News

TiGenix reports first half loss; plans to increase working capital

Country
Belgium

TiGenix NV, the Belgian developer of cell therapies, reported a 7.5% increase in sales to €2.3 million in the first half as it continued to roll out the cell therapy, ChondroCelect. In response to an auditor's note, it announced plans to raise working capital.

Scientists identify cancer signatures

Country
United Kingdom

For the first time, researchers have identified the majority of mutational signatures associated with tumour development in 30 of the most common cancer types. The findings, published in Nature, are expected to inform future strategies for disease prevention and treatment.

Medivir revises interferon-free HCV strategy

Country
Sweden

Medivir AB has announced plans to discontinue development of one type of hepatitis C virus drug in order to concentrate exclusively on nucleotide-based polymerase inhibitors. It will discontinue work on NS5A replication complex inhibitors.

Skyepharma gains momentum

Country
United Kingdom

SkyePharma Plc has started to achieve commercial momentum from the roll-out of its asthma treatment flutiform – illustrated by a 58% increase in sales for the first half of 2013. The revenue increase was primarily due to flutiform sales.

Lilly says lung cancer drug meets endpoint

Country
United States

Eli Lilly and Company said that a Phase 3 study of its-antibody therapy, necitumumab, has met its primary endpoint of overall survival in patients with metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Necitumumab is designed to block the ligand binding site of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

New role of endothelial precursor cells?

Country
United States

Results from an animal study suggest that endothelial precursor cells could play a role in minimising initial brain injury from a stroke and help repair stroke damage, according to an article in the August issue of STEM CELLS Translational Medicine.

FDA approves new HIV drug

Country
United States

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for HIV-1 infection developed by ViiV Healthcare. Tivicay (dolutegravir) is an integrase strand transfer inhibitor to be used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.

Unique DNA folding in embryonic stem cells

Country
Netherlands

Scientists in the Netherlands have reported that the DNA in the nucleus of an embryonic stem cell appears to be folded in such a way that all stem cell genes are located near one another. This ensures that stem cells don’t change into other cell types.

Genetic link to schizophrenia reported

Country
United Kingdom

Analysing data from a small population in northeastern Finland, an international research group has identified a genetic link to schizophrenia, as well as an association with the rare disease Fragile X syndrome. The findings were reported in Nature Neuroscience.

Probiotic tested in inflammatory disorders

Country
Ireland

Researchers from Ireland have reported that the probiotic B. infantis 35624 relieved symptoms in three inflammatory disorders underscoring the role that the gut microbiota plays in human health. The study appears in the July/August issue of Gut Microbes.