June 2016

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that results in demyelination of neurons. The FDA-approved drug fingolimod (Gilenya, FTY-720) modulates signaling by the bioactive lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), which is linked to MS pathogenesis.

The competition is fierce and only the strongest survive the obstacle course within the female reproductive tract. Of the millions of sperm that enter the vagina, only about 10 or so make it to the oocyte or egg, demonstrating how rigorous the natural sperm selection process really is. So how is it possible to select only the best sperm for assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization? That's what a researcher at Florida Atlantic University is aiming to do with his microfluidic technology for reproductive medicine.

New Haven, Conn. A new study by a Yale researcher may support the use of a device for patients suffering from irregular heart rhythms.

People with diabetes often suffer from wounds that are slow to heal and can lead to ulcers, gangrene and amputation. New research from an international group led by Min Zhao, professor of ophthalmology and of dermatology at the University of California, Davis, shows that, in animal models of diabetes, slow healing is associated with weaker electrical currents in wounds. The results could ultimately open up new approaches for managing diabetic patients.

Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., a subsidiary of Endo International plc announced that, based on discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Company has been notified that an Advisory Committee of the FDA will be convened in the fall of 2016 to review the Company's Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for OPANA® ER. As a result of the Advisory Committee meeting, the current Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of July 29, 2016 for the OPANA® ER sNDA will not be met and the action on the supplement is expected to be taken by the FDA as soon as possible following the Advisory Committee meeting.

Roche  announced that the European Commission has approved Gazyvaro® (obinutuzumab) in combination with bendamustine chemotherapy followed by Gazyvaro maintenance in people with follicular lymphoma who did not respond or who progressed during or up to six months after treatment with MabThera® (rituximab) or a MabThera-containing regimen.