Biotechnology news

• New Data Reaffirms Positive Trend in Prescription Drug Spending

  08-12-2017 17:26
  Earlier this year, BIO launched DrugCostFacts.org to help explain how our drug cost ecosystem works and to ensure accurate, well-sourced information on prescription drug costs is available to policymakers, the media and the broader public. It’s important to get the facts straight, or else the consequences could be detrimental to patients and the future of biomedical innovation.
  Fortunately, there are times when the facts speak for themselves. That’s true for new data on health care s
  
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• BGI Genomics, Sanguine to Partner on Precision Medicine Trial Database

  08-12-2017 16:26
  BGI Genomics and Sanguine BioSciences said they will partner to develop a database combining genomic and clinical data, with the goal of accelerating patient recruitment for precision medicine clinical trials, through a partnership whose value was not disclosed.The companies said their first project will entail a collaboration designed to help clinical trial developers access searchable whole-genome and electronic medical record (EMR) data of more than 1000 patients diagnosed with rheumatoid art
  
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• CRISPR/Cas9 Edits Epigenome with Therapeutic Efficiency

  08-12-2017 16:25
  The kindest cut may be no cut or, in the case of genome editing, no double-strand break (DSB). Although a DSB in DNA is the usual result when the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing system is used, modified versions of CRISPR/Cas9 avoid cutting into the genome and instead manipulate the epigenome. Rather than change genes—and risk introducing potentially harmful mutations—epigenome-targeting CRISPR/Cas9 systems change gene expression.Such epigenome-targeting CRISPR/Cas9 systems could have the
  
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• Gilead, Kite to Acquire Cell Design Labs for Up-to-$567M, Growing CAR-T Footprint

  08-12-2017 16:24
  Gilead Sciences and its Kite cell therapy subsidiary have agreed to acquire Cell Design Labs for up to approximately $567 million, in a deal designed to grow the buyers’ footprint in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) and other cellular therapies.Gilead and Kite said the deal will enhance their R&D efforts with new technology platforms, allowing both to speed up the development of next-generation cell therapy candidates.Based in Emeryville, CA, Cell Design Labs focuses on develop
  
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• For Some Chaperones, Stability Comes in Pairs

  08-12-2017 16:14
  Chaperone molecules are an important part of protein dynamics for daily cellular function. Misfolded proteins are nonfunctional and can cause cell damage. To prevent this, cells have evolved an arsenal of chaperones that assist with folding and carry out protein quality control. Just like an acrobatic duo, some proteins lend each other stability, which is exactly what researchers at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel have discovered happens for a specific Escherichia coli chaperone called
  
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• Scientists Identify Target for Tackling Checkpoint-Inhibitor Resistance

  08-12-2017 15:40
  Scientists have uncovered a mechanism by which tumors can become resistant to treatment with checkpoint inhibitors including anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibodies, and suggest one way of reversing that resistance, by blocking the cytokine transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β).The discovery is based on findings from the 300-patient IMvigor210 biomarker study, the results from which led to FDA approval of the anti-PD-L1 antibody
  
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• Diabetics Can Better Monitor Blood Glucose Levels via Novel Smartphone Approach

  08-12-2017 14:16
  University of California-San Diego researchers say they have developed a smartphone case and app that could make it easier for patients to record and track their blood glucose readings, whether they're at home or traveling.Currently, checking blood sugar levels can be a hassle for people with diabetes, especially when they have to pack their glucose monitoring kits around with them every time they leave the house."Integrating blood glucose sensing into a smartphone would eliminate the need for p
  
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