Human Genetic Variation Alters Anthrax Toxin Sensitivity
Martchenko, Candille et al., PNAS
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine show that genetic variation affecting capillary morphogenesis gene 2, or CMG2, dramatically alters toxin sensitivity in humans. In its analysis, the team reports on "a CMG2 single-nucleotide polymorphism occurring frequently in African and European populations [that they found] independently altered toxin uptake." The group goes on to suggest "testing of genomically characterized human cell populations may offer a broadly useful strategy for elucidating effects of genetic variation on infectious disease susceptibility."
'Pay for Delay'
July 09, 2009
The EU's competition commissioner issued the final report from investigating the delays in generic drugs coming to the market, reports the Wall Street Journal's Health Blog. The report acknowledged that innovation difficulties and regulation affect the time it takes to get a generic to market and suggested that the EU have a single patent and litigation system. However, the report also calls for keeping a sharper eye on pharmaceutical companies, "particularly the practice known as 'pay for delay', where generic makers strike a deal with branded companies to delay entry of generic competition into the marketplace," the Health Blog says, adding that separate antitrust investigations have begun into generics makers Les Laboratoires Servier and Teva.