How do exercise and insulin collaborate in metabolism? The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the Novo Nordisk Foundation recognized the work of Juleen Zierath in this topic with the Diabetes Prize for Excellence at their recent annual meeting.
Capricor Therapeutics Inc. has expanded its commercialization and distribution deal with Nippon Shinyaku Co. Ltd. to include the EU and the U.K. for deramiocel, Capricor’s lead asset, in treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In the new agreement, Capricor will receive an up-front payment of $20 million. Capricor will handle development and manufacturing duties for deramiocel while Nippon Shinyaku will be responsible for the sales and distribution.
Researchers from Ajou University presented data from a preclinical study that aimed to assess the potential of using the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor LMK-235 for the prevention of diabetic muscle atrophy.
Predictably, weekly vs. daily subcutaneous injections made a big difference in the achondroplasia space, where shares of Copenhagen, Denmark-based Ascendis Pharma A/S (NASDAQ:ASND) closed Sept. 16 at $139.57, up $20.35, or 17%, on favorable, pivotal top-line data with Transcon CNP (navepegritide), as competitor Biomarin Pharmaceutical Inc.’s stock (NASDAQ:BMRN) ended the day at $69.86, down $15.04, or 17.7%.
Genentech’s newly approved multiple sclerosis (MS) injection takes about 10 minutes to administer, dramatically reducing the four to six hours required by its intravenous predecessor. The U.S. FDA approved the humanized monoclonal antibody Ocrevus Zunovo (ocrelizumab and hyaluronidase-ocsq) for relapsing MS and primary progressive MS on Sept. 13.
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is characterized by low bone mass, with increased risk of bone fracture due to mutations in certain genes encoding type I collagen, such as COL1A1 and COL1A2.
Immortality and eternal youth have been the stuff of myths and legends from ancient times on. Now, in the 21st century, real studies of current medicine could be applied to repair tissues and organs damaged by age. During the 11th Aging Research & Drug Discovery (ARDD) Meeting held at the University of Copenhagen at the end of August, scientists explained the molecular keys of rejuvenation, as many artists imagined in the past.
Incretins are not just metabolic hormones that regulate glucose levels after eating. Their functions go beyond stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), the two main incretins, have receptors and effects in different organs, including the heart, brain, bone and kidneys. Even if they do not directly play those keys, other organs such as the liver and muscle receive signals from the same score and join the orchestra.
After missing the primary and secondary endpoints in its phase III study of losmapimod in treating the rare disease facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FHSD), Fulcrum Therapeutics Inc. is yanking the program’s plug. The selective p38α/β mitogen activated protein kinase inhibitor had a lot of money behind it. It was originally in-licensed from GSK plc and then, in May, Sanofi SA signed on to help Fulcrum develop and commercialize losmapimod for FHSD worldwide, excluding the U.S., in a deal worth $1.06 billion.
The U.S. FDA on Sept. 6 granted fast track designation to MM-II – a novel, non-opioid injectable candidate for knee osteoarthritis (OA) co-developed by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Moebius Medical Ltd. Mumbai, India-based Sun and Tel Aviv, Israel-based Moebius agreed, under undisclosed terms, to co-develop the novel liposomal non-opioid pain therapy in an exclusive global licensing deal in 2016.