News – R Dunn and Associates

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”no”][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” content_align=”left” size=”1″ font_size=”” animated_font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”” animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”none” sep_color=””]

News

[/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

RDA assiduously follows breaking news from the scientific communities that report on the areas of rare diseases, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and general healthcare advancements.

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_image_id=”” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius_top_left=”” border_radius_top_right=”” border_radius_bottom_right=”” border_radius_bottom_left=”” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_vertical=”” box_shadow_horizontal=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”0px” padding_right=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” padding_left=”0px” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”rgba(178,210,53,0.15)” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”no”][fusion_separator style_type=”single solid” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”#a8c631″ top_margin=”0px” bottom_margin=”20px” border_size=”5″ icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” content_align=”left” size=”5″ font_size=”” animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_subset_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”” animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

SPECIAL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 COVERAGE

[/fusion_title][fusion_checklist icon=”” iconcolor=”#b2d235″ circle=”no” circlecolor=”” size=”” divider=”yes” divider_color=”#a8c631″ hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””][fusion_li_item icon=”fa-newspaper fas”]A closer look at the Ebola drug that’s become the top hope for a coronavirus treatment
March 5, 2020
By Ned Pagliarulo, BioPharma Dive

Hopes are highest for remdesivir, an experimental antiviral developed by Gilead for use against Ebola but since pressed into study for the new coronavirus.

Some patients infected with the novel coronavirus can develop uncontrolled immune response, leading to potentially life-threatening damage to lung tissue. After seeing promising results in clinical practice, Chinese authorities now recommend a Roche arthritis drug to tackle that rampage.

The US FDA announces shortage of a drug due to a site affected by coronavirus, as it focuses on the protection of the supply chain from outbreak impacts.

To broaden capacity and access to coronavirus diagnostics in the U.S., the FDA issued a new policy over the weekend allowing “high-complexity” laboratories—such as certain academic medical centers and other institutions—to develop and operate their own tests.

GSK gives Clover adjuvant for vaccine against ‘indispensable’ COVID-19 protein
February 24, 2020
By Nick Paul Taylor, FierceBiotech

GlaxoSmithKline has struck a deal to provide its pandemic adjuvant to Clover Biopharmaceuticals for use in a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Clover is one of a clutch of organizations working to tackle COVID-19 by targeting a protein the novel coronavirus needs to enter host cells.

About 150 prescription drugs — including antibiotics, generics and some branded drugs without alternatives — are at risk of shortage if the coronavirus outbreak in China worsens, according to two sources familiar with a list of at-risk drugs compiled by the Food and Drug Administration.

[fusion_separator style_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”20px” bottom_margin=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center”][/fusion_separator]
[fusion_button link=”https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-threatens-drug-shortage-318c9e7b-5d92-4a5e-b992-2478023c6d01.html” text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_blank” link_attributes=”” alignment=”” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” color=”custom” button_gradient_top_color=”#b2d235″ button_gradient_bottom_color=”#89a527″ button_gradient_top_color_hover=”#89a527″ button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”#b2d235″ accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” type=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” border_radius=”4″ border_color=”#9cb92d” border_hover_color=”#9cb92d” size=”small” stretch=”default” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]READ THIS ARTICLE[/fusion_button]
[fusion_separator style_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”20px” bottom_margin=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center”][/fusion_separator][/fusion_li_item][/fusion_checklist][fusion_separator style_type=”single solid” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”#a8c631″ top_margin=”-2px” bottom_margin=”0px” border_size=”5″ icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”no”][fusion_checklist icon=”” iconcolor=”#b2d235″ circle=”no” circlecolor=”” size=”” divider=”yes” divider_color=”#a8c631″ hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””][fusion_li_item icon=”fa-newspaper fas”]First in-vivo gene therapy administered in ‘historic event’
March 5, 2020
By Ben Hargreaves, BioPharma-Reporter

Allergan and Editas commence a first-in-man trial for CRISPR gene therapy for patients with inherited eye condition.

