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United to Reimburse Passengers on Flight Man Was Dragged From

United Airlines sought to quell the uproar over a man being dragged off a plane by announcing it would no longer ask police to remove passengers from full flights and would compensate customers who were on the flight when the man was removed. In an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" aired, United parent company CEO Oscar Munoz said he felt "ashamed" watching video of the man being forced off the jet. He has promised to review the airline's passenger-removal policy. Munoz, who leads United's parent company, apologized again to Kentucky physician David Dao, his family and the other passengers who witnessed him being taken off the flight. In an effort to calm the backlash, United also announced that passengers on United Express Flight 3411 would be compensated equal to the cost of their tickets.

'Cocaine Cowboy' Arrested After 26 Years on the Run, Officials Say

One of the original 'Cocaine Cowboys' was arrested after 26 years on the run. Gustavo Falcon, who also goes by several aliases, including Augusto Falcon and "Taby," was finally captured by a team of U.S. Marshals from Miami working with U.S. Marshals in the Orlando-Kissimme area. The team focused specifically on the address of a rental property in Kissimmee, and while conducting surveillance, they saw what they thought was Falcon and his wife exit the house to go on a bike ride. When agents stopped Falcon, he had fake driver's licenses dating back to 1997, using Miami addresses, federal officials said. The 55-year-old also had fake licenses for his wife, as well as his children, who are now in their 30s, according to U.S. Marshals. Falcon did not resist the arrest and even confessed to his real identity, officials said. He was booked into the Osceola County Jail and will make his first federal court appearance Thursday.

Officer Charged With Shooting Autistic Man's Caretaker, Authorities Say

A North Miami police officer who shot the unarmed caretaker of an autistic man has been charged with attempted manslaughter, the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office announced. Officer Jonathan Aledda also was charged with misdemeanor culpable negligence in the shooting of behavioral therapist Charles Kinsey. Aledda, a four-year veteran of the department, was arrested and was later released from Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on $6,000 bond. The criminal charges come after what officials said was a lengthy investigation by the State Attorney's Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement into the July 2016 shooting. Kinsey, a caretaker at a home for people with mental disabilities, was lying on the ground, with his hands up in the air, next to his adult patient when he was shot in the leg by Aledda on July 18. Cellphone video captured events leading up to the shooting.

Apple Has Secret Team Working on the Holy Grail for Treating Diabetes

Apple has hired a small team of biomedical engineers to work at a nondescript office in Palo Alto, miles from corporate headquarters, CNBC reported. They are part of a super secret initiative, initially envisioned by the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, to develop sensors that can non-invasively and continuously monitor blood sugar levels to better treat diabetes, according to three people familiar with the matter. Such a breakthrough would be a "holy grail" for life sciences. Many life sciences companies have tried and failed, as it's highly challenging to track glucose levels accurately without piercing the skin. The initiative is far enough along that Apple has been conducting feasibility trials at clinical sites across the Bay Area and has hired consultants to help it figure out the regulatory pathways, the people said.

Trans Fat Ban Linked With Fewer Heart Attacks & Strokes, Study Shows

Local bans on artery-clogging trans fats in restaurant foods led to fewer heart attacks and strokes in several New York counties, a new study suggests. The study hints at the potential for widespread health benefits from an upcoming nationwide ban, the authors and other experts say. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2015 gave the food industry until next year to eliminate artificial trans fats from American products. New York City enacted a restaurant ban on the fats in 2007 and several counties in the state did the same. Hospital admissions for heart attacks and strokes in those areas declined 6 percent starting three years after the bans, compared with counties without bans.

Comedian Charlie Murphy Dies at 57, His Publicist Says

Comedian and actor Charlie Murphy, who stepped out of his brother Eddie's shadow as a talent in his own right, has died at 57, according to his publicist. Murphy died of leukemia, publicist Domenick Nati told NBC Los Angeles. Fellow comedian Chris Rock posted a picture of Murphy on Twitter with a message of mourning: "We just lost one of the funniest most real brothers of all time. Charlie Murphy RIP." Murphy was perhaps best known as an ensemble actor in the comedy "Chappelle's Show," where he told belief-defying stories about spending time with Rick James and Prince. In the recurring segment "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories," Murphy would recount how his brother's fame brought him into the orbit of the biggest stars. His versions of the experiences, played out by him, Chappelle and others, became enduring hits. He was born in New York City.

Josh Brolin Set to Play Cable in 'Deadpool 2,' Representatives Say

Josh Brolin is expanding his comic book movie repertoire. Representatives for the actor said Brolin has been set to play the part of Cable in 20th Century Fox's "Deadpool 2" opposite lead Ryan Reynolds. Brolin also plays the supervillain Thanos in various "Avengers" movies for competing studio Disney. Michael Shannon had been widely rumored to be the top pick for the Deadpool co-star. "Deadpool" became a breakout hit in 2016, grossing over $783 million worldwide. The irreverent and very R-rated comic book film even became an unlikely awards contender late in the game with two Golden Globe nominations and a Directors Guild of America Award nomination for Tim Miller.

Published at 6:52 AM EDT on Apr 13, 2017

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Happening Today: United, 'Cocaine Cowboy,' Diabetes, Charlie Murphy - NBC New York

AWS diabetes challenge exemplifies Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' letter to shareholders Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) The Alexa Diabetes Challenge awards $250,000 in cash prizes to developers who create voice-automated apps that most improve the lives of patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, previously known as adult-onset diabetes until children ... and more »

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AWS diabetes challenge exemplifies Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' letter to shareholders - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)

New research from Finland suggests that higher blood levels of indolepropionic acid - a product of gut bacteria that is increased by a fiber-rich diet - may help to protect against type 2 diabetes.

Writing about the discovery in the journal Scientific Reports, the team - led by researchers from the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio - suggests that it increases our understanding of the important part played by gut bacteria in the relationship between diet, metabolism, and health.

Diabetes is a disease in which the blood contains too much sugar, or glucose - a vital source of energy for the body's cells.

If uncontrolled, high blood sugar can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, and amputation of lower limbs.

Levels of blood sugar are regulated by the hormone insulin, which is made in the pancreas.

The type of diabetes that develops depends on whether the high blood glucose results from lack of insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the body's inability to use insulin (type 2 diabetes).

Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form of diabetes around the world and largely develops from being overweight and not exercising.

Once a disease occurring only in adults, the number of children with type 2 diabetes is now on the rise.

Fast facts about diabetes

Learn more about diabetes

The global prevalence of diabetes among adults (90 percent of which is type 2 diabetes) has gone up from 4.7 percent in 1980 to 8.5 percent in 2014.

