Articles tagged with Drug Discovery
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers used supercomputers and molecular docking to predict adverse drug reactions (ADRs) from off-target proteins. The computational model outperformed current statistical methods in predicting side effects, particularly in vascular disorders and neoplasms.
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) have discovered a new molecule, Butelase-1, that can join chains of amino acids more efficiently and cleanly than existing molecules. This breakthrough has the potential to speed up the development of new drugs and treatments.
The number of antibiotics available for clinical use has declined to 96 from a peak of 113 in 2000, with the rate of withdrawals being double the rate of new introductions. Pharmaceutical companies are leaving the antibiotic space due to financial constraints and patent law, forcing research universities to step in.
Rong Xu's research aims to automate identification of drug effects using artificial intelligence, data mining, and machine learning on thousands of existing drugs and over 100,000 diseases. Her approach could lead to a more efficient drug discovery process with a lower failure rate.
Researchers developed a new test that determines which drugs are unlikely to work by analyzing their structural similarity to naturally occurring substances. The 'rule of 0.5' shows a strong correlation between marketed drugs and metabolites, indicating that molecules with low similarity are unlikely to succeed.
Researchers predict near-future treatments for chronic diseases and aging, targeting underlying biological processes. Innovative business models and flexible regulations are needed to accelerate these advancements.
A study published in Nature Genetics has identified a genetic marker that increases the risk of pancreatitis in patients prescribed thiopurine drugs. Researchers found that 17% of patients with two copies of the marker are at high risk, four times more than those with one copy.
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have discovered a new drug compound, TC-2153, that inhibits the negative effects of STEP protein, which is key to regulating learning and memory in Alzheimer's disease. Decreasing STEP levels reversed cognitive deficits in mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for treating the condition.
A recent study found that 32% of newer drugs received a black box warning or were withdrawn for safety reasons, compared to 21.2% of older drugs. The study suggests that the FDA's expedited approval process may have led to the release of unsafe drugs.
A NUS study shows that artesunate, a common anti-malarial drug, can effectively control asthma with improved treatment outcomes and lesser side effects. The research reveals artesunate's ability to suppress airway inflammation and produce anti-inflammatory effects similar to those of dexamethasone.
Researchers have identified six potential therapeutics for H7N9 influenza by targeting the immune response rather than the virus. The study found that viruses causing severe illness trigger different gene expression signatures compared to milder infections.
A study by Xavier Salvatella and Modesto Orozco reveals the existence of information highways in proteins, enabling new sites for drug interaction. This discovery has the potential to improve drug efficiency and discovery.
A new tick-borne bacterium, Neoehrlichia, has been linked to six cases of disease in Sweden, posing a significant risk to people with weakened immune systems. Researchers found that those over 50 years old with haematological or rheumatic diseases undergoing immunosuppressive treatment are most vulnerable.
Researchers from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland discover a new anticancer compound, Cent-1, that kills cancer cells through a similar mechanism to Rigosertib. This breakthrough uses computer-assisted screening and cell-based assays to accelerate drug discovery and potentially lower development costs.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that thousands of polyene compounds can be built from just 12 different chemical building blocks. This breakthrough could accelerate the discovery and development of new medicines by making synthesis more efficient and cost-effective. The team's findings, published in Nature Chemistr...
Advances in biological imaging enable scientists to identify the most promising new drugs and rule out those unlikely to work, potentially improving the success rate of cancer medicines. Researchers are using this approach to streamline the drug discovery process, reducing costs and side effects.
Rutgers University has secured a five-year, $26 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to lead the development of new antibiotics. The research effort aims to combat rising cases of antibiotic-resistant infections, which claim at least 23,000 lives annually in the US.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that the anti-seizure drug ezogabine reduced alcohol consumption in an experimental model, providing a potential new mechanism for treating alcoholism. The study suggests that drugs targeting the Kv7 channel may be effective in reducing drinking behavior.
Researchers at Griffith University's Eskitis Institute have developed a new technique for discovering natural compounds with therapeutic potential. The new screening process involves nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and has identified a potential lead in the fight against Parkinson's disease.
IDRI's drug discovery efforts continue with a $3.4 million grant extension from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The funding supports identifying new leads and drug targets for TB, a devastating disease killing 1.5 million annually.
