Research on discovering and developing new drugs. Covers structure-revealing tools, eye-disease mechanisms, protein screening, and once-daily oral medicines.
A research team at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research successfully evolved Escherichia coli under antibiotic pressure, identifying mechanisms and constraints underlying drug resistance. The findings can be used to develop strategies that minimize the chance of bacteria developing resistance.
Researchers evaluated all new COVID-19 vaccines approved by FDA over last decade, analyzing premarket development time, clinical evidence, and safety database size. The study found that vaccine approvals took an average of 10 months, with varying levels of evidence and follow-up durations.
The Rare Disease Cures Accelerator-Data and Analytics Platform (RDCA-DAP) has achieved significant milestones in its first year, thanks to data sharing and collaboration among stakeholders. The platform serves as a centralized infrastructure to support data analysis and aid in the understanding of rare diseases.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a key protein called p11 that affects the brain's response to stress, potentially increasing the risk of depression. The study found that mice with low p11 levels react more strongly to stress and exhibit anxiety-like behavior.
PATH will lead an international collaboration to optimize Cry5B protein as an inexpensive, broad-spectrum antiparasitic treatment suitable for adults, children, and pregnant women. The goal is to expand anthelmintic MDA campaigns and reduce the global burden of STH infections.
Researchers found that patients taking HIV and hepatitis B treatment had a 33% lower risk of developing diabetes. The protective effect was replicated in multiple databases, suggesting that these drugs could be repurposed to prevent type 2 diabetes.
The review highlights the need for clear scientific and pharmaceutical standards when developing live biotherapeutic products. Key challenges include ensuring quality, demonstrating safety, and evaluating efficacy. The PRI's publication provides a framework for stakeholders in microbiome-based product development.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine are testing the use of tezampanel, a novel antagonist at glutamate receptors, to treat opioid withdrawal syndrome and other addictions. The project aims to develop breakthrough medications more rapidly than traditional mechanisms, with potential approval from NIDA and FDA.
Scientists developed three-dimensional heart organoids resembling the developing heart using mouse embryonic stem cells and fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4). The organoids exhibit functional properties similar to their in vivo counterparts, offering a promising biomimetic model for studying heart development and testing novel drugs. T...
Researchers are developing CBD-based treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases, such as lupus and multiple sclerosis. Pharmaceutical companies are also working to enhance the potency of CBD by creating more potent derivatives that can be absorbed by the body.
A study found that taking at least one anticholinergic drug increases the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment by 47%, particularly in those with genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests reducing anticholinergic use may help prevent negative effects on thinking skills.
Biomechanical engineers at Tohoku University developed a formula to describe permeability of rubbed skin. The study found that mechanical rubbing causes gaps in the skin's barrier function and can potentially allow transdermal virus infection. Further research is needed to determine the risk of skin damage from face masks.
Researchers have discovered stable, synthetic STING agonists that induce anticancer immune responses in mice. These non-nucleotide small molecule STING agonists show robust anti-tumor activities and may represent an attractive approach for targeting the STING pathway.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have been awarded an ERC grant to develop new medications targeting senescent cells, which contribute to fibrotic diseases. The goal is to create senolytics that selectively eliminate damaged cells, potentially preventing age-related diseases.
The FDA has issued a positive response to C-Path's biomarker panel for detecting acute drug-induced skeletal muscle injury in phase 1 clinical trials. The panel, developed by C-Path's Predictive Safety Testing Consortium and Duchenne Regulatory Science Consortium, uses four molecular biomarkers to aid in the detection of this condition.
Researchers developed a novel EEG system that can measure brain activity from multiple adult zebrafish simultaneously, opening up new possibilities for cheaper and faster drug screening for neurological disorders. This study successfully mapped changes in brain signals during epileptic attacks and demonstrated the efficacy of an anti-e...
Researchers found that individuals with stronger connections between frontal cortex and striatum in two distinct brain networks were more resilient to drug addiction. These brain circuits are involved in goal-directed behavior and habit regulation, suggesting potential strategies for preventing or treating addiction.
Researchers have discovered a compound, tartrolon E, that effectively kills multiple parasites responsible for various infections, including malaria, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis. The compound is found in the gills of wood-eating clams and has shown promise in killing these parasites in vitro and in animal studies.
Researchers at Waseda University have successfully developed a method for the total synthesis of cotylenin A, a plant growth regulator with promising bioactivity as an anti-cancer agent. The new method allows for the production of a stable and effective anticancer drug without the side effects associated with traditional treatments.
