Showing posts with label multiple sclerosis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label multiple sclerosis. Show all posts
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Monday, April 3, 2017
Roche Subsidiary Genentech Wins FDA Approval for MS Treatment Ocrevus | GEN Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News - Biotech from Bench to Business | GEN
Monday, March 14, 2016
Multiple Sclerosis:Managing Complexity
Multiple Sclerosis is a rather enigmatic,chronic disease that damages the nerves in the spinal cord,as well as the brain and optic nerve.Sclerosis means scarring and MS patients develop multiple areas of scar tissue in response to this nerve damage,causing a broad range of potential problems with muscle control,balance,vision and speech,including:
weakness in an arm or leg;
numbness or tingling;
loss of balance;
muscle spasms;
frequent tripping or difficulty walking;
blurred vision,colour blindness,eye pain and usually temporary blindness in one eye;
slurred speech;
trouble swallowing;
decline in mental acuity,meaning difficulty in problem-solving,memory loss and poor concentration;
fatigue;
some loss of bladder control.
Each case is highly individualised as to the exact symptomology and severity,with an episodic rise and subsidence of symptoms being common.*
In MS,the patient's immune system attacks the fatty sheathing of the nerve fibres called myelin.Myelin insulates the nerves and helps them send electrical signals that control movement,speech and other functions.When myelin is destroyed,scar tissue forms and nerve messages are not transmitted properly.The cause of this autoimmune disorder is unknown;but it is more common in northern regions such as Scandinavia and other parts of Northern Europe.These areas get less sunlight,possibly implicating vitamin D deficiency as a factor.Genetics also appear to play a role.MS is twice as common in women as in men,and Caucasians between the ages of 20 and 50 are most at risk of developing it.*
Diagnosis of MS is a sophisticated process that involves considering test results,medical history and a neurological exam.More than 90% of MS patients show scar tissue on an MRI scan.A spinal tap can check for abnormalities in the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord.There are also tests to evaluate the electrical activity of the nerves and lab tests to rule out other autoimmune diseases such as HIV or Lyme disease.*
There is no cure for MS,but a full spectrum approach to treatment can improve the prognosis.Disease-modifying drugs such as Avonex,Betaseron,Copaxone and Rebif can lessen the frequency and severity of attacks and partially shield the brain and spinal cord,slowing the progression to disability.Novantrone and Tysabri are also available for more advanced cases.High dosages of corticosteroids can help shorten the attacks.Other medications can manage symptoms such as muscle spasms,incontinence and pain.Physical therapy can help strengthen muscles,combat stiffness and help patients move around better.Speech therapy can aid with speaking and swallowing.Most patients remain ambulatory with the assistance of orthotic shoe inserts;leg braces;canes;and walkers.Wheel chairs are needed by those who are very unsteady or fatigued.
Though multiple sclerosis is sometimes fatal directly or indirectly through aggravation of exisiting conditions,the outlook for optimally treated MS patients is improving through intensive research,with many remaining active in the community for an extended period through a combination of effective medication,peer support,medical devices and physical therapy.
weakness in an arm or leg;
numbness or tingling;
loss of balance;
muscle spasms;
frequent tripping or difficulty walking;
blurred vision,colour blindness,eye pain and usually temporary blindness in one eye;
slurred speech;
trouble swallowing;
decline in mental acuity,meaning difficulty in problem-solving,memory loss and poor concentration;
fatigue;
some loss of bladder control.
