Today Stories

LONDON, UK, 8 October 2019 – Prokarium today announced it has received an investment of £4.59 million from Wellcome to fund two clinical trials of its lead programme, Entervax™, a bivalent vaccine against enteric fever. “Funding from a prestigious foundation such as the Wellcome Trust underlines the strength of our approach and provides the support necessary to progress to the clinic,” said Ted Fjallman, Ph.D, Chief Executive Officer, Prokarium. “Entervax™ performed as expected in the preclinical and nonclinical models and we look forward to building on the results we observed previously with our monovalent typhoid vaccine candidate, ZH9. Enteric fever, primarily caused by Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A, is the most common bacterial bloodstream infection in South Asia a…

The Physiological Society has congratulated Nobel Prize winners William G. Kaelin Jr., Sir Peter J. Ratcliffe and Gregg L. Semenza. It was announced today (Monday 7 October) that they have been awarded the Nobel Prize for their discoveries of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability. While the fundamental importance of oxygen has been understood for centuries, this research focuses on understanding how cells adapt to changes in levels of oxygen. Sir Peter Ratcliffe is a former Editor of Journal of Physiology, a journal published by The Physiological Society. Responding to the Nobel Prize announcement, President of The Physiological Society, Bridget Lumb, said: “This year’s Nobel Prize puts physiology front and centre. It shines a light on the vital research carried out by physiolog…

Mark Geremia, VP and GM for Dragon Professional and Consumer, Nuance Communications.  Studies have found that on average one in every 10 people in the UK are dyslexic and struggle with literacy.   Encouragingly, in recent years there has been a new focus on education around dyslexia. Through in-depth studies and research alongside efforts to raise awareness – such as World Dyslexia Awareness Day - a new understanding of the condition is being established and outdated misconceptions are – thankfully – being challenged.   For many living with dyslexia, using AI-powered speech recognition software, such as Dragon, could open up a new world of possibilities.  For example, the keyboard can often act as a barrier, for those with dyslexia. Removing it ultimately provides a more fluid writing expe…

Living close to the sea could support better mental health in England’s poorest urban communities, finds a new study published today in the journal Health and Place. Researchers from the University of Exeter used survey data from nearly 26,000 respondents in their analysis, which marks one of the most detailed investigations ever into the wellbeing effects of being beside the sea. After taking other related factors into account, the study revealed that living in large towns and cities near to England’s coastline is linked with better mental health for those in the lowest earning households. Approximately one in six adults in England suffer from mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, and these are far more likely in people from poorer backgrounds. The findings suggest tha…

Servier, an independent international pharmaceutical company, today announced the acquisition of PIXUVRI® from CTI BioPharma. PIXUVRI is a treatment for adult patients with multiply relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma. Servier and CTI Biopharma completed an Asset Purchase Agreement which transferred worldwide rights of PIXUVRI to Servier. Servier commercialized PIXUVRI globally, in all countries where the drug was approved under an exclusive license from CTI BioPharma. “The acquisition of PIXUVRI is an important step towards Servier’s long-term strategy to become a key player in oncology. Within oncology, one of our key focuses is hematology, and we now have two medicines that are marketed globally alongside a strong and innovative pipeline of drug candidates whic…

LEIDEN, and UTRECHT, the Netherlands, October 1st , 2019 / B3C newswire / -- MIMETAS and Hubrecht Organoid Technologies (HUB) announce that they entered into a strategic collaboration to market organoid models on a Chip. The agreement includes a license to MIMETAS to market HUB Organoids in an assay ready format, as well as a collaborative effort to develop disease-specific models. "We're delighted and proud that we could transition our long-standing collaboration with the group of Professor Hans Clevers into a commercial proposition," says MIMETAS CEO Paul Vulto. "The adult stem cell biology and Organoid technology of HUB is the very best in the world. By combining it with our OrganoPlate technology in an assay-ready format, the technology becomes available to researchers from any laborat…

