Immunology

Subset of COVID-19 Patients Who Recover Quickly and Sustain Antibodies Identified – Technology Networks

One of the pressing questions about COVID-19 remains: How long does immunity last? One key indicator of immunity is the presence of virus-specific antibodies. Previous studies have provided conflicting accounts about whether people who have recovered from infection can sustain potentially-protective antibodies or not. A new study led by investigators from Brigham and Womens Hospital examined blood samples and cells from patients who had recovered from mild to moderate COVID-19 and found that while antibodies against the virus declined in most individuals after disease resolution, a subset of patients sustained anti-virus antibody production several months following infection. These antibody sustainers had a shorter course of symptoms, suggesting that some individuals who recover from COVID-19 faster may be mounting a more effective and durable immune response to the virus. Results are published in Cell.

Weve found a subset of individuals that heal quickly while sustaining virus-specific antibody levels after COVID-19, said Duane Wesemann, MD, PhD, an immunologist and associate physician in the Brigham Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School. The kind of immune response were seeing in these individuals is a bit like investing in an insurance policy its the immune systems way of adding a potential layer of protection against future encounters with the virus.

The Wesemann lab studies the entire set of antibodies a hosts immune system produces and how they learn to recognize pathogens. In the spring of 2020, the team turned its attention to the COVID-19 pandemic and the immune response of people who become infected. They are eager to understand the nature of the antibody response to the virus. To this end, the team recruited and enrolled 92 people in the Boston area who had recovered from COVID-19 between March and June of 2020. Five of the individuals were hospitalized but all others recovered at home. The team collected and analyzed blood samples monthly, measuring a range of antibodies, including immunoglobulin-G (IgG), against the virus that causes COVID-19. They split the cohort into two groups those that sustain virus-specific IgG levels over several weeks, and those that lose them. The team analyzed these groups and potential connections they had to clinical and other immunological data.

The team found that IgG levels against the virus tended to decline substantially in most individuals over the course of three to four months. However, in about 20 percent of individuals, antibody production remained stable or enhanced over the same time period. The team found that these sustainers had symptoms for a significantly shorter period of time compared to decayers (average of 10 days versus 16 days). Sustainers also had differences in memory T cell populations and B cells, two types of immune cells that can play a key role in immune memory and protection.

An important limitation of the study, the team noted, was that most of the volunteers were adult white women. The researchers said that future research must aim to enroll a more diverse population to further elucidate whether variations in immune response exist across people of different ages and ethnic and racial backgrounds. The researchers also point out that further research may help determine whether similar dynamics of immune response are also seen in people with asymptomatic and severe disease.

The data point to a type of immune response thats not only adept at handling viral disease by leading to a swift resolution of symptoms, but also better at producing cells that can commit to longer term production of anti-virus IgG antibodies, said Wesemann. Figuring out how these individuals are able to support longer-term antibody production is relevant to COVID-19, and will also have important implications for our understanding of the immune system in general.

ReferenceChen Y et al. Quick COVID-19 Healers Sustain Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Production. Cell DOI:10.1016/j.cell.2020.10.051

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

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Subset of COVID-19 Patients Who Recover Quickly and Sustain Antibodies Identified - Technology Networks

Immunology

Fighting Zika? Call in the T cells – Newswise

Newswise LA JOLLAWhere Aedes mosquitoes fly, Zika virus may not be far behind. Although the explosive 20152016 Zika epidemics in the Americas are behind us, Zika may re-emerge, and "in many countries, Zika may be spreading in silence," says Sujan Shresta, Ph.D., a professor at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI). "We need to develop effective vaccines."

In a new Science Advances study, Shresta and her colleagues at LJI report that the immune system's T cells have the power to prevent Zika infection in mice. This finding suggests that effective Zika vaccines need to activate T cells to work alongside antibodies.

"If we combine T cells and antibodies, we have even stronger protection and longer-term protection," says Annie Elong Ngono, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at LJI and first author of the new study.

Zika virus cases are usually mild, but the virus can cause serious congenital malformations in infants and neurological complications in adults and children. Since Zika made headlines in 2016, when cases of the virus peaked in the Americas, researchers have developed more than 40 Zika vaccine candidates. The vast majority of these vaccines are designed to prompt the body to make antibodies that target one specific protein on the virus.