SURA honors Dr. Jeffrey Skolnick, a renowned biologist at Georgia Tech, for his groundbreaking research on protein structure and function. His cutting-edge discoveries have the potential to dramatically accelerate and enhance the drug discovery process.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and Vanderbilt University have created the most detailed 3-D picture yet of a membrane protein linked to learning, memory, anxiety, pain and brain disorders. The study focused on the mGlu1 receptor, which helps regulate neurotransmitter glutamate.
The University of Notre Dame has established a state-of-the-art research center for drug discovery and development, with the aim of improving lives worldwide. The Warren Family Research Center will support the translation of basic scientific discoveries into new therapeutics.
An international team has identified genetic mutations that reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 65% in people with risk factors. These mutations may lead to the development of a new therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating the disease.
A €85 million program will develop novel antibiotics against Gram-negative pathogens with expertise from universities and industry in Europe. Scientists will assess new compounds to determine their potency and molecular basis of action.
Researchers found that fever suppression increases the number of annual cases by approximately five percent, corresponding to more than 1,000 additional deaths from influenza. The study suggests that taking fever-reducing medications can actually increase the transmission of the virus.
A new study confirms that candesartan is just as effective as propranolol in preventing migraine attacks, offering a new treatment option for patients who have not responded to traditional medications. The study found that over 20% of patients experience relief even with a placebo, highlighting the potential of candesartan as a more co...
Robert Mahley and his team will use the funding to identify new chemical compounds that can target apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4), the strongest genetic risk factor for developing Alzheimer's. They aim to develop small-molecule therapies that prevent apoE4's damaging effects on the brain.
A groundbreaking discovery in 1993 led to the development of a cancer treatment, Erivedge, which targets the hedgehog signaling pathway. The breakthrough was made by researchers investigating fundamental mechanisms regulating vertebrate brain development.
Researchers have developed a computational method that analyzes mouse behavior to categorize psychiatric drugs more efficiently. The algorithm, called Pattern Array, identifies complex behaviors in mice on various drugs and classifies them into six classes, such as antidepressants or antipsychotics.
A UNC School of Medicine researcher found that three specific drugs affect three different kinds of neurotransmitter receptors crucial in Fragile X syndrome. This discovery suggests that therapies acting through different receptors may improve behavioral symptoms and intellectual outcomes for people with Fragile X.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered a combination of two drugs that can effectively treat toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The therapy uses cholesterol-lowering statin atorvastatin and osteoporosis medication zoledronic acid to block parasite replication and spread.
Researchers have created a man-made catalyst that can alter the chemical profiles of numerous types of small molecules, greatly speeding up the process of drug discovery. The catalyst, called iron CF3-PDP, can accomplish one of these alterations in about half an hour.
Biochemist Alex Evilevitch measures internal pressure of HSV-1, revealing key mechanism behind herpes infection and paving way for new medicine development. The discovery could lead to universal treatment for various viral infections, including cancer-linked viruses.
Charles P. O'Brien, a leading expert on alcohol dependency, is being honored with the French Legion of Honor Medal for his pioneering work in addiction treatment. He has made significant contributions to the field through his research, advocacy, and leadership.
Researchers at NHCS successfully reversed effects of hERG mutation in patient-specific heart cells, scoring a world's first. The discovery could revolutionize drug development and lead to a potential cure for the life-threatening condition within 5-8 years.
Researchers have discovered that a drug increasing sudden cardiac death risk interacts with mistranslated protein-coding genes in heart muscle. The study provides insight into how cardiac death risk might be increased by these drugs, opening the way for further research.
A new nonprofit initiative aims to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical trials, tackling the 'Valley of Death' in drug development. Emory University's DRIVE program invests in promising compounds with potential to become new drugs.
Researchers at KU Leuven have identified a series of chemical compounds that are highly potent inhibitors of dengue virus replication. The compounds will be further developed by Janssen into a first-in-class drug candidate for the prevention and treatment of dengue infections.
Researchers at MIT have developed nanosensors that can detect variations in binding strength of antibody drugs, enabling more efficient production. The sensors also measure weak interactions with sugar chains, which are essential for drug effectiveness.