In the United States, there are more than 29 million people living with diabetes. There are also 86 million living with prediabetes, a serious condition that raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other lifelong health problems.

In their study introduction, the researchers note that it is now well-known that factors such as genes, lifestyle, and diet can influence the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

However, what is less clear is what happens at the molecular level to link these factors to the disease.

The new study uses metabolomics, a relatively new technology that allows scientists to quickly assess the metabolite profiles of people.

Metabolites are molecules that cells in the body - including gut bacteria - produce as byproducts of their activity.

Using a particular tool called "nontargeted metabolomics analysis," the researchers assessed the metabolite profiles of 200 participants in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study who had impaired glucose tolerance and were overweight when the study began.

The participants fell into two groups. One group developed type 2 diabetes within 5 years, and the other group did not develop type 2 diabetes during the 15 years of follow-up.

When the researchers compared the metabolite profiles of the two groups, they found that what stood out was differences in levels of indolepropionic acid and certain lipid metabolites.

Further analysis suggested that having high blood levels of indolepropionic acid, a byproduct of gut bacteria, appeared to protect against developing type 2 diabetes.

Also, a diet rich in fiber and whole grain foods appears to increase levels of indolepropionic acid, which in turn raises the amount of insulin produced by the beta cells in the pancreas, note the authors.

The team confirmed the findings by looking at the link between indolepropionic acid and risk for type 2 diabetes in the data from two other studies: the Finnish Metabolic Syndrome In Men Study, and the Swedish Vsterbotten Intervention Project. These also showed that indolepropionic acid appears to protect against type 2 diabetes.

The researchers suggest that their study shows that it may be more feasible to use metabolite profiles rather than identifying the bacteria themselves (which is a more complex process) to look at links with diseases such as diabetes.

"Earlier studies, too, have linked intestinal bacteria with the risk of disease in overweight people. Our findings suggest that indolepropionic acid may be one factor that mediates the protective effect of diet and intestinal bacteria."

Corresponding author Dr. Kati Hanhineva

Learn how statins are linked to a higher risk of diabetes in older women.

More:
Gut bacteria compound may help to prevent type 2 diabetes - Medical News Today

Saving cells: Before stem cells (green) give rise to eggs and sperm, they make DND1, a molecule that helps prevent the cells from being eliminated.

The first days of an embryos development are a busy time for the molecules that regulate gene expression. A vast number of specific genes need to be turned on and off at precisely the right time for cells to end up in the proper place and in the appropriate quantity.

Researchers at the Rockefeller University have untangled how a molecule called DND1 enables the proper formation of eggs and spermessential parts of any species that reproduces sexually. Published in Nature, the findings suggest that a pool of stem cells, which will ultimately give rise to eggs and sperm, can only survive if DND1 is around. The protein prevents a host of factors related to cell death and inflammation from killing these stem cells off.

We already knew that mutations in the DND1 gene can cause a substantial loss of germline stem cells and male sterilityand now we know why, says Thomas Tuschl, head of the Laboratory of RNA Molecular Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. Tuschl led the study with Markus Hafner, a former postdoctoral fellow in the Tuschl lab who is now at the National Institutes of Health, and research associate Masashi Yamaji.

For a gene to be expressed, it must be copied from DNA to so-called messenger RNA (mRNA), which brings it outside of the nucleus. The mRNA then recruits the necessary building blocks to make a protein. There are many places along a genes journey to becoming a protein where regulators can step in to either ramp up or tone down the resulting level of protein in a cell. DND1 is one of these regulators, and scientists used to think its function is to increase the stability of mRNA.

However, Tuschl and colleagues found that it does just the opposite: DND1 binds to sites made up of a specific code on mRNA, and attracts a complex responsible for destabilizing the targeted mRNAs, thereby halting further protein production. That code can be repeated throughout an mRNA sequence, and the researchers found that more repeats of this code meant more of a chance that the mRNA would be eliminated.

The researchers also identified all of the mRNAs that DND1 targets, which included genes related to inflammation, differentiation, and cell deathgenes whose activity is supposed to be turned off at this point in development. When a cell shuts down these genes, it stops producing their mRNAs. However, mRNAs that were copied earlier may still be floating around, ready to build a protein.

We think that DND1 helps to sharpen the transition from one developmental stage to the next by targeting mRNAs that should have already been turned off, and clearing them from the cell, says Yamaji. By halting the production of proteins that otherwise promote cell death, DND1 allows germline stem cells to grow and be maintained in proper numbers.

The study was supported, in part, by the Starr Cancer Foundation, the Starr Foundation, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, the Vilcek Foundation, and the Transformative Research Award Program.

Excerpt from:
Shooting the messenger: how one protein allows germ cells to develop - The Rockefeller University Newswire

HSCT veterans, current patients, and the doctors and staff of the A.A. Maximov center in Moscow are in shock as they grieve and mourn the loss of a stem cell sister.

Sadly, Kristen Dyson, who had been giving updates of her progress on Facebook, suffered a serious and rare reaction after her first day of stem cell infusion, following chemotherapy.

Several days later, after valiant efforts of doctors and nurses in intensive care, Kristen, of Nichol Hills, Oklahoma, U.S., died.

I spent almost a week at the center six months ago, and have first-hand experience of the great care given by the medical team. I also benefited from the wonderful family spirit enjoyed by both the team and those going through the treatment.

Head of the centers transplant procedure is Denis Fedorenko, MD, and when we spoke this week he talked movingly about what happened.

He said: Everyone here is full of sorrow and we are all grieving for Kristen. Everyone who has HSCT here is a friend, not a patient. We have lost a friend, a sister.

Kristen is in our thoughts at this sad time, as is her family husband Bryan, son Brayden and daughter Brooklyn, Fedorenko said.

I asked about Kristens illness and he said Kristen had relapsing MS that was diagnosed in 2003, but it had since developed into secondary progressive. She had been treated with interferon and Gilenya, but the disease was progressing quickly. Her disability had worsened from 5.5 to 6.5 on the EDSS scale. She had no other health problems.

So, what happened? Fedorenko explained: The first indication of any problem was after her first day of stem cell infusion (when her own stem cells were being returned after chemotherapy). Despite days of intensive care, the toxic effect of chemotherapy is thought to have provoked an irreversible, progressive heart reaction.

In more than 700 stem cell transplants we have carried out since 2005, this was our first case of a heart reaction. We are devastated and Kristens passing has led us improve our safety protocols. Starting this week, we are implementing an additional new protocol to evaluate the heart both before and after chemotherapy, he said.

