drug development Archives

Photonic Inc: Creating relevant, scalable, and distributed quantum computing

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photonics - relevant, scalable, and distributed quantum computing

Quantum technologies are an exciting prospect for our future and naturally interdisciplinary in solving complex questions. Dr Stephanie Simmons, Founder and Chief Quantum Officer at Photonic, is at the forefront of driving the technical vision for next-generation quantum technologies. Photonic is a leader in distributed quantum computing in silicon and designs and manufactures large-scale, distributed, and fault-tolerant quantum computers – transforming material […]

Glycomimetic peptides as powerful anti-inflammatory treatments

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Glycan (sugar)-binding lectin-type receptors on immune cells have the potential to serve as therapeutic targets. However, many of these receptors are not targeted because of a lack of suitable binding agents. Professor J Kenneth Hoober and Dr Laura L Eggink, co-founders of Susavion Biosciences, Inc, and Wild Boar Biosciences, LLC, have created peptide mimetics of glycans that show greater flexibility […]

Rare disease drug development: Time for a new approach?

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A rare disease is one that affects a small percentage of the population.

A limited patient population is a key challenge in rare disease drug development. Professor Shein-Chung Chow of Duke University School of Medicine, USA and his research partners explore innovative approaches to overcome this challenge. These include using external control, selecting appropriate study endpoints, and justifying sample size based on probability statements. They propose the use of a complex innovative two-stage […]

Drug-adapted RET mutations

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The active RET protein has been seen in many types of thyroid cancers.

RET is a protein tyrosine kinase that is upregulated and activated in many diverse forms of cancer. Treatments using RET-specific inhibitors have been highly effective, but the threat of resistance to these drugs looms. For this reason, Dr Jie Wu and Dr Blaine Mooers from the University of Oklahoma, together with Dr Vivek Subbiah from the University of Texas, decided […]

Cell mechanics – from bench to bedside

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Chemical, electrical, and mechanical stimuli trigger activity in a variety of biochemical pathways.

All cells generate and respond to mechanical forces. The role of mechanical forces in cell biology has been understudied, but the forces are essential components of our physiology in health and disease. For example, they are involved in pathologies such as cardiac arrhythmias, muscular dystrophy and metastatic cancer. Dr Frederick Sachs from the University at Buffalo, New York, focuses on […]

When control is lost: Studying the interactions of ATP and acetylcholine in the urinary bladder

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The inner lining of the bladder, known as the urothelium, triggers the reflex controlling urination.

The inner lining of the bladder, known as the urothelium, not only serves as a passive barrier but also triggers the reflex controlling urination (the micturition reflex). The neurotransmitter ATP released from the stretched urothelium activates the bladder afferent nerves and evokes the release of acetylcholine that substantially contributes to the contractile response. Prof Gunnar Tobin from the University of […]

Targeting melanoma cells with a drug-infused graphene matrix

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The researchers are developing testing platforms for novel therapeutic drug combinations for patients with metastatic melanoma.

Dr Livia Sima of the Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy and Dr Emanuel Axente of the National Institute for Laser, Plasma, and Radiation Physics in Romania are developing novel platforms for screening of therapeutic drug combinations for patients with metastatic melanoma. Their most recent work involves investigating a method which can be used to screen potential drug candidates. […]

Innovation in oncology drug development: A focus on patient benefits

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Innovation in oncology drug development is driving more efficient and effective development of new cancer treatments. This innovation is providing cancer patients unprecedented access to new therapies. Dr Brian Huber, Vice President of Therapeutic Areas, Drug Development and Consulting at ICON and Matthew Huber, a scientist in the emerging biotechnology sector focused on developing innovative oncology medicines, have conducted a […]

New Toolkits for Positron Emission Tomography

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PET scanners make use of radioactive tracers.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerful imaging technique that uses radiotracers injected into the body to look at biology in tissues and cells, making it an important tool in biomedical research and drug development. Dr Victor Pike, Chief of the PET Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Section of the Molecular Imaging Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health in the U.S., […]

Bayesian inference for 21st century drug development and approval

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Traditional statistical hypothesis testing methods have been the mainstay of global regulatory agencies for decades. Dr Stephen Ruberg of Analytix Thinking, argues that a Bayesian approach, combining current data with prior knowledge, offers advantages over traditional methods. He reasons that these quantifiable probability assertions from Bayesian approaches are much more beneficial to both doctors and patients. Regulators should also find […]