Tag: U.K.
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Engineered Hemp Delivers High Volume of Healthy Oleic Acid
10 February 2014. Biologists at University of York in the U.K. developed a new form of hemp plant that produces seeds with oil containing a high volume of oleic acid, a nutritious fatty acid like that found in olive oil. The team led by York’s Ian Graham, who heads the university’s biology department, published its…
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Shire to End Major Depression Drug Booster Development
7 February 2014. Shire PLC, a pharmaceutical company in the U.K., will end trials of its drug Vyvanse as a supplement to anti-depressants for treating major depressive disorder. The company made the decision following results of two late-stage clinical trials that show the drug failed to meet the studies’ effectiveness objectives. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) is…
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Techniques Boost Range, Accuracy of Wireless ID Signals
Engineers at University of Cambridge in the U.K. developed techniques to vastly improve the range and accuracy of passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags used to identify passports, luggage, and goods in transit. The team led by Cambridge research fellow Sabesan Sithamparanathan published its findings online in the journal IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation (paid…
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Cancer Organizations, Biotech Partner on Drug Discovery
Institute of Cancer Research and Cancer Research Technology in London, and the drug discovery company Nuevolution A/S in Copenhagen, are collaborating on identifying leads for new cancer treatments that act on a promising biological pathway. The agreement includes the option to co-develop therapies from candidates identified in the project, but financial aspects of the deal…
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EU-Funded Project to Develop Biomaterials for Stents
Ceram, a materials technology company in Stoke-on-Trent in the U.K., is coordinating a project funded by the European Commission to develop new biocompatible materials suitable for stents that help keep blood vessels open in the heart. The project, known as Rebiostent, is receiving €4.58 million of its €5.87 million ($US 6.19 million of $7.93 million)…
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Trial Shows Gene Therapy Helps Treat Genetic Eye Disease
Researchers at University of Oxford in the U.K. report initial results of a clinical trial showing healthy genes injected into the retinas of patients with a rare inherited disease improved their vision after six months. Findings from the study led by Oxford eye surgeon Robert MacLaren are published in today’s online issue of the journal…
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DNA Diagnostics Company to Crowdfund Malaria Testing Device
QuantuMDx, a biotechnology company in Newcastle, U.K. says it will start a crowdfunding campaign next month to finance development and field trials of a handheld device to test for malaria. The device is an application of its Q-POC point-of-care diagnostics system, which will be the subject of an Indiegogo campaign beginning 12 February. The company,…
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MedImmune, Biotech to Partner on Cancer Immunotherapies
MedImmune in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the biologics division of pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, and Immunocore Ltd. in Oxford, U.K. will develop cancer treatments that harness the body’s immune system, based on Immunocore’s technology. The deal will pay Immunocore, for each therapy program licensed by MedImmune, $20 million initially and another $300 million in milestone payments, as well…
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Start-Up Licenses UMass Cancer Immunotherapy Technology
Agalimmune Ltd., a new start-up enterprise in London, U.K. and Irvine, California, licensed research discoveries from University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester to develop treatments for solid tumors that harness the power of the patient’s immune system. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. The technology licensed from UMass, called Alphaject by the…
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Simple Test Cuts Antibiotic Use Among Sore Throat Patients
Researchers at University of Southampton and other institutions in the U.K. and Australia found a simple nine-item test can help clinicians better determine if patients complaining of a sore throat need antibiotics. The team led by Southampton’s Paul Little, professor of primary care research, published its findings in a recent issue of the British Medical…