Wednesday November 25 2009 | Biotechnology feed | All feeds
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Wednesday November 25 2009 | Biotechnology feed | All feeds
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Emerging Drug Discovery Targets "Emerging Drug Discovery Targets" provides a regular summary of some of the most exciting breaking information recently featured by the pharmaceutical analysts, LeadDiscovery. Information includes editorials on recently published journal articles, selected press releases and "intelligence reports". Our target audience includes business development personnel, senior management and researchers within the drug development sector as well as bioscience investors and analysts. To receive a FREE copy by email register here!In this weeks edition:
Targeting oncolytic viruses to colorectal tumors: Cancers of the colon and rectum remain responsible for 56,000 deaths every year in the US, second only to lung cancer. Surgery remains the main form of treatment and is often the only treatment used in early-stage disease. Current surgical practices can however cure only 40%-50% of early-stage cases and improved pharmaceutical approaches are therefore urgently sought (for a full analysis of therapeutic and market opportunities for colon cancer click here). Oncolytic viruses represent an emerging approach to the treatment of cancer. Here we highlight the development of a replication-competent virus being developed by Cell Genesys that has been engineered to selectively replicate in cancer cells expressing the carcioembryonic antigen (CEA), a protein that is frequently over-expressed in colorectal cancers. This virus demonstrates excellent efficacy without adverse effects in an animal model of colorectal cancer...[more on these findings] ********************** FR167653, a candidate p38 MAPK inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: Approximately one in five people in the western world suffer from autoimmune diseases and an estimated 5 million individuals suffer from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The field of RA therapeutics is attracting massive interest in the wake of resurgent R&D activity that has advanced our understanding of the etiology of the disease. One target analyzed in LeadDiscovery’s state of the art analysis of RA drug discovery targets and therapeutic candidates, “Rheumatoid arthritis: Emerging drug discovery targets and therapeutic candidates” (click here) is p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). In this edition of TherapeuticAdvances we highlight recent data describing Fujisawa Pharmaceutical’s MAPK inhibitor, FR167653...[more on these findings] ********************** Bisphosphonates as inhibitors of tumor angiogenesis: Bone metastases to bone affects quality of life. Following their approval for the treatment of osteoporosis, bisphosphonates were also approved for the treatment and prevention of fractures related to metastatic disease. Clinical trials of zoledronic acid for example have shown that it can reduce markers of bone resorption by 40% to 60% in patients with multiple myeloma and breast, prostate, and lung cancers. More recently researchers have demonstrated that bisphosphonates have direct antitumor effects; for example zoledronic acid is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. Here we highlight data showing for the first time the anti-angiogenic activity of a bisphosphonate in a model of tumor progression. This data also suggests that effects are both direct, blocking multiple steps of the angiogenesis process, and indirect, reducing the liberation of angiogenic mediators by cancer cells...[more on these findings] ********************** Janus tyrosine kinase 3 inhibition for the prevention of transplant rejection: The global market for immunosuppressant therapy is in excess of 4 billion USD per year. This therapeutic class is used for the treatment of both autoimmune diseases (see our recent analysis of rheumatoid arthritis therapeutics) and for the prevention of organ rejection in transplantation. In the context of transplantation, immunotherapy commonly involves the use of azathioprine beginning at the time of transplantation often combined with low doses of cyclosporine. However, immunosuppressants suppress all immunologic reactions, thus making overwhelming infection the leading cause of death in transplant recipients. In addition immunosuppressants are associated with severe toxicity. A newer molecular target being investigated for the prevention of transplant rejection is Janus tyrosine kinase 3 (Jak3). Jak3 is this months "Target of the Month" and here we describe Pfizer's efforts to optimize inhibitors of this kinase...[more on these findings] ********************** Alpha(v)beta(3) integrin antagonism as a treatment of osteoporosis: An estimated 10 million Americans over the age of 50 years old suffer from osteoporosis and a further 32.9 million have low bone mass, placing them at an increased risk for developing this condition. Patients with these conditions carry an increased risk of sustaining fractures, which are both clinically problematic and costly to healthcare systems, and the development of new osteoporosis treatments therefore offers immense opportunities to the pharmaceutical industry. In a recent DiscoveryDossier we analyze therapeutic and pharmaceutical opportunities in the field of osteoporosis (click here for access). One new molecular target being investigated for the possible treatment of osteoporosis is alpha(v)beta(3) integrin. Researchers from Merck have been actively involved in the rational design of small-molecule alpha(v)beta(3) integrin antagonists and here we highlight their most recent data relating to the optimization of a series of imidazolidinones which has produced a candidate for clinical trials...[more on these findings] ********************** A fortnight in Drug Development - Our Tour of Industry Press Releases Key press releases selected from recent editions of the tracking service, DailyUpdates.
New DiscoveryDossiers & PharmaReports: Go to: http://www.bioportfolio.com/cgi-bin/acatalog/index.html LeadDiscovery and BioPortfolio aims to provide reliable, insightful analysis on the biotechnology industry. However, this information is provided "as is" and no representations or warranties either express or implied of completeness, accuracy, or of any other nature are made with respect to this information. This information is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy the securities of any company. This information contains forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties which may not be listed. The biotechnology industry is an emerging industry and the securities of the companies mentioned in this report have a very high degree of risk and volatility. For this reason, this information is supplied on the condition that the reader will make his or her own determination as to its suitability for any purpose prior to any use of this information. The employees and officers of LeadDiscovery and BioPortfolio may hold positions in some or all of the stocks discussed in this report. This abstract has been produced by LeadDiscovery Ltd. Founded by life scientists for life scientists we aim to help industry identify cutting edge drug discovery options and academic/biotech institutions maximize the potential of their research. Abstracts strictly reflect the opinion of LeadDiscovery's editorial panel. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of information provided LeadDiscovery and the publisher BioPortfolio, takes no responsibility for incorrect or misleading information. LeadDiscovery is designed for educational and drug development purposes only and is not intended or designed to offer medical advice or advice of any sort, and must not be used for such purpose. The information provided through LeadDiscovery and BioPortfolio should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease and no reliance should be placed on any information contained in this abstract or elsewhere on LeadDiscovery's and BioPortfolio's website. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your physician or other health care provider.
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