What really impresses me, though, is that since Kristin died, five people in the center decided to continue with their stem cell infusions. Their stem cell new life birthday was yesterday (April 11), when they first paid tribute to their lost sister.

I am sure you want to know how many people with MS who have had HSCT in Moscow have died. Well, including Kristin, the answer is two. Thats two out of 700, or less than 0.3%, in 12 years.

Fedorenko wouldnt discuss that figure, however. I dont want to talk about the low percentage. Kristins death is a tragedy. We are all friends and she is already missed here, at home and around the world, he said.

I cant finish this column without expressing my own sadness and sympathies for Kristins loss to her husband Bryan, their children and family members. Also, to Dr. Fedorenko and all the team in Moscow, and members of the HSCT community worldwide. My thoughts are with you all.

***

[You are invited to visit my personal MS, Health & Disability website at 50shadesofsun.com].

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.

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Mourning Loss of Stem Cell Sister in Moscow HSCT Center - Multiple Sclerosis News Today

Mar 12, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher James Kaprielian (88) looks on from the dugout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees In Line To Sweep The Series With Rays Hell Yes! by Steve Contursi

Yankees: In the Blink Of An Eye, A Fledging Career Is In Jeopardy by Steve Contursi

Yankees top pitching prospectand sixth-best prospect in the entire farm system (perMLB Pipeline) will have surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right throwing elbow on Tuesday of next week.

After being examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, the prognosis was grim, as the results were in line with what the team concluded following the first MRI and dye test they performed back in Tampa.

Though Yankees general manager Brian Cashman wouldnt talk about Kaprielians ulnar collateral ligament or the possibility of Tommy John surgery, he did, however, point out the obvious.

Clearly, you dont bounce around the country if the surgical option isnt on the table, Cashman said. Its either the surgical option or continue to pitch through it. Hes basically gonna take a day or two to talk to his family and his agency and get back to us about what hed like to see happen.

Its understandable that Kaprielian asked the Yankees for a few days to mull over his options. After all, this isnt the first problem hes experienced from his million dollar arm. Kaprielian missed all but two starts last season, after being shut down with a strained right flexor tendon.

Oftena precursor to Tommy John surgery, Kaprielian pitched well in the offseason instructional league, Arizona Fall League, and even parts of this Spring Training.

While many within the organization were hopeful he would reach the big leagues at some point this season, Kaprielian will now likely be out of action until the midway point of 2018.

Fellow top pitching prospect, Alex Reyes of the St. Louis Cardinals, recently faced the same frustrating decision.

After sustaining a torn UCL in 2016, Los Angeles Angels righty Garrett Richards went in an opposite direction in regards to his recovery. Richards began biometrics surgery in early May of last year, which involves stem cells being directly injected into the affected area. And though he missed the remainder of the 2016 season, Richards did return this springand was said to be throwing in the mid to upper 90s before hitting the DL with a biceps strain, just a few days ago.

But thats the worry about pitchers who dont get TJ surgery the first time around. Other parts of the arm overcompensate to make up for the instability in the UCL. Sure, you can mostly stabilize the muscles around the injured ligament, as Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka has done, but it can lead to a laundry list of other maladies.

If I were the Yankees, I would have told Tanaka the same thing when he sustained the injury back in 2014 at age 25. Get the surgery rehab come back strong and lets put this issue to rest.

I fully understand Tanaka had his best statistical season in 2016, but what is his prognosis long-term?

Tanaka wants to play, especially if he intends to optout after this season. But whoever signs him to a multimillion dollar deal this offseason is doing so, knowing there is a real possibility that Tanaka could very well miss 12-18 months with one wrong pitch.

Sure, all pitchers assume some sort of risk each time they take the mound, but how in your right mind can you pay someone $100M plus when you know theyre already hurt? Id rather sign a guy like Yu Darvish, who has already proven he is recovered from TJ surgery (even if he is a few years older).

According to The American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI), nearly 30 percent of all big league pitchers have at one time undergone Tommy John. The successful return rate for pitchers currently stands between 85 to 95 percent. For those wondering about players who have undergone two TJs well, theyve actually come back78.7 percent of the time.

All in all, this type of surgery is no longer a career death sentence. Its a second chance for a once promising player to redefine himself as an athlete, especially at such a young age.

Want your voice heard? Join the Yanks Go Yard team!

Obviously, its a disappointment for the team and its fans, but its the right move for the injured player, and thats all that really matters.

More:
Yankees: James Kaprielian Getting Tommy John Surgery Out of the Way - Yanks Go Yard

Forbes

Artificial Heart Transplants May Be The Future Of Medicine Forbes But the systems responsible for recreating body cells eventually halt to a stop, leading to a person's death. ... So far, the best way to supply 3D printers with biological ink is to obtain stem cells from biopsies, then allowing them to multiply on ...

Originally posted here:
Artificial Heart Transplants May Be The Future Of Medicine - Forbes

In the next installment of the Lyceum Lecture Series Fulfilling America's Promise: Racial Equity and Justice, Assistant Professor of Philosophy Ashley Atkins lectures on the issue of Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter, with an emphasis on color blindness and interpretive injustice.

Atkins has always been interested in issues of racial and social injustice, but it was after reading the work of a couple philosophers on the issue of Black Lives Matter and All Lives matter, that she began to study the issue deeper and form her own interpretations.

When I read about the issue of Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter, there always seem to be some kind of reference to color blindness. However, I looked at the issue a little bit differently. It wasnt until I read the work of philosophers like Judith Butler, that I began to study the issue differently and form my own interpretations on it, Atkins said.

Black Lives Matter is a movement that began in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of African American teenager Trayvon Martin. Since then, the group has been widely recognized for their protests and demonstrations following the shooting deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Gardner. All Lives Matter began as a slogan in opposition to the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Atkins analyzes these two phrases and the negative criticisms that are associated with them. She cites the works Judith Butler and other philosophers to point out some issues with the phrase, All Lives Matter and Black Lives Matter.

For Butler, the problem with those who say all lives matter is to make a mistake of thinking that we can approach the question of which lives matter in a color-blind way. A more common view is that black lives matter marks an exclusion, but in an inclusive way. What it really means is that black lives matter, too, or All Lives Matter including black the black ones. The problem with this view is that objectors have an exclusionary interpretation, taking the phrase to mean something like only black lives matter, Atkins said.

She proceeds to talk about the issue of color blindness and whether it is at the root of the conflict over black lives matter and all lives matter. She argues that attempt to pin issues such as black lives matter having an exclusionary interpretation on things like color blindness or hope for a post racial society is unconvincing.

