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U.S. researchers have identified a small molecule gap junction inhibitor that protects mice from drug-induced liver toxicity. The team has founded Heprotech to further characterize and optimize the inhibitor.
Published on 2/2/2012
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U.S. researchers have identified a small molecule that inhibits TASP1, a protease implicated in several cancers. They now plan to use the small molecule as a scaffold to design inhibitors of the enzyme to treat cancer.
Published on 2/2/2012
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A French-led team has found that antagonizing an NK cell surface protein increases the innate immune cells' response to viruses and tumors. Innate Pharma is collaborating with the team to explore therapeutic …
Published on 1/26/2012
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Case Western researchers have identified 16 approved drugs that could help treat Stargardt's disease and dry age-related macular degeneration by preventing the toxic buildup of visual cycle byproducts. Visum has …
Published on 1/26/2012
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U.S. researchers have identified several small molecules that decrease toxic protein aggregation in vitro. The first-generation compounds have been licensed by Proteostasis and are proof of concept for the biotech's …
Published on 1/19/2012
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EETing away at metastasis Figure 1. EETs in cancer. U.S. researchers published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation that antagonizing epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) could block tumor growth and metastasis. …
Published on 1/12/2012
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U.S. researchers have shown that antagonizing epoxyeicosatrienoic acids reduces tumor growth and metastasis in mice. The challenge will be finding a dosage that has the desired effect without impairing the function of …
Published on 1/12/2012
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UPenn and MIT teams have independently converged on mGluRs as players in ADHD and autism. The findings suggest agonizing mGluRs in patients with ADHD or certain forms of autism and antagonizing the targets in other …
Published on 1/5/2012
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Researchers have discovered a transporter protein called FLAT that helps inactivate a naturally occurring analgesic. The team has created a small molecule antagonist of FLAT that could be useful for treating pain.
Published on 12/8/2011
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Karolinska researchers have identified a small molecule cancer compound that inhibits two deubiquitinating enzymes associated with the proteasome. Vivolux has licensed the candidate and is performing lead optimization.
Published on 12/8/2011
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Two groups have engineered clotting factor variants that could help correct coagulation defects in hemophilia. Pfizer has exclusively licensed one of the factors, and an undisclosed company has licensed the other.
Published on 12/8/2011
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Stemming CSCs Figure 1. Model for VEGF-mediated skin tumor progression. VEGF is known to promote tumor progression by stimulating angiogenesis. As reported by Beck et al. in a mouse squamous skin tumor model, VEGF …
Published on 12/1/2011
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A Belgian team has identified VEGF and its co-receptor NRP1 as promoters of cancer stem cell proliferation in skin papillomas and now wants to investigate whether NRP1 inhibition is a strategy against a broader range of…
Published on 12/1/2011
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A Stanford study has suggested that the mitochondrial enzyme ALDH2 activator Alda-1 could decrease the risk of cardiac injury in patients treated with nitroglycerin. ALDEA Pharmaceuticals has already raised money to …
Published on 12/1/2011
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SEMA4D in Osteoporosis Figure 1. SEMA4D released by osteoclasts blocks osteoblast formation. Whereas most osteoporosis drugs on the market work by curbing the destruction of bone, inhibiting semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D) …
Published on 11/17/2011
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Tokyo researchers have suggested that blocking the membrane protein SEMA4D could directly promote bone formation in osteoporosis, and they plan to investigate the target for arthritis and bone metastasis. Vaccinex …
Published on 11/17/2011
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Separate teams have identified mechanisms by which cisplatin and paclitaxel can promote metastatic tumor growth in mice. The findings open up new opportunities for VEGF receptor 1 and metalloproteinase inhibitors.
Published on 11/10/2011
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German researchers have identified a neutrophil-derived protein called LL37 that could be added to existing antiproliferative stent coatings geared mainly toward preventing restenosis. The new coating promotes healing …
Published on 11/10/2011
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UCSF researchers have shown that hydrocortisone poses risks similar to those of dexamethasone in the brains of preterm infants. A second UCSF study shows that there may be a way to blunt the negative effects of …
Published on 11/10/2011
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Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor and Isis Pharmaceuticals have shown that peripheral delivery of antisense therapeutics improved survival in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy. The results suggest delivering …
Published on 11/3/2011
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Targets & Mechanisms: Rituxan: re-energizing CFS Table 1. Repurposing to re-energize. Antibodies against CD20 that are marketed or in Phase III testing to treat autoimmune diseases and cancer that could be repurposed…
Published on 10/27/2011
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Even as XMRV has been taken off the table as a cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, new research from Norway points to the condition as a B cell disorder and suggests the potential to repurpose Rituxan and other CD20 …
Published on 10/27/2011
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Harvard and the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry have identified a small molecule called spautin-1 that blocks the prosurvival autophagy pathway in cancer cells. Based on the findings, Harvard, Roche and BioBay …
Published on 10/27/2011
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Factor H complements AMD Figure 1. Model for complement factor H-mediated protection in AMD. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a marker for oxidative stress and is associated with multiple diseases including age-related …
Published on 10/20/2011
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EU and U.S. researchers have revealed what could be the mechanistic underpinnings of the increased risk for age-related macular degeneration in individuals with a common polymorphism in the gene for complement factor H.
Published on 10/20/2011