Gene mutation responsible of inherited ataxia found through sophisticated genetic analysis of Asian, European & American families Newswise ANN ARBOR, Mich. A global hunt for the cause of a crippling inherited nerve disorder has found its target. The discovery opens the door for better diagnosis and treatment of this particular disease but also for better understanding of why nerves in the brains movement-controlling center die, and how new DNA-mapping techniques can find the causes of other diseases that run in families. In a new paper in the Annals of Neurology, a team from Taiwan, France and the University of Michigan Health System report that mutations in the gene KCND3 were found in six families in Asia, Europe and the United States that have been haunted by the same form of a disease called spinocerebellar ataxia or SCA. The disease causes progressive loss of balance, muscle control and ability to walk. The new paper finds the disease gene in a region of chromosome 1 where a Dutch group had previously shown linkage with a form of SCA called SCA19, and the Taiwanese group on the new paper had shown similar linkage in a family for a form of the disease that … Continue reading →

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- To help biopharmaceutical companies dramatically improve drug development productivity and deliver greater value, Quintiles today announced the acquisition of Expression Analysis, Inc. (EA), a premier provider of genomics testing and analysis to biopharma, academic, government and non-profit customers. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. This is the latest in a series of acquisitions and alliances designed to help Quintiles customers leverage the power of genomics to better understand diseases; develop diagnostic tools; and deliver safer, more effective therapies based on the genetic makeup of the disease and the patient. The addition of EAs Genomic Know-How to Quintiles is another step forward in our efforts to bring personalized medicine into mainstream drug development, said Thomas Wollman, Senior Vice President, Quintiles Global Laboratories. Its expertise in genetic sequencing and advanced bioinformatics is essential to understanding diseases and drugs at the molecular level. Thats a huge step in creating more value across the healthcare spectrum. EA has about 77 employees, most based in its offices near Research Triangle Park. Steve McPhail, EA President and Chief Executive Officer, said: The combination of Quintiles Global Laboratories and EA genomic technology excellence will facilitate worldwide access to resources and expertise … Continue reading →

WEST HAVEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NanoViricides, Inc. (OTC BB: NNVC) (the "Company") announced today that an anti-influenza drug candidate under its FluCide program is effective when given orally. The Company has received information that a FluCide drug candidate designed for oral administration has shown very strong efficacy in corresponding animal studies. This information was received from the contract laboratory that performed the studies, namely, KARD Scientific, Inc. The studies involved the same highly lethal animal model the Company has continued to use for its influenza drug development program. The Company is awaiting data from the studies and intends to release additional information as the data are analyzed and studied. We are pleasantly surprised that the modifications that we have been studying for the development of a nanoviricide that can be orally effective have indeed succeeded, said Anil R. Diwan, PhD, President of the Company. Molecules that nanomedicines are comprised of are notoriously difficult to develop into orally available drugs. This is indeed a coup for our nanomedicine technologies, he further explained. We are very excited by the success of this oral administration study and look forward to the data, said Randall W. Barton, Chief Scientific Officer of the Company, adding An … Continue reading →