Category: Pharmaceuticals
New treatment for blindness caused by wet age-related macular degeneration
The Malaysian chapter of global medical company Novartis has introduced a powerful drug that can help slow the progression of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) in affected elderly adults. Wet AMD is a chronic and progressive eye disease that effects the central part of the retina in the eye that is responsible for sharp, […]
Ivermectin under scrutiny as possible COVID-19 treatment
The Principle Trial organised by scientists at the University of Oxford, UK, is currently administering Ivermectin to COVID-19 patients to see if the drug prevents severe disease. Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug commonly used as veterinary medication – it has become controversial after being promoted for use in many parts of the world, despite its […]
Drug-laced collagen “dances” to reduce scarring
A relatively new drug has been shown to influence unusual behaviour in scar tissue formation, according to biomedical researchers at Virginia Tech’s College (VTC). Collagen-producing cells called fibroblasts – which make scar tissue less pliable – were observed to “dance” when treated with the drug molecule alphaCTI and behaved more like healthy, unwounded tissue. Apart […]
Moderna plans to develop a single vaccine against multiple respiratory viruses
On the back of the stunning success of mRNA vaccines over the past year – slowly but surely against the global COVID-19 pandemic – biotechnology company Moderna, Inc. (Moderna) has announced human trials testing an mRNA influenza vaccine. Known as mRNA-1010, the test vaccine targets influenza lineages recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) including […]
Successful, long-term results reported for experimental asthma vaccine
A unique asthma vaccine has been developed that is able to generate antibodies against the inflammatory molecules known to cause severe asthma. Researchers from French-based Inserm, Institut Pasteur and Neovacs, who tested the vaccine in animal models, report a high level of antibodies in the subjects; the neutralising antibodies were still present even one year […]
Experimental new vaccine blocks COVID-19 and other coronavirus variants
A pan-coronavirus vaccine developed by members of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI), from the Duke University School of Nursing, NC, has proven effective in protecting monkeys and mice from a variety of coronavirus infections such as SARS-CoV-2, the original SARS-CoV-1 and related bat coronaviruses. Its success in primates is highly relevant to humans and […]
Drug found to increase mouth salivation
Chronic mouth dryness caused by inflammation of the salivary glands is a condition that can negatively affect a person’s general health, the health of their teeth and gums, and their ability to taste, chew and swallow food. It can be caused by various medical conditions, treatment regimes and medications, or may simply occur as part […]
Repurposed dietary supplement tackles schizophrenia in mice
Scientists at the University of Tokyo, Japan, have chanced upon a dietary supplement that appears to treat mice with a genetic mutation that causes schizophrenia. The drug known as betaine – originally intended to treat those with an inherited metabolic disease called homocystinuria – works by safeguarding the construction of the cellular skeleton of neurons […]
Experimental oral pills auto-release insulin as needed
People with diabetes can manage their condition with daily subcutaneous injections, but they can be difficult to administer and unpleasant. Researchers from New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU Abu Dhabi) have developed novel insulin capsules that can survive the trip through the stomach to the bloodstream, and only release their payload when glucose levels are […]
Johnson & Johnson’s new single-shot COVID-19 vaccine approved in the US
The Janssen COVID-19 vaccine – developed by pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson (J&J) – has been approved for emergency use authorisation (EUA) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unlike the first two mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines approved for use, by Pfizer and Moderna respectively, the Janssen vaccine is proven effective after only a single […]
