wire - news in brief

NEJM publishes full analysis of Rydapt (midostaurin) Phase III RATIFY trial in newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
Significant overall survival benefit observed for FLT3+ AML patients consistent across FLT3 mutation subgroups, including ITD and TKD Detailed data show Rydapt plus standard chemotherapy improved eve

Novartis Kisqali (ribociclib) receives positive CHMP opinion as first-line treatment for HR+/HER2- locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with any aromatase inhibitor
Novartis Kisqali (ribociclib) receives positive CHMP opinion as first-line treatment for HR+/HER2- locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with any aromatase inhibitor CHMP opinio

Novartis pivotal CTL019 6-month follow-up data show durable remission rates in children, young adults with r/r B-cell ALL
83% of patients achieved complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete blood count recovery within 3 months of treatment with CTL019; consistent with interim ELIANA data   Data evaluating 63 patients demonstrate relapse-free survival and probability of survival in a majority of patients at six months   Advances in CTL019 and ELIANA result from global CAR-T cell therapy collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania   CTL019 is manufactured us

Novartis data shows half of eligible Ph+ CML-CP patients remain in Treatment-free Remission nearly two years after stopping Tasigna
New 96-week data support durability and safety of Treatment-free Remission (TFR) in Ph+ CML-CP patients who stop taking Tasigna [1,2] More than 90% of Ph+ CML-CP patients in ENESTfreedom and ENESTop who stopped Tasigna and were in TFR at 48 weeks remained in TFR at 96 weeks [1,2] 48-week data from same trials recently added to Tasigna SmPC following EC approval; discussions with other regulatory authorities are underway worldwide - Novartis toda

Presentation confirms Venclexta/Venclyxto monotherapy benefit in certain patients with high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and its potential in other hard-to-treat blood cancers
Presentation confirms Venclexta/Venclyxto monotherapy benefit in certain patients with high-risk chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and its potential in other hard-to-treat blood cancers First in class BCL2-specific oral inhibitor represents a potential new way of treating different blood cancers Efficacy and tolerability confirmed in high-risk patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, including those with 17p chromosomal de

Roche presents new data from GALLIUM study reinforcing clinical benefit of Gazyva/Gazyvaro in people with previously untreated follicular lymphoma
Roche presents new data from GALLIUM study reinforcing clinical benefit of Gazyva/Gazyvaro in people with previously untreated follicular lymphoma Longer follow-up showed sustained benefit in progression-free survival of Gazyva/Gazyvaro-based treatment over MabThera/Rituxan-based treatment regardless of chemotherapy regimens People with follicular lymphoma who received Gazyva/Gazyvaro-based treatment reported improvement in health-related qualit

FDA approves Rituxan Hycela (rituximab and hyaluronidase human) for subcutaneous injection in certain blood cancers
FDA approves Rituxan Hycela (rituximab and hyaluronidase human) for subcutaneous injection in certain blood cancers Treatment can be administered in five to seven minutes, compared to 1.5 hour

Novartis combination targeted therapy Tafinlar + Mekinist receives FDA approval for BRAF V600E mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Novartis combination targeted therapy Tafinlar + Mekinist receives FDA approval for BRAF V600E mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Approval provides first targeted treatment in the U

Olga Sorkine-Hornung wins Rössler Prize

ACZ885 (canakinumab) reduces cardiovascular risk in people who survived a heart attack
Phase III CANTOS study met the primary endpoint, a composite of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death, showing that ACZ885 (canakinumab) in combination with standard of care therapy reduces cardiovascular risk in people with a prior heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis   Despite current treatments about 40% of heart attack survivors remain at increased risk of  recurrent heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death because of hi

Novartis achieves important regulatory milestone for AMG 334 (erenumab) in migraine prevention with EMA filing acceptance
AMG 334 (erenumab) is the first anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody developed for migraine prevention to receive EMA regulatory filing acceptance   Filing is supported by a comprehensive clinical program o

Switzerland in pole position in ESA’s new mission
Media releases, information for representatives of the media Media Relations (E) PLATO, the largest European exoplanet research mission, was adopted on 20 June 2017 by the European Space Agency at the ESA Scientific Programs Committee meeting. The Universities of Bern and Geneva are heavily involved in this mission, which should enable astronomers to discover and characterize planets the size of the Earth and the "super 'Earths" that orbit around solar type stars in their habitable zone.

‘We have to seize this opportunity’
Die Digitalisierung verändert grundlegend immer mehr Lebensbereiche. Für ETH-Präsident Lino Guzzella ist klar: Dieser Wandel ist für die Schweiz eine grosse Chance, denn sie hat ideale Voraussetzungen, eine leistungsfähige Digitalindustrie aufzubauen.

