Study finds dozens of associations between genes, diseases in minorities
The researchers at the University of North Carolina who conducted the PAGE study said the results are especially important in the context of precision medicine.
With a nod to Krispy Kreme, 4 more awkward healthcare partnerships I’d like to see
Healthcare facilities and drugstores have established a history of awkward healthcare partnerships, so here are some ideas for a few more.
Cempra gets $10M milestone for its antibiotic development in Japan
North Carolina antibiotics maker Cempra has received a $10 million milestone payment from a Japanese drugmaker – indicative of the country’s need for a next-gen antibiotic. Toyama Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Fujifilm Holdings, owns exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Cempra’s new antibiotic, solithromycin, in Japan for respiratory tract infections like pneumonia. Though U.S. usage is number […]
Drug to replicate effects of gastric bypass surgery gets AHA backing
About 200,000 people undergo gastric bypass surgery each year and contribute to an estimated $147 billion in obesity-related healthcare costs. Many are patients who opt for the surgery as a way to treat or prevent Type 2 diabetes. But a biotechnology company thinks it may have a nonsurgical option in the form of a drug […]
Emphasis on local investing shifts to Southeast with $5.1M angel fund and accelerators
One of the ongoing debates among investors is whether geography matters. I have often heard that West Coast angel investors are pretty flexible about where they live in proximity to their investments. Then there are East Coast angels, who like to invest within commuting distance. Backing that argument is Excelerate Health Ventures. The angel investment […]
What can U.S. healthcare innovators learn from medical tourism inside and outside its borders?
Mexico’s beaches are supposed to be beautiful so maybe it’s not hard to understand why people would flock there for surgery and make it the No. 2 medical tourism hot spot. A pair of reports reveal that although the U.S. is one of the top three destinations for medical tourism, it could also learn from […]
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
Applying neuromodulation to acute heart failure nets NC device startup a $13M series A
Neurostimulation devices that send mild electrical pulses to target nerves are arguably the fastest-growing segment of the medical devices sector. They’re primarily being commercialized in neurology and urology but are apparently showing promise in cardiology too. A startup called NeuroTronik spun out of medical device incubator Synecor last year says it’s raised a $13.1 million […]
G1 Therapeutics developing treatment to protect soldiers, chemo patients from radiation damage
After the Boston Marathon bombing, it’s easy to understand why the government is giving G1 Therapeutics millions of dollars to develop a pill that protects against radiation exposure. If the pressure-cooker bomb had been a dirty bomb instead, Boston would have had a public health crisis to deal with in addition to the manhunt and […]
Heat Biologics gets $5M to usher heat shock protein therapy into phase 2 lung cancer trials
A company developing an off-the-shelf immunotherapy that it thinks can turn tumors into adjuvant-secreting machines has some fresh capital as it heads into phase 2 clinical trials. Twenty investors have put $5 million behind Heat Biologics, according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing. CEO Jeff Wolf was not available to provide more details […]
UNC spinout wants to help health workers wipe out surface contamination by harmful cancer drugs
Chemotherapy drugs used today are potent and nonselective, meaning they kill both cancerous and non-cancerous cells. That’s why many cancer patients experience so many troublesome side effects. It’s also why a pair of University of North Carolina researchers want the healthcare industry to remember to ask another question: Are these drugs handled as safely as […]
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Biopharmaceutical startup developing heart failure therapeutic raises more than $28M
A drug developer with a treatment for acute decompensated heart failure, one of the leading reasons for hospitalization, has raised more than $28 million.
A surprising reason why some newborns test positive for marijuana
Some newborns are testing positive for marijuana exposure and the reason why could surprise you. Soap and hand wash products, including products commonly used in hospital nurseries, can interfere with urine drug tests of newborns and lead to false positives, according to a new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The […]
Hepatitis C, liver cancer research at UNC secures $2.3M federal grant
The hepatitis C virus is believed to have links to the growth of liver cancer, but those connections have been hard to study. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill research aimed at learning more about those connections has secured a $2.35 million federal grant. The five-year grant from the National Cancer Institute will enable […]
Unlocking university innovation: UNC’s Rose nurtures new life science startups
Don Rose has a front seat to watch many of the emerging life science companies around North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park. Rose is executive director of Carolina KickStart, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill program that helps faculty turn their university research and discoveries into new companies. Each year, Carolina KickStart hosts its […]
Pozen migraine drug licensed to Desitin for commercialization in Europe
The migraine headache treatment developed by Pozen (NASDAQ:POZN) now has a partner for commercialization in Europe. Pozen licensed the compound MT 400 to German central nervous system therapies company Desitin in a deal that will pay the Chapel Hill, North Carolina drug developer $3 million up front, plus milestones and royalties from drug sales in […]