News

New Genetic Risk Factors for Multiple Sclerosis Identified in Study

Two new risk factors for multiple sclerosis have been identified by a research group at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Led by Dr. Loukas Moutsianas, the team discovered that having HLA-DQA1*01:01ā€“HLA-DRB1*15:01 and HLA-DQB1*03:01ā€“HLA-DQB1*03:02 gene allele…

New Study Unravels How Myelin is Repaired, May Suggest New MS Treatments

Japanese scientists have discovered new information about howĀ the myelin sheath is repaired following damage. Myelin is a fatty substance that wraps around nerve cells and helps them to conduct impulses. The researchĀ could have major implications for how multiple sclerosis is understood and even treated.Ā The study, titled “Inactivation…

Biomarkers of Early MS and Overactive Bladder Identified in New Study

Researchers at theĀ University of Athens Medical School in GreeceĀ have found that people with early stage multiple sclerosis (MS) and overactive bladderĀ (OAB) have reductions in brain serotoninĀ and a stress-related hormone, cortisol. Serotonin is a chemical that helps nerve cells to communicate. The study, titled “Neurochemical and…

MS Susceptibility May be Influenced by Female-Specific Variations in MicroRNAs-Coding Genes

In a new study entitled ā€œVariants of MicroRNA Genes: Gender-Specific Associations with Multiple Sclerosis Risk and Severity,ā€ researchersĀ identified variations in genes coding for microRNAs that influence patients’ susceptibility to develop multiple sclerosis, as well as the disease course. Most importantly, these variations were gender specific, identified only…

Cryoport, Inc. to Supply Opexa’s MS and NMO Immunotherapy Studies with Cryogenic Logistics Solutions

Cryoport, Inc., a leader in providingĀ advanced cryogenic logistics solutions for the life sciences industry, has just announced it will be supplying Opexa Therapeutics’ lead personalized T-cell immunotherapy research initiatives for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) andĀ Neuromyelitis Optica (“NMO”). Opexa’s breakthrough immunotherapy drug platform has shown the potential to improve the lives of…

Novartis Acquires Remaining Rights to Ofatumumab by GSK for Multiple Sclerosis and Other Autoimmune Diseases

Pharmaceutical giant Novartis recently announced it has signed an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for exclusive rights to GSK’s investigational CD20-specific monoclonal antibody,Ā Ofatumumab, indicated forĀ relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and other autoimmune diseases. Novartis had previously acquired rights to the drug for its indications in oncology, effectively marketing it under brand nameĀ ArzerraĀ®.

Omnicare Donates $100,000 to National MS Society’s NOW Campaign for Research and Fellowships

Omnicare,Ā a Fortune 500 company based in Cincinnati, Ohio that providesĀ comprehensive pharmaceutical services to patients and providers across the United States, recently made a generous donation ofĀ $100,000 to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s inaugural No Opportunity WastedĀ (NOW) campaign. The NOW campaign aims to raise $250 million to help boost ongoing research…

Oral Disease Modifying Agents for Multiple Sclerosis Are Now More Preferred by Neurologists

A survey of 97 neurologists conducted in June 2015 revealed specialists within the field of neurologyĀ are increasingly avoiding prescribing injectables to patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, as orally-available disease modifying-agents (DMAs) continue to gain in popularity. The survey was conducted and reported by Spherix Global Insights, a newly established business…

Could Multiple Sclerosis Sufferers Benefit From Cannabis Chewing Gum?

AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on global research, development and production of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food and cosmetic products derived from industrial hemp, has announced commencement of clinical development of its leading patented pharmaceutical chewing gum, MedChew RX, for registration as a drug for relieving pain and/or spasticity…

Vitae Pharmaceuticals to Launch New Study of Therapy For MS, Other Autoimmune Disorders

Clinical stage biotech company Vitae Pharmaceuticals, Inc., recently announced the launch ofĀ a Phase I multiple ascending dose clinical study of VTP-43742, the company’s first-in-class RORĪ³t inhibitor pipeline drug, indicated for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and several other orphan indications. Preclinical studies ofĀ VTP-43742 exhibited the…

Benefits of Exercise For Kids With MS Touted in New Study

A recent research study focused on whether regular exercise can benefit children with multiple sclerosis (MS). The article appeared in the August 12, 2015, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. MS is characterized by inflammation, which manifests asĀ an…

Could Salt Intake be an MS Risk Factor?

Most people know that eating too much salt is bad for your health, but a new study suggests that it could also increase the risk for multiple sclerosis (MS). The workĀ appearedĀ in the August 2015 issue of The FASEB Journal,Ā the journal of the FederationĀ of…

Cases of Brain Infection Reported in MS Patients Taking Gilenya

Multiple sclerosis patients prescribed Gilenya (fingolimod) are now being informed about a handful of documented cases where the therapy was found to have led to a rareĀ brain infection, according toĀ the US Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has released a public warning indicating thatĀ cases ofĀ progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) have been…

Pfizer Acquires Exclusive Commercialization Rights to Generic Copaxone for Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Netherlands-based international pharmaceutical company Synthon, best known for developing complex generic therapeutics, has officially entered into an agreement with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc., effectively transferring the exclusive rights in the US to glatiramer acetate to Pfizer. Glatiramer acetate is an experimental generic formulation of Copaxone, which is indicated as a…