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VBL Therapeutics to Present Anti-Inflammatory Properties of VBL-201 at Keystone Symposium

June 2, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

TEL AVIV, Israel–(Business Wire)–
VBL Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to the
development of novel treatments for immune-inflammatory diseases and cancer,
today announced that the company will present preclinical data from its lead
program, VB-201, at the Keystone Symposium on Bioactive Lipids: Biochemistry and
Diseases. Eyal Breitbart, Ph.D., vice president, research at VBL is scheduled to
present a poster entitled “Lecinoxoids – Novel Anti-inflammatory Oxidized
Phospholipids” on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. JST in Kyoto, Japan.

The Keystone Symposium on Bioactive Lipids: Biochemistry and Diseases is a forum
for scientists to share their progress in lipid mediators and the translation
from model systems to an understanding of their role in human physiology,
disease and drug action. Keystone Symposia are recognized as catalysts for
advancing biomedical and life sciences by connecting scientists within and
across disciplines in an environment conducive to information exchange, the
generation of new ideas, and acceleration of applications that benefit society.

VB-201 is the first in a new class of drugs and the lead candidate of several
proprietary phospholipid analogs from VBL`s proprietary Lecinoxoid family that
were designed to be orally available, anti-inflammatory medicines. VB-201 has
successfully completed four Phase 1 clinical trials involving 120 healthy
subjects under a U.S. investigational new drug (IND) application. These Phase 1
trials demonstrated that VB-201 was well tolerated with a favorable safety
profile. Preclinical studies indicate that VB-201 has significant potential to
treat inflammation in chronic diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis,
multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and also found to bring about
regression of atherosclerosis. VB-201 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2
efficacy and safety study for the treatment of patients with psoriasis.

About VBL Therapeutics

VBL Therapeutics is an innovative, clinical-stage biotechnology company
committed to the development of novel treatments for immune-inflammatory
diseases and cancer. VBL has pioneered the Lecinoxoid class of oral
anti-inflammatory agents and VB-201 is the lead candidate from this program,
which has entered Phase 2 clinical development in patients with psoriasis. In
addition, VBL has a proprietary Vascular Targeting System (VTS) technology
platform that has yielded VB-111, the first dual-action, anti-angiogenic and
vascular disruptive agent (VDA) for cancer, which is expected to enter Phase 2
clinical trials in 2010. The company was founded in 2000 and is based in Tel
Aviv, Israel. VBL has more than 60 granted patents and more than 115 patents
pending. For more information on the company, please visit www.vblrx.com.

Pure Communications
Dan Budwick, 973-271-6085

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Anti Inflammatory Medicines, Benefit Society, Biotechnology Company, chronic diseases, Human Physiology, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory diseases, Israel Business, Keystone Symposia, Keystone Symposium, kyoto japan, Lipid Mediators, novel treatments, Oxidized Phospholipids, Phase 1 Clinical Trials, preclinical data, preclinical studies, rheumatoid arthritis, tel aviv israel, Vice President Research

VBL Therapeutics to Present Anti-Inflammatory Properties of VBL-201 at Keystone Symposium

June 2, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

About VBL Therapeutics

Pure Communications
Dan Budwick, 973-271-6085

How omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation

May 3, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, May 3 (ANI): Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found new mediators that not only can explain how omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, but also hint at novel treatments for a host of diseases linked to inflammatory processes.

Dr. Bruce A. Freeman said that there is strong evidence that eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as some fish, plant-derived oils and nuts, or taking omega-3s as a dietary supplement reduces inflammation and lowers the risk of illness and death from cardiovascular and other inflammatory diseases.

“What has been a provocative question for people familiar with these impressive clinical actions is how omega-3 fatty acids actually induce such beneficial pharmacological effects. This study has given us fresh and revealing perspective into that process,” Nature quoted him as saying.

