Researchers from the University of Rome Tor Vergata and the University of Montreal have reported the design and synthesis of a nanoscale molecular slingshot made of DNA that could potentially shoot and target drugs to specific regions of the human body. The slingshot is made of a synthetic DNA strand that can be loaded with […]
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Ocular’s Dextenza meets primary endpoints in Phase III trial
Shares in Ocular Therapeutix (NSDQ:OCUL) rose more than 5% today after the company said its Dextenza post-surgical ocular pain relief implant met primary endpoints in the company’s most recent Phase III trial. The hydrogel plug, inserted into a patient’s tear duct, is designed to deliver a sustained dose of dexamethasone over 4 weeks following ophthalmic surgery. […]
Novocure touts quality of life data for Optune, chemo combo
Novocure (NSDQ:NVCR) touted health-related quality of life analyses from a pivotal Phase III trial combining its Optune device with standard temozolomide chemotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The data showed that adding Optune to temozolomide did not negatively impact health-related quality of life, except for itchy skin which the company attributed to skin irritation […]
FDA approves first ALS treatment in over 2 decades
The FDA recently announced that it has approved the drug Radicava (edaravone) to help treat patients who have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according to the ALS Association. Motor neurons in the brain […]
Ocular Therapeutix shares fall on Q1 miss
Shares in Ocular Therapeutix (NSDQ:OCUL) fell today after the ophthalmologic device developer posted 1st quarter earnings that missed expectations on Wall Street. The Bedford, Mass.-based company posted losses of $16 million, or 58¢ per share, on sales of $475,000 for the 3 months ended March 31, seeing losses grow 47.8% while sales grew 14.2% compared with […]
Sanofi decides to keep Cepia biz
Sanofi (NYSE:SNY) has decided to keep its Cepia chemical unit, a spokesperson for the company said on Friday. The Cepia division, which deals with what Sanofi calls ‘third party activities’ such as the supply and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, was previously being considered for sale in a deal that could have been worth up […]
Unilife wins approval for Chap 11 bankruptcy plans
Unilife (NSDQ:UNIS) this week won approval from the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware for its chapter 11 bid and plans for a sale, despite not having completed every step in the process. In the filing, Judge Laurie Silverstein noted that so far “no trustee, examiner or official committee of creditors holding unsecured claims” has […]
One Drop, MannKind ink partnership for connected, inhaled diabetes tech
MannKind Corp. (NSDQ:MNKD) and One Drop said today that the companies agreed to ink a collaborative deal to add MannKind’s Afrezza inhaled insulin to One Drop’s digital diabetes management platform. The group plans to evaluate access and cost saving initiatives, customized patient coaching and innovative packaging for a reusable Afrezza inhaler integrated with Bluetooth tech. […]
Study: Nanoparticle shrinks tumor size by 80% in mouse model
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have developed a type of cancer-fighting nanoparticle that is designed to shrink breast cancer tumors and prevent recurrence. In a mouse model, the therapy yielded a 70-80% reduction in tumor size and mice treated with the nanoparticles demonstrated resistance to future tumor recurrence a month later. The nanoparticle is coated […]
10 new crowdfunded health devices that will intrigue you
With crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, companies can obtain the funding for ideas they want to come to life (even potato salad parties), with the promise of something in return to the donors. And while crowdfunding presents challenges for regulated medical devices, it’s proven to be a boon for startups touting potentially innovative health and […]