Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a way to amplify certain types of cancer treatment by tethering nanoparticles to cancerous tumor cells. The team’s work was published in Nature Communications. The researchers found that tethered nanoparticles increase the forces exerted on the cells by phenomena such as blood flow, therefore making the cells […]
Preclinical Trials
Study: Localized delivery of chemo improves prognosis of recurrent glioblastoma
Researchers from Amrita University in India demonstrated that localized and sustained delivery of a chemotherapeutic agent in brain tumors can improve the prognosis of recurrent glioblastoma. The team’s work was published in Scientific Reports. Although new drugs have been developed for glioblastoma multiforme, the overall survival rate for patients remains dismally low at 12 months, with […]
Windtree touts preclinical data from influenza study for aerosolized surfactant
Windtree Therapeutics (NSDQ:WINT) said today that a preclinical influenza study demonstrated that its aerosolized KL4 surfactant reduced lung inflammation and improved overall survival in ferrets. In the preclinical study, researchers compared Windtree’s aerosolized KL4 surfactant with a daily oral dose of oseltamivir, an antiviral, and placebo controls. Following exposure to the influenza virus, investigators evaluated […]
Acuitas touts lipid-nanoparticle delivery of mRNA vaccine for Zika
Acuitas Therapeutics touted preliminary data that evaluated its messenger RNA vaccine for the Zika virus. The company uses a lipid-nanoparticle delivery system to introduce its mRNA vaccine into cells. The team’s work, which was published in Nature, showed that a single low-dose immunization with its vaccine triggered an immune response in animals and protected them from infection at […]
InSitu Biologics touts preclinical data for non-opiate hydrogel painkiller
InSitu Biologics touted preclinical data for its non-opiate, hydrogel-based painkiller, AnestaGel, for use in peri-operative regional pain management. The St. Paul, Minn.-based company designs therapies using its Matrix biohydrogel material. Independent tests compared operative site injections of AnestaGel and Pacira Pharmaceutical’s (NSDQ:PCRX) Exparel. According to InSitu, the data showed that AnestaGel lasted longer and provided a […]
Study shows Alzheimer’s drug activates stem cells in teeth
Researchers from King’s College London have shown that an Alzheimer’s drug can stimulate the stem cells found in tooth pulp and generate a protective material, dentine, in large cavities. The team’s work was published yesterday in Scientific Reports. If the soft pulp of a tooth becomes infected after a traumatic event, a thin layer of dentine is […]
Bristol-Myers, PsiOxus land licensing agreement
Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) said today that it landed an exclusive licensing agreement for PsiOxus Therapeutics‘ ‘armed’ oncolytic virus, NG-348, for the treatment of solid tumors. According to the agreement, Bristol-Myers will pay PsiOxus $50 million upfront and will assume responsibility for global clinical development and commercialization. PsiOxus will be eligible for $886 million in development, regulatory and […]
Draper, Pfizer ink ‘organ-on-a-chip’ deal
Draper said today that it inked a 3-year collaboration deal with Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) to develop Draper’s microphysiological system technology. The ‘organ-on-a-chip’ system is designed to improve preclinical safety and model diseases more effectively. The Cambridge, Mass.-based company’s miniature organ model enables researchers to measure tissue function and test potential new drug candidates. Draper and Pfizer will collaborate […]
Vapogenix closes $8.2m Series C for topical painkiller
Vapogenix Inc. said yesterday that it raised $8.2 million in a Series C financing round to fund the development of its locally-acting painkiller. Pamoja Capital and a group of pain physicians led the round. The Houston, Texas-based company’s technology is a topical formulation of volatile anesthetics, which are normally inhaled as general anesthesia. Vapogenix has developed […]
SRI wins $150m grant to develop HIV prevention products
SRI International said today that it landed a $150 million contract from the National Institutes of Health‘s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Division of AIDS to support the development of HIV microbicides and other pre-exposure agents. According to the 7-year deal, the research institute will provide preclinical product development services for non-vaccine […]