Almost half of chronic urticaria patients are not receiving any treatment despite significant disease burden
Novartis real world study shows almost half of chronic urticaria patients are not receiving any treatment despite significant disease burden Urgent need to improve management of chronic urticaria (CU) - a disease that causes itchy, persistent hives and swelling which last more than 6 weeks or recur over months or years - highlighted by study of over 3,700 patients , 42% of CU patients studied are not receiving any treatment for their debilitatin

Novartis RTH258 (brolucizumab) demonstrates robust visual gains in nAMD patients with a majority on a 12-week injection interval
RTH258 achieved the primary efficacy endpoint of non-inferiority to aflibercept in mean change in BCVA from baseline to week 48 , in two head-to-head pivotal Phase III studies ,   57% and 52% of patients receiving RTH258 6 mg in the respective trials were maintained exclusively on a q12w interval immediately following the loading phase and continuing through week 48 ,   In both studies overall ocular and non-ocular adverse event rates for RTH258

Guidelines for Fertiliser Application for All Swiss Crops now Merged in One Document
Bern, 20.06.2017 - Fertiliser application in plant production is of vital importance for agricultural practitioners and advisers.

Piz Daint is a world leader
After an extensive hardware upgrade at the end of last year, the CSCS supercomputer Piz Daint is now the most powerful mainframe computer outside Asia.

EPFL to become drone central in early September

Sandoz receives approval in Europe for Rixathonâ? (biosimilar rituximab) to treat blood cancers and immunological diseases
European Commission approves Sandoz Rixathon â? to treat blood cancers and immunological diseases. Approval expected to broaden patient access to biologics and enable budget-constrained healthcare systems to reallocate resources to other healthcare priorities.

Lessons from whale population collapse could help future species at risk
The research, carried out by scientists at the University of Zurich and University of Tasmania, used detailed records collected during the commercial whaling of the 20 th century and collated by the International Whaling Committee (IWC) – to look at the effects of overharvesting on whale populations, and used this historic data to help develop methods which can be applied to species of current conservation concern.

Novartis International AG: New patient survey highlights need for more action to help severe asthma patients gain control of their disease
Large-scale European patient survey found that 94% of severe allergic asthma patients were unable to fully control their disease â? These new data underscore the disconnect between self-perceived control and clinical reality; a potentially limiting factor in patients seeking support to better control their condition â? Helping patients recognize the possibilities of living a life with properly controlled asthma is central to a major new global p

A video game demonstrates how energy choices affect our carbon footpr
‘Mission Possible' combines scientific rigor and good fun to help us understand the carbon impact of our personal energy choices.

EPFL spin-offs flourish in a finely tuned ecosystem
A recent report by EPFL's Vice Presidency for Innovation (VPI) shows just how effective the school's startup ecosystem is by looking at standard benchmarks such as the number of jobs created, funds raised, and the buyout rate for campus startups.

Bacteria Free Themselves with Molecular ‘Speargun’
Many bacteria are armed with nano-spearguns, which they use to combat unwelcome competitors or knockout host cells.

A new view of the world
The Swiss World Atlas has been published in a completely revised new edition. In addition to the usual topographic relief maps, it also contains maps on current global issues such as the environment, energy and conflicts. Since 1910, the Swiss World Atlas has accompanied generations of secondary school pupils through their geography lessons, conveying not only a comprehensive picture of the earth, but also the specific geography of Switzerland.

A tram to revitalize downtown Neuchâtel
Downtown areas of mid-sized cities are facing a growing challenge in maintaining their appeal. Taking Neuchâtel as an example, EPFL researchers have identified concrete steps these cities can take to make sure their downtown area remains attractive for years to come.

Touring Exhibition: "Umsicht â?- Regards â?’

Novartis’ Cosentyx shows sustained improvements in signs and symptoms for both AS and PsA in up to 80% of patients at 3 years
Cosentyx â? is the first and only IL-17A inhibitor to show sustained improvements in signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) , â? Additional data show rapid and sustained pain relief with Cosentyx as early as Week 3 which is sustained out to 2 years in PsA patients â? Patient recruitment underway for the new EXCEED head-to-head clinical trial to show superiority of Cosentyx versus Humira â? * in PsA The di

Gene Transfer Keeps Bacteria Fit
Researchers at the University of Baselâ?‘s Biozentrum have discovered that Bartonella bacteria exchange genes efficiently using a domesticated virus encoded in their genome.

