News

Potential Lupus Therapy, hCDR1, Granted a European Union Patent

XTL Biopharmaceuticals announced that a patent has been issued covering the Europe Union for its leading drug candidate, hCDR1 (edratide), a potential treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The European Patent Office issue (EP1594434) is titled “Parenteral Formulations of Peptides for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,” and covers formulations…

Cells Driving Lupus Kidney Disease Identified by Researchers

Researchers at the Singapore Immunology Network at A*STAR have found that immune dendritic cells are crucial for the development of kidney disease in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study, “RNA sensing by conventional dendritic cells is central to the development of lupus nephritis,” was published in the journal…

Adenosine Receptor May Offer Way of Moderating Immune Response in Lupus

Researchers found a specific class of adenosine receptors called A2A that works to counter the immune cell hyperactivation observed in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and may be a new target for disease treatment. The study, “A2A adenosine receptor upregulation correlates with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus…

Circulating RNA Levels May be Potential Lupus Biomarkers

A  recently published clinical study announced by Resolve Therapeutics shows that the levels of blood circulating RNA are connected to disease activity and immune stimulating gene expression in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The finding offers new treatment target for the disease. The study,  “Blood-borne RNA correlates with disease activity and…

Anthera Names William Shanahan Its CMO, Will Lead Close of Phase 3 Lupus Study

Anthera Pharmaceuticals announced that William Shanahan, MD, has been appointed its chief medical officer, with responsibilities that include advancing a potential treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) now in a Phase 3 clinical study. Shanahan, a rheumatologist, brings to the company years of experience in drug development, and will lead the analysis of results…

Idera Details Workings of 3G Antisense Technology, Potential Lupus Therapy

Idera Pharmaceuticals recently presented pre-clinical data on the mechanisms of action behind its antisense (3GA) technology platform, a gene silencing technology whose potential disease indications include, but are not limited to, lupus nephritis. Idera’s 3GA technology specifically silences disease-causing genes using small molecules called oligonucleotides, which offer an improvement over…