Drug Induces Mutations in Genetic Material of the Influenza Virus

Technology Networks | October 24, 2019

A new antiviral drug that induces mutations in the genetic material of influenza virus is highly effective in treating influenza infection in animals and human airway tissue and could be a groundbreaking advance in influenza therapy, according to a study by the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University. The antiviral drug blocks RNA polymerase, the enzyme that plays a central role in replicating the genome of influenza virus, causing mutations in the viral genome. If enough mutations occur, the genome becomes nonfunctional and the virus cannot replicate. The findings were published online on Oct. 23 in Science Translational Medicine. “The compound is highly efficacious against influenza,” said Dr. Richard Plemper, senior author of the study and a professor in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences. “It’s orally available, it’s broad spectrum against all influenza virus strains tested, and most important it establishes a high barrier against viral escape from inhibition.” Influenza, caused by a contagious respiratory virus, is characterized by fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, severe malaise, sore throat and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients in higher risk groups, such as older adults and individuals with compromised immune systems, frequently require hospitalization. Each year, seasonal influenza results in 30,000 to 80,000 fatalities in the United States. The seasonal flu vaccine is only moderately effective, and licensed antivirals are compromised by rapidly emerging viral resistance to the drugs.

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A lubricant is a substance that helps to reduce friction between surfaces in mutual contact, which ultimately reduces the heat generated when the surfaces move. It may also have the function of transmitting forces,

Spotlight

A lubricant is a substance that helps to reduce friction between surfaces in mutual contact, which ultimately reduces the heat generated when the surfaces move. It may also have the function of transmitting forces,

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Epredia and Aiforia Join ReMDO’s RegeneratOR Innovation Accelerator

Epredia | January 19, 2023

On January 18, 2023, PHC Group, a healthcare company renowned in diagnostics and life sciences, announced that it would join the RegeneratOR Innovation Accelerator to grow its presence in regenerative medicine. The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) and the RegenMed Development Organization (ReMDO) are the two institutions expediting the discovery and translation of regenerative medicine therapeutics located in the Innovation Quarter. PHC Group, being an early partner of ReMDO's RegeneratOR Test Bed, offered advanced tissue processing technologies as well as support to researchers for prototype and product development. In addition, another ReMDO program, the Innovation Accelerator, was formed to give space and support to companies with innovative or emerging regenerative medicine technologies. PHC Group is now opening a local office within the Innovation Accelerator. Its holding companies and partners include Epredia, a precision cancer diagnostics company whose products are used by researchers and pathologists worldwide, and Aiforia, a medical software company that develops artificial intelligence software for image analysis in pathology. Aiforia's collection of preclinical and clinical pathology instruments is distributed globally by Epredia. The firms work together to deliver slide imaging and AI-based solutions that enable researchers to investigate and extract information beyond the scope of human visual perception. Thus, clinical research, drug discovery, and translational studies with the goal of better understanding disease states are all linked together through diagnostic microscopic imaging and artificial intelligence. PHC Group's presence, along with Epredia and Aiforia's superior technology assistance at the Innovation Accelerator, will also pave the path for RegeneratOR's newest initiative, the RegenMed Clinical Trials Catalyst. As a part of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the academic core of the newly merged Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health, the Catalyst will have access to 5.5 million patients, serving 67 hospitals in North Carolina, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Illinois. About Epredia Epredia is a leading comprehensive laboratory solutions provider for instruments and consumables in anatomic pathology, histology, and cytology. It was established through an acquisition by PHC Group from Thermo Fisher Scientific. The company provides solutions for cancer diagnostics through its renowned brands: Richard Allen Scientific, Erie Scientific, Microm, Shandon, and Menzel-Glaser. Epredia is committed to realizing its aim of advancing cancer diagnostics for patients worldwide in order to save lives.

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Shields Health Solutions Increases Specialty Pharmacy Services Nationwide

Shields Health Solutions | January 12, 2023

Shields Health Solutions (ShieldsRx), one of the leading specialty pharmacy accelerators, informed that the company has now collaborated with more than 850 hospitals at over 75 health systems after adding four more health systems. ShieldsRx health system partners are well-positioned to improve therapy management and care coordination for critical patients, improving outcomes through high-quality care. Its health systems serve 1 million patients in 44 states. Matt Conway, Chief Commercial Growth Officer of ShieldsRx stated, "As the foremost expert in health system specialty pharmacy, Shields has proven successful in partnering with health system leaders to develop integrated programs that deliver superior experiences and outcomes for complex patients." He further stated, "Not only do these programs deliver measurable clinical results but integrating specialty pharmacy within the health system also creates the net operating income health systems need to succeed. These proven clinical and financial results are why so many leading health systems trust Shields to elevate access, outcomes and growth within specialty pharmacy." (Source- PRNewswire) ShieldsRx's expansion with new health system partnerships includes MyMichigan Health: Midland-based MyMichigan Health serves 25 counties. Its urgent care, home health, virtual care, and medical offices offer a broad spectrum of care in over 30 specialties and subspecialties. Nemours Children's Health: Nemours Children's Health, the nation's most extensive multistate pediatric health system, has two free-standing children's hospitals and over 70 general and specialized care practices. Solution Health: Phoenix Children's Care Network, Arizona's leading children's hospital, offers over 1,175 pediatric primary care professionals and specialists in over 75 subspecialties. Traditional specialty pharmacy patients had to tackle administrative difficulties like prior authorization and expensive medical bills alone. Shields' expansion facilitated value-based reimbursement. About Shields Health Solutions Shields Health Solutions is a leading specialized pharmacy accelerator. Its Performance Platform is designed to improve payer and drug access for specialty pharmacies, improve health outcomes for complex patients, and promote growth across the entire health system. The company has access to over 80% of limited distribution medications (LDDs) and major health insurance payers in the U.S. along with a clinical strategy that lowers the total cost of treatment by 13%. ShieldsRx has collaborated with more than 70 health systems to deliver measurable clinical and financial benefits.

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Massive Bio and NeoGenomics Announce Collaboration to Accelerate Oncology Drug Discovery and Improve Patient Care

Businesswire | March 27, 2023

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