Industry news

Revolutionising the delivery of next-generation miniaturised neurostimulators A unique surgical tool development from product design firm Cambridge Consultants is set to transform complex life-saving operations. Chimaera enables surgeons to identify and highlight critical structures, such as nerves and blood vessels, as never before. The technology then guides the surgeon to the precise location of a procedure, even deep within the body – helping to ensure the surgical device stays on a predetermined safe pathway.

NeuroPhage Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the discovery, preclinical development and clinical trial approach for its lead candidate, NPT088, were highlighted in an oral session at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) taking place July 18–23, 2015, in Washington, D.C. NPT088 contains the general amyloid interaction motif (GAIM), which allows the compound to universally recognize and disrupt the shape of misfolded proteins and target them for degradation through the body’s natural mechanisms. In the data presented at AAIC, administration of NPT088 led to broad beneficial effects in animal models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, with improvements in memory and cognition and reductions in toxic protein aggregates.

The Food and Drug Administration is strengthening warnings on painkillers like ibuprofen to say that they cause an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The over-the-counter forms include Advil, Motrin IB and Aleve.

Hydrocephalus is a nightmarish medical condition. Accumulating fluid in the skull ratchets up pressure on the brain and can cause lifelong mental disabilities. Current treatment requires physicians to cut through the skull and implant pressure-relieving shunts.

The global biosimilars market value is expected to reach $20 billion by the end of 2015 and could hit $55 billion by 2020, with growth primarily driven by a promising pipeline in active development and government efforts to reduce healthcare spending, according to business intelligence provider GBI Research.

Each cell in the body contains a whole genome, yet the data packed into a few DNA molecules could fill a hard drive. As more people have their DNA sequenced, that data will require massive computational and storage capabilities beyond anything previously anticipated, says a new assessment from computational biologists and computer scientists at the University of Illinois and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Small add-on devices could turn a smartphone's built-in optical components into biosensing technology to monitor diabetes, test for pregnancy, monitor hazardous gases and more

LAB produced red blood cells are set to be transfused into humans by 2017, NHS Blood and Transplant announces. The landmark in-man clinical trials of manufactured blood form a key part of the blood and organ service's 2020 Research and Development programme.