Researchers from West China Hospital of Sichuan University presented data from a study that aimed to investigate the associations between serum cystatin C (CysC) levels and the progression and survival of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Just over a year since the last anti-nerve growth factor (NGF) antibody program was axed, the target is poised for a revival, with Levicept Ltd. announcing it has completed recruitment to a phase II trial of LEVI-04 in the control of chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis.

All treatment groups in Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s phase II study of the non-opioid VX-548 showed meaningful reductions in pain from baseline in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), pointing the company toward pivotal phase III studies and prompting analysts to applaud enthusiastically.

With an urgent need to create new technologies to improve the detection of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), researchers from the University of Birmingham, U.K., have designed and developed a diagnostic device that can detect TBI by shining a laser into the eye.

Integra Lifesciences Holdings Corp. agreed to acquire Acclarent Inc. from Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon Inc. subsidiary for $275 million in cash at closing with a further $5 million contingent on achievement of certain regulatory milestones.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is associated with loss of synaptic connectivity at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and loss of motor neurons.

Vanqua Bio Inc. announced that its development candidate VQ-101, a best-in-class brain-penetrant small-molecule allosteric activator of glucocerebrosidase (GCase), will enter clinical development in the first quarter of next year, with an initial indication in Parkinson’s disease.