Articles in Nature Medicine
Europe plans molecular screening center for translational research
Almost a decade ago, the US National Institutes of Health kicked off its Molecular Libraries Initiative to provide academic researchers with access to the high-throughput screening tools needed to identify new therapeutic compounds. Europe now …
Overwhelmed drug regulators seek cure in cooperation
I have the lead news story in Nature Medicine this month, on how medical regulators are joining forces to keep up with their duties [html] [pdf]:
Regulatory authorities such as the US Food and Drug …
On thirtieth anniversary, calls for HIV cure research intensify
Thirty years ago this month, scientists first reported the existence of AIDS, and in the intervening decades researchers have focused steady efforts on prevention, long-term treatments such as antiretroviral drugs, and patient …
Facing budget cuts, Spain launches funding foundation
MADRID — In Spain, the government’s overall spending on research is set to wither by about 8% this year, according to an analysis released last fall by the Confederation of Spanish Scientific Societies. Given the …
Straight talk with…Leonor Beleza
Portuguese businessman António Champalimaud surprised his family when his will, opened after his 2004 death, revealed that he was bequeathing €500 million ($690 million), about a quarter of his estate, to establish a foundation for …
New commissioner spells new direction for EU research funding
The EU’s €50.5 billion ($69.4 billion) research framework is the biggest such fund in the world. But it is not known for being nimble, and it is underused by European businesses. Now, as the seven-year …
Slump in UK trials blamed on strict rules
Britain’s historically strong role in clinical trials seems to be diminishing. Slow returns on drug investment and poor relations between industry and the UK National Health Service (NHS) have been cited as two reasons for this decline.
Sacked drugs advisor launches private panel
The scientist fired from the British government’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) last year has launched a privately funded scientific committee to advise the public on the risks of drug use.
David Nutt, …
Sluggish generics entry prompts calls for European patent reform
This past July, the European Commission released estimates that if generic drugs were to enter markets immediately after patents expire—instead of the present average of seven months later—EU patients and national health services might save …
Sequencing push brings new UK genome analysis center
Last month, DNA sequencing in the UK got a boost with the launch of the Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) in the eastern city of Norwich. The £13.5 million ($22 million) facility hosts biologists and bioinformaticians …
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