News

Scilligence has joined the Accenture research platform open partner ecosystem, which will allow for the integration of Scilligence’s informatics solutions. The Accenture research platform is an open partner ecosystem designed to help independent software vendors and life sciences companies collaborate more effectively to speed up drug discovery initiatives and enhance patient outcomes. “The Accenture research platform delivers an exciting cloud-based ecosystem for life sciences R&D informatics. Scilligence is proud to contribute to this platform,” said Jinbo Lee, CSO and co-founder of Scilligence. more

Thetis Pharmaceuticals reports that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted US Patent No. 10,130,719 providing composition of matter patent protection for its TP-317 drug candidate, a novel derivative of Resolvin E1 (RvE1) targeted at inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and for novel derivatives of D-Series Resolvins. Resolvins, part of the superfamily of Specialized Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediators (SPMs), are endogenous lipid autacoids that play a critical role in regulating inflammation resolution and tissue repair throughout the body. more

Researchers from Yale’s Strittmatter Laboratory have discovered a molecular compound that reverses memory deficits in genetically modified mice, opening new pathways for the development of pharmaceutical therapies targeting Alzheimer’s disease. A research team led by Stephen Strittmatter, School of Medicine professor of neurology and director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, and Erik Gunther, School of Medicine research scientist in neurology, identified a set of polymers that can cross the blood-brain barrier and restore cognitive function when administered orally. more

Much of the research on HIV has focused on preventing infection but little is understood about how the body keeps the virus in check post-infection. A new study by Yale investigators reveals the role of a protein that serves to block HIV gene expression once it has entered human cells. The research team, led by Manabu Taura, a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of immunobiologist Akiko Iwasaki, studied T cell lines infected with latent HIV. more

Vistara Bioscience is developing proteomics processes and bioinformatics for detecting networks of proteins and accessory factors which are in close collaboration with proteins of clinical interest. The networks serve as biomarker panels to follow along the drug discovery process, and additionally, may suggest combinatorial targets or new ones. more

Lipid Genomics, a UConn Health startup, reports that its exclusive lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG3) biologic patent has been issued an allowance by the US Patent Trademark Office. The LAG3 biologic may provide physicians and other healthcare providers a unique therapeutic to manage cardiovascular and immune diseases in their patients. It was invented by Dr. Annabelle Rodriguez-Oquendo, M.D., endowed professor in the Department of Cell Biology at UConn Health in Farmington, and licensed exclusively to Lipid Genomics.. more

After months of consideration, Hartford HealthCare (HHC), Connecticut's second largest health system, announced plans Monday to raise its minimum hourly wage to $15 in March. Connecticut last increased its minimum wage from $8.70 to $10.10 over three years ending Jan. 2017. more

With the ongoing development of a new tool aimed at providing early detection of ovarian and endometrial cancers, a Danbury doctor and his research team may be on the cusp of a major medical breakthrough. The new tool in question is a novel liquid biopsy technique that has shown potential for earlier detection of gynecological cancers through a more comfortable, convenient and cost-effective screening. more

In the competitive academic job market, it’s estimated there is one tenure track position available for every six recent Ph.D. graduates. To help educate students on non-academic career options, postdoctoral fellow Giulia Vigone and graduate student Robert Pijewski have established the Academia-Industry Opportunities Group (AIOG) at UConn Health. more

Guilford-based Bioasis has appointed Christine Antalik chief financial officer. “Christine has a proven track record in finance, including financing transactions, business development, strategic planning and guiding companies through significant growth. Her contributions will be critical as we work to strengthen the company’s market profile and continue to execute on our mission to advance our internal pipeline and license our proprietary xB3 platform technology,” said Mark Day, Ph.D., director, president and chief executive officer. Bioasis is developing technologies for therapeutics that cross the blood-brain barrier. more