Against pulmonary fibrosisMarch 06, 2006The biotech companies Digna Biotech and Biotherapix have signed an agreement to jointly apply their patented products towards the development of a treatment for pulmonary fibrosis. Digna Biotech is the commercial entity responsible for developing the intellectual property (patents) generated by the CIMA of the University of Navarra in its preclinical, clinical and commercial research. The focal points of this agreement are the M3 protein owned by Biotherapix and the p17 peptide from Digna Biotech. It is hoped that these two compounds can work in common, taking advantage of the chemokyne inhibiting activity of M3 and the specific TGF-beta1 inhibiting activity of p17. Both TGF-beta1 as well as the chemokynes are key molecules in various inflammatory and degenerative processes. The researchers believe that the combined action of M3 and p17 will allow the development of a viable therapeutic alternative for treating pulmonary fibrosis. The necessary studies for the development of the treatment us the p17 peptide and the M3 protein will be preferentially performed in centers of the University of Navarra: the CIMA, the University Hospital and the CIFA (Center for Research in Applied Pharmacobiology). Combination of the p17 peptide and the M3 protein The causes of pulmonary fibrosis are poorly known; this disease is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of collagen fibers in the lung, which causes structural deterioration. This deterioration causes progressive scarring in the lungs, which impedes the uptake of oxygen into the bloodstream, and thus impedes respiration. The European health authorities currently consider that pulmonary fibrosis is a rare or uncommon disease, with a prevalence of from 13 cases (in men) to 20 cases (in women) per 100,000 persons. There do not currently exist effective treatments for this disease. The current treatments are based on the administration of oxygen and anti-inflammatories (glucocorticoids), some associated with immunosuppression and others not. These therapies have had limited success in reduction the progress of the fibrosis, and a contribute little to improving the quality of life of those affected. The p17 peptide has demonstrated its effectiveness in the animal model which best reproduces pulmonary fibrosis. Currently, research is underway to confirm these findings with other models, and to begin toxicological studies. M3, on the other hand, is a protein of viral origin which has demonstrated its neutralizing effect against a wide set of molecules from the chemokyne family. Biotherapix is researching the use of derivatives of this molecule in order to slow certain inflammatory processes in which chemokynes play a key role. The M3 protein has shown advantages over other biological therapeutic molecules, such as its inhibiting activity against multiple chemokynes, as well as its low toxicity. Elhuyar Fundazioa |
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| Related Pulmonary Fibrosis Current Events and Pulmonary Fibrosis News Articles Common weed could provide clues on aging and cancer A common weed and human cancer cells could provide some very uncommon details about DNA structure and its relationship with telomeres and how they affect cellular aging and cancer, according to a team led by scientists from Texas A&M University and the University of Cincinnati (UC). New data: Hospital imaging centers poised to pull back, hitting patients hardest in rural areas Survivors and patients with cancers and heart disease, along with patient advocate organizations and physicians, today urged policymakers to enhance early diagnosis of deadly diseases by preserving access to advanced imaging, such as MRI and CT scans, in final health care reform legislation. Pitt team first to profile genes in acutely ill idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients The first findings from a one-of-a-kind, patient-driven effort to provide lung tissue for research might help doctors predict when patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are becoming dangerously ill and also could point the way to interventions that could sustain them until life-saving transplants can be performed. Protein may be strongest indicator of rare lung disease, study shows Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have discovered a protein in the lungs that can help in determining progression of the rare lung disease Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Large clinical trial finds pirfenidone may help lung function in IPF patients A large, well-controlled, multi-national clinical trial program has demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of what may become the first FDA-approved medicine for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or IPF. UT Southwestern researchers identify gene linked to inherited form of fatal lung disease Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have determined that a mutation in a gene known for its role in defending the lungs against invading pathogens is responsible for some inherited cases of a lethal lung disease affecting older adults. The same mutation may also be associated with lung cancer, the researchers said. Double threat: Deadly lung disease also linked to heart attacks Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are three times as likely to experience severe coronary events-including heart attacks-than people without the disease. Note to people with scarred and stiffened lungs: Monitor your sleep before severe fatigue sets in Family, friends and neighbors remember Lisa Sandler Spaeth as an active mother of two in Potomac, Md., with a lot on the go, juggling her son's baseball games and her daughter's horseback-riding lessons with numerous committee obligations, organizing women's activities at her local synagogue. Biomarkers identified for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis The first evidence of a distinctive protein signature that could help to transform the diagnosis and improve the monitoring of the devastating lung disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is being reported by University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers in this month's edition of PLoS Medicine, an open-access journal of the Public Library of Science. UCSF marks a milestone with 500th transplant in heart and lung program UCSF marked a milestone this week with the 500th procedure in its Thoracic Transplant Program, which specializes in transplantation of the heart and lung. More Pulmonary Fibrosis Current Events and Pulmonary Fibrosis News Articles |
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