Atkins talks about the importance of justice and how the need to listen to others, specifically marginalized groups of people is how we began resolving the conflicts behind these racial justice issues. She proposes a suggestion by philosopher, Miranda Fricker on effective ways people can start listening to marginalized groups who also desire included in our social world.

Fricker recommends that we try to make sense of what speakers are saying, given what we, given what we would take them to be saying, in a setting which they do not face the prejudice of being members of a socially venerable group, Atkins said.

She concludes by reiterating the issue with the phrase All Lives Matter and how she interprets the meaning of the phrase.

We are struggling with questions of value. We need to pay attention not to whether, criminal, illegal, threatening and black lives among others are lives, we need to pay attention to whether their lives are regarded by us as having diminished value, Atkins said.

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The Lyceum Lecture Series emphasizes color blindness and interpretive injustice - Western Herald

SEATTLE, April 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the first investor in M3 Biotechnology, the Alzheimers Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) helped validate the therapeutic potential of M3s drug candidate for Alzheimers disease. With a second investment of $1.4 million, the ADDF is now providing key funds to support the launch of human trials this year.

While current drugs for Alzheimers disease only provide symptomatic relief, M3s small molecule therapeutics have the potential to be truly disease-modifying. By re-establishing lost connections between brain cells, these therapies may halt the course of the disease. M3 is now in the process of planning a first-in-humans Phase 1a clinical trial for its lead candidate, NDX-1017, to evaluate its safety and determine optimal dosing range.

ADDFs first investment spurred others, including many private investors and Washington state-based venture groups W Fund and WRF Capital. These investments evidenced the faith in our potential, which helped us make it past the valley of death for drug development and raise nearly $14 million in additional funding, said Leen Kawas, M3s CEO.

The most noteworthy new investor in M3 is Dolby Family Ventures, which invests in technology and life sciences. The fund makes early stage investments in the most promising Alzheimer's-specific therapeutics which require funding for the critical phase of translating successful animal therapies to human clinical trials. The fund honors the late inventor, Ray Dolby, who died in 2013 and who lived with Alzheimer's disease.

The relationship with the ADDF has been vital to our progress as they have fostered a dynamic, collaborative biotech ecosystem, Kawas said. By providing early funding and connecting us with potential partners and investors, the ADDF has helped us reach the clinic.

Howard Fillit, MD, Founding Executive Director and Chief Science Officer of the ADDF, says, We are excited by the promising therapeutic approach of Dr. Kawas and her team at M3 Biotechnology. By helping neurons survive, NDX-1017 may restore cognitive function for Alzheimers patients. The ADDF looks forward to the results from this first human trial.

Alzheimers Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) Founded in 1998 by Leonard A. and Ronald S. Lauder, ADDF is dedicated to accelerating the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimers disease. The ADDF is a public charity solely focused on funding the development of drugs for Alzheimers, employing a venture philanthropy model to support research in academia and the biotech industry. Through the generosity of its donors, ADDF has awarded over $100 million to fund more than 500 Alzheimers programs in 18 countries.

M3 Biotechnology, Inc. M3 Biotechnology is a therapeutics company with a novel platform of disease-modifying regenerative small molecules, particularly relevant to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers. M3s lead asset is being advanced as a first-in-class, disease-modifying treatment with the potential to restore lost connections between brain cells, turning degeneration into regeneration. Total financing of $14M to-date is used to prepare for and conduct Phase I clinical trials.

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Funding From Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation Advances M3 Biotechnology Toward Human Trials - Yahoo Finance

Biotech

Prof. Benjamin Ubi, the President, (BSN), says the adoption of biotechnology will facilitate sustainable agricultural production in the country.

Ubi made the declaration in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday

He said that the adoption of biotechnology applications was the panacea to the current food challenges facing the country.

Biotechnology, including genetic engineering and production of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), provides powerful tools for the sustainable development of agriculture, fishery and forestry, as well as meeting the food needs of the population.

GMOs currently account for about 16 per cent of the worlds crops, particularly crops like soybean, maize, cotton and canola, and there are indications that the growing trend will continue.

So, we must eat what we grow and grow what we eat. This means we ought to produce more and agricultural biotechnology is a tool for achieving this, he said.

Ubi also pledged the support of the BSN for the efforts of National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) to harness the potential of modern biotechnology.

READ: Kwara International Vocational Centre gets equipment

BSN, as a stakeholder in biosafety, will continue to support NBMA; we should all be rest assured that no biotechnology product will be imposed on anyone.

Hunger and peace work hand-in-hand, so lack of hunger consequently promotes peace; therefore, biotechnology and its derivatives should be adopted for the benefit of Nigerians, while maintaining regulatory standards.

Biotechnology and biosafety stakeholders must, therefore, work in tandem with global bodies because Nigeria is not a pariah nation; we are a responsible and respected member of the global community, he said.

Ubi urged anti-GMO campaigners not to play politics with issues that could engender food security and alleviate poverty, saying that tangible efforts should be made to enhance the availability and affordability of high-quality foods via biotechnology applications.

I assure all that modern biotechnology had been found to be safe by global certification bodies.

All the same, informed criticism is good for checks and balances but it should not be allowed to be a clog the wheel of progress, he added.

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Expert: Biotechnology will aid sustainable agricultural production - P.M. News

By Nicolas Chahine, InvestorPlace Contributor|Apr 13, 2017, 12:59 pm EDT

The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (ETF) (NASDAQ:IBB) has been under technical pressure. For the past few weeks, IBB shares have been building a bearish head-and-shoulders pattern. To catch that breakdown I shared a trade that will do it for free, and its working already.

In the short term, the IBB ETF is tight, suggesting that a sizable move should be coming. But with no major changes in the thesis, the breakout from the current squeeze is more likely up than down. So for that reason, I want to book my small profits in the bearish setup and reset a long IBB trade for the next year.

The Bet: Sell the IBB Jan 2018 $240/$235 credit put spread. This is a bullish trade for which I collect 90 cents per contract to open.

I have a 90% theoretical chance of having it expire for maximum gains. If IBB shares close above $240, this trade would yield 20% on money risked.

By taking this risk, I accept the fact that IBB shares could fall $20 or more in the next few weeks. But with a 20% price buffer and the amount of time until expiration I am confident that I will be able to manage the short term price challenges.

Click to Enlarge The fundamentals of the components of the IBB are, for the most part, solid after all.

I also have to acknowledge the political threat that still looms from President Donald Trump. He has vowed to address the pricing models of biotech and healthcare sectors. If not for these threats I would have sold the bet as naked Jan 2018 $220 puts for $5 per contract instead. But given that we are near all-time highs in addition to the aforementioned threats, I will start the trade as a spread then decide if I want to turn it into a naked put position.