Raremark’s patient data and demographics will be integrated in TriNetX’s platform to help people with rare conditions access clinical trials and facilitate recruitment.

Scientists at City of Hope have designed a novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) based on chlorotoxin (CLTX), a toxin found in scorpion venom. T cells armed with that CAR successfully killed tumors in mice with glioblastoma xenografts without triggering any adverse reactions. Based on the encouraging results, City of Hope has launched a phase 1 clinical study in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute to test the safety of the novel CLTX-CAR T cells—while also estimating the therapy’s response rate—in glioblastoma (GBM) patients.

This week, two separate research teams are shedding light on two different proteins that seem to play a role in causing some autism symptoms. Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes made a surprising discovery that reducing levels of tau in mouse models of autism prevented three of the main symptoms of the disease: repetition, difficulty socializing, and impaired communication. Neuroscientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brown University discovered that mice lacking a protein called Shank3 are overly sensitive to touch on their whiskers—a behavior that corresponds to the hypersensitivity to light, noises, and other stimuli seen in people with autism.

Rare disease trials create common burdens
March 3, 2020
By Jenni Spinner, Outsourcing-Pharma

In time for Rare Disease Day, orphan-disease patients, site managers, and service providers discuss challenges obstacles faced in trial participation.

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have demonstrated that targeting a mechanism in a subset of stromal cells known as endothelial cells—which line the inside of blood vessels—might help overcome drug resistance in glioblastoma. They believe the finding could point to a new therapeutic strategy to make these malignant cancer cells vulnerable to chemotherapy.

A new study published in JAMA compares the effectiveness of abbreviated MRI and 3-D mammography to detect breast cancer in women with dense breasts. It finds the mini MRI is more effective.

MIT’s AI researchers find a new antibiotic in an old drug
February 21, 2020
By Conor Hale, FierceBiotech

Researchers at MIT used a machine-learning algorithm to uncover the potent antibiotic properties hiding within a small-molecule drug that had been explored as a potential diabetes treatment.

IQVIA Launches Avacare Clinical Research Network to Increase Patients’ Clinical and Research Options
February 20, 2020
IQVIA®

IQVIA™ (NYSE: IQV), a leader in human data science, today announced the launch of Avacare Clinical Research Network™, a technology-based global site network that opens opportunities for more clinical trials at experienced clinical and research sites. Avacare’s unique analytical tools help sites in Avacare’s network match patients to clinical trials faster and more effectively.

A CRISPR cure for cystic fibrosis?
February 20, 2020
By Arlene Weintrau , FierceBiotech

The gene-editing system CRISPR has generated plenty of excitement for its potential to correct genetic diseases, but because the technology involves cutting DNA, there are concerns about adverse effects. Scientists led by the Hubrecht Institute in the Netherlands say they’re perfecting a safer approach to CRISPR that doesn’t involve cutting DNA—and they have early evidence that it could be used to correct a gene mutation that causes cystic fibrosis.

How a discovery in ‘junk’ DNA could protect against heart disease
February 19, 2020
By Angus Liu, FierceBiotech

About 75% of human genes are referred to as “junk DNA” because they aren’t involved in the production of proteins. But several researchers have been searching for jewels in that junk, including a team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital that’s looking for new ideas for treating cardiovascular disease. Now, they’ve linked a seemingly worthless RNA molecule to a discovery they say could aid in the development of new drugs for atherosclerosis.

How a cocktail of existing drugs could regenerate insulin-producing cells in diabetes
February 13, 2020
By Angus Liu, FierceBiotech

A dearth of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas is a key feature of diabetes and the culprit in the failure to control blood glucose levels. While many drugs can help patients successfully manage their diabetes, none of them can tackle this underlying cause of the disease.

Attacking pancreatic cancer with the help of the virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease in cows
February 12, 2020
By Angus Liu, FierceBiotech

Pancreatic cancer remains difficult to treat, with five-year survival rate of less than 10%. While looking for ways to tackle the deadly tumor, scientists at Queen Mary University of London, AstraZeneca and ADC Therapeutics identified an unexpected ally: the virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease in cows.

