biologic

Gene deletion study defuses disease risk from fat

Mon, 07 May 2007 20:01:39 -0400

A new study in mice raises the possibility that humans may one day be able to eat any kind of fat they want without raising their risk of heart disease. The study involved deleting a gene in the mice that causes production of ACAT2, an enzyme that alters the molecular structure of cholesterol so that it can be transported to the body's cells.

"We deleted an enzyme in mice and they could eat any type of fat and not get heart disease," said Lawrence Rudel, Ph.D., a professor of comparative medicine. "If you're a mouse, it's great. Of course, we don't know yet if it will be the same in humans."

- read the release for more information

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Drug switches on fat-burning gene in mice

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 20:01:39 -0400

Ronald M. Evans, an investigator at The Salk Institute in San Diego, has developed a drug that switches on the PPAR-d gene in mice, protecting them against weight gain from high-calorie and high-fat diets. The drug--which mimics fat--triggers their metabolisms and generates a physical response similar to exercising. After treatment, the mice had lower levels of fatty acids, triglyceride and sugar levels. These mice also exhibited much greater stamina, allowing them to exercise twice as long as normal. The response earned the rodents in the study the name of "marathon mice." The PPAR-d target is already the focus of several research programs by pharmaceutical companies. While the research obviously has far to go, Evans is quick to point out that a successful therapy would still work best in combination with diet and exercise. It would also have a dramatic impact on epidemic rates of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

- read the HealthDay News report on the research work

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Biotech research bill rings up at $1.2B average

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 19:01:39 -0500

Biotech drugs take longer and cost more than the traditional medicines fielded by the FDA, according to a new survey from Tufts University's Center for the Study of Drug Development. On average, a complex biologic costs $1.2 billion to approval over a period of 97.7 months. That's 7.4 months longer and much higher than the $899 million average cost the center figured for traditional meds in 2005. The numbers are likely to be heavily featured in the debate over the retail cost of biologics. Many new biotech drugs are coming onto the market with six-figure price tags. The developers want everyone to know that there is a substantial investment that has to be covered when marketing a new biotech. One stat in biotech's favor: approval ratings. The FDA approved 30.2 percent of biotech applications compared to 21.5 percent coming out of the traditional pipeline.

- read the report on the costs from the San Diego Union-Tribune

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