wire - news in brief

The stories of survivors and life after the Holocaust
The «Last Swiss Holocaust Survivors» exhibition, which opens today at the ETH Zurich Archives of Contemporary History, tells the stories of how fourteen eyewitnesses survived the Holocaust and then went on with their lives.

Scientastic festival held in Valais for the first time
EPFL's Valais Wallis campus in Sion hosted the school's third annual science festival this past weekend, drawing a large public turnout.

Novartis receives FDA approval for Rydapt in newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and three types of systemic mastocytosis (SM)
Novartis receives FDA approval for Rydapt in newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and three types of systemic mastocytosis (SM) Approval in newly diagnosed FLT3-mutated AML repre

Getting a Handle on Safety
Protons can accurately target and eliminate cancerous cells by erasing their genetic substance DNA. Doctors at the Centre for Proton Therapy at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI use protons to treat patients with deep-seated tumours or ocular cancer.

A new EPFL incubator for education technology

Publication of Annual and Sustainability Reports
The ETH Zurich 2016 Annual Report provides an overview of the most important achievements, developments and events at the University over the past year, and is published alongside the 2015/2016 Sustainability Report.

The multitasker
Developing new things together and effecting change - that's what gets Moritz Mussgnug out of bed in the morning.

Alcon announces EU launch of CyPass Micro-Stent, a micro invasive glaucoma surgical device, to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma
Alcon announces EU launch of CyPass Micro-Stent, a micro invasive glaucoma surgical device, to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma Now available in the UK, G

Link Discovered between Immune System, Brain Structure and Memory
In two independent studies, scientists at the University of Basel have demonstrated that both the structure of the brain and several memory functions are linked to immune system genes. The scientific journals Nature Communications and Nature Human Behaviour have published the results of the research.

Novartis delivered sales growth across all divisions (cc1) as growth drivers, including Cosentyx and Entresto, more than offset generic erosion; innovation momentum continued
Novartis delivered sales growth across all divisions (cc1) as growth drivers, including Cosentyx and Entresto, more than offset generic erosion; innovation momentum continued Net sales grew 2% (cc, -1

Productive humanities and social sciences networks
The 5 National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs) in the humanities and social sciences have achieved their goals: they have facilitated productive research and created professorships, chairs, institutes and partnerships.

Novartis real-world data at AAN confirms benefit of Gilenya on four key measures of disease activity in relapsing MS
Over 16 months, more than 75% of patients on Gilenya had either no relapses, no new or enlarged MRI lesions or no disability progression; around 58% showed brain shrinkage levels broadly within the range expected for people without MS   Approximately 60% of patients achieved NEDA-3 (no relapses, no MRI lesions and no disability progression combined) and 38% achieved NEDA-4 (NEDA-3 plus no brain shrinkage), further supporting findings from clinic

Novartis expands global collaboration with Amgen to commercialize first-in-class AMG 334 (erenumab) program in migraine prevention in the US and Canada
Novartis expands global collaboration with Amgen to commercialize first-in-class AMG 334 (erenumab) program in migraine prevention in the US and Canada Novartis and Amgen to co-commercialize AMG 334

Sandoz proposed biosimilars rituximab and etanercept recommended for approval in Europe*
Sandoz receives positive CHMP opinions for biosimilars rituximab and etanercept to treat immunological diseases.

EPFL non-profit iM4TB awarded $2.45m for anti-TB drug clinical trials
The Bill & Melinda Gates foundation has awarded EPFL-based non-profit iM4TB $2.45 million to take their innovative anti-tuberculosis drug PBTZ169 into clinical trials.

NIH study in NEJM shows Novartis drug eltrombopag as first-line therapy with standard treatment improves responses in severe aplastic anemia
NIH study in NEJM shows Novartis drug eltrombopag as first-line therapy with standard treatment improves responses in severe aplastic anemia NIH study found 58% of patients with treatment-naïve severe aplastic anemia (SAA) achieved a complete response when eltrombopag was given at the initiation of and concurrently with standard immunosuppressive therapy   The historical complete response rate was 10% for untreated patients with SAA on immunosup

Sounds provide a safer login
A start-up formed by a group of IT specialists at ETH has come up with a simple and user-friendly way to enhance network security.