Chiesi creates Boston rare disease unit ahead of Fabry launch
February 7, 2020
By Nick Paul Taylor, FierceBiotech

Chiesi Farmaceutici has set up a rare disease unit in Boston. The division will develop treatments for patients with rare lysosomal storage, hematological and ophthalmological disorders.

Medical Reference Tools Bring Advertisers Closer to Point of Prescription
January 14, 2020
By Lori Goldberg, Pharma Marketing Network

A new generation of med students, doctors, and nurse practitioners are forgoing the memorization of intricate diagnosis matrices found in cumbersome, old textbooks. Instead, medical students (and practicing doctors) say they’re downloading apps and visiting websites that provide free or advertising-supported calculators that conveniently fit inside their mobile phones. These calculators are often used at the “moment of decision” during practice hours. These calculator applications provide evidence-based clinical decisioning and support tools that aid doctors at the patient’s bedside in zeroing in on a diagnosis. This diagnosis is all done in a fraction of the time compared to searching textbooks and is more reliable and consistent than a doctor’s memory.

Transparency in Healthcare Pricing
November 20, 2019
By Terry Nugent, Pharma Marketing Network

Transparency is all the rage these days on the theory that if purchasers were privy to the prices charged to various buyers of healthcare products and services, an open market would drive down said prices, and thus, the cost of healthcare, which now accounts for almost 20% of GDP.

Artificial Intelligence Detects Heart Failure From One Heartbeat With 100% Accuracy
September 12, 2019
By Nicholas Fearn, Forbes

Doctors can detect heart failure from a single heartbeat with 100% accuracy using a new artificial intelligence-driven neural network.

In PBMs’ Search for Survival, Transparency is the Answer
June 10, 2019
By Dave Chase, Pharma Marketing Network

Within the last couple of months, President Trump reiterated his intention to end the opioid crisis, notably adding, “we are holding big Pharma accountable.”

Gene Therapy Was Hailed as a Revolution. Then Came the Bill.
April 7, 2019
By James Paton, Bloomberg

Dozens of revolutionary gene therapies that mend faulty strands of DNA are on their way, bringing the power to eliminate lethal childhood diseases, rare blood disorders, and other severe illnesses.

We may finally know what causes Alzheimer’s—and how to stop it.
January 23, 2019
By Debora MacKenzie, New Scientist

AFTER decades of disappointment, we may have a new lead on fighting Alzheimer’s disease. Compelling evidence that the condition is caused by a bacterium involved in gum disease could prove a game-changer in tackling one of medicine’s biggest mysteries and lead to effective treatments or even a vaccine.

DNA Origami Nanobots Kill Tumors in Groundbreaking Study
March 5, 2018
By Peter Hess, INVERSE

Nearly 1.7 million new cases of cancer are detected in the United States each year, and each year cancer claims almost 600,000 lives in the U.S. alone, making it the second-leading cause of death nationally. Treatment is sometimes worse than the illness, as invasive surgeries can be traumatic, and chemotherapy can cause off-target effects that wreak havoc on the entire body. But a new technique described in Nature Biotechnology, which uses nanorobots—literally microscopic robots—to specifically target tumors and cut off their blood supply has the potential to change treatment forever.

Accentuate the Positive: Tackling Pharma’s Reputation Problem
February 12, 2018
By Julian Upton, Pharmaceutical Executive
Volume 38, Issue 2

Whether the pharma industry is navigating calm or choppy waters, it should be smarter and more assertive in telling its story to stakeholders

“Merck’s Head Defends Drug Prices,” ran The New York Times headline. The Times was reporting on the Merck & Co. president’s testimony at the previous day’s Senate hearing, part of a high-profile investigation into the price-setting activities of the US pharmaceutical industry. Merck’s leader offered a robust defense, stressing that the industry was highly competitive and that it was actually giving the American public “a reasonable bargain.” But The Timesreporter noted that the testimony was an indication “of the drug industry’s realization that its reputation was on trial.”