Referenced Stocks: VPHM, WPI ViroPharma Inc. ( VPHM ) recently announced the initiation of a phase II program. The phase II program will evaluate maribavir for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in transplant recipients. Two independent phase II studies will be conducted under the program. The first independent clinical study will include subjects who have asymptomatic CMV. ViroPharma intends to enroll 160 subjects who have CMV viremia but do not have CMV organ disease. In this study, subjects cannot have CMV infection that is resistant to other anti-CMV agents. Patients in this study will be randomized to receive either oral maribavir (400mg, 800mg or 1200mg) or valganciclovir for up to 12 weeks. The study will monitor blood levels of CMV DNA. The second study will include treatment-failed patients. ViroPharma is planning to enroll 120 subjects who have demonstrated CMV viremia with or without CMV organ disease. In the study, subjects will be randomized to receive one of the three dosages of oral maribavir for up to 24 weeks. This study will monitor blood levels of CMV DNA. Maribavir has been granted orphan drug status in the US for the treatment of clinically significant CMV and disease in at-risk patients. … Continue reading →

ViroPharma Inc. (VPHM) recently announced the initiation of a phase II program. The phase II program will evaluate maribavir for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (:CMV) infections in transplant recipients. Two independent phase II studies will be conducted under the program. The first independent clinical study will include subjects who have asymptomatic CMV. ViroPharma intends to enroll 160 subjects who have CMV viremia but do not have CMV organ disease. In this study, subjects cannot have CMV infection that is resistant to other anti-CMV agents. Patients in this study will be randomized to receive either oral maribavir (400mg, 800mg or 1200mg) or valganciclovir for up to 12 weeks. The study will monitor blood levels of CMV DNA. The second study will include treatment-failed patients. ViroPharma is planning to enroll 120 subjects who have demonstrated CMV viremia with or without CMV organ disease. In the study, subjects will be randomized to receive one of the three dosages of oral maribavir for up to 24 weeks. This study will monitor blood levels of CMV DNA. Maribavir has been granted orphan drug status in the US for the treatment of clinically significant CMV and disease in at-risk patients. Apart from maribavir, ViroPharma is working … Continue reading →

Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Genetics Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness Article Date: 05 Jun 2012 - 14:00 PDT Current ratings for: 'Genetic Risk Scores And Obesity Later In Life Among Children' The researchers explain that obesity can be inherited and GWASs (genome-wide association studies) have started to reveal the molecular roots of heritability by identifying SNPs (single-nucleotide polymorphisms) which are associated with higher BMIs (body mass indexes). Daniel W. Belsky, Ph.D., and team wrote: The researchers gathered data on 1,037 New Zealanders who were members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study. 52% of them were males. They were all born between April 1972 and March 1973. They were assessed every few years up to the age of 38 years. Participants with higher GRSs (genetic risk scores) had greater BMIs between ages 3 to 38 for every age assessed. Children identified with a high genetic risk were found to have a 1.61 to 2.41 times higher chance of becoming obese during their teens to late thirties , and 1.90 times more likely to become chronically obese across over three assessments compared to the other kids. Children at higher genetic risk … Continue reading →

Public release date: 5-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: David Eve celltransplantation@gmail.com Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair Tampa, Fla. (June 5 , 2012) A study characterizing the multipotency and transplantation value of olfactory stem cells, as well as the ease in obtaining them, has been published in a recent issue of Cell Transplantation (20:11/12), now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/. "There is worldwide enthusiasm for cell transplantation therapy to repair failing organs," said study lead author Dr. Andrew Wetzig of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "The olfactory mucosa of a patient's nose can provide cells that are potentially significant candidates for human tissue repair." According to the study authors, olfactory neural stem cells can be derived from a patient's own cells, they are readily available by a minimally invasive biopsy technique, and they can be expanded in vitro. The cells are plentiful because the olfactory epithelium undergoes neurogenesis and continual replacement of sensory neurons throughout adult life. "Using the rat as our animal model source, we examined the basic aspects of olfactory neural stem cell biology and its potential for self-renewal and phenotypic expression in various … Continue reading →