Bolstering the notion that RNA should be considered an important drug-discovery target, scientists at Scripps Research have found that several existing, FDA-approved anti-cancer drugs may work, in part, by binding tightly to RNA, the regulators of the basic activities of life within cells. The research offers another approach for tackling diseases that have been considered “undruggable,” including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis and certain cancers.

Novartis and the European Migraine and Headache Alliance (EMHA) announced initial findings from the largest global migraine patient study to date, involving over 11,000 people from 31 countries. Migraine is a neurological disease which can vary in severity with symptoms ranging from head pain, nausea, vomiting to sensitivity to light.

Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced that the results of two open-label extension (OLE) studies of AimovigTM (erenumab-aooe) in patients with chronic and episodic migraine, respectively, will be presented at the 60th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society (AHS) in San Francisco. Results from a one-year study in chronic migraine patients reinforced the established safety and efficacy profile of Aimovig in long-term use.

A genetically modified poliovirus therapy developed at Duke Cancer Institute shows significantly improved long-term survival for patients with recurrent glioblastoma, with a three-year survival rate of 21 percent in a phase 1 clinical trial. Comparatively, just 4 percent of patients at Duke with the same type of recurring brain tumors were alive at three years when undergoing the previously available standard treatment.

26 – 27 September, London, UK.
Immuno-Oncology is a fast-paced field with massive potential to deliver successful and durable cancer therapies. SMi's Immuno-Oncology Conference will focus on a few key areas of the field with representation of the whole industry, under each area. These areas will be drawn together to look towards the future of Immuno-oncology and how the field can progress.

Novartis announced today the publication of global Clear about Psoriasis survey data in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology[1]. The publication highlights that despite clear or almost clear skin being more achievable than ever before, patients may face a long journey to attain this reality[1].

Given the choice of taking a pill or injecting oneself with a needle, most of us would opt to regulate a chronic health condition by swallowing a pill. But for millions of people living with type 1 diabetes, a painful needle prick once or twice daily is the only option for delivering the insulin that their bodies cannot produce on their own.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Epidiolex (cannabidiol) [CBD] oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, in patients two years of age and older. This is the first FDA-approved drug that contains a purified drug substance derived from marijuana. It is also the first FDA approval of a drug for the treatment of patients with Dravet syndrome.

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and Foundation Medicine, Inc. (NASDAQ: FMI) have entered into a definitive merger agreement for Roche to acquire the outstanding shares of FMI's common stock not already owned by Roche and its affiliates at a price of US$ 137.00 per share in cash. This corresponds to a total transaction value of US$ 2.4 billion on a fully diluted basis, and a total company value of US$ 5.3 billion on a fully diluted basis.

Alzheimer's disease could be better treated, thanks to a breakthrough discovery of the properties of the metals in the brain involved in the progression of the neurodegenerative condition, by an international research collaboration including the University of Warwick. Dr Joanna Collingwood, from Warwick's School of Engineering, was part of a research team which characterised iron species associated with the formation of amyloid protein plaques in the human brain – abnormal clusters of proteins in the brain.