Learn options as easy as 1-2-3 here. Nicolas Chahine is the managing director of SellSpreads.com. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. You can follow him on Twitter at @racernicand stocktwits at@racernic.

Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, http://investorplace.com/2017/04/ishares-nasdaq-biotechnology-index-etf-ibb-etf-confidence/.

2017 InvestorPlace Media, LLC

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Go Long the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (ETF) (IBB) ETF With Confidence - Investorplace.com

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Arthritis is commonly known as painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints, but the fact that arthritis is so common among Montanans is quite a surprise. Program Manager for Montana Arthritis Program Heather Welch explains.

Here in Montana, about one in four Montanans have been diagnosed with arthritis, said Welch. That is about 215,000 adults and about one in three adults with arthritis report that they do not engage in physical activity. We do have exercise and self-management programs throughout the state to help people with arthritis and other chronic conditions they may have.

Welch says many people are under the assumption that arthritis only affects those who are older, but that is not the case.

I think people forget it is not just older folks that get arthritis, but there are still working age adults that do have arthritis, Welch said. Some people will notice some pain and joint stiffness, but really what we recommend is going to see your doctor if you do think you have arthritis. There are over 100 different types of arthritis.

According to Welch, Montana is an aging population and there is a higher prevalence of arthritis in rural areas due to occupation. Exercise and self-management programs in Montana for arthritis can be found right here.

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One In Four Montanans Have Been Diagnosed With Arthritis, Numbers Are Expected To Increase - Newstalkkgvo

Oncology Nurse Advisor

AntiCancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Combination Produced Synergistic Attack on Tumor Cells Oncology Nurse Advisor Auranofin, a drug used to treat arthritis, helped boost the effectiveness of RAPTA-T in attacking tumors. The combination of 2 unrelated drugs, RAPTA-T and auranofin, results in synergistic effects that improve the ability of RAPTA-T to kill tumors in ...

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AntiCancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Combination Produced Synergistic Attack on Tumor Cells - Oncology Nurse Advisor

Besides the traditional use of insects such as termites and grasshoppers as part of the Nigerian diet for their nutritive values, scientists have bioengineered these local delicacies in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV), wounds among other benefits. CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes.

A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that insects could provide as much magnesium, iron, and other nutrients as steak.

And researchers at the American Chemical Society (ACS) found grasshoppers and crickets to be a far better source of many nutrients, particularly iron, compared to beef.

Grasshoppers, mealworms, termites and crickets all had higher concentrations of chemically available calcium, copper and zinc than the sirloin.

In Nigeria, termites are usually roasted and eaten as food, mostly during the rainy season.

Indian researchers from Department of Biological Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata; Department of Zoology, Darjeeling Government College, West Bengal; and Department of Zoology, Scottish Church College, Kolkata explored developments in bioengineering natural products from insects with potential use in modern medicines as well as in utilisation of insects as models for studying essential mammalian processes such as immune responses to pathogens.

The study was published in World Science News.

The researchers listed natural products derived from insects possess medicinal value:

Honey bee products used as medicine Bee products such as honey, venom have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years for treating wounds, ulcers, inflammation, infections, pain, allergies and cancer.

Bee venom therapy, the therapeutic application of bee venom have been used in traditional medicine to treat diseases, such as arthritis, rheumatism, pain, cancerous tumors and kin diseases. Bee venom contains a variety of peptides including melittin, apamin, adolapin, the mast cell-degranulating peptide, enzymes (phospolipase A2), biologically active amines (that is histamine and epinephrine) and nonpeptide components with a variety of pharmaceutical properties.

Cancer treatment Bee venom has been widely used in the treatment of tumours. Several cancer cells, including renal, lung, liver, prostate, mammary gland as well as leukemia cells can be targets of bee venom peptides such as melittin and phospholipase A2.

In recent study scientists reported that bee venom can induce apoptosis in cancer cells (in human leukemic U937cells) the key regulators in bee venom induced apoptosis are Bcl-2 and caspase-3 through down regulation of the ERK and Akt signal pathway. Melittin, a water-soluble toxic peptide derived from bee venom of Apis mellifera was reported to have inhibitory effects on hepatocellular carcinoma. Melittin inhibits tumor cell metastasis by reducing motility and migration via the suppression of Rac-1 dependent pathway, suggesting that melittin is a potent therapeutic agent for hepatocellular carcinoma. Melittin prevents liver cancer cells metastasis through inhibition of the Rac-1-dependent pathway.

Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis Bee venom induces apoptosis in rheumatoid synovial cells through a decrease in BCL2 expression and an increase in BAX and caspase-3 expression. Bee venom induces apoptosis through caspase-3 activation in synovial fibroblasts of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Controlling diabetes Hyperglycemia in diabetes leads to increased protein glycation resulting in structural and functional alteration in proteins. Recent studies showed that bee venom prevents glycation induced increasing in beta-sheet structure decreasing in free amino groups, altering in the secondary structure and heme degradation in the hemoglobin. Hence, bee venom has the potential to be used as a natural drug to prevent diabetes complications. Honeybee venom decreases the complications of diabetes by preventing haemoglobin glycation.

Antioxidant Free radicals are ubiquitous in our body and are generated by physiological processes, including aerobic metabolism and inflammatory responses, to eliminate invading pathogenic microorganisms. Target of free radicals in inflammation include Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)/genetic material, proteins, Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) and lipids. An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules and so to prevent such changes. Oxidative stress is thought to contribute to the development of chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, aging, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Propolis, pollen, honey have the highest antioxidant activities. Bee venom is a potent antioxidant and possesses radio-protecting actions.

Treatment for HIV Nanoparticles carrying a toxin found in bee venom can destroy Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) while leaving surrounding cells unharmed, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have shown. The finding is an important step toward developing a vaginal gel that may prevent the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Bee venom contains a potent toxin called melittin that can poke holes in the protective envelope that surrounds HIV virus as well as other viruses. This melittin is loaded with nanoparticles, which do not harm surrounding normal cells. The nanoparticles attack an essential part of the virus structure.

Since melittin attacks double-layered membranes indiscriminately this concept is not limited to HIV. Many viruses, including hepatitis B and C rely on the same kind of protective envelope and would be vulnerable to melittin-loaded nanoparticles. Scientists also said that these nanoparticles are easy to manufacture in large enough quantities to supply them for future clinical trials.

