wire - news in brief

New findings could lead to improved in vitro testing
EPFL researchers propose a new approach of performing in vitro tests on nanoparticles that could enhance a correlation to in vivo results. This involves reproducing in the lab the dynamic and fluidic variations that these particles experience in the human body. Before new nanoparticles or other nanomedicines can be injected into the human body, a whole series of tests must be conducted in the laboratory, then in living cells, and in the end on humans.

Phase III study showed Rocheâ? s Alecensa (alectinib) reduced the risk of disease progression or death by more than half versus crizotinib as first-line treatment in a specific type of lung cancer
Phase III study showed Rocheâ??s Alecensa (alectinib) reduced the risk of disease progression or death by more than half versus crizotinib as first-line treatment in a specific type of lung cancer Second positive phase III head-to-head study to show Alecensa was superior to crizotinib in people with ALK-positive lung cancer Alecensa lowered the risk of tumour spread or growth in the brain or central nervous system Data will be simultaneously pub

Novartis announces ground-breaking collaboration with IBM Watson Health on outcomes-based care in advanced breast cancer
Collaboration will use real-world patient data and cognitive computing with aim of improving outcomes in advanced breast cancer Brings Novartis innovation and breast cancer expertise together with IBM Watson Health proficiency in data analytics and machine learning Collaboration initiating in breast cancer given Novartis heritage and expertise; opportunity to expand to enhance outcomes for patients with other cancers â‘â'â‘â'â‘â'â‘â'â‘â'â‘â' â?

Rocheâ? s Perjeta-based regimen reduced the risk of invasive cancer returning compared to Herceptin and chemotherapy in HER2-positive early breast cancer
APHINITY study shows Rocheâ??s Perjeta-based regimen reduced the risk of invasive cancer returning compared to Herceptin and chemotherapy in HER2-positive early breast cancer Phase III study confirms

Novartis announces clinical collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb to evaluate potential treatments in metastatic colorectal cancer
Phase I/II study to evaluate Mekinist â? (trametinib) in combination with Opdivo â? (nivolumab) and Opdivo + Yervoy â? (ipilimumab) â? Collaboration expands upon existing clinical investigation of Op

Novartis landmark study of Tafinlarâ? + Mekinistâ? demonstrates durable survival benefit at five years in patients with BRAF mutation-positive metastatic melanoma
Novartis landmark study of Tafinlarâ? + Mekinistâ? demonstrates durable survival benefit at five years in patients with BRAF mutation-positive metastatic melanoma Study is longest follow-up to date o

Roche presents new data for TECENTRIQâ? (atezolizumab) and updates from across its cancer immunotherapy development programme at ASCO 2017
Roche presents new data for TECENTRIQâ? (atezolizumab) and updates from across its cancer immunotherapy development programme at ASCO 2017 Data evaluated TECENTRIQ in novel combinations across a broad range of tumours including lung, kidney and melanoma Promising Phase II combination data with TECENTRIQ plus Avastin (bevacizumab) in advanced kidney cancer First treatment-beyond-progression data from a Phase III study of cancer immunotherapy in a

Novartis presents updated data that reinforce the efficacy and safety of Kisqali (ribociclib) plus letrozole as a first-line option for HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Novartis presents updated data that reinforce the efficacy and safety of Kisqali (ribociclib) plus letrozole as a first-line option for HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer At a subsequent

Emissions trading scheme: acquisition of aviation data in 2018
Bern, 02.06.2017 - The integration of greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector into the emissions trading scheme (ETS) is a necessary step in order to link the Swiss and European schemes.

A new approach to combatting anxiety states, pain and inflammation
Media releases, information for representatives of the media Media Relations (E) Endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) play an important role in the brain and immune system. Bern researchers from the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) "TransCure" have now found a new way to influence the endocannabinoid system.

Research on road construction
This year, Empa plays host to the biennial conference of the European Asphalt Technology Association (EATA).

New research tools
At the age of 29, biotechnologist Randall Platt has already achieved a lot: more than 1,000 research laboratories around the world use a method that he developed.

Landscapes remain under pressure
Bern, 01.06.2017 - Landscapes play an important role in Switzerland's quality of life and attractiveness as a location. They remain under considerable pressure: the latest results of the Landscape Monitoring Switzerland programme reveal a continuous deterioration in the quality of the country's landscapes.

Progress reported in global fight against diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis
Novartis, the University of Georgia, Washington State University and collaborators advance therapeutic research for cryptosporidiosis Research collaboration with novel drug discovery process counters slow progress in developing new cryptosporidiosis treatments Scientists report discovery of Cryptosporidium PI(4)K inhibitor candidate KDU731 in new issue of Nature - Infectious disease scientists from Novartis, the University of Georgia and Washing

The man with cities on his mind
Vittorio Magnago Lampugnani hasn't just written definitive reference works on urban planning and shaped a generation of ETH architects; he has also run numerous projects of his own.