Critical Path Institute (C-Path) has been awarded a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) contract to develop novel clinical outcome assessments for pediatric asthma. The project aims to create patient-focused drug development tools for children with asthma.
Researchers compared federal and foundation funding for sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis, finding that higher funding was associated with increased research productivity and faster drug development. The study suggests that increasing funding could improve treatment options for these two diseases.
The new journal 'Coronaviruses' will publish original research, letters, reviews, and case reports on all aspects of coronaviruses. It will be essential reading for virologists, epidemiologists, microbiologists, and healthcare workers interested in the latest information about coronaviridae.
Researchers estimated that it costs $2.6 billion to develop and commercialize a single new drug or biologic between 2009 and 2018. The study used publicly available data on research and development expenditures for these medicines.
While the number of treatments for rare diseases affecting children has grown, nearly 7,000 conditions still lack treatment options. Federal incentives are being used more often to expand use of existing drugs rather than creating new ones.
The new journal will publish peer-reviewed articles on end-of-life care and relief of suffering, focusing on improving quality of life for patients and their families.
The Wyss Institute's Human Body-on-Chip platform uses fluidically-linked systems of multiple human Organ Chips to predict drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The system quantitatively predicts drug behavior across the entire linked system, offering alternatives to animal tests and improving drug development efficiency.
Researchers have developed a method to grow snake venom gland cells as organoids, producing active toxins. The lab-grown mini glands can be grown from multiple species and maintained indefinitely, holding promise for reducing the devastating impact of snakebites.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new kind of cancer drug inspired by antiviral treatments. Tests in mice show that these drugs can shrink tumors and prevent their spread, targeting cellular processes used by both viruses and some cancer cells.
A new wearable lithium monitor developed by the University of Surrey has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of bipolar disorder. The device can detect lithium levels and potentially provide warning signals for high levels, reducing the risk of toxicity.
The MagLev method uses magneto-Archimedes levitation to separate and isolate different drugs from sample mixtures, allowing for precise identification. The technique can distinguish between up to seven substances simultaneously and has the potential to complement or replace existing portable drug identification techniques.
The US Department of Defense has awarded the University of Kansas $2.5 million to advance seismic technology for detecting abandoned mines and tunnels. The research will focus on improving seismic data quality and detection efficiency, with tests conducted in known tunnels in the United States and abroad.
The American Thoracic Society has published a new clinical guideline for the treatment and prevention of drug-resistant tuberculosis, emphasizing the use of all-oral regimens. The guideline also recommends treatment for all contacts of MDR-TB patients and provides evidence-based guidance for pregnant women with MDR-TB.
Researchers developed a combination gene therapy treating four age-related diseases in mice, including heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes, and obesity. The treatment showed significant improvements, reversing or completely eliminating disease symptoms in obese and diabetic mice.
Researchers from SUTD developed syringe-injectable biomaterials with unprecedented capabilities to handle nanosheets. The nanosheets demonstrated syringe-injectability, self-expandability, conformability, and guidability in an external magnetic field.
Researchers discovered a single nucleotide mutation in P. aeruginosa that caused rapid resistance to ceftolozane-tazobactam and partial resensitization to carbapenems and piperacilline-tazobactam. This finding may enable the use of these antibiotics in treating extremely drug-resistant P. aeruginosa cases.
A recent study has found greater signs of blood vessel damage than nerve damage in traumatic brain injuries, challenging the ongoing hypothesis that blunt force causes nerve damage. The researchers' discovery could influence the development of new treatments and therapies for TBI.
Researchers at TAU and Ichilov Hospital developed a new antibiotic treatment that significantly reduces intestinal polyp numbers and improves quality of life for FAP patients. The innovative therapy, which targets 'nonsense mutations' in the APC gene, showed promising results in a clinical trial.
Research suggests dapagliflozin can reduce death and hospitalization rates in patients with heart failure, as well as improve health-related quality of life. The study found a 26% reduced risk of primary outcome in the dapagliflozin group compared to placebo, with benefits seen in both patients with and without type 2 diabetes.
A team from Ruhr-University Bochum has deciphered a new mechanism that enables the regeneration of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. By eliminating the inhibiting protein PTEN, researchers can partially restore regenerative capacity in nerve cells, but direct inhibition is not suitable due to cancer risks.
