Universitetet i Oslo

€13.6M EU-Funded PREDI-LYNCH Project Aims to Transform Cancer Screening for Lynch Syndrome Patients

3 days ago

• The PREDI-LYNCH project has received €13.6 million in EU funding to develop non-invasive liquid biopsy tests for early cancer detection in Lynch Syndrome carriers, addressing a critical unmet medical need. • Swedish diagnostics company Elypta joins 27 partners across 16 European countries in this six-year initiative (2025-2031), contributing its proprietary glycosaminoglycan-based biomarker technology. • With only 5% of Europe's estimated 2 million Lynch Syndrome carriers under cancer surveillance, the project aims to create affordable, accessible screening methods for colorectal, endometrial, and urothelial cancers.

iQure Pharma's iQ-007 Shows Promise in Preclinical Development for Neurological Disorders

7 months ago

• iQure Pharma's iQ-007, a first-in-class small molecule, has completed preclinical development for drug-resistant epilepsy, offering a novel therapeutic approach. • The molecule functions as a positive allosteric modulator of the EAAT2 glutamate transporter, crucial for managing excess glutamate levels and preventing excitotoxicity. • Researchers suggest iQ-007 could have broader applications for treating neurological, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. • Clinical trials for iQ-007 are scheduled to commence next year, marking a significant step toward potential commercialization and treatment availability.

Metformin Use by Fathers Not Linked to Increased Birth Defect Risk, Study Finds

7 months ago

• A new study of over 3 million pregnancies found no significant association between fathers taking metformin and congenital malformations in offspring. • The research contradicts a previous Danish study that suggested a 40% increased risk of birth defects in children of men using metformin. • The findings offer reassurance to clinicians and men with type 2 diabetes planning a family, supporting informed treatment decisions. • Researchers analyzed data from Norway and Taiwan, controlling for factors like type 2 diabetes, to reach their conclusions.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges in Conducting Randomized Trials of Public Health Measures

7 months ago

• A review of proposed randomized trials during the COVID-19 pandemic reveals significant hurdles in conducting research on public health and social measures. • Stringent informed consent requirements, particularly under the Norwegian Health Research Act, posed a major legal and ethical barrier to trial implementation. • Political reluctance and practical challenges, such as unpredictable disease incidence and changing regulations, further hindered the execution of these trials. • Future efforts should focus on securing political support, revising consent requirements, and establishing rapid-response research protocols for health emergencies.

AI and Multi-Omics Drive Breakthrough Advances in Anti-Aging Drug Development

9 months ago

• Recent advances in AI, deep learning, and multi-omics technologies have enabled researchers to identify key pathways for anti-aging drug development, with promising results emerging from early clinical trials. • Multiple FDA-approved drugs, including rapamycin and metformin, have demonstrated anti-aging potential, leading to increased investment in drug repurposing and development of improved variants. • Major biotech companies like Rubedo Life Sciences, Aeovian Pharmaceuticals, and Insilico Medicine are advancing novel anti-aging drug candidates, with total industry investment reaching $6.2 billion in 2021.