Apr. 2, 2013 A paper published this month in the medical journal The Lancet Neurology suggests that a broad spectrum of developmental and psychiatric disorders, ranging from autism and intellectual disability to schizophrenia, should be conceptualized as different manifestations of a common underlying denominator, "developmental brain dysfunction," rather than completely independent conditions with distinct causes. In "Developmental Brain Dysfunction: Revival and Expansion of Old Concepts Based on New Genetic Evidence," the authors make two key points: Developmental disorders (such as autism and intellectual disability) and psychiatric disorders (such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), while considered clinically distinct, actually share many of the same underlying genetic causes. This is an example of "variable expressivity:" the same genetic variant results in different clinical signs and symptoms in different individuals. When quantitative measures of neuropsychological and neurobehavioral traits are studied instead of categorical diagnoses (which are either present or absent) and individuals are compared to their unaffected family members, it is possible to more accurately demonstrate the impact of genetic variants. According to Andres Moreno De Luca, M.D., research scientist at the Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute at Geisinger Health System and article co-author, "Recent genetic studies conducted in thousands of individuals have … Continue reading →

SHERWOOD, Ore., April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Entia Biosciences (ERGO), a food science biotechnology company and emerging leader in the field of Nutrigenomics, has now received three Patent Notices of Allowance covering the use of Ergothioneine and its genetic transporter in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases, including those affecting the immune and central nervous systems. Notices from the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the Israel Patent Office were received in March and from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office in December. Ergothioneine is a powerful amino acid and master antioxidant that is acquired exclusively from the diet and carried by a unique and specific transporter (human gene symbol SLC22A4) to cells throughout the body that are fighting damage and death from oxidative stress and toxic free radical reactions. Research conducted by Entia since 2011 has confirmed significant transporter activity in diabetes, arthritis, and several other serious non-communicable chronic conditions, suggesting an important physiologic role for Ergothioneine and its transporter in diseases affecting millions of people world-wide. Discovered in 2005 by Dr. Dirk Grundemann at the University of Cologne (Germany), SLC22A4 is a sodium-ion dependent transporter that efficiently and specifically carries Ergothioneine across the cell membrane to erythrocytes … Continue reading →

Dr. Saud A. Sadiq to Discuss Cellular Therapy for MS at the Second International Adult Stem Cell Conference: Regenerative Medicine A Fundamental Shift in Science and Culture. New York, NY (PRWEB) April 03, 2013 This invitation is not only a personal honor for me, but more importantly brings to the forefront the discoveries and innovative research being conducted at the Tisch MS Research Center of New York, stated Dr. Sadiq, Director and Senior Research Scientist at the Center. He added, The amazing collaborative effort on the part of the Pontifical Council for Culture, NeoStem, The Stem for Life Foundation, and STOQ International exemplifies the tremendous need to explore the use of regenerative medicine via stem cell therapy and end patient suffering. Dr. Sadiq will be presenting on the topic of cell therapies for MS within the Hope for the Future segment introduced by Meredith Vieira, American journalist and national TV correspondent. Dr. Sadiq will share the wealth of clinical data the Tisch MS Research Center of New York has gathered on the use of autologous adult stem cells. ABOUT TISCH MS RESEARCH CENTER OF NEW YORK For over twenty years, Dr. Saud A. Sadiq has believed that combining excellence in … Continue reading →

ARAD, Israel, April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Andain Inc. (ANDN) ("Andain" or the "Company"), a company engaged in commercializing novel technologies in biotech, medical and life sciences fields through its incubator program, today discussed and provided an update on its breakthrough, innovative stem cell therapy for treating and regenerating severely damaged muscle tissue. Andain's innovative stem cell therapy technology rehabilitates and heals damaged muscle tissue by initiating regenerative myogenic cells (cardiac muscle), as well as striated muscle cells (skeletal muscle) growth in damaged tissue sites such as the myocardium (cardiac muscle) following an myocardial infarction (heart attack), limb pressure ulcers, and degenerative muscular diseases. The short term application is directed towards the treatment of patients with peripheral vascular disease, while the long term application is focused on the healing and regeneration of cardiac muscle following acute myocardial infarction or chronic heart failure. Employing a patient's own cells (autologic transplantation), the Company's unique technology and process diverts the patient's own cells into specific targeted myogenic cells, which can then be inserted into the damaged tissue and accelerates the healing process. The administered myogenic or skeletal stem cells work as a network, acting in exactly the same way that the cells of … Continue reading →

Apr. 2, 2013 Leukemia patients receive a bone marrow transplant, which allows them to build a "new" immune system. However, this immune system not only attacks cancer cells but healthy tissue too. Special antibodies will be used to protect healthy tissue in future. Not too long ago, leukemia left us with no chance. Today doctors can give patients hope by transplanting bone marrow, the starting point of a "new" immune system. These transplanted cells replace the diseased, blood-building stem cells in the bone marrow and take over their job of producing healthy blood cells, while also destroying leukemia cells. The problem is that this immune system originates from a foreign body and therefore can also attack healthy tissue in the patient. The skin, liver, and intestine are most affected by these attacks -- their cells can be destroyed and the organs damaged, sometimes so severely as to cause organ failure. The medical term for this phenomenon is graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), and the scale of the problem posed by this misdirected immune response is illustrated by statistics revealing that up to 50 percent of all patients ultimately suffer from GvHD-induced damage; in up to 20 percent of cases this damage is … Continue reading →

The Methodist Hospital Research Institute - The Department of Nanomedicine By: WebsEdgeEducation … Continue reading →

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BIND Biosciences, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of highly selective targeted and programmable therapeutics called AccurinsTM, today announced that, effective immediately, it will begin operating as BIND Therapeutics to reflect the Companys progress in applying its Medicinal Nanoengineering platform to develop a pipeline of highly selective targeted and programmable therapeutics called Accurins. Simultaneous with the name change, the company has launched a new corporate website and URL http://www.BINDTHERAPEUTICS.COM The new name, BIND Therapeutics, conveys the companys leadership and advancement in developing novel Accurins with unique therapeutic properties by selectively accumulating in diseased tissues and cells, resulting in high drug concentrations at the site of action with low off-target exposure, leading to markedly better efficacy and safety, said Scott Minick, BINDs President and CEO. Our lead product candidate, BIND-014, has completed a Phase 1 clinical study in cancer patients and we are initiating Phase 2 clinical trials in multiple solid tumor types. In addition, we are also developing Accurins in collaboration with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners including Amgen to enable their promising pipeline candidates to achieve their full potential. About BIND Therapeutics BIND Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of highly … Continue reading →

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BIND Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of highly selective targeted and programmable therapeutics called AccurinsTM, announced today that it has entered into a global collaboration agreement with Pfizer Inc. to develop and commercialize Accurins utilizing select small molecule targeted therapies. The collaboration aims to employ BINDs Medicinal Nanoengineering platform to impart tissue and cellular targeting capabilities to molecularly targeted drugs. Under the terms of the agreement, Pfizer will have the exclusive option to pursue development and commercialization of the Accurins selected by its team. Both companies will work together on preclinical research, and if Pfizer exercises its option, Pfizer will have responsibility for development and commercialization of the selected Accurins. BIND could receive up-front and development milestone payments totaling approximately $50 million and approximately $160 million in regulatory and sales milestone payments for each Accurin commercialized as well as tiered royalties on potential future sales. Pfizer, a global leader in the development of innovative, molecularly targeted therapies is an outstanding partner and this agreement demonstrates the potential of our platform to create targeted Accurins with optimized therapeutic properties, said Scott Minick, President and CEO of BIND. This is our second collaboration focused on … Continue reading →