In the study, also led by Dr. Francisco J. Schopfer, the researchers examined metabolic byproducts of omega-3 fatty acids that are produced by activated macrophages, a type of immune cell that is always present in inflamed tissue, and discovered previously unknown biochemical mediators of inflammation.

They used a small molecule called beta-mercaptoethanol (BME) as a reactive bait, and “hooked” several derivatives of omega-3 fatty acids that were produced by immune cells.

These derivatives were chemically modified to become electrophilic fatty acid oxidation products (EFOX), meaning they are attracted to electrons and therefore react with critical molecular targets in many different cell types.

By interacting with certain protein residues that have electrons available for chemical binding, these derivatives stimulate changes in cellular protein function and the genetic expression patterns of cells, resulting in a broad range of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses.

The research team found that an enzyme called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is the molecular target of common drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen, mediates the transformation of omega-3 fatty acids into EFOX.

Notably, cellular EFOX concentrations were significantly increased in the presence of aspirin, suggesting another mechanism for that drug”s beneficial effects.

“There is a lot of evidence that supports minimizing inflammation as a fundamental therapy for many diseases. Our new insights help explain in part the multitude of beneficial actions observed for both omega-3 fatty acids and aspirin, and the discovery of this new class of omega-3 fatty acid-derived anti-inflammatory mediators could point drug development activities in new and fruitful directions,” said Freeman.

For example, drugs that, like aspirin, enhance the production of EFOX could be of value, or new agents might be synthesized that are able to induce anti-inflammatory signals that are similar to those induced by EFOX, he explained.

The findings were published in the online version of Nature Chemical Biology. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: 3 fatty acids, cellular protein, cox 2, expression patterns, fatty acid oxidation, Fish Plant, genetic expression, immune cells, inflammatory diseases, Mediators Of Inflammation, molecular target, molecular targets, novel treatments, omega 3 fatty acids, omega 3s, Oxidation Products, Protein Function, Protein Residues, Provocative Question, university of pittsburgh school of medicine

New discovery to pave way for novel treatments of alcohol dependence

July 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, July 1 (ANI): Scientists have identified a brain mechanism linked with alcohol addiction that involves the stomach hormone ghrelin, a discovery that may lead to new therapies for addictions like alcohol dependence.

The researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, have observed that blocking ghrelin’s actions in the brain can reduce alcohol’s effects on the reward system.

Ghrelin is a hormone produced by the stomach and, by signalling in the brain, it increases hunger.

Its involvement in alcohol addiction highlights the reward system of the brain as a key target for ghrelin’s effects.

“Ghrelin’s actions in the brain may be of importance for all kinds of addictions, including chemical drugs such as alcohol and even food,” said Suzanne Dickson, Professor of Physiology, a leading expert in appetite regulation.

The researchers showed that mice treated with ghrelin increase their alcohol consumption.

When ghrelin’s actions are blocked, for example, by administering ghrelin receptor antagonists, mice no longer show preference for an alcohol-associated environment.

This means that alcohol is no longer able to produce its addictive effects that include reward-searching behaviour (similar to craving in alcoholic patients).

“If we can develop drugs that block the receptors for ghrelin, we could have a new effective treatment for alcohol dependence. It may however take several years until such a pharmacological treatment will reach the patient”, said a co-author of the study.

Alcohol dependence is a complex and chronic disease that leads to adverse consequences affecting not only the patient but also their immediate family, and it also has a profound economic burden on society.

The results of the study will be published in the renowned American scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). (ANI)

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Scientists identify alcohol-binding site in the brain

June 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, June 29 (ANI): Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have a step closer to understanding how alcohol alters the way brain cells work.

The researchers say that they have identified a binding site for alcohol in an ion channel that plays a key role in several brain functions associated with drugs of abuse and seizures.

They believe that their results could lead to the development of novel treatments for alcoholism, drug addiction, and epilepsy.

Ethanol, the alcohol in intoxicating beverages, is known to alter the communication between brain cells.