Each case is highly individualised as to the exact symptomology and severity,with an episodic rise and subsidence of symptoms being common.*
In MS,the patient's immune system attacks the fatty sheathing of the nerve fibres called myelin.Myelin insulates the nerves and helps them send electrical signals that control movement,speech and other functions.When myelin is destroyed,scar tissue forms and nerve messages are not transmitted properly.The cause of this autoimmune disorder is unknown;but it is more common in northern regions such as Scandinavia and other parts of Northern Europe.These areas get less sunlight,possibly implicating vitamin D deficiency as a factor.Genetics also appear to play a role.MS is twice as common in women as in men,and Caucasians between the ages of 20 and 50 are most at risk of developing it.*
Diagnosis of MS is a sophisticated process that involves considering test results,medical history and a neurological exam.More than 90% of MS patients show scar tissue on an MRI scan.A spinal tap can check for abnormalities in the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord.There are also tests to evaluate the electrical activity of the nerves and lab tests to rule out other autoimmune diseases such as HIV or Lyme disease.*
There is no cure for MS,but a full spectrum approach to treatment can improve the prognosis.Disease-modifying drugs such as Avonex,Betaseron,Copaxone and Rebif can lessen the frequency and severity of attacks and partially shield the brain and spinal cord,slowing the progression to disability.Novantrone and Tysabri are also available for more advanced cases.High dosages of corticosteroids can help shorten the attacks.Other medications can manage symptoms such as muscle spasms,incontinence and pain.Physical therapy can help strengthen muscles,combat stiffness and help patients move around better.Speech therapy can aid with speaking and swallowing.Most patients remain ambulatory with the assistance of orthotic shoe inserts;leg braces;canes;and walkers.Wheel chairs are needed by those who are very unsteady or fatigued.
Though multiple sclerosis is sometimes fatal directly or indirectly through aggravation of exisiting conditions,the outlook for optimally treated MS patients is improving through intensive research,with many remaining active in the community for an extended period through a combination of effective medication,peer support,medical devices and physical therapy.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Biogen IDEC Changes Name,But Gets Downgrade Anyway
Biogen has dropped the IDEC from its name as of today,Monday 23 March,and is getting a new logo as well.It added IDEC when it merged with IDEC Pharmaceuticals 12 years ago.*
Today we are a new company,distinct from either parent,and we hope to not only carry on our heritage of excellence,but to forge new ground,said CEO Dr.George Scangos.0ur name is intended to acknowledge our heritage,but also to create a new image to reflect our new reality.*
The Cambridge,Massachusetts-based firm has a market cap of around 112 billion dollars and a staff of 7550.Last week the company announced a successful early stage trial for a drug that slows the progression of early stage Alzheimer's disease.A third of the patients with a gene that makes them susceptible to developing Alzheimer's had to discontinue the treatment because of brain swelling,however.Still,Biogen is going directly to a late stage trial,aiming to have the drug on the market by 2020.It has been estimated the new drug,BIIB037,could bring in more than 10 billion dollars at peak revenue.
Biogen is already known for its effective multiple sclerosis therapies,but now aims to find a cure for the ailment,and even for ALS,or Lou Gehrig's disease.It sees itself as a neurodegenerative disease specialist.
Biogen is also working on a number of biofamiliar drugs,the equivalent of generics for off-patent biotech drugs.It is seeking European approval for biofamiliars it ha developed for Amgen's Enbrel and Johnson and Johnson's Remicade,both of which are rheumatoid arthritis treatments.
Biogen stock was downgraded by Stiefel Financial from buy to hold on concern that it is overvalued because definitive data for the Alzheimer's drug will not be in before 2018.Citi maintained its buy rating on the firm,and Barclays maintained its overweight on the company,although Biogen's price targets have already been exceeded.The expensive stock was going for 469.71 this morning,down 1.34%.*
Biogen (BIIB),iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB)
Today we are a new company,distinct from either parent,and we hope to not only carry on our heritage of excellence,but to forge new ground,said CEO Dr.George Scangos.0ur name is intended to acknowledge our heritage,but also to create a new image to reflect our new reality.*
The Cambridge,Massachusetts-based firm has a market cap of around 112 billion dollars and a staff of 7550.Last week the company announced a successful early stage trial for a drug that slows the progression of early stage Alzheimer's disease.A third of the patients with a gene that makes them susceptible to developing Alzheimer's had to discontinue the treatment because of brain swelling,however.Still,Biogen is going directly to a late stage trial,aiming to have the drug on the market by 2020.It has been estimated the new drug,BIIB037,could bring in more than 10 billion dollars at peak revenue.
Biogen is already known for its effective multiple sclerosis therapies,but now aims to find a cure for the ailment,and even for ALS,or Lou Gehrig's disease.It sees itself as a neurodegenerative disease specialist.