Maggot products Maggot therapy is now commonly used for many types of infected wounds such as diabetic foot wounds, postoperative infections, bedsores, and leg ulcers, in the United States (US), Israel, and Europe. The larvae of the blowfly, Lucilia sericata, are frequently used although other species have also been tried such as Lucilia cuprina, Phormia regina, and Calliphora vicina. The use of L. sericata larvae for treating wounds has been recognised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the United Kingdom (UK) Prescription Pricing Authority. Sterile maggots can therefore be officially prescribed.

Ant venom as medicine Ants have been used as medicine, owing to their special active substances such as citral, ATP, histamine, growth hormone, superoxide dismutase etc. Pachycondyla sennaarensis, the samsum ant venom possesses many pharmacological effects as reducing inflammation, relieving pain, inhibition of tumor growth, hepatitis treatment, liver protection. According to Bai et al., solenopsin A, a primary alkaloid obtained from fire ant Solenopsis invicta exhibits antiangiogenic activity; this toxin has the ability to inhibit a series of kinases involving in angiogenesis mechanism.

Polyrachisla mellidens, a medicinal ant used in Chinese medicine, was confirmed to exert potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions. Its therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of various inflammatory disorders had been reported.

Beetle products Many of the Blister beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae) produce toxic defensive secretions, which upon contact with the skin cause blistering. One such toxin is cantharidin, which has been extracted from Mylabris caragnae, the dried bodies of which have been used in Chinese Folk Medicine since the 13th century for the removal of warts and forever 2000 years for the treatment of cancer.

Canthardin is a monoterpene derived from the bodies of several types of blister beetle, including Mylabris phalerata and M. cichorii (Chinese blister beetles) and this compound is stored in the beetle hemolymph and making up about five per cent of body dry weight. Cantharadin has been found to inhibit the growth of human leukemic cells in vitro. In contrast to other chemotherapeutic agents, cantharadin acts as leukemia progenitor and stem cells.

Several derivatives of cantharadin also retard the growth of prostate, oral, colon, cervical, gall bladder cancer cell lines.

Recently in the year 2007 Huang et al. showed that growth inhibition and killing of human colorectal cancer cells by cantharidin was both time- and dose-dependent. The cantharidin exposure reduced CDK1 kinase activity, which led to failure of the cells to progress from G2 to M phases in the cell cycle. In addition, the colorectal cells were killed by apoptosis, which was induced through the mitochondrial and death receptor pathways and activation of caspases.

Shou et al have studied other effects of cantharidin in human breast cancer cells. They reported that cantharidin resulted in apoptosis and reduced growth, adhesion and migration of the cancer cells.

Wasp venom in cancer therapy Scientists from the Institute for Biomedical Research (IRB) Barcelona have carried out successful in vitro tests using wasp venom to kill cancer cells. The peptide from wasp venom has the ability to form pores in the cell plasma membrane, penetrate into the cell and finally, cause its death either by necrosis or by triggering apoptosis. However, this powerful natural weapon can not only damage tumor cells but also affect healthy cells. As such the researchers designed a means of transporting the peptide to the tumour and making it accumulate in a specific and controlled manner. The system consists of a decorated carrier polymer with two components: a peptide that is bound to a tumor cell receptor and the cytotoxic peptide of the wasp venom.

In vitro experiments show that the substance is adequately distributed within the tumor cells and causes their death, while healthy cells, such as red blood cells, are not affected.

Wasp venom contains Polybia MPI (from venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista), which shows anti tumour activity. Polybia MPI is able to target non-polar lipid cell membrane, forming ion permeable channels, leading to depolarization irreversible cytolysis and finally cell death. It has been shown that Polybia MPI can significantly inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells and associated endothelial cells by membrane disrupting.

Fujiwara et al. isolated and determined the structure of anti cancer molecule from the outer envelop of the social wasp Vespa simillima. A biologically active quinone, 7,8-seco-para-ferruginone exhibited a growth inhibitory effect on rat liver cancer cells. The authors suggest that the cytotoxic activity is related to the morphological changes that induce apoptosis of the cells exposed to this molecule.

Moore et al. showed that cecropins are active against several mammalian lymphomas and leukemias in vitro and a preliminary in vivo study showed that cecropin B increases the survival time of mice bearing murine ascitic colon adenocarcinoma cells.

Suttmann et al. showed that cecropin A and B inhibit the viability proliferation of bladder cancer cells, but with no effect on fibroblasts. The selective antitumor action mechanism of these peptides depends on disruption of target cell membrane resulting in irreversible cytolysis and cell destruction. Both peptides may offer novel strategies for the treatment of bladder cancer cells with limited cytotoxic effects on benign cells.

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Insects employed to treat cancer, HIV - Guardian

"We are excited to name the Foundation Fighting Blindness as an official charity in our 2017 corporate giving program," said Andrew Reiser, CEO of Strategic Funding. "With a close family friend who is affected by retinal disease, I have seen first-hand the amazing work that the FFB has done for her.The entire Strategic Funding team is excited to be sponsoring such a worthy cause."

Since its inception in 1971, the Foundation Fighting Blindness has raised more than $700 million for retinal disease research. With these funds, it has funded 134 research studies, identified over 250 retinal degeneration causing genes, and has supported clinical trials that, in some cases, have resulted in significant vision improvement for trial participants.

ABOUT STRATEGIC FUNDINGFounded in 2006 and headquartered in NYC, Strategic Funding has been recognized by customers and the industry as one of the most reliable and respected names in small business financing. With flexible financing options, we provide small businesses with the working capital they need to take advantage of opportunities and grow. To learn more, visit http://www.sfscapital.com

ABOUT FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESSSince the Foundation Fighting Blindness was established in 1971 it has raised more than $700 million for research on preventing, treating and curing blindness caused by inherited retinal diseases. In excess of 10 million Americans, and millions more worldwide, experience vision loss due to retinal degenerations. Through its support of focused and innovative science, and by teaming with industry, the Foundation drives the research that has and will continue to provide treatments and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and other inherited retinal diseases. Our goal is to advance the most promising retinal disease research in the world and across the spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases. You can help. Every donation moves us closer to a cure.