“There’s been a lot of interest in the field to find out how alcohol acts in the brain,” Nature magazine quoted Dr. Paul A. Slesinger, an associate professor in the Peptide Biology Laboratory at the Salk Institute, as saying.

“One of several views held that ethanol works by interacting directly with ion channel proteins, but there were no studies that visualized the site of association,” added the lead researcher.

He says that his study has shown that alcohols directly interact with a specific nook contained within a channel protein.

According to him, this ion channel plays a key role in several brain functions associated with drugs of abuse and seizures.

In their previous research, Slesinger’s team focused on the neural function of these ion channels, called GIRK channels, which open up during periods of chemical communication between neurons and dampen the signal, creating the equivalent of a short circuit.

“When GIRKs open in response to neurotransmitter activation, potassium ions leak out of the neuron, decreasing neuronal activity,” says UCSD Biology graduate student and first author Prafulla Aryal.

While alcohols have been previously shown to open up GIRK channels, no study ever determined whether this was a direct effect or whether this was the by-product of other molecular changes in the cell.

The researchers say that the identification of the location of a physical alcohol-binding site important for GIRK channel activation could point to new strategies for treating related brain diseases.

They believe that this protein structure may be used to develop a drug that antagonizes the actions of alcohol for the treatment of alcohol dependence.

“(Alternatively) If we could find a novel drug that fits the alcohol-binding site and then activate GIRK channels, this would dampen overall neuronal excitability in the brain and perhaps provide a new tool for treating epilepsy,” says Slesinger.

A research article describing the study has been published in the journal Nature Neuroscience. (ANI)

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Energy-burning brown fat’s presence in adults offers new obesity treatment strategy

April 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, April 17 (ANI): Swedish researchers have found that adults use brown fat to convert energy into heat, a finding that may lead to novel treatments for overweight and obesity.

Sven Enerback, Professor at the Institute of Biomedicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, points out that the brown fat found in infants is traditionally believed to disappear as a person grows up.

However, the researcher insists, the new study has shown the presence of brown fat cells in the lower part of the neck in adults, just above their collarbones.

During the study, the researchers tested the region of brown fat cells in the neck by placing five volunteers, in thin clothing, in a chilly room for a couple of hours.

Using PET scanning, the researchers studied this region, and found that metabolism there was on average 15 times higher than in the neighbouring white fat tissue.

Prof. Enerback says that the result suggests that the brown fat may play a significant role in metabolism.

The expert believes that this finding may pave the way for new and better ways of treating obesity.

Prof. Enerback reckons that any such novel treatments would be based on an exciting strategy that focuses on increasing the amount of fat burnt by the body, instead of focusing solely on reducing the intake of energy.

A report on this study has been published in The New England Journal of Medicine. (ANI)

Filed Under: Health News Tagged With: adults, biomedicine, brown fat, collarbones, england journal of medicine, fat cells, journal of medicine, medicine, metabolism, New England, new england journal, new england journal of medicine, novel treatments, Obesity Treatment, Overweight And Obesity, presence, researcher, sahlgrenska, Swedish researchers, treatment strategy, volunteers

Stressful memories may soon be history

March 18, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, Mar 18 (ANI): Scientists have suggested a new strategy to treat the distress related to traumatic memories.

Their strategy is based on the study of a drug, RU38486, which blocks the effects of the stress hormone cortisol.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is among the most common and disabling psychiatric casualties of combat and other extremely stressful situations.

People suffering from PTSD often suffer from vivid intrusive memories of their traumas.

Current medications are often ineffective in controlling these symptoms and so novel treatments are needed urgently.

Using an animal model of traumatic memory, researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine has shown that treatment with RU38486 selectively reduces stress-related memories, leaving other memories unchanged.

They also found that the effectiveness of the treatment is a function of the intensity of the initial “trauma.”

Although this particular study was performed in rats, their findings help to set the stage for trials in humans.