Biogen is also working on a number of biofamiliar drugs,the equivalent of generics for off-patent biotech drugs.It is seeking European approval for biofamiliars it ha developed for Amgen's Enbrel and Johnson and Johnson's Remicade,both of which are rheumatoid arthritis treatments.
Biogen stock was downgraded by Stiefel Financial from buy to hold on concern that it is overvalued because definitive data for the Alzheimer's drug will not be in before 2018.Citi maintained its buy rating on the firm,and Barclays maintained its overweight on the company,although Biogen's price targets have already been exceeded.The expensive stock was going for 469.71 this morning,down 1.34%.*
Biogen (BIIB),iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB)
Friday, January 3, 2014
MedImmune,Hopkins Sign Research Pact
An R&D company and a research university have joined forces in the quest for new treatments for a number of serious illnesses,such as cancer,rheumatoid arthritis and infectious diseases.MedImmune,the Gaithersburg,Maryland biotech firm that is a subsidiary of pharma titan AstraZeneca,and Baltimore's The Johns Hopkins University signed the five year,6.5 million dollar research agreement on 11 December.*
The broad-scale,long-term partnership calls for both institutions to contribute funding,personnel and materials to the joint efforts and training programs.We believe this significant collaboration with JHU will create a new standard in how academia and inustry can work together,said Dr.Bahija Jallal,executive vice president at MedImmune.Our partnership with this prestigious research university will leverage each organisation's strength;advance research in critical therapeutic areas;and strengthen Maryland's presence as a growing hub in the bioscience industry.*
We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with MedImmune researchers to accelerate the development of new therapies to treat a variety of serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis;rheumatoid arthritis;chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;and certain types of cancer,said Landon King,executive vice dean of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.We believe that by working together to leverage the strength of each organisation,we can make significant advances.*
MedImmune focuses on the discovery,development and commercialisation of small molecule and biologic prescription medicines,pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across its key therapeutic areas.It is best known for its vaccines FluMist and Synagis(R),which helps prevent respiratory syncytial virus infections in infants.*
AstraZeneca(AZN)
The broad-scale,long-term partnership calls for both institutions to contribute funding,personnel and materials to the joint efforts and training programs.We believe this significant collaboration with JHU will create a new standard in how academia and inustry can work together,said Dr.Bahija Jallal,executive vice president at MedImmune.Our partnership with this prestigious research university will leverage each organisation's strength;advance research in critical therapeutic areas;and strengthen Maryland's presence as a growing hub in the bioscience industry.*
We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with MedImmune researchers to accelerate the development of new therapies to treat a variety of serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis;rheumatoid arthritis;chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;and certain types of cancer,said Landon King,executive vice dean of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.We believe that by working together to leverage the strength of each organisation,we can make significant advances.*
MedImmune focuses on the discovery,development and commercialisation of small molecule and biologic prescription medicines,pioneering innovative research and exploring novel pathways across its key therapeutic areas.It is best known for its vaccines FluMist and Synagis(R),which helps prevent respiratory syncytial virus infections in infants.*
AstraZeneca(AZN)
Friday, April 27, 2012
The Heart of Biogen Idec
Just what is biotech titan Biogen Idec really about?We are a science-based business,according to CEO George Scangos,PhD.Making science-based decisions is the best thing we can do for our patients and shareholders.The company is a leading maker of multiple sclerosis therapies such as the established MS treatment Tysabri.Our new MS drug is oral;the first generation drug was injectable.Novartis also has an oral MS drug.
There's a lot of innovation going on in the neurodegenerative field.There is a Phase III trial on an ALS drug-a drug for Lou Gehrig's disease.There are earlier programs on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.You need to find out what type of neurodegenerative disease they have in order to treat them,and more advanced imagery is helping that.
Biogen has one of the most robust late stage pipelines.All of the research is associated with protein folding and plaques,understanding the pathology.There's huge potential.I'm very excited about the potential to treat these poor patients with better drugs in the next couple of years,Dr.Scangos said.
Biogen Idec is based in Weston,Massachusetts.
Biogen Idec(BIIB),Novartis(NVS)
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