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U.S. medical scientists involved in an international study say they've identified a gene that modifies lung disease severity in people with cystic fibrosis. Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center researchers said the research is the first published study to search the entire genome looking for genes that modify the severity of cystic fibrosis lung disease. Carl Langefeld, a study co-author and Wake Forest University School of Medicine researcher, said the findings might help in the...

Clinical Data, a biotechnology company, has announced that its PGxHealth division has launched a new genetic test for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, an inherited and often fatal heart condition. The Familion arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) test is a complex genetic test that sequences the five genes most commonly associated with ARVC (PKP2, DSP, DSG2, DSC2 and TMEM43) and is performed in a CLIA-certified commercial laboratory that meets all applicable...

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspired by his own life-saving kidney transplant, fashion critic and Entertainment Tonight correspondent Steven "Cojo" Cojocaru is taking steps to help the 12.5 million people worldwide affected by Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). PKD is one of the world's most common, life-threatening genetic diseases, affecting more people than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and sickle cell anemia ... combined. PKD affects 1 in 500 children and...

U.S. scientists say they've developed a simple gene-based blood test that can more accurately and quickly measure cystic fibrosis patients' therapy response. Researchers at National Jewish Medical and Research Center said the test, a measure of inflammatory gene expression, could improve patient care and help clear a backlog of promising medications now hung up in clinical trials. "The currently accepted test, a measure of a patients' ability to exhale air, has several limitations that make...

CUMBERLAND, R.I., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company focused on the development of sight-saving therapeutics for chronic retinal diseases, announced today the opening of its new 27,000 square-foot GMP manufacturing facility in Cumberland, Rhode Island. With support from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) and its financing programs, Rhode Island Industrial Facilities Corporation (RIIFC) and Rhode Island...

EPIX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: EPIX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel therapeutics through the use of its proprietary and highly efficient in silico drug discovery platform, today announced that Martin Mense, Ph.D., principal scientist and head of Cystic Fibrosis biology at EPIX, is scheduled to present at the 22nd Annual North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference on Friday, October 24, 2008. Dr. Mense will participate in a symposium entitled...

Kamada, a biopharmaceutical company, has reported positive data from its Phase II study evaluating inhaled Alpha-1 Antitrypsin delivered via an investigational eFlow Nebulizer System, in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. The results demonstrate the product has an excellent safety profile and shows promising signs of efficacy, as indicated by a reduction in lung inflammation, the company said. The Phase II trial was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, performed at the Cystic Fibrosis...

REGENERX BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (AMEX:RGN) (www.regenerx.com) announced today that it is seeking a strategic partner to assist in the development of RGN-457 for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). RGN-457 is based on thymosin beta 4 (TB4) peptide formulated as an inhaled therapeutic agent to address this patient population. CF is a life-threatening, hereditary disease that impairs the patient's ability to breathe due to the accumulation of thick and sticky mucus secretions in the airways...

Scientists hope that a new development, which allows them to create pigs that develop cystic fibrosis in the same way the people do, will give them new insight into fighting the disease. Scientists at the University of Iowa and the University of Missouri have created genetically engineered piglets with the same mutation that causes cystic fibrosis in humans, they report in the journal Science. Up to this point, scientists have been unable to find any hints that may lead to a possible cure,...

WARRINGTON, Pa., Sept. 3, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Discovery Laboratories, Inc. (Nasdaq:DSCO) announces that its proprietary, aerosolized KL-4 surfactant has been selected for a Phase 2a clinical trial in patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The trial is being conducted as an investigator-initiated study under the direction of Dr. Scott H. Donaldson at The University of North Carolina and is funded primarily through a grant provided by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The trial is designed as...