary of the Japanese film company to treat influenza, is undergoing numerous clinical studies worldwide, including a trial involving 180 patients at Stanford University.

Stanford epidemiologists are testing favipiravir to see if it prevents the coronavirus from replicating in human cells, halts the shedding of the virus and reduces the severity of infection. Unlike remdesivir, it can be administered orally, so it can be used to treat patients early in the disease, before hospitalization is necessary.

The Stanford study has so far enrolled about 90 patients, who are given the drug within 72 hours of when they were first diagnosed with COVID-19. Half of them get a placebo. People can enroll by emailing treatcovid@stanford.edu.

Monoclonal antibodies

REGN-COV2 / Regeneron Pharmaceuticals / Stanford School of Medicine:

The REGN-COV2 cocktail is the same one Trump received, and Stanford is one of dozens of locations nationwide where clinical trials are being held. Two separate trials are under way at Stanford one for hospitalized patients, the other for outpatients. A third trial is about to begin for people who arent sick but are in contact with carriers of the virus.

Regeneron halted testing on severely ill patients requiring high-flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation after the independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board determined that the drug was unlikely to help them.

The drug is a combination of two monoclonal antibodies lab-made clones of the antibodies produced naturally in people who have recovered from COVID-19. The antibodies bind to the virus spike protein and block the virus ability to enter cells.

Dr. Aruna Subramanian, professor of infectious diseases at Stanford and lead investigator for the inpatient trial, said the 21 hospitalized patients in the study receive a high dose like Trump, a lower dose or a placebo. Subramanian plans to expand the inpatient trial to 45 patients. The outpatient study has enrolled a little more than 40 of the 60 patients researchers intend to sign up.

Theres enough promising evidence that it helps people early in the infection, Subramanian said. What we dont know is whether it helps people who are pretty sick but not critically ill.

Bamlanivimab / Eli Lilly / Stanford and UCSF:

Stanford and UCSF are testing the Eli Lilly monoclonal antibodies on outpatients after the pharmaceutical company halted trials on hospitalized COVID-19 patients because of adverse results.

Dr. Andra Blomkalns, chair of emergency medicine at Stanford and the lead in the Eli Lilly outpatient trial, said she is now enrolling older people with comorbidities like heart disease, chronic lung disease, a history of strokes and severe obesity shortly after they test positive.

The hypothesis is that the bamlanivimab monotherapy, which is very similar to the Regeneron monoclonals, might work best early in the infection. Although about 400 patients have been enrolled in the Lilly phase 3 trials nationwide, to date fewer than 10 have been enrolled at Stanford and UCSF.

Matthay, who headed up the Lilly monoclonal study with LY-CoV555 at UCSF, said the cancellation of this inpatient trial was disappointing, but just because this one did not work, doesnt mean another one wont work for hospitalized patients.

Blomkalns said the testing criteria has been changing. She expects the outpatient trial to open soon to adolescents ages 12 and up to determine whether the drug can be used as a preventive.

Designer monoclonal antibodies / Vir Biotechnology, San Francisco:

Scientists at Vir are studying several types of monoclonal antibodies, including a type engineered to activate T cells, which can search out and destroy cells infected with the coronavirus. A study published in the journal Nature in October found that monoclonals, modified to bind with certain receptors, stimulated T cells and improved the human immune response.

By observing and learning from our bodys powerful natural defenses, we have discovered how to maximize the capacity of antibodies through the amplification of key characteristics that may enable more effective treatments for viral diseases, said Herbert Virgin, the chief scientific officer at Vir and co-author of the study.

A similarly modified monoclonal antibody, leronlimab, is being studied in coronavirus clinical trials by its Washington state drugmaker, CytoDyn, which has developed drugs to treat HIV. The companys chief medical officer is in San Francisco, and the company that does laboratory tests of leronlimab is in San Carlos.