CONTACT: Bernadette Abel Strategic Funding Source babel@sfscapital.com (646) 722-1484

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Strategic Funding Names The Foundation Fighting Blindness As Official 2017 Charity - PR Newswire (press release)

Dr Vinay Rale shares his thoughts with BioSpectrum on current biotech education and the academia-industry gap

Dr Vinay Rale, Director, Symbiosis School of Biomedical Sciences (SSBS)

Brief recapitulation of genesis of Biotechnology in India A quick recapitulation of the genesis of Biotechnology in India will not be out of place to apprise the lay public. We essentially (and blindly) followed the USA in 1985 in initiating Biotechnology programs at Master's level at six select universities across India. In the 1970s, the ability to modify DNA molecules and the realization of the power of genetic engineering led prominent universities in the US to convince their Government to allocate huge funds to start

Biotechnology' - a term newly coined by them. The Indian model, first at Masters level, to cater to the need for trained manpower for the anticipated boom in the Biotechnology industry was supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). Very soon a large number of institutions both in private and public sector followed suit to attract students. The wildfire spread to undergraduate programs equally rapidly. However, this led to two major disadvantages - the relegation of basic courses in Life Sciences such as Microbiology, Biochemistry, Zoology and Botany and severely inadequate infrastructure and untrained faculty. As a matter of fact, the first Masters programs supported by DBT at six prominent institutions in the country were turned to the advantage of the then faculty expertise, e.g., developmental biology turning a blind eye to the basic essentials that the students have to be proficient in.

A rough estimate of the students enrolled in Biotechnology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels suggests a number exceeding 100,000 at any given time. Also, some institutions offer a bouquet of 8 to 9 allied courses in Biotechnology. Naturally the demand-supply ratio is skewed. The curricula in Biotechnology tries to accommodate' as many subsets as possible with little attention to the fundamentals - especially at the undergraduate levels. Moreover, to overcome the infrastructure deficiency, a good number of students (especially at postgraduate level) are encouraged to bank upon either research institutes or industries to undertake dissertations.

Unfortunately, both categories of organizations take little interest in the welfare of such dissertation research; more so due to the unavailability of mentors from either side. Therefore-, little research done at such levels goes unnoticed. As a consequence-, it is estimated that well over 70 percent of Biotechnology students are considered as unemployable by industries. This is the net result of a large number of factors contributing to the creation of unfit student mass. Reliable sources indicate that industries now prefer to hire students trained in conventional Life Sciences like Microbiology and Biochemistry (also Chemistry) to meet their stringent requirements. The general complaint is that the Biotechnology students lack fundamentals. This is also the observation of this author over the decades.

Considering the seriousness of the Government to increase funding for the DBT and the intiative of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) coupled with those of SIDBI and MSME to strengthen research in academia and foster strategic alliances between academia and industry, one can only expect better things to happen. However, like Biotechnology, Microbiology and Biochemistry programs too need nourishment.

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Biotechnology Education vs Industry Requirements: Where - BSI bureau (press release)

The Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center on Wednesday broke ground on a long-awaited expansion that will add laboratories, office space and at least 100 new jobs to its campus in Buckingham.

"This has become a real state resource," said biotechnology center President Timothy Block. "We can't exist in these two buildings anymore. We need to grow."

Created more than 10 years ago through a partnership between the Hepatitis B Foundation and Delaware Valley University, the Biotechnology Center has grown to become an economic powerhouse in the region, contributing an estimated $1.8 billion to the local economy and supporting more than 700 jobs, half of those within the center itself.

Because of the center's success, it's been a draw for scientists and entrepreneurs throughout the region. Lab space is at a premium, and there's a waiting list for tenants. The new wing is already 40 percent leased, Block said.

The first tenant, contract research organization FlowMetric Inc., credits the center with its growth. The company now has three dozen employees.

"I could have set up my company in New Jersey. But there was no place that was quite like this, and that has continued for us," said CEO Ren Capocasale.

"This center is why I do what I do."

While construction likely won't begin until the summer, biotech center officials chose Wednesday for the ceremonial groundbreaking in part because it also happened to be the 96th birthday of Joshua Feldstein, a longtime supporter for whom a wing of the center is named.

Feldstein was on hand for Wednesday's event, seated among a variety of state and local dignitaries that included state Rep. Marguerite Quinn, R-143, Doylestown, and state Sen. Chuck McIlhinney, R-10, Doylestown both longtime supporters of the center and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, R-8, Middletown.

"This is not a Republican or Democrat thing," said Quinn. "We've had support from both sides of the aisle, recognizing what you do here: jobs, cures and research. Well-paying jobs and phenomenal research."

First proposed in 2015, the expansion project stalled during a dispute between the Hepatitis B Foundation and Delaware Valley University. Unhappy with how the foundation was running the center's day-to-day operations, the university refused to sign off on the expansion plans.

The dispute ended in October, when the Hepatitis B Foundation agreed to pay $2 million to buy DelVal's interests in the center.

The final project will cost between $12 million and $13 million, center officials said. That will be offset by a $4.6 million grant from the federal government and a $2 million state grant. The rest will be financed with a conventional loan awarded by Univest Bank.

Officials on Wednesday, however, weren't just celebrating the expansion. They were thinking about the future.

"We need to be thinking about what the next thing we're going to put the shovel in the ground (for) here with what's happening here," said Bucks County Commissioner Rob Loughery.

Block envisions a biotechnology hub within Bucks County one that equals the well-known Kendall Square area of Boston.

"There is a resource in Bucks County as vital and powerful, with as much potential, as the shale under the earth here," Block said. "That's what we're going to tap into."

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Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center begins long-awaited expansion ... - Bucks County Courier Times

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --ReadCoor, Inc. today announced that an article appearing in the April 2017 issue of Nature Biotechnology named the company among the 10 leading academic spinouts for 2016. Each year the journal identifies and features companies originating from academic institutions who have generated significant initial funding and who in the editors' assessment have demonstrated novel, potentially disruptive technology. In the words of the journal, "We believe these [ventures] represent some of the best science coming out of academia in 2016."

"It is a tremendous honor to be included in this group of amazing technologies and companies," said Shawn Marcell, ReadCoor co-founder and CEO. "The team at ReadCoor is excited to deliver on the promise this revolutionary platform holds."

The ReadCoor platform, called FISSEQ Fluorescent In-Situ Sequencing is the first application of in-situ spatial sequencing. ReadCoor was founded in 2014 by Richard Terry and George Church at the Harvard Wyss Institute, to bring Fluorescent In-Situ Sequencing into mainstream research use. Several key applications are being advanced including pathogen detection under a grant provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, brain mapping or neural connectomics funded by IARPA, and drug development in areas such as central nervous system, neurodegenerative diseases, oncology, immunotherapy and gene therapy. Unlike traditional sequencing technologies, ReadCoor provides a method to pinpoint the precise locations of specific RNA molecules in intact tissue.

About ReadCoor

ReadCoor is leading the next generation of "omics" by delivering the first panomic spatial sequencing platform to researchers, clinicians, pharma and diagnostics companies, and ultimately patients. It is spearheading the charge with Fluorescent In-Situ Sequencing, a fundamental innovative technology that simultaneously integrates high throughput next generation sequencing, morphometric tissue analysis and three-dimensional spatial imaging. This uniquely powerful tool is the first and only implementation of "In-situ Sequencing" and will revolutionize the next phase in understanding the transcriptome, introducing vast new opportunities for important and meaningful clinical insights.

