Archive for the 'Infectious Diseases' Category
November 24th, 2010 by admin
Selfish bacterial cells that act in their own interests and do not cooperate with their infection-causing colleagues can actually reduce the severity of infection. The selfish behavior of these uncooperative bacteria could be exploited to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, according to research presented at the Society for General Microbiology’s autumn meeting.
Continue reading ‘Backstabbing Bacteria: A New Treatment for Infection?’
November 8th, 2010 by admin
Vaccination rates for children insured by commercial plans declined roughly four percentage points between 2008 and 2009. And experts fear that if this trend continues, the public’s health could be jeopardized. ”Rates had been gradually improving in the commercial plans. This was the first time we’d seen a drop–and it was a pretty big drop,” said Sarah Thomas, vice president of public policy and communication for the National Committee for Quality Assurance, which recently released its annual State of Health Care Quality data.
Continue reading ‘Higher Income Parents Forgoing Kids’ Vaccinations’
October 27th, 2010 by admin
The first clinical trials on a new investigational drug being developed to treat infections caused by Hepatitis C virus have been successfully completed. Completion of the initial phase (phase 1a) of trials of INX-189, discovered and first prepared by researchers at Cardiff University’s Welsh School of Pharmacy in 2008, means the chances of it becoming an approved medicine have significantly improved.
Continue reading ‘Potent New Hepatitis C Drug?’
September 16th, 2010 by admin
Cockroach brains may be a source of new antibiotics capable of killing deadly drug-resistant bacteria, according to research that suggests the germ-spreading pests may be good for something after all. Insects such as cockroaches have a defense mechanism against bacteria, a “logical” development from living in unhygienic conditions, research from the U.K.’s University of Nottingham showed. Tissues from the brains and nervous systems of cockroaches and locusts killed more than 90 percent of MRSA and E. coli without damaging human cells, scientists said.
Continue reading ‘Cockroach Brains May Be a Source of Antibiotics’
September 14th, 2010 by admin
Critical challenges remain in the centuries-old battles against infectious diseases, particularly as bacteria and viruses mutate and as the threat of bioterrorism grows. Responding to this need, America’s biopharmaceutical research companies this year have 395 new medicines and vaccines in the pipeline to fight infectious diseases. All 395 are in later stages of development, meaning in clinical trials or under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review.
Continue reading ‘Nearly 400 Medicines and Vaccines in Development to Fight Infectious Diseases’
August 30th, 2010 by admin
A leaky product development pipeline is hampering the country’s ability to ensure a steady output of new medical countermeasures, such as medications, vaccines, equipment and supplies needed for health emergencies, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said.
Continue reading ‘Feds Aim to Fortify Biodefense by Fixing Product Development Pipeline’
August 27th, 2010 by admin
Drug counterfeiting has become a $200-billion business annually, according to the World Customs Organization. By some calculations, the counterfeiting trade has become more lucrative than the narcotics business. It’s a global problem. The World Health Organization estimates that counterfeit drugs make up ten percent of the drug market worldwide. And experts say that solving it–or at least stemming the tide–requires the participation of both government and industry.
Continue reading ‘Drug Counterfeiting – a $200 Billion Business’
August 26th, 2010 by admin
A team headed by researchers from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute has been awarded a $21 million grant to ascertain how the immune system reacts immediately after it is exposed to the AIDS virus. The project will bring together the expertise of 13 research groups at seven institutions to uncover the cellular protein machinery that represents the first line of defense against HIV.
Continue reading ‘Researchers get $21M to Study HIV’
August 18th, 2010 by admin
With Genzyme in the news, we’ve all been hearing plenty about the wave of M&A deals that’s been rolling through the world’s life sciences industry. Last year, Thomson Reuters tracked more than 1,400 such deals worth $206 billion worldwide, giving the Boston Globe the hard numbers it needs to assert that this is one trend that has yet to crest.
Continue reading ‘Biotech M&A Frenzy Shows no Sign of Slowing’
August 16th, 2010 by admin
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Margaret Chan, announced that the world is no longer in phase six of influenza pandemic alert — we are now moving into the post-pandemic period and the new H1N1 virus has largely run its course. Dr. Chan went on to say: “As we enter the post-pandemic period, this does not mean that the H1N1 virus has gone away. Based on experience with past pandemics, we expect the H1N1 virus to take on the behavior of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come.
Continue reading ‘WHO Declares H1N1 Pandemic Alert Over’
