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Novel Strategy For Treating Obesity Suggested By Creation of Energy-Burning Brown Fat In Mice
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have shown that they can engineer mouse and human cells to produce brown fat, a natural energy-burning type of fat that counteracts obesity. If such a strategy can be developed for use in people, the scientists say, it could open a novel approach to treating obesity and diabetes.

Michigan Lawmakers Approve Request For State Health Agency To Use Private Funds For HIV/AIDS Program
The Michigan Department of Community Health recently received approval from state lawmakers to use $3.2 million in private funds to support the state"s AIDS Drug Assistance Program, the AP/Detroit News reports. Michigan"s House and Senate Appropriations Committees also approved requests by other state agencies to shift funds as a means to continue public programs that were affected by budget cuts ordered last month (Eggert, AP/Detroit News, 6/4).
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Schumer Preparing Strong Public Plan Option
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., a member of the key Senate Finance Committee and advocate for a government-run health insurance plan, said yesterday he would abandon all other possible compromises in favor of immediately creating a public plan that "would operate on "a level playing field" with private insurers," CongressDaily reports. Other proposals have included a plan that would establish health insurance co-ops with government seed money or "trigger" the creation of a public plan only if private insurers fail to meet certain targets for containing costs and improving access.
Endocrinology

Argenta Discovery Announces Entry Into Phase I For First Candidate From Collaboration With AstraZeneca To Develop Improved Inhaled Bronchodilators

Argenta Discovery Limited, the respiratory drug discovery and development company, announces a major milestone in its joint programme with AstraZeneca aimed at identifying improved inhaled bronchodilators to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This important milestone marks the first candidate drug from the collaboration to enter Phase I safety and tolerability studies. This drug candidate is on track to enter Phase II "proof-of-concept" trials later this year. The original agreement between the two companies was announced in January 2007. Scientists from the two companies are collaborating to identify long-acting muscarinic (M3) antagonist (LAMA) and dual-acting muscarinic antagonist-í²2 agonist (MABA) candidate drugs. These compounds will be developed as once-daily, inhaled mono or combination therapies. AstraZeneca will be responsible for the development and worldwide commercialisation of products arising out of the collaboration. Dependent upon success, Argenta is eligible for further development, regulatory and sales milestone payments. Royalties will also be payable to Argenta. Commenting on the progress, Dr. Christopher Ashton, Argenta Discovery"s CEO, said, "The programme continues to deliver beyond the expectations of both parties and we are firmly on track to achieve our joint strategic goals for the programme." Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease state characterized by airflow obstruction that is progressive and current therapies, including inhaled corticosteroids, fail to treat disease progression. COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with an overall prevalence in adults over 40 years currently estimated at between 9 and 10%. Unlike many other major diseases, deaths due to COPD are increasing and the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates by 2030 that COPD will be the third leading cause of mortality and fifth leading cause of morbidity in the world. Thus there is a high level of unmet medical need for this progressive and debilitating disease. About Argenta Discovery Argenta Discovery was founded in August 2000. Argenta has expertise in chronic respiratory diseases, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and severe asthma. The company has generated a portfolio of pre-clinical bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory programmes with the goal of demonstrating clinical proof-of-concept. In 2009, Argenta completed its first Phase II clinical trial with ADC4022, an investigational medicine for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and severe asthma. Argenta also has a contract research division that provides integrated drug discovery services to a range of leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide. Argenta employs approximately 160 people and is based in Harlow, Welwyn Garden City and Slough, UK. For more information about Argenta Discovery, please visit www.argentadiscovery.com AstraZeneca


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