READING – 30 September 2019 – Sanofi announced today the UK launch of Suliqua™ (insulin glargine/lixisenatide), a once-daily titratable fixed-ratio combination of basal insulin glargine 100 Units/mL and GLP-1 receptor agonist lixisenatide for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes. Suliqua™ in combination with metformin is authorised for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glycaemic control when this has not been provided by metformin alone or metformin combined with another oral glucose lowering medicinal product or with basal insulin.[2] Approval of the once-daily injection is based on two phase III studies, LixiLan-O and LixiLan-L.[3],[4] LixiLan-O showed Suliqua™ to be statistically superior in reducing blood sugar levels in comparison with both lixis…

Craigavon, N.I., 26 September 2019 – Almac Diagnostic Services, a member of the Almac Group, will launch the complete version of claraT at the ESMO Congress in Barcelona on 27th September. The Almac claraT Total mRNA Report content has expanded considerably from the initial version launched the previous year at the ESMO Congress. The complete version now includes 92 gene expression signatures, 100 single gene drug targets and over 7,000 additional biology linked genes, categorised by all 10 Hallmarks of Cancer. The innovative claraT Total mRNA Report benefits both academic and biopharma biomarker discovery and translational researchers by saving them valuable time in analysing gene expression data and helping to maximise the understanding of their dataset. claraT analyses multiple publishe…

From today, for the very first time, millions of people in the UK and world-wide can access a new app purposefully designed to help them cope with the physical and psychological impact of cancer. Natia is the first app to incorporate the holistic programmes of Yoga, Meditation, Music, and Conversation, to provide individuals affected by cancer with support along the whole care pathway - emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Natia is supported by the UK cancer charity, Maggie’s Centres, who assisted with the development of the app, alongside cancer patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals, who also successfully tested the app. This co-creation approach to development has helped ensure that Natia meets the needs of the individuals it aims to support and provides a truly unique s…

Mutational signatures could help improve myeloma patient prognosis Myeloma UK funded research from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has identified the main biological processes which cause the genetic mutations associated with the development of myeloma. The research, published in Blood Cancer Journal, increases our knowledge of how myeloma develops and evolves and also suggests that analysis of mutational signatures could play a role in helping identify high risk myeloma patients and predicting patient outcomes.  This will aid the development of more personalised treatments for myeloma patients and help to drive improved diagnosis and assessment of prognosis. The team at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) analysed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and whole-exome sequencing (WES)…

-Semma’s unique investigational approach combines robust production process of pancreatic islet cells with proprietary delivery system to restore insulin secretion in type 1 diabetes patients- -Semma to be acquired for $950 million in cash- BOSTON & CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 3, 2019-- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: VRTX) today announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement under which Vertex will acquire Semma Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company pioneering the use of stem cell-derived human islets as a potentially curative treatment for type 1 diabetes, for $950 million in cash. Semma has demonstrated a differentiated approach to treat type 1 diabetes, a serious disease affecting over one million people in the United Stat…

The ABPI has launched new guidance to make sure that joint working between the NHS and industry delivers ‘a triple win’ in benefits for patients, the NHS and companies. The guidance sets out a ten-step process to scope, set up and monitor joint working projects, while making sure they are completely transparent for patients and the public. Examples of joint working projects include: Identification of undiagnosed patients Improving patient adherence to medicines Contributions to nurse services Increasing NHS system capacity to treat patients Joint working projects are defined as being situations where pharmaceutical companies, the NHS and others pool skills, experience and resources for the joint development of patient-centred projects. Launching the guidance, ABPI Chief Executive Mike T…

DE BEERS GROUP SUPPORTS MALARIA DIAGNOSTICS START-UP IN FIGHT TO RID AFRICA AND THE WORLD OF MALARIA South African medical tech start-up, ERADA Technology Alliance, is pleased to announce it has received a €288,000 foundation grant from De Beers Group to support its pioneering work on the world’s first ever saliva-based rapid diagnostic test for malaria. The foundation grant will prove instrumental in ERADA’s final stages of work prior to the diagnostic tool’s global launch planned to coincide with World Malaria Day next April. The saliva-based diagnostic tool, whose technical name is Saliva-based Malaria Asymptomatic and Asexual Rapid Test (SMAART) for subclinical infection, is due to be marketed under the brand SALVA! and will complete its field trials before full commercialisation and d…

