Tag: genomics
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Cancer Genetic Variations Database Generated for Therapies
Researchers at National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of National Institutes of Health, cataloged the genetic variations of nine leading types of cancers, and are making the data available to the cancer research community. The team led by pharmacologist Yves Pommier and geneticist Paul Meltzer posted its findings today online in the journal Cancer Research (paid…
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Early Trial Shows Safety, Action of RNA Scar Treatment
RXi Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company in Westborough, Massacusetts reports an early-stage clinical trial of its treatment for skin scarring shows the therapy is safe and generates the desired chemical response in the body. The trial is testing RXI-109, the company’s therapy based on RNA to treat hypertrophic scarring and keloids associated with skin trauma. RXi’s…
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First Birth Reported for Full-Genome Screened IVF Embryo
A British woman gave birth to a boy in June, following a full genomic sequencing of the embryo to identify potential genetic disorders. Researchers at University of Oxford in the U.K., with colleagues from the reproductive genetics company Reprogenetics in New Jersey and fertility centers in the U.S., described their results today in London at…
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University, 23andMe Identify Genetic Allergy Associations
Two large-scale population studies associating allergies to genomics discovered 16 genetic regions associated with common allergies, including pollen, cats, and dust mites. The findings from the studies that combined databases collected by the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children at Bristol University in the U.K. and the personal genetics company 23andMe in Mountain View,…
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Research Funded for DNA Vaccine to Create Nicotine Immunity
Researchers at Arizona State University in Tempe are investigating the ability of human DNA, assembled into nanoscale particles, to help people develop an immunity to nicotine. The project is funded by a three-year $3.3 million grant from National Institute of Drug Abuse, part of National Institutes of Health, and led by Arizona State immunologist Yung…
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Blood Stem Cell Transplants Tested as Sickle Cell Therapy
Researchers at University of California in Los Angeles, University of Southern California, and hospitals in California tested a technique that harnesses a patient’s own blood-producing stem cells as a potential treatment for sickle cell disease. The team led by UCLA’s Donald Kohn published its findings today online in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, under a…
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FDA Approves Protein to Prevent Hemophilia B Bleeding
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an engineered form of a human protein to prevent and control bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia B, age 16 or older. The protein known as Coagulation Factor IX (Recombinant) is marketed under the brand name Rixubis by Baxter Healthcare in Deerfield, Illinois. Hemophilia B, also known as factor…
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Late-Stage Trial to Test Biosimilar Psoriasis Treatment
The Sandoz division of the global pharmaceutical company Novartis started a late stage clinical trial of a treatment for psoriasis biologically similar to the therapy etanercept, marketed by Amgen and Pfizer as Enbrel. The trial is expected to support the company’s application for regulatory approval in the U.S. and Europe. Biosimilars is the name given…
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Light-Enabled Nanoparticles Detect Early Infection Signs
Biomedical and genomic researchers at Duke University in North Carolina developed a technique with light and silver nanoparticles to detect infections earlier than when patients may even report symptoms. The team led by biomedical engineering professor Tuan Vo-Dinh and genomic medicine professor Geoffrey Ginsburg published its findings online in a recent issue of the journal…
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Biotech Developing Genetics Therapies Gains $101M in IPO
The biotechnology company bluebird bio in Cambridge, Massachusetts developing therapies for genetic disorders raised $101 million through its initial public offering (IPO) of 5.9 million shares priced at $17.00 a share. The company’s stock, trading on the NASDAQ under the code BLUE was priced at $26.00 a share at 11:00 am ET today. bluebird bio…