Anti-inflammatory drugs

Colchicine / UCSF (San Francisco and New York):

The anti-inflammatory drug commonly used to treat gout flare-ups is being studied by scientists at UCSF and New York University. The drug short-circuits inflammation by decreasing the bodys production of certain proteins, and researchers hope that it will reduce lung complications and prevent deaths from COVID-19.

Preliminary results from a clinical trial found that Colchicine can be effective in reducing systemic symptoms of COVID-19 by inhibiting inflammatory biomarkers.

Selinexor / Kaiser Permanente:

Kaiser hospitals in San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento are studying selinexor, an anticancer drug that blocks a key protein in the cellular machinery for DNA processing. Preliminary findings during the trials indicated that low doses of selinexor helped hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. The drug has both antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and its administered orally, according to Kaisers Dr. Jacek Skarbinski.

Vaccines

VXA-COV2-1 / Vaxart, South San Francisco:

The biotechnology company Vaxart is testing VXA-COV2-1, the only potential vaccine in pill form. It uses the genetic code of the coronavirus to trigger a defensive response in mucous membranes. The hope is that the newly fortified membranes will prevent the virus from entering the body.

Its the only vaccine (candidate) that activates the first line of defense, which is the mucosa, said Andrei Floroiu, Vaxarts chief executive. He said intravenous vaccines kill the virus after it is inside the body, but this one stops it beforehand.

The drug, which is effective against influenza and norovirus, induced both neutralizing antibodies and T cells during coronavirus drug trials, according to preliminary trial results published in September.

VaxiPatch / Verndari (Napa and UC Davis Medical Center):

A Napa company, Verndari, is studying vaccines for COVID-19 that can be delivered using an adhesive patch. Researchers at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento said the patch caused an immune response in preclinical tests.

An October report in the online journal ScienceDirect touted the system, saying it could serve as a shelter in place vaccination strategy, in which vulnerable populations receive delivery at home without needing to engage an already-overtaxed health care infrastructure.

If the vaccine is proven effective and safe, patients could receive it through the mail, according to Dr. Daniel Henderson, Verndaris chief executive officer.

ChAdOx1 / AstraZeneca (UCSF, San Francisco General Hospital, Bridge HIV):

Enrollment is under way at 80 sites in the United States, including three in the Bay Area, for the phase 3 trial of AstraZenecas vaccine, developed by Oxford University from an adenovirus, which typically causes colds in chimpanzees.

At least 1,000 of the 40,000 participants in the phase 3 AstraZeneca trial will be from the Bay Area, including 500 at Sutter Healths East Bay AIDS Center in Oakland, 250 at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and another 250 at Bridge HIV San Francisco.

An interim analysis of trials in Britain and Brazil showed the vaccine was 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 in 131 patients who got a half-dose of the vaccine by mistake. The vaccine was only 62% effective in people who got a full dose, leading to major questions about the results and how the trial was conducted.

Bay Area trial leaders Dr. Annie Luetkemeyer of UCSF and Dr. Susan Buchbinder, director of Bridge HIV and a UCSF professor of medicine and epidemiology, are hoping future trial results are more clear. Thats because AstraZenecas vaccine is cheaper than those made by its rivals Pfizer and Moderna, whose vaccines were 95% and 94.5% effective in preliminary tests.

The AstraZeneca candidate can also be stored at temperatures between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit, which is orders of magnitude higher than the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines must be kept at 94 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, colder than many storage facilities can manage.

Johnson & Johnson (Stanford University)

The Johnson & Johnson clinical trials have enrolled 20,000 of the 60,000 volunteers worldwide that officials expect to have signed up by Christmas. That includes 70 people at Stanford.

The vaccine is, like the AstraZeneca version, a chimpanzee adenovirus that was genetically altered so that it carries the RNA of the coronavirus spike protein. The technique inspires the body to produce antibodies that block the protein without causing people to get sick.

Phase 2 studies show that it produces a good immune response and the early results of phase 3 show that its safe, said Dr. Philip Grant, assistant professor of infectious disease at Stanford and leader of the trial.