Action Required: Invasive Fungus Is Killing European Salamanders
The situation is alarming: The invasive Asian fungus has recently led to mass mortality of fire salamanders in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

Roche to present new data at AAN reinforcing efficacy and safety of newly FDA-approved OCREVUS? (ocrelizumab) in two types of multiple sclerosis
Roche to present new data at AAN reinforcing efficacy and safety of newly FDA-approved OCREVUS? (ocrelizumab) in two types of multiple sclerosis Data presentations will include platform sessions and

FDA grants Roche’s TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) accelerated approval as initial treatment for certain people with advanced bladder cancer
FDA grants Roche's TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) accelerated approval as initial treatment for certain people with advanced bladder cancer First and only cancer immunotherapy approved in advanced bladder

FDA approves Roche’s Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) for diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness among working age adults in the United States
FDA approves Roche's Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) for diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness among working age adults in the United States First and only medicine approved to treat

Chaining up diarrhoea pathogens
Researchers have clarified how vaccinations can combat bacterial intestinal diseases: vaccine-induced antibodies in the intestine chain up pathogens as they grow in the intestine, which prevents disease and surprisingly also hinders the spread of antibiotic resistance. Vaccinations are known to protect against pathogens such as bacteria or viruses.

Novartis CAR-T cell therapy CTL019 receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for treatment of adult patients with r/r DLBCL
Designation prioritizes investigational CTL019 (tisagenlecleucel) as a potential treatment for adult patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)   R/r DLBCL, an aggressive cancer with limited options, is the second indication for CTL019 to receive Breakthrough Therapy designation   Advances in CTL019 result from collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania; regulatory submissions for r/r DLBCL are expected

Novartis expands development programs for NASH through clinical collaboration with Allergan
Phase IIb clinical trial to evaluate a combination of a Novartis FXR agonist and Allergan's cenicriviroc for NASH, a progressive  form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease   There are currently no ap

Successful for 20 years: Probing materials with particles
Whether they study materials for the electronics of the future, batteries, or swords from the Bronze Age — for 20 years researchers from a range of disciplines have been using the Swiss Spallation Neutron Source SINQ of the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI for their investigations. At a symposium on 18 April, researchers looked back on the facility's successes and presented plans for modernisation.

Synthetic Carbohydrates against Autoimmune Diseases
Researchers are developing an innovative approach for the treatment of a rare autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system, using a type of molecular sponge consisting of carbohydrates to remove pathogenic antibodies from the bloodstream. Developed to treat anti-MAG neuropathy, the approach also has potential applications for the treatment of other autoimmune diseases.

Roche announces positive interim results for emicizumab in phase III study of children with haemophilia A
Roche announces positive interim results for emicizumab in phase III study of children with haemophilia A Emicizumab prophylaxis reduced the number of bleeds in children with haemophilia A and inhibi

The double agents
They have two e-mail addresses, two offices, and two filing cabinets in two locations: Around 60 of the researchers at PSI are at the same time professors or lecturers at a Swiss university.

A lifelong fascination with planets
Watching Star Trek as a child first inspired Judit Szulágyi's fascination with planets and galaxies.

Relocation of Proteins with a New Nanobody Tool
Researchers at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel have developed a new method by which proteins can be transported to a new location in a cell. The novel tool enables scientists to study the function of proteins depending on their position by using nanobodies. The tool can be used for a wide range of proteins and in various areas of developmental biology.

Roche’s Alecensa was superior to crizotinib in a specific type of lung cancer
Phase III study shows Roche's Alecensa was superior to crizotinib in a specific type of lung cancer Second Phase III head-to-head study that showed that Alecensa helped people with advanced ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Results showed that people treated with Alecensa lived significantly longer without their disease progressing compared to crizotinib when given as initial (first-line) treatment Data will be submitted to global

A better understanding of nanomaterials
In the past six years, the National Research Programme "Opportunities and Risks of Nanomaterials" (NRP 64) intensively studied the development, use, behaviour and degradation of engineered nanomaterials, including their impact on humans and on the environment. Twenty-three research projects on biomedicine, the environment, energy, construction materials and food demonstrated the enormous potential of engineered nanoparticles for numerous applications in industry and medicine.