Cristina Alberini, Ph.D., co-author of the study, explained how the findings would translate into developing clinical parameters: “First, the drug should be administered shortly before or after recalling the memory of the traumatic event. Second, one or two treatments are sufficient to maximally disrupt the memory.

“Third, the effect is long lasting and selective for the recalled memory. Finally, the time elapsing between the traumatic experience and the treatment seems to be an important parameter for obtaining the most efficacious treatment,” Alberini added.

Alberini said that “these results suggest that carefully designed combinations of behavioral and pharmacological therapies may represent novel, effective treatments for PTSD or other anxiety disorders.”

The study has published in the February 1st issue of Biological Psychiatry. (ANI)

Filed Under: Science News Tagged With: ANI, animal, animal model, anxiety, anxiety disorders, biological, Biological Psychiatry, Clinical Parameters, co-author, combat, cortisol, Cristina Alberini, disorder, distress, drug, effect, effectiveness, Efficacious Treatment, event, experience, February, function, history, hormone, Initial Trauma, intensity, Intrusive Memories, issue, mar, medicine, memory, model, mount, mount sinai school, mount sinai school of medicine, novel, novel treatments, parameter, Pharmacological Therapies, Posttraumatic, psychiatry, ptsd, school, school of medicine, sinai, stage, strategy, stress, Stress Disorder, Stress Hormone Cortisol, Stressful, stressful situations, study, third, time, trauma, Traumatic Event, traumatic experience, Traumatic Memories, Traumatic Memory, treatment, Washington

Sperm-binding proteins’ cloning brings new infertility treatments closer to reality

March 18, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Washington, March 18 (ANI): Scientists at the University of Montreal and Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center may have reached a step closer to realising novel treatments for infertility, for thy have for the first time cloned important sperm-binding proteins.

The researchers say that their success in producing and purifying a protein key to sperm maturation, termed Binder of Sperm (BSP), may have implications for both fertility treatments and new methods of male contraception.

“We have previously isolated and characterized BSPs from many species, such as bulls and boars,” says Dr. Puttaswamy Manjunath, senior author and a professor in the departments of medicine and of biochemistry at the University of Montreal and a member of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre.

“We know from these studies that if this protein is missing or defective in these species, fertility is compromised. We believe that BSP is equally important in humans,” the researcher added.

In most mammals, BSPs are typically produced by the seminal vesicles and added to sperm at ejaculation. Yet this is not the case for humans, primates and rodents.

Dr.Manjunath says that these species produce small amounts of BSPs only in the epididymis, a duct that connects the testes to the urethra.

“For a few years, we were looking in the wrong place. In addition, the minute quantities of BSP produced in humans has made it impossible to isolate and characterize,” says Dr. Manjunath.

He and his colleagues used molecular biology technique to clone the gene (DNA) that encodes human BSP, which enabled them to produce and purify this protein.

“After considerable troubleshooting, we were able to produce functional human BSP. Our next steps are to confirm its biological role in human fertility,” says Dr. Manjunath.

A research article on the breakthrough work has been published in the journal Molecular Human Reproduction. (ANI)

Filed Under: Health News Tagged With: binding proteins, biological role, boars, breakthrough work, BSP, bsps, epididymis, fertility treatments, human fertility, infertility treatments, maisonneuve rosemont, male contraception, minute quantities, molecular biology, molecular human reproduction, novel treatments, research article, seminal vesicles, University Of Montreal, urethra

VBL Therapeutics to Present Anti-Inflammatory Properties of VBL-201 at Keystone Symposium

VBL Therapeutics to Present Anti-Inflammatory Properties of VBL-201 at Keystone Symposium

How omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation

New discovery to pave way for novel treatments of alcohol dependence

Scientists identify alcohol-binding site in the brain

Energy-burning brown fat’s presence in adults offers new obesity treatment strategy

Stressful memories may soon be history

Sperm-binding proteins’ cloning brings new infertility treatments closer to reality

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