Computer model successfully predicts drug side effects
A new set of computer models has successfully predicted negative side effects in hundreds of current drugs, based on the similarity between their chemical structures and those molecules known to cause side effects, according to a paper published in the journal Nature. The team, co-led by researchers in the UCSF School of Pharmacy, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) and SeaChange Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - a UCSF spinoff company launched by two of the paper's authors - set out to test how well a computer model could help researchers eliminate risky drug prospects by identifying which ones were most likely to have adverse side effects.
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Researchers develop a 'time bomb' to fight cardiovascular disease
In Switzerland, more than 20,000 people (37% of all deaths) die of cardiovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis each year. Treatment options are currently available to people who suffer from the disease but no drug can target solely the diseased areas, often leading to generalized side effects. Intravenous injection of a vasodilator (a substance that dilates blood vessels), such as nitroglycerin, dilates both the diseased vessels and the rest of our arteries. Blood pressure can thus drop, which would limit the desired increased blood flow generated by vasodilatation of diseased vessels and needed for example during a heart attack.
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IMI launches 7 new projects to tackle major health research challenges
The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) has successfully launched its third wave of projects. The 7 new projects, which have a combined total cost of €215 million and will run for 5 years, are taking on some of the biggest challenges in healthcare research. Some of the new projects aim to speed up the search for more effective treatments for certain diseases and conditions that are currently difficult to manage.
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Alzheimer's vaccine trial a success
A study led by Karolinska Institutet reports for the first time the positive effects of an active vaccine against Alzheimer's disease. The new vaccine, CAD106, can prove a breakthrough in the search for a cure for this seriously debilitating dementia disease. The study is published in the distinguished scientific journal Lancet Neurology. Alzheimer's disease is a complex neurological dementia disease that is the cause of much human suffering and a great cost to society. According to the World Health Organisation, dementia is the fastest growing global health epidemic of our age.
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TBVI receives $3 million research grant from Gates Foundation
TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI), a non-profit organisation that supports the development of urgently needed new vaccines against tuberculosis (TB), will receive a new grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. With the award of up to 3 million dollars spread over 3 years, TBVI can support the development of several TB vaccine candidates and contribute to the fight against this ghastly disease.
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How to use guidelines on reporting tumor marker prognostic studies
In an "elaboration and explanation" of the REMARK (Reporting Recommendations for Tumor Marker Prognostic Studies) checklist, Doug Altman of the University of Oxford, UK and colleagues provide a detailed reference for authors on important issues to consider when designing, conducting, analyzing and reporting tumor marker prognostic studies. Writing in this week's PLoS Medicine (and co-published in BMC Medicine) the authors explain the checklist items in detail and illustrate each one with published examples of good reporting.
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IMI launches €223.7 million programme for combatting antibiotic resistance
Today the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) is launching a €223.7 million programme which will see leading academics and five major pharmaceutical companies join forces to tackle antimicrobial resistance and to speed up the delivery of much-needed new antibiotics to patients. Antibiotic resistance poses a major health threat to society and despite the recognised need for new antibiotics, the reality is that only two new classes of antibiotics have been brought to market in the last 30 years.
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