Imcyse, a clinical-stage company developing active and specific immunotherapeutics for the treatment and prevention of severe chronic diseases, today announces the successful completion of its first-in-human Phase 1b study in patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes (‘T1D’).Results of the clinical trial have shown an excellent safety profile, reaching the primary study objective. In addition, promising early clinical trends and relevant immunological responses were observed, including the detection of cytolytic CD4 T cells. Imcyse’s unique technology platform is based on specifically modified peptides (Imotopes™) which drive the generation of cytolytic CD4 T cells. These cytolytic CD4 T cells are able to actively and specifically target the immune cells involved in the pathogenesis of th…

MAIN5 and Iperion Life Sciences Consultancy entered into a strategic alliance to better serve customers within the field of implementation of Regulatory Information Systems, data management, project management and change management.  “As the pharmaceutical industry faces organizational, technical and coordination challenges in an ever faster changing regulatory environment, the combined expertise of our companies will allow our customers access to top expertise with optimal communication possibilities,” Gero Neidlinger, partner of MAIN5 and Frits Stulp, managing director of Iperion Life Sciences Consultancy explain.  „Implementation of new regulatory guidance and new systems requires effective change and project management involving all stakeholders. The real change in our industry can onl…

Responding to news that Sir. Andrew Dillon is to step down as NICE CEO in March next year, ABPI CEO Mike Thompson said: "He has played a central role in building the credibility of the organisation, insisting on transparent processes, and a continuous dialogue with all stakeholders, recognising that as the science evolves, NICE needs to evolve too.  As a result of this leadership, there is a consensus across industry about the central role of NICE in assessing all medicines, ensuring that patients have a right to access the treatments they need. Hugely respected by all, we thank and congratulate Andrew on his outstanding achievements at NICE, and we wish him all the very best in his future endeavours”.

The NHS has saved hundreds of people from sepsis thanks to better use of digital technology in hospitals. In a major nationwide push to tackle the condition, including a one hour identification and treatment ambition, new ‘alert and action’ technology is being introduced which uses algorithms to read patients’ vital signs and alert medics to worsening conditions that are a warning sign of sepsis. Sepsis – also known as blood poisoning – is a life-threatening response to an infection in the body, where the immune system damages tissues and organs. Three leading hospitals are using alerts to help identify sepsis and tell doctors when patients with the serious condition are getting worse, ahead of the measures being rolled out across England as part of the NHS Long Term Plan. NHS leaders in C…

A study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland demonstrated that a recently described T-cell subset, so-called peripheral T helper cells, may have a role in the development of type 1 diabetes. The frequency of circulating peripheral T helper cells was observed to be increased both in children with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes and in healthy children who later progressed to type 1 diabetes. The study was published in the journal Diabetologia. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that typically manifests in childhood. In type 1 diabetes, insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the immune system. In addition to genetic susceptibility, the appearance of autoantibodies in blood is predictive of future development of type 1 diabetes. The appearance of auto…

An innovative partnership is transforming the lives of young people with learning disabilities in London. Ten students have recently graduated through the collaboration between DFN Project SEARCH and Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust with four graduates already in full-time employment. 1000 young people have now graduated and secured full-time employment through DFN Project SEARCH programmes in the UK. DFN Project SEARCH CEO Maura Lynch said: “Our partnership at Moorfield’s Eye Hospital is changing lives for the better.” __________________________________________________________________________________ An innovative partnership is helping to change the lives of young people with learning disabilities in London. DFN Project SEARCH is working with Moorfield’s Eye Hospital to trans…

More than 150,000 members of the public and more than 50 health leaders are calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to take action now to address the escalating crisis in care.   In what is believed to be the largest petition of its kind, the Prime Minister is urged to end the swingeing cuts in social care that have left around 1.4 million older people in England unable to access the care and support they need.   In a letter to the Prime Minister, NHS leaders welcome his commitment to ‘fix the crisis in social care once and for all’. They have pledged their support and are calling for:  Cross-party talks to help deliver a more sustainable social care system, backed up by a long-term financial settlement.  Immediate funding increases in the upcoming one-year government spending review that…