Contact Sam Inverso ReadCoor, Inc. Readcoor.com (617) 453-2660

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Nature Biotechnology Features ReadCoor as a 2016 Leading Spinout - PR Newswire (press release)

SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Caligor Opco LLC, which specializes in early access to medicines and drug life-cycle management, today announced that it will provide regulatory and logistical management for Puma Biotechnologys (PBYI) expanded access program (EAP) for its investigational breast cancer therapy, PB272 (neratinib), in the United States.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits expanded access to investigational drugs for treatment use for patients with serious or immediately life-threatening diseases or conditions who do not otherwise qualify for participation in a clinical trial and lack satisfactory therapeutic alternatives.

The EAP will provide access to neratinib for the treatment of early stage HER2-positive breast cancer (extended adjuvant setting), HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and HER2-mutated solid tumors. Patients must not be able to participate in any ongoing neratinib clinical trial to qualify for the EAP. Caligor also is providing regulatory, logistical, and supply chain support for Pumas Managed Access Program for neratinib outside the United States.

We are gratified by the trust and confidence Puma has placed in us, said Tammy Bishop, Caligors Chief Commercial Officer. Within the past year, the FDA has introduced a streamlined application process and new guidance designed to improve its expanded access programs, and those initiatives have been extremely positive. We look forward to working with regulators and physicians to facilitate access to neratinib for patients who may benefit from this therapy.

About the Neratinib Expanded Access Program

The neratinib EAP is a program for U.S. patients with early stage HER2-positive breast cancer (extended adjuvant setting), HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and HER2-mutated solid tumors. This EAP is being administered on behalf of Puma by Caligor Opco. U.S. healthcare professionals seeking more information about the neratinib EAP can email neratinibUSA@caligorrx.com for additional information. Patients who are interested in enrolling in the neratinib EAP should speak with their physician to determine if neratinib is an appropriate option. Neratinib is an investigational agent and, as such, has not been approved by the FDA or any other regulatory agencies in any markets.

About Puma Biotechnology

Puma Biotechnology, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company with a focus on the development and commercialization of innovative products to enhance cancer care. The Company in-licenses the global development and commercialization rights to three drug candidatesPB272 (neratinib (oral)), PB272 (neratinib (intravenous)) and PB357. Neratinib is a potent irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks signal transduction through the epidermal growth factor receptors, HER1, HER2 and HER4. Currently, the Company is primarily focused on the development of the oral version of neratinib, and its most advanced drug candidates are directed at the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. The Company believes that neratinib has clinical application in the treatment of several other cancers as well, including non-small cell lung cancer and other tumor types that over-express or have a mutation in HER2.

Further information about Puma Biotechnology may be found at http://www.pumabiotechnology.com.

About Caligor

Caligor Opco LLC, a portfolio company of Diversis Capital, LLC, is a global company that manages the regulatory, logistics and supply chain needs for global access programs as well as the sourcing, storing and distribution of comparator drugs for clinical trials. Caligors global access programs help to meet the medical needs of patients worldwide by providing access to medicines in situations where the drug has not yet been approved, or is otherwise commercially unavailable. In addition, through its proprietary TrialAssist program, Caligor optimizes its services by providing for labeling, QP certification, storage, distribution and destruction of clinical trial and unlicensed medicines managed in the access programs. The company serves pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies from facilities in Secaucus, New Jersey and Dartford, UK, as well as strategically situated depot locations worldwide. More information is available at http://caligorrx.com.

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Caligor to Support Puma Biotechnology's Expanded Access ... - Yahoo Finance

If you have recently been diagnosed withpsoriatic arthritis,your doctor may have told you about a type of medicine that can reverse disease progression, stop damage to your joints and might even put your disease into remission.

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These medicines are called DMARDs, which stands for disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. The drugs work by curbing the bodys out-of-control immune system response that causes psoriatic arthritis.

DMARDs work by curbing your immune system, and, as a result, reduce inflammation, says rheumatologist Howard R. Smith, MD.

Doctors often prescribe DMARDs when non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or other medications arent effective or for patients who have disease that is eroding their joints, Dr. Smith says.

DMARDs fall into two categories, biologic and non-biologic:

Non-biologic DMARDs These medicines slow the disease process by modifying the immune system. Methotrexate is the most commonly prescribed non-biologic DMARD for psoriatic arthritis treatment. Methotrexate is an effective immune system suppressor and can treat the accompanying psoriasis as well as arthritis.

Biologic DMARDs Introduced in the late 1990s for treating moderate to severe autoimmune diseases, biologic DMARDS target cells at a molecular level to prevent inflammation at a very early stage. They work by blocking a protein made by the immune system that contributes to psoriasis and arthritis. Biologic DMARDs are given by an injection or infusion into a blood vessel.

Both of these drugs reduce the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis and most exciting they also can slow down damage to your joints, Dr. Smith says

DMARDs slow down psoriatic arthritis and improve quality of life for most people, Dr. Smith says. Some patients will even achieve a remission while taking them. But more typically, disease activity continues, but at a slower, less intense rate.

If your doctor prescribes DMARDs, here, according to Dr. Smith, are three things you should know about these powerful medicines.

Because DMARDs are a systemic treatment, they mayhave side effects, such as stomach upset, liver problems or blood issues, Dr. Smith says. It may take some tinkering for your physician to find the right regimen for you.

Possible long-term complications include liver damage with methotrexate and leflunomide. Some dormant long-term infections such as tuberculosis, can be re-activated by DMARDs.

DMARDs change your immune system, so you may get more intense viral or bacterial infections. Make sure to let your doctor know about any serious infections, Dr. Smith says.

You also should check with your doctor before getting any vaccines, Dr. Smith says. Live vaccines, like the shingles vaccine, may be dangerous with certain of medications, he says.

Some biologics also have been linked to a very small increased risk of cancer. You should ask your doctor about it, Dr. Smith says.

Though DMARDs mayhave side effects, there still is good reason to take them theyre proven to be effective against psoriatic arthritis, Dr. Smith says.

It takes time for a DMARD to change your immune system. It may take months for some of the non-biologics to work. Biologic DMARDs may take a fewweeks.

DMARDs are used alone and in combination with other drugs. Its also common for a physician to prescribe more than one DMARD. For example, studies show that methotrexate and a biologic may work better together than alone.

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3 Things You Should Know About Treatment for Psoriatic Arthritis - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic (blog)