Table of Contents
July 9 2009, Volume 2 / Number 26
Analysis
The Distillery
Analysis
Cover Story
Anexon's fail-safe BNP FREE
by Kai-Jye Lou, Staff Writer
doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1028
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota have identified a B-type natriuretic peptide splice variant that lacks the blood pressure–lowering effects that have limited the use of J&J's Natrecor. Anexon Inc. has exclusively licensed the splice variant and plans to enter the clinic this year.
Full text - Anexon's fail-safe BNP | PDF (165 KB) - Anexon's fail-safe BNP
Targets and Mechanisms
Incyte's big IDO
by Michael J. Haas, Senior Writer
doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1029
Researchers at Incyte Corp. have identified a class of IDO inhibitors to treat cancer that they think could be more potent than the only disclosed IDO inhibitor in the clinic, which is from NewLink Genetics Corp.
Full text - Incyte's big IDO | PDF (687 KB) - Incyte's big IDO
Drexel's splice rack
by Lauren Martz, Staff Writer
doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1030
Drexel University researchers have shown that an antisense oligonucleotide targeting the SMN2 gene could help treat spinal muscular atrophy. The study also serves as proof of principle for the use of similar splice-modulating molecules in other neurological indications.
Full text - Drexel's splice rack | PDF (165 KB) - Drexel's splice rack
Tumor-suppressing miRNAs
by Tim Fulmer, Senior Writer
doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1031
Johns Hopkins and Ohio State researchers have identified an miRNA that could act as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma. Delivery and specificity hurdles still remain before testing in humans.
Full text - Tumor-suppressing miRNAs | PDF (164 KB) - Tumor-suppressing miRNAs
The Distillery
Distillery: Therapeutics
Inhibiting TNC to treat rheumatoid arthritis; treating cancer with a pentavalent vaccine; antagonizing IP3R to prevent cardiac hypertrophy; agonizing S1PR1 or PAR2 to prevent vascular leak in allergy-associated inflammatory diseases; and more...
Distillery: Techniques
An Alzheimer's disease mouse model; nanotubes for rapid photothermal intracellular drug delivery; pH-sensitive polymer-caged liposomes for targeted drug delivery; and more...
