HONG KONG — A new multiethnic genomewide association study (GWAS) by an international research consortium has identified 12 new genetic loci influencing blood pressure and indicated a role for DNA methylation in blood pressure regulation, which could have important implications for the development of new antihypertensive treatments. Read More
SHANGHAI – Ark Biosciences Inc. successfully completed a phase I trial for AK0529, an oral drug designed to treat respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus that can be deadly in premature infants, children and the elderly by infecting the lungs and respiratory tract. Read More
HONG KONG — For the first time, biologists have successfully developed functioning whole kidneys with a urinary excretion pathway from human stem cell-generated embryonic kidneys, Japanese researchers reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Read More
HONG KONG – Genova Biotechnology Co. Ltd. is aiming to be the largest insulin maker in China, starting construction on a $1 billion manufacturing facility in Changzhou National Hi-tech District this month. Read More
Heptares Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sosei Group Corp., has been awarded a $5.5 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Together with additional funding from Heptares, the grant will support a three-year research project aimed at developing a selective antagonist for the human orexin-1 receptor for use in treating cocaine addiction and dependence, for which there are currently no approved treatments. Read More