Second beamline for SwissFEL
This year the first pilot experiments are starting at the free-electron X-ray laser SwissFEL. This new large-scale research facility of the PSI will generate very short pulses of X-ray light with the characteristics of laser light. With this X-ray light, researchers can carry out a broad spectrum of experiments.

Prehistoric alpine farming in the Bernese Oberland
Media releases, information for representatives of the media Media Relations (E) The people in Switzerland were on the move in the High Alps and running alpine pastures 7,000 years ago and therefore much earlier than previously assumed. A study by the University of Bern that combines archaeological knowledge with findings from palaeoecology comes to this conclusion.

Number theory has no gender
Özlem Imamoglu has been fascinated by the hidden properties of numbers since she was a child. The ETH professor is also committed to helping more women pursue careers in mathematics.

Novartis to strengthen R&D pipeline by in-licensing ECF843 for ophthalmic indications
Novartis exercises an option to in-license ECF843, a recombinant form of human lubricin from Lubris LLC, for ophthalmic indications worldwide (outside Europe) Dry eye is an area with high unmet medic

Federal Council approves public law agreement on innovation park and provides initial funding guarantees
Bern, 05.04.2017 - On 5 April 2017 the Federal Council entered into agreements with the Switzerland Innovation Foundation and approved guarantees for an initial CHF 150 million of funding for the Swiss Innovation Park.

Federal Council sets strategic goals for the ETH Domain for 2017-2020
Bern, 05.04.2017 - On 5 April 2017 the Federal Council approved the strategic goals for the ETH Domain for 2017-2020.

Persistently high pesticide levels found in small streams
Dübendorf, 04.04.2017 - Small watercourses are contaminated with large numbers of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. A study commissioned by the Federal Office for the Environment and published today shows that the legal requirements specified for water quality are not met in any of the five Swiss streams investigated.

Less Fear: how LSD Affects the Brain
Scientists at the University of Basel have shown that LSD reduces activity in the region of the brain related to the handling of negative emotions like fear. The results, published in the scientific journal Translational Psychiatry, could affect the treatment of mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety.

Novartis drug combination Tafinlar + Mekinist receives EU approval for BRAF V600-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
New indication of Tafinlar and Mekinist in advanced NSCLC provides only therapy approved in the EU for BRAF V600-positive NSCLC Approval based on data showing more than 60% overall response rate in b

Phase III ALUR study supports the use of Roche’s Alecensa for people with advanced ALK-positive lung cancer
Phase III ALUR study supports the use of Roche's Alecensa for people with advanced ALK-positive lung cancer Results from the global, phase III ALUR trial showed that Alecensa significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in people with advanced ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who had progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy and crizotinib, compared with chemotherapy Roche today announced that the phase III ALUR s

A computed tomography scanner for objects
Micro computed tomography scanners deliver very high-resolution images of the internal structure of materials.

Science responds to industry
At the symposium ‘The Global Energy Challenge - A Corporate View', representatives of international companies will present their energy strategies and visions for the future, while researchers from ETH Zurich evaluate the strategies from a scientific point of view.

Facilitating innovation in space

Observing chemical reactions in real
At Empa's Electron Microscopy Center, a new transmission electron microscope has recently been used that offers completely new opportunities for the physical and chemical analysis of very small samples. It can be used, for example, to observe the growth of nanocrystals in real time - and to record it on video.

Spark Award for fundamental research
ETH Professor Sabine Werner and her team won the Spark Award 2017 yesterday for their groundbreaking new approach to combating viral diseases. If their results can be confirmed, they could lead to the development of better treatments for viral diseases such as herpes.

Kidney Transplants: White Blood Cells Control Virus Replication
Certain white blood cells play an important role in bringing a harmful virus under control after kidney transplantations. The results of a research group at the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel and University Hospital Basel could contribute to improving control of immunosuppression, avoiding transplant rejection and developing relevant vaccines.