At the Meet Novartis Management investor event, Novartis highlights focus on innovation and productivity; expects the next growth phase to begin in 2018
At the Meet Novartis Management investor event, Novartis highlights focus on innovation and productivity; expects the next growth phase to begin in 2018 Building depth across key therapeutic areas wi

Sandoz proposed biosimilars adalimumab and infliximab accepted for regulatory review by the European Medicines Agency
Sandoz is seeking approval for their proposed biosimilars adalimumab and infliximab for use in all indications of their respective reference medicines, Humira * and Remicade ** Comprehensive data pac

Novartis next generation CAR-T cell therapy CTL119 combined with ibrutinib shows high rate of responses in CLL patients
Eight of nine evaluable patients tested had no signs of CLL in their bone marrow at three months. CTL119 is a humanized CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy being developed in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania Novartis is committed to advancing a portfolio of next-generation CAR-T cell therapies - Novartis announced findings from a pilot study (NCT02640209) of CTL119 in combination with ibrutinib* in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who had been taking ibrutinib for at least six months and who were not in complete remission.

Resistant Cancer Cells: 3D Structure of a Drug Transporter Decoded
Drug resistance is not only a major problem in fighting infectious diseases. Also in the treatment of cancer it can jeopardize the success of chemotherapy.

New Method of Characterizing Graphene
Scientists have developed a new method of characterizing grapheneâ?‘s properties without applying disruptive electrical contacts, allowing them to investigate both the resistance and quantum capacitance of graphene and other two-dimensional materials. Researchers from the Swiss Nanoscience Institute and the University of Baselâ''s Department of Physics reported their findings in the journal Physical Review Applied.

To the limits of the feasible
First, the engineers and the physicists had to find each other. Then, however, the company Daetwyler built the undulators for the free-electron X-ray laser SwissFEL of the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI as precisely as was possible: to one-tenth of the width of a hair.

Managing an eco-friendly house with Lego-like technology bricks
Thanks to startup ThinkEE's modular system - which consists of technology bricks linking various connected devices - data from a host of sensors can be collected regardless of the sensors' protocols.

Natural disasters and climate-related risks: Switzerland appeals for closer links between disaster risk reduction, climate change and development cooperation
Natural disasters and climate-related risks: Switzerland appeals for closer links between disaster risk reduction, climate change and development cooperation Bern, 26.05.2017 - Natural disasters and climate-related risks threaten to reverse hard-won gains in development.

Designer Viruses Stimulate the Immune System to Fight Cancer
Swiss scientists have created artificial viruses that can be used to target cancer. These designer viruses alert the immune system and cause it to send killer cells to help fight the tumor. The results, published Communications, provide a basis for innovative cancer treatments. Most cancer cells only provoke a limited reaction from the immune system – the body's defense mechanism – and can thus grow without appreciable resistance.

Novartis receives FDA approval for expanded use of Zykadia in first-line ALK-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
In ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC patients, Zykadia median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16.6 months, compared to 8.1 months with chemotherapy   The overall intracranial response r

New data at ATS add to the body of evidence for Roche’s Esbriet (pirfenidone) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
New data at ATS add to the body of evidence for Roche's Esbriet (pirfenidone) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) In new post hoc analyses of phase III data, Esbriet reduced the risk of death in p

Soot particles from GDI engines
Are new gasoline cars environmentally friendly? Not always, says a new study led by Empa scientists: some direct-injection gasoline engines emit just as many soot particles as unfiltered diesel cars did in the past.

Revealing how neurons communicate
The ETH spinoff MaxWell Biosystems AG develops microelectrode platforms for electrophysiological tests on nerve cells, opening up new possibilities for pharmaceutical research. Now, the company received CHF 130,000 in starting capital from the Venture Kick initiative MaxWell Biosystems AG's head office is hidden away in a Basel laboratory building previously used by Syngenta, just a stone's throw from ETH Zurich's Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE).

High voltage for tomorrow’s particle accelerator
On behalf of CERN, researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a high-tech device for the production of extremely precise, high voltage pulses that could be used in the next generation of particle accelerators.

Swiss Labour Force Survey in 1st quarter 2017: labour supply: 1st quarter 2017: 0.6% increase in the number of employed persons. The unemployment rate based on the ILO definition settles at 5.3%
1st quarter 2017: 0.6% increase in the number of employed persons. The unemployment rate based on the ILO definition settles at 5.3% Neuchâtel, 19.05.2017 (FSO) - The number of employed persons in Switzerland rose by 0.6% between the 1st quarters of 2016 and 2017.

