| TOP STORY |
Research Explains Limits of Cancer Immunotherapy Drugs
Researchers revealed molecular changes within tumors that are preventing the immunotherapy drugs from killing off the cancer. Clinical trials with PD-L1 and PD-1 blockade suggested that tumors with a high number of inflammation-causing T cells were more responsive to the immunotherapy-based PD-L1 and PD-1 inhibitors. [Press release from the University of Michigan discussing online publication in Nature]
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| SCIENCE NEWS |
bluebird bio Announces Presentation
bluebird bio, Inc. announced that Marina Cavazzana, M.D., Ph.D. presented a review of the HGB-205 clinical study experience with lentiviral-based gene therapies for beta-thalassemia. [Press release from bluebird bio, Inc. discussing research presented at 10th Annual Cooley’s Anemia Foundation Symposium, Chicago] Press Release
Alnylam Demonstrates Continued Commitment to Transthyretin-Mediated Amyloidosis Patients with Advancement of ALN-TTRsc02, an Investigational RNAi Therapeutic with Potential for Low Volume, Once Quarterly, Subcutaneous Dose Regimen
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it presented key pre-clinical data and provided program guidance for ALN-TTRsc02, an investigational RNAi therapeutic targeting transthyretin (TTR) for the treatment of TTR-mediated amyloidosis. [Press release from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at 11th Annual Meeting of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society (OTS), Leiden]
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| POLICY |
Canada’s New Government May Be a New Beginning for Science
Canadian scientists have been making do for nearly a decade, in the face of funding cuts, federal lab closures, and a blanket gag order on government researchers. For them, the fall of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government in the national election wasn’t just a relief—it was the rough emotional equivalent of blowing up the Death Star. [Wired] Editorial
Neuroscientist Team Calls for a National Brain Observatory
Roughly three years ago, six well-known neuroscientists drafted an ambitious proposal for a large U.S. neuroscience project to map activity in the living brain. Now, the same team has crafted another bold proposal aimed at accelerating Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN)’s success: the creation of a National Brain Observatory, a network of neurotechnology centers tied to the Department of Energy’s National Labs. [ScienceInsider]
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| BUSINESS |
Lilly and AstraZeneca Expand Immuno-Oncology Research Collaboration with New Combinations
Eli Lilly and Company and AstraZeneca announced an extension to their existing immuno-oncology collaboration exploring novel combination therapies for the treatment of patients with solid tumors. Under the terms of the expanded agreement, Lilly and AstraZeneca will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a range of additional combinations across the companies’ complementary portfolios. [Eli Lilly and Company]
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Novartis Broadens Immuno-Oncology Pipeline with Acquisition of Admune Therapeutics and Licensing Agreements with XOMA and Palobiofarma
Novartis announced that it is broadening its portfolio of cancer immunotherapies with the acquisition of Admune Therapeutics and licensing agreements with Palobiofarma and XOMA Corporation. [Novartis] Press Release
Joint Establishment of Strategic Platform for Industrialization of Biomedical Research
China Regenerative Medicine International Limited announced that the company entered into a MOU with CCBI and the University of Oxford in respect of the joint establishment of strategic platform for industrialization of biomedical research. [China Regenerative Medicine International Limited] Press Release
Athersys Updates on Development Strategy in Japan
Athersys, Inc. announced that Athersys and Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. have ended the license agreement between them for the exclusive development and commercialization of MultiStem® cell therapy for ischemic stroke in Japan. [Athersys, Inc.] Press Release
University of Louisville Researchers Awarded Patents for Innovations to Improve Cancer Treatments, Bone Grafts and Therapies for Spinal Cord Damage
Technologies to improve bone grafts and cancer immunotherapies, protect lung tissue during radiation treatment, reverse neurological damage and improve recovery from spinal cord injury are among the patents issued to the University of Louisville Research Foundation recently. [University of Louisville School of Medicine]
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RXi Pharmaceuticals Announces Compound Selection for Cosmetic Product Development with Its Novel Self-Delivering RNAi Platform
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that it has selected two compounds for cosmetic product development based on its proprietary self-delivering RNAi platform. [RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation] Press Release
Amgen Receives CHMP Positive Opinion for IMLYGIC™ (Talimogene Laherparepvec)
Amgen announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency, has adopted a positive opinion recommending that IMLYGIC™ be granted approval for the treatment of adults with unresectable melanoma that is regionally or distantly metastatic with no bone, brain, lung or other visceral disease. [Amgen]
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Bogus Cell Therapy Market Worth Up to $2.4 Billion
The global market for unproven cell therapies may be worth as much as $2.4 billion, according to a report published by the International Society for Cellular Therapy. [Thomson Reuters] Press Release
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