FDA accepts Sandoz regulatory submission for a generic version of Advair Diskusâ?
FDA accepts Sandoz ANDA for substitutable generic version of Advair Diskus â? Sandoz believes its combination product will offer asthma and COPD patients same safety and efficacy as reference medicin

From the garage to the world
In 1999, PSI researchers founded the spin-off firm SwissNeutronics. Today the company has a staff of 15, sells high-precision components to research institutions all over the world, and still is based in the small town of Klingnau – not far from PSI.

Universal stabilisation
ETH researchers led by Lucio Isa have developed microparticles with a rough, raspberry-like surface that stabilise emulsions following a new principle.

Boost for Zurich biomedicine
The Helmut Horten Foundation has supported Zurich's medical hub for many years. Now, a new donation to ETH will enable the strengthening of the Zurich-Ticino ‘health axis'.

New "WHO Collaborating Centre for Physical Activity and Health"
A lack of physical activity increases the risk for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well as diabetes and cancer.

Fighting fire blight and detecting Salmonella
ETH researchers have created an effective weapon against the plant disease fire blight and a new method for detection of Salmonella. Both are based on particular viruses that attack only one species of bacteria. The plant disease fire blight, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora , is dreaded by fruit growers.

Smarter use of mobile data
The data constantly collected and reported by smartphones can find numerous applications. An SNSF-funded project devoted to crowdsensing has found ways to improve privacy and localisation accuracy as well as reduce the impact on hardware. Connecting data from the world's smartphones could put a global supercomputer into all of our pockets.

Uncovering the biology of a painful and disfiguring pediatric disease
EPFL scientists have identified the biological mechanism behind the painful, potentially lethal, disfiguring Hyaline Fibromatosis Syndrome.â? Image caption:â?Loss of ANTXR2 leads to the accumulation of extracellular material in mice uterus and sterility (Left). Collagen 6 removal in mice without ANTXR2 restore uterine structure and function (Right).

Hidden patterns of brain activity
In a collaboration led by EPFLâ?‘s Blue Brain, scientists discover patterns of brain activity â'' never before observed â?- with the help of mathematics, providing insight into how neurons collectively process information. Brains of healthy rats that are the same age share many features, such as similar numbers and types of neurons present in the six layers of the cortex.

Hybrid membrane creates a stir on the global market
ETH Professor Raffaele Mezzenga and his senior researcher Sreenath Bolisetty have developed a filter membrane that efficiently removes heavy metals and other toxic substances from water. Strong demand for the new technology has encouraged them to set up a new ETH spin-off, BluAct Technologies. The news story made a big splash: in January 2016 ETH researchers Professor Raffaele Mezzenga and his senior researcher Sreenath Bolisetty published a study about an innovative type of membrane developed in their laboratory.

Graphene electrodes offer new functionalities in molecular electronic nanodevices
Media releases, information for representatives of the media Media Relations (E) An international team of researchers led by the University of Bern and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has revealed a new way to tune the functionality of next-generation molecular electronic devices using graphene.

Ancient Bones Reveal Insights Into Swiss Wild Horse Population
Researchers from the University of Basel have, for the first time, studied how regional environmental changes influenced the populations of wild horses in Switzerland 25,000 years ago. Their results show: Contrary to the wild horses in the Eurasian steppe; the Swiss population grew considerably after the end of the last Ice Age.

Mobilizing Swiss Research in Asia
ETH Zurich to serve as the Leading House for Swiss Science and Technology programme in the Asia-Pacific region.

Novartis presents data demonstrating efficacy of AMG 334 (erenumab) in migraine prevention at the American Headache Society Annual Meeting
Data from the comprehensive clinical program show AMG 334 (erenumab) is safe and effective at preventing migraine in patients with 4 or more migraine days per month â?

Novartis interim results from global, pivotal CTL019 trial show durable complete responses in adults with r/r DLBCL
At interim analysis, three-month overall response rate (ORR) was 45%, with 37% complete response (CR); all patients in CR at three months remained in CR at data cutoff Best ORR was 59%, with 43% achi

Your own virtual heart for non-invasive heart diagnostics
EPFL mathematician Alfio Quarteroni and his team are building a virtual heart model based on personalized medical images that may one day help cardiologists and cardiac surgeons non-invasively diagnose pathological heart conditions.

More concepts, fewer facts
ETH biology lecturers have tested secondary school leavers and students to determine their knowledge of biological concepts.

Novartis drug Tasigna receives EU approval for inclusion of Treatment-free Remission (TFR) data in product label
Tasigna is the first and only tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) to include information on stopping therapy in Ph+ CML-CP patients in the EU product information Approval based on Novartis trials evaluating TFR with Tasigna in Ph+ CML-CP patients in both the first-line setting and after switching from Glivec â?