Novartis’ new analyses reinforce the potential of Ultibro Breezhaler for COPD patients historically treated with steroids
New analyses from the FLAME study suggest dual bronchodilator Ultibro Breezhaler provides similar or better efficacy versus steroid-containing therapies, regardless of blood eosinophil (a type of white blood cell)  counts   Data was published in the centenary issue of the American Thoracic Society's 'American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine'   Together with the International Primary Care Respiratory Group, Novartis is launching

Discovery of a Key Regulatory Gene in Cardiac Valve Formation
Researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland have identified a key regulator gene for the formation of cardiac valves - a process crucial to normal embryonic heart development. These results are published in the journal Cell Reports today. The heart is the first functional organ that develops in vertebrate embryos.

FDA approves Roche’s Actemra/RoActemra (tocilizumab) for giant cell arteritis
FDA approves Roche's Actemra/RoActemra (tocilizumab) for giant cell arteritis Actemra/RoActemra is the first FDA-approved treatment for adults with giant cell arteritis (GCA) FDA previously granted Priority Review and Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Actemra/RoActemra in GCA Sixth FDA approval for Actemra/RoActemra since its US launch in 2010 Roche today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Actemra /RoActemra (tocilizumab) ) subcutaneous injection for the treatment of GCA, a chronic and severe autoimmune condition.

The race to trace TRAPPIST-1h
Media releases, information for representatives of the media Media Relations (E) After 60 hours of non-stop work, researchers at the University of Bern being part of an international team reached their hoped-for goal: They were the first to measure the orbital period for the outermost planet of the famous TRAPPIST-1 system which made headlines worldwide.

Digital birdhouses make studying owls easier
EPFL students have developed a system that can detect when barn owls fly into and out of their nests, without disturbing the birds.

Wafer-thin Magnetic Materials Developed for Future Quantum Technologies
Two-dimensional magnetic structures are regarded as a promising material for new types of data storage, since the magnetic properties of individual molecular building blocks can be investigated and modified. For the first time, researchers have now produced a wafer-thin ferrimagnet, in which molecules with different magnetic centers arrange themselves on a gold surface to form a checkerboard pattern.

Novartis receives positive CHMP opinion for first-line use of Zykadia in ALK-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Phase III trial, first-line treatment with Zykadia resulted in improved progression-free survival (PFS) over SOC chemotherapy with maintenance, including in patients with brain metastases Zykadia is

Building trust and intelligence in a digitalised world
ETH Meets New York to explore Blockchain technologies, machine learning, and artificial intelligence with academia and industry.

Light Exposure in the Evening Improves Performance in the Final Spurt
Athletes often have to compete late in the evening, when they are no longer able to perform at their best. As reported in the journal Frontiers in Physiology, however, researchers from the University of Basel have shown that athletes who are exposed to blue light before competing can significantly increase their performance in the final spurt.

Novartis data at ASCO, ICML and EHA meetings demonstrate meaningful advancements in cancer care
Updated analyses from the Kisqali pivotal Phase III MONALEESA-2 trial in hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced breast cancer to be presente

15 new professors
At its meeting of 17 May 2017, the ETH Board appointed 15 new professors upon application of ETH Zurich President Lino Guzzella.

XENON1T: the most sensitive detector on Earth
Dark matter is one of the basic constituents of the Universe, five times more abundant than ordinary matter.

Stable demand for SNSF funding
In 2016, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) supported around 3200 research projects involving more than 14,000 researchers from universities, universities of applied sciences, universities

Novartis Foundation and partners launch initiative to tackle hypertension and its root causes in low-income urban communities
Better Hearts Better Cities is a Novartis Foundation initiative to improve cardiovascular health in low-income urban communities by addressing the prevention, management and control of hypertension.

Reconstructing a lake’s history by simple means
Media releases, information for representatives of the media Media Relations (E) The sediments of Lake Van in Eastern Anatolia (Turkey) are a valuable climate archive.

Persistent and curious
As Professor of Particle Physics, Felicitas Pauss played a key role in the discovery of the Higgs boson.

The future’s bright, the future’s OLED
Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) will soon show our world in a new light: the days of small light sources are numbered; in future, entire walls, ceilings, façades and car exteriors will light up our lives.

Hydrogen Bonds Directly Detected for the First Time
For the first time, scientists have succeeded in studying the strength of hydrogen bonds in a single molecule using an atomic force microscope. Researchers from the University of Basel's Swiss Nanoscience Institute network have reported the results Advances. Hydrogen is the most common element in the universe and is an integral part of almost all organic compounds.