News

Scientists at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge, UK have sequenced the genome of a very rare tapeworm that went undetected for four years in a UK patient’s brain.

Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that is an important cause of skin and soft tissue infections, may undermine the skin’s immune defenses and actually aggravate a skin condition known as neurodermatitis, according to findings by Technische Universität Mϋnchen and the University of Tϋbingen.

Scientists at the Technische Universität Mϋnchen have found that targeting the Malt1 protease as a way of treating lymphoma could do as much harm as good.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have discovered a mechanism that permits the body to distinguish between its own RNA and RNA from foreign organisms. Errors in the mechanism are thought to be a cause of autoimmune diseases.

Pfizer Inc has signalled its determination to stay ahead in oncology by agreeing to pay Merck KGaA up to $2.85 billion for rights to the German company’s early-stage checkpoint inhibitor and collaborate on up to 20 other immuno-oncology programmes.

AstraZeneca Plc has identified oncology as a key business segment as the company takes steps to restore revenue growth and maintain its independence. By 2020 it expects to bring six new cancer medicines to patients.

2015 is expected to be the year in which gene and cell therapy companies produce enough clinical data to give investors a steer on the commercialistion prospects for the industry as a whole.

The US Food and Drug Administration has granted ‘breakthrough therapy’ status to a gene therapy that is in Phase 3 development for patients with an inherited eye disorder that can lead to blindness. The developer is Spark Therapeutics of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

After issuing a complete response letter in late 2013, the Food and Drug Administration has now approved Lemtrada (alemtuzumab) for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. This follows a review of efficacy data from two Phase 3 trials.

Fresh from a European initial public share offering that raised €41.8 million, ArGEN-X NV has advanced development of its lead antibody ARGX-110 for CD70-positive cancers, including plans for a US study in an incurable B-cell lymphoma.