Grant, who is enrolling about 15 people a day for the trial, said he doesnt expect results on the vaccines effectiveness until sometime in March.

Peter Fimrite is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: pfimrite@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @pfimrite

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Coronavirus treatments and vaccines. Here are the latest developments - San Francisco Chronicle

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Coronavirus treatments and vaccines. Here are the latest developments – San Francisco Chronicle | November 30th, 2020

A one-year-old boy has been diagnosed with a condition so rare only one in a million people suffer from it.

Max Gardner was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia - a condition that means the bone marrow and stem cells do not produce enough blood cells and is fatal if untreated.

He was diagnosed after his parents, Connor Gardner and Rachel Nicholson, who live in Hebburn, became alarmed by significant bruising and rashes all over his body.

The couple took him to South Tyneside District Hospital, where he was incorrectly diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenic purpura, a condition which a child will grow out of.

However, as Maxs condition worsened, he ended up at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where doctors conducted tests which showed he had the much rarer aplastic anaemia.

Connor said: He looked like he was a child abuse victim; we were really worried about what people would think, as he was covered in bruises.

We took him to the RVI for further tests, and they realised that maybe the condition was worse. Initially, we thought he would be diagnosed with leukaemia, but the consultant told us that it was aplastic anaemia after a bone marrow biopsy, which was administered under anaesthetic.

They told us about the condition, and that the outcome could lead to death if Max was to catch any type of sickness bug, as his immune system was non-existent.

We got our emotions out after we got the diagnosis we had a cry but we knew that we needed to be there for Max and help him get better.

The only way to cure aplastic anaemia fully is with a bone marrow transplant, and both Connor, 29, and Rachel, 27, were tested to see if they were matches.

Fortunately, Rachel was a near-perfect match, a very rare scenario.

Connor said: Usually they would use siblings for the transplant but Max does not have any. There is about a 25% chance that me or Rachel would be a match, and then there is about a 1% chance that it would be a 9/10 match.

The condition that Max has affects one in a million people, so it is very unfortunate for Max to have had this condition, but it is lucky that his mother has been a near-perfect match.

Chemotherapy is the next stage before you have the transplant, but that can lead to wiping out fertility, so we agreed to a new trial that would give Max the best chance of being able to have children of his own when he grows up.

They take a biopsy of one of his testicles and they store it for future; it is the best chance he has of having a child when he is older if he is infertile.

The family now have to shield for two weeks, before Max and his mother head back to hospital and onto the transplant ward, where he will spend the next two months.

Fortunately, Rachel can stay with Max during this time, but Connor can only see his son at specific visiting hours and has to isolate, so that the risk of spreading any illness is at a minimum.

He said: Max starts his chemotherapy on December 10, which takes place over five days, and during that time Rachel will be getting treatment so that the hospital can help harvest her bone marrow.

Then, when she goes to give the transplant, she will be there for four hours while the machine separates the bone marrow before it is given to Max.

Then he gets a bone marrow transplant, which is very similar to a normal blood transfusion."

Connor and Rachel have set up a fundraising page to help pay for the added costs of not working and to help them support them through this tough time.

He said: We have been overwhelmed with the support that people have given us and the GoFundMe page has been a great way for people to give us time.

I have been taken back by the generosity of total strangers.

Connor stressed the importance of raising awareness for bone marrow transplants, and had his fiance not been a very rare match, they would likely have had to wait for a match on the donor register.

I think it is important to raise awareness of the Anthony Nolan page. We have been lucky enough to get a donor for Max through his mam, but there are lots of people out there who have not been so lucky and are waiting for a donor.

We have met a little girl who is eight years old and she hasnt got a match yet, so we are just hoping that people will join the donor list as it may save someones life.

You can donate to the fundraising campaign by visiting here.

Continued here:
Family's heartache after Hebburn boy diagnosed with one in a million condition - Chronicle Live

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Family’s heartache after Hebburn boy diagnosed with one in a million condition – Chronicle Live | November 30th, 2020