Phase II research

Stem cells: will they redefine stroke treatment?

Researchers are investigating whether stem cells can be used to restore brain tissue and reverse disability in people who have suffered a stroke, or even to stop the damage from happening in the first place. Recent trial results indicate that the field is making progress towards human application.…

Cannabis for epilepsy: is there enough evidence of efficacy?

Parents of children with treatment-resistant epilepsy are searching for something to help, and some are turning to cannabis to try to reduce seizure frequency. With clinical trials of cannabidiol-based drugs under way, evidence for this treatment option may soon be forthcoming. However, concerns rem…

European Medicines Agency consults on guideline for first-in-human clinical trials

The European Medicines Agency is seeking views on changes made to its guideline governing first-in-human clinical trials.…

Seeking a cure for HIV

Efforts to find a cure for HIV were reinvigorated in 2008 when the case of Timothy Ray Brown showed that a cure is possible. Researchers and pharmaceutical companies are now seeking out the virus in its hiding places in an attempt to eradicate it completely.…

Oral and genital herpes: four experimental treatment strategies

Herpes simplex virus causes recurrent outbreaks of painful genital or oral lesions and in some circumstances can be lethal. But treatment is currently limited to antivirals, which are only 50% effective at reducing transmission. New treatments are desperately needed — here are four of the most…

New approaches to overcoming antimicrobial resistance

As antibiotic resistance continues to threaten the treatment of various infections, researchers are looking for new ways to supplement and in some cases replace failing antimicrobial drugs.…

T-cell therapies for cancer: from outsider to pharmaceutical darling

Less than a decade ago, work on T-cell therapies by a handful of researchers was snubbed by their peers but now the field has exploded, money has poured in and there is a race on to see who can bring the technology to patients the quickest.…

Developing gene therapy to treat cystic fibrosis: challenges and successes

More than 25 years after the gene for cystic fibrosis was discovered, there are signs that correcting this genetic deficit could soon be possible.…

Teva’s biological drug improves chronic migraine symptoms

A monoclonal antibody developed for chronic migraine can improve patients’ symptoms within a few days, results of a study carried out by the drug’s manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals show.…

Overcoming the challenges in developing male contraceptives

With several hormonal and non-hormonal male contraceptive candidates in the pipeline, researchers are hoping to ignite interest from a wary pharmaceutical industry.…