A study found that a fifth of US neurologists are unaware of serious drug safety risks associated with anti-epilepsy drugs, which can jeopardize patient health. The researchers suggest better communication from the FDA to specialists and more systematic methods for doctors to receive updated safety warnings.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new method for connecting molecules like drugs or polymers to thiols using the alkynes, allowing for quick and efficient alkynylation reactions. The breakthrough has far-reaching implications for chemical biology, drug design, and materials science.
A collaborative EU-funded project aims to discover and develop novel antifungal drugs to combat drug-resistant fungal infections, which kill two million people annually. The NOFUN project brings together partners to accelerate development of broad-spectrum antifungal agents with new modes of action.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered that removing a key protein can significantly improve the lifespan and neurological function of mice with Tay-Sachs disease. The findings suggest that FDA-approved drugs, readily available on the market, may help alleviate symptoms of the devastating condition.
Researchers at OHSU's Vollum Institute have discovered a new NMDA receptor subtype that is the most common at synapses, contradicting previous drug development efforts. The study suggests that this subtype may be a new target for developing effective therapies for neurological disorders.
A mathematical model of tumor growth inhibition predicts treatment effect with bevacizumab for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The best metric for predicting overall survival was time to tumor growth, which worked equally well in Western and Chinese patients.
Top scientists from $3.5 trillion enterprise will share advice on challenges and solutions for thriving in the global economy. The symposium focuses on market-driven innovation, collaboration, and new methods to address pressing issues like feeding the world and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
A new paradigm for therapeutics discovery is proposed by Garret FitzGerald, MD, FRS, to address the unsustainable model of current drug development in the US. The approach aims to integrate knowledge of preclinical science with an understanding of drug action in humans, leading to improved prediction of efficacy and safety.
A new centre will focus on lead optimisation for diseases of the developing world, including TB. The centre will create 11 new posts and receive a £6.5 million investment over five years.
A new approach by Yale University scientists offers greater control over the three-dimensional structure of molecular compounds, enabling more effective drugs. This breakthrough can lead to the creation of novel piperidine derivatives with improved binding properties.
Researchers have found a way to 'mine' bacterial genomes for new drug leads by exploiting the process of antibiotic resistance. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that bacteria can produce hundreds of compounds when exposed to antibiotics, many of which are potential secondary metabolites.
Scientists at Nottingham University are part of a €18m European-wide project using high-tech laser technology to study how drugs interact with cells. They aim to design more effective treatments for chronic illnesses like cancer and asthma by understanding how drug molecules bind and unbind from proteins.
The UCI Center for Autism Research & Treatment is launching an innovative drug discovery effort to develop effective pharmaceutical therapy for core deficits of autism. Researchers are using a synergistic approach, integrating multiple disciplines and compounds to target neural pathways altered in the disorder.
A team of researchers at the University of Dundee has developed an automated design system for new drugs, using advanced statistical analysis to mimic human chemists' creative process. The system successfully predicted profiles across a range of drug targets, with 75% confirmed correct in experimental testing.
A team of chemists at USC developed a method to convert fluoroform, an ozone-destroying chemical waste product, into useful reagents for producing pharmaceuticals. The discovery is based on the precise conditions needed to coax fluoroform into useful compounds, including trifluoromethanesulfonic acid.
Researchers from the University of British Columbia have discovered that a well-established family of anti-parasite drugs can be repurposed to effectively treat tuberculosis, including drug-resistant forms. The study highlights the potential for investing in research to find new uses for approved drugs and synergistic combinations.
Avermectins, a well-established family of anti-parasitic drugs, have shown surprising potential in treating tuberculosis. In vitro tests have killed bacteria that cause TB, including drug-resistant forms, offering hope for new therapies against multi-drug resistant TB.
University of Utah medical researchers have identified a new pathway to block inflammation while minimizing the risk of infection, which could lead to more effective treatments for conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and traumatic brain injury. The discovery has vast potential for developing safer anti-inflammatory medicines.
A new genetic sequencing tool, Next-Gen Lab-on-Bead, has been developed to speed up drug discovery and disease diagnostics. The technology uses next-generation sequencing to test millions of potential drug candidates simultaneously.
Scientists at Northwestern University have created a mouse model that replicates the human response in rheumatoid arthritis. The new prototype uses human stem cells implanted in mice, which showed authentic human reactions, paving the way for more accurate drug discovery and treatment options.