Industry news

Siberian researchers use power of patient’s immune system to treat cancer

Marchmont Innovation News

A Novosibirsk-based innovative company called “Dendritic Cell Lab” is developing a method of fighting cancer by employing a patient’s own immune system potential. To challenge malignant tumors the Siberian scientists have chosen the so-called dendritic cells, a type of cells in the mammalian immune system which are responsible for identifying ‘alien’ substances in the body and act as messengers to deliver information to cells that counter intruders. 

Udmurtia scientists offer biochips for cell diagnostics

Marchmont Innovation News

Scientists in Izhevsk, in Udmurtia in the Volga area, have developed biochips to screen cells, which analysts believe could challenge competitors in both domestic and international markets. 

Skolkovo to further support HIV drug development

Marchmont Innovation News

The Skolkovo Foundation, which is managing Russia’s most widely touted innovation hub just outside Moscow, has approved a new $2.2m grant for the next stage of the development and commercialization of a Russian innovative solution to fight HIV, the Foundation  announced  in its press release. 
 

U.S. firms target investment in Israeli cannabis R&D

Maayan Lubell / Reuters

Already a pioneer in high-tech and cutting-edge agriculture, Israel is starting to attract American companies looking to bring medical marijuana know-how to a booming market back home.

New cancer solution under way in Moscow

Marchmont Innovation News

MISiS, a leading technology university in Moscow, has slated for 2018 clinical trials of Russia’s first magnetite-based nanotech solution for early MRI-aided cancer diagnostics, portal Russian Science reported.  The agent candidate is said to be first used to diagnose brain tumors, and then adapted for other cancer diagnostics. 

Russian VC market grew in 2015 despite low demand—RVC and PwC research

Marchmont Innovation News

The total volume of Russia’s venture capital market grew to $2.19bn in 2015 from $1.67bn the year before, the U.S.-Russia Business Council (USRBC) reported, quoting a joint  Russian-language report  by Russia’s RVC, the national fund of funds for innovation, and PwC released a few days ago. 

Gene targeting reverses cardiac fibrosis in heart-failure models

John Carroll / FierceBiotechResearch

The matricellular protein CCN5 can reverse cardiac scarring in animal models of heart failure, giving researchers a potential new drug target in the field, according to a new study published this week in the Journal of American College of Cardiology.

Stanford team boosts human cells' resistance to viruses with discarded GSK drug

Amirah Al Idrus / FierceBiotechResearch

Viruses have long tripped up drug development efforts thanks to their ability to take refuge within human cells. So instead of targeting a specific virus with a specific drug, Stanford scientists have used an abandoned GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) drug to boost human cells' ability to defend themselves against viruses in vitro.

Brand matters: Interbrand's best in pharma ranks Pfizer, Roche and Merck at top

Beth Snyder Bulik / FiercePharmaMarketing

Global brand consultant Interbrand, author of the annual Best Global Brands list, has turned its attention to pharma. InterbrandHealth looked specifically at the pharma category and sifted through 25 companies to get the "Best Pharma Brands," a baseline top 10 in the industry.

Counterfeit drugs: a global problem

Victoria White / European Pharmaceutical Review

In a recent issue of European Pharmaceutical Review, David Shore from Pfizer discussed his company’s progress in combatting the illegal trade of counterfeit drugs.