US Supreme Court rules patents on ‘natural’ human genes invalid
In one of the most anxiously awaited court decisions of the year, the US Supreme Court today unanimously struck down patents on isolated, natural human genes. Read more
In one of the most anxiously awaited court decisions of the year, the US Supreme Court today unanimously struck down patents on isolated, natural human genes. Read more
Advisors to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended today that the agency modify restrictions on the sale of Avandia, a diabetes drug that has been controversially linked to increased risk of heart attacks and stroke. Read more
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first cancer drug to inhibit a protein – called MEK – that acts in a pathway that fuels tumour growth. The drug, called Mekinist (trametinib), was approved on 29 May for use in advanced melanomas with specific mutations. Other MEK-targeting drugs are being studied in a wide range of tumours, including lung and thyroid cancers. Read more
The US Supreme Court has issued a unanimous ruling today that a soybean farmer violated patents when he planted genetically modified soybeans without first paying the intellectual property holder. Read more
A prestigious UK medical academy has agreed to consult for venture capitalists, to inform decisions about investments in late-stage biotechnology companies. Read more
The United States’ highest court heard arguments today in a long-running debate over the validity of patents on human genes. Read more
Thousands of researchers, patients, and patient advocates gathered together today at the Carnegie Library in Washington DC to protest funding cuts for medical research. Read more
Pharma giant GlaxoSmithKline will close Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, a firm intent on developing compounds that stave off age-related disease — and one of GSK’s most contentious acquisitions. Read more
The world needs better patient registries, improved treatments, and more research if it is to tackle the international challenge posed by cancer, according to an international panel of leading cancer organizations. Read more
A team of entrepreneurs has awarded its first round of $3 million “Breakthrough” prizes in biology and medicine. The winners were already celebrities in scientific circles, but one goal of the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences is to make them household names. Read more
Recent comments on this blog
Experiments reveal that crabs and lobsters feel pain
US research ethics agency upholds decision on informed consent
Chemistry credit disputes under the spotlight
Chemistry credit disputes under the spotlight
Contamination created controversial ‘acid-induced’ stem cells