Researchers at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have gained new understanding of anti-malarial drug primaquine, a cornerstone in global efforts to eliminate malaria. The discovery may lead to the development of newer and safer antimalarial drugs.
A study analyzing 216 early benefit assessments in Germany found that half of new drugs lack proven added benefits. The researchers call for mandatory comparisons between new and standard treatments to improve patient care.
Researchers argue that international drug development processes and policies are responsible for the lack of evidence supporting added benefits for most new drugs. Only 54 out of 216 assessed drugs showed considerable or major added benefits, with many more lacking clear evidence of benefit over standard care.
Researchers characterized the interaction between potentiators and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein at atomic resolution. The study found that two distinct compounds act on the same region of CFTR, pointing to strategies for developing more effective drugs.
A study of 17,018 individuals with autoimmune diseases found a twofold increased risk of developing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis after treatment with etanercept. This association suggests that anti-TNFα agents may provoke inflammatory bowel disease through common immune dysregulation mechanisms.
NTU Singapore scientists have developed a new lab-created peptide ligase based on genetic information from the Chinese violet, which may help speed up drug development and improve diagnostic imaging. The enzyme has exceptional binding properties and can be produced in large quantities without by-products.
Researchers at UNIGE have created a 3D cell co-culture platform to test personalized cancer treatments, demonstrating that low-dose combinations of drugs are more effective than high-dose monotherapies. The platform opens the door to rapid and cost-effective treatment options for various types of tumors.
A study by Fertility Centers of Illinois found that children conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART) achieve similar developmental milestones as those conceived naturally, with a slight advantage at 12 months. The study analyzed data from over 1,800 parents and showed no significant impact on childhood development.
Researchers at Tufts University have found that a drug mimicking the ketogenic diet can improve brain function in mice after TBI and prevent the development of epileptic activity. This new approach could potentially be used to treat post-traumatic epilepsy and restore normal synaptic communication in the brain.
Researchers have mapped the structure of a chloride channel in muscle cells, providing new information on its regulation. The findings may lead to more efficient drug development for neuromuscular diseases such as ALS and SMA.
Scientists have discovered that USP25 is inactive in its isolated form and forms a tetramer, whereas USP28 exists as a constitutively active dimer. This knowledge provides the molecular basis for developing targeted anti-cancer drugs with low side effects.
A biomedical engineer is developing a therapeutic option that would prevent the opiates from crossing the blood-brain barrier, preventing the high abusers seek. The treatment involves generating an anti-opioid antibody that will arrest the drug in circulation and prevent it from getting to the brain.
Researchers have developed a new technique to measure the binding of thousands of small molecules to mucus components, revealing a previously unknown pattern associated with mucin binding. This breakthrough could lead to better treatments for diseases characterized by excessive mucus production.
The study demonstrated that DSM265 can clear low-level Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia with a single oral dose. A companion drug is needed to prevent development of resistance and advance the goal of eradicating malaria.
Microfabricated surfaces with hair-like micropillars can entrap particles at five times the density of commercial patches, enabling higher drug contents and potential biomedical applications. The technology could also be used for industrial purposes, building on the unique properties of honey bee legs.
Researchers at UTMB have developed a promising drug that significantly increases muscle size, strength and metabolic state in aged mice. The study found that the drug resets muscle stem cells to a more youthful state, rejuvenating them to effectively repair muscle tissues.
Certara has published four peer-reviewed papers on MIPD, outlining the vision and practical path for making individualized dosing a reality. MIPD uses computer modeling to predict optimal drug doses for patients based on their unique characteristics, especially those in vulnerable populations.
The review finds that while antibiotic development has improved, the most recently approved drugs represent modifications to existing classes rather than innovative approaches. Unmet needs persist due to a lack of treatment options for multidrug-resistant infections.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers has developed a human induced pluripotent stem cell (IPSC) derived 3D organoid model for drug testing. The system demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy with doxorubicin and predicted clinical response to temozolomide, offering a more personalized approach to treating glioblastoma.
Scientists identified an enzyme that regulates kidney function and found that excessive suppression can trigger renal failure. This research has implications for the use of existing drugs like lithium and the development of new pharmaceuticals.
Researchers have successfully constructed a three-dimensional human epidermis based on predictions made by their mathematical model of epidermal homeostasis. The epidermal equivalent exhibits excellent barrier functionality and thickness, providing a promising new tool for basic research and drug development.