Researchers from the University of Washington developed synthetic nanocarriers to encase chemotherapy drugs and deliver them directly to the tumor site, avoiding healthy tissue. The team’s work was published in the journal Small. The nanocarrier is a hybrid of synthetic materials designed to allow the system to carry drugs and fluorescent particles to stain the tumor for […]
Research & Development
Smart patch monitors blood, releases blood thinners to prevent clots
Researchers from the North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a patch designed to monitor a patient’s blood and release blood-thinning drugs to prevent dangerous blood clots, or thrombosis. The team’s work was published in Advanced Materials. When blood clots disrupt the flow of blood throughout the body, […]
Tests to begin for HIV therapy injections, long-acting implants
Drugs from companies, such as GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK), Gilead Sciences (NSDQ:GILD) and Merck (NYSE:MRK), are reportedly being considered for large-scale trials evaluating injectable HIV prevention therapies. Eventually, researchers hope to produce matchstick-sized implants that could provide year-long protection to vulnerable populations. Foster City, Calif.-based Gilead has a once-daily pill, Truvada, which prevents HIV infection during sex. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known […]
Researchers develop bioresorbable capsule for treating hemophilia
Researchers from the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a biodegradable capsule to deliver a protein therapy for hemophilia. The research, published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, could provide a cheaper, less painful alternative to injections or infusions. The capsule contains micro and nanoparticles which carry a protein […]
Engineered sugar clusters could enable targeted drug delivery
Researchers have developed a method to engineer sugar clusters attached to proteins or lipids, called glycan complexes, to target particular organs of the body. A team from the Riken Biofunctional Synthetic Chemistry Laboratory in Japan and Kazan Federal University in Russia published their work in Advanced Science. The engineered sugar clusters could lead to glycocluster-based diagnostic tools with […]
Researchers develop human lung model
(Reuters) – Czech scientists have developed a model of a functioning human lung that can be used to simulate problems like asthma or other chronic diseases and their treatments. The research group from the Brno University of Technology says its mechanical- and computer-based model of the lung can help devise treatment methods with more precision […]
Supersonic spray produces nanomaterials for wearable electronics
Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago and Korea University have developed an ultrathin, highly conductive nanomaterial produced by a supersonic spray, according to the study published in Advanced Functional Materials. The bendable, stretchable film could be used to develop wearable electronics. The film is composed of fused silver nanowires, made by spraying nanowire particles through […]
Topical immunotherapy combo effective against early skin cancer
Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School have shown that a combination of 2 topical drugs can trigger an immune response against precancerous skin lesions. The study was published yesterday in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. The 2 drugs, calcipotriol and 5-fluorouracil, have been in use for years – topical 5-fluorouracil is […]
Ivenix CEO Randle looks to reboot the infusion pump
Ivenix CEO Stuart Randle began his foray into drug pump delivery systems at Baxter in 1988, when he led the company’s effort to develop the 1st needle-free IV system. More than 20 years later, when he was approached about the corner office at Ivenix, Randle revisited the infusion pump industry and saw that the technology had not kept up […]
Novartis backs off from 2016 date for testing Google autofocus lens
Novartis (NYSE:NVS) is reportedly backing off a 2016 start date to test its autofocusing contact lens in clinical trials, but it told Reuters that the product is “progressing steadily” in its collaboration with Google (NSDQ:GOOGL). In 2014, CEO Joe Jimenez said he hoped the lens would be on the market in 5 years and last year he said his […]