Unfortunately, there is a drawback to this neutralizing antibody approach. In many parts of the world, Zika virus spreads alongside related mosquito-borne viruses, such as dengue. Scientists have found that the presence of anti-Zika antibodies can make a subsequent case of dengue much, much worse. In a 2018 study, Shresta's lab showed that newborn mouse pups harboring anti-Zika antibodies were more vulnerable to death from dengue exposure than mice that lacked anti-Zika antibodies.

Theoretically, similar cases of "antibody-dependent enhancement" may lead to cases where lingering anti-Zika antibodies in a patient will actually make it easier for dengue to enter host cellsleading to especially devastating consequences in pregnant patients. This means that a Zika vaccine that prompts only antibody production may be risky in areas where both dengue and Zika are common. Luckily, the immune system can make more than antibodies.

For the new study, Shresta and Elong Ngono tested an experimental Zika vaccine in a mouse model. The vaccine was designed to elicit the arm of the immune system that makes T cells. The mice were given the vaccine, given a second vaccine boost four weeks later, and then exposed to Zika six weeks after that.

The team found that the vaccine could induce a strong immunity against a potentially lethal Zika virus infection by inducing mainly CD8+ T cells, also called "killer" T cells, against the virus. The vaccine also prevented Zika transmission through the placenta from mother to fetus in pregnant mice.

This vaccine approach was even more effective when combined with a vaccine candidate that induced neutralizing antibodies. "We found that it is better to have a vaccine that induces both T cells and antibodies than either one alone," says Elong Ngono.

The new research also shows the importance of targeting more than one viral protein when fighting flaviviruses, the group of viruses that include Zika, dengue, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis. By getting T cells and antibodies to recognize key sites on these related viruses, researchers may be closer to developing a "pan-flavivirus" vaccine to protect people in areas where several of these diseases are common.

"We think this approach can be used against other infectious diseases," Elong Ngono says. For example, recent research from LJI scientists suggests that COVID-19 vaccines may also need to elicit T cells to work alongside antibodies.

"Now the challenge is finding how best to elicit appropriately balanced antibody and T cell responses," says Shresta. "We also don't know how durable the vaccine protection isif it's fairly short, we want to figure out how to enhance it.

The study, titled "CD8+ T cells mediate protection against Zika virus induced by an NS3-based vaccine," was supported by the National Institutes of Health (grants AI116813, AI140063 and NS106387) and a grant from the Chiba-UCSD Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy, and Vaccine Development.

Additional study authors include Thasneem Syed, Anh-Viet Nguyen, Jose Angel Regla-Nava, Mercylia Susantono, Darina Spasova, Allison Aguilar, Melissa West, Jessica Sparks, Andrew Gonzalez, Emilie Branche, Jason L. DeHart, Jerel Boyd Vega, Priya Prakash Karmali, Padmanabh Chivukula, Kurt Kamrud, Parinaz Aliahmad and Nathaniel Wang.

Doi: http://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.eabb2154

###

About La Jolla Institute for Immunology

The La Jolla Institute for Immunology is dedicated to understanding the intricacies and power of the immune system so that we may apply that knowledge to promote human health and prevent a wide range of diseases. Since its founding in 1988 as an independent, nonprofit research organization, the Institute has made numerous advances leading toward its goal: life without disease.

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Fighting Zika? Call in the T cells - Newswise

Immunology

Ultimovacs Announces Acceptance of Publication in ‘Frontiers in Immunology’ Featuring Positive Results From Phase I Trial Evaluating UV1 in Non-Small…

Nov. 2, 2020 10:27 UTC

OSLO, Norway--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ultimovacs ASA ("Ultimovacs", ticker ULTIMO), today announced the acceptance of publication in Frontiers in Immunology, outlining the positive long-term follow-up data from the companys Phase I trial evaluating its proprietary universal cancer vaccine, UV1, in non-small cell lung cancer. The publication will cover detailed outcomes of the study for the 18 patients receiving UV1 monotherapy as maintenance treatment.

Todays acceptance of publication in Frontiers in Immunology supports our goal to raise UV1 awareness among the scientific and medical communities through publications and presentations at medical conferences, stated Carlos de Sousa, Chief Executive Officer at Ultimovacs. Continued positive signs of safety and tolerability are of great importance for us as we are currently evaluating UV1 in triple combinations in two Phase II studies and safety remains our primary focus as we develop treatments for patients in need.

In the study, a total of 18 non-small cell lung cancer patients whose disease had not progressed after receiving at least 2nd line treatment with chemotherapy were enrolled to receive UV1 monotherapy as maintenance treatment. Patients were assigned to three different dose-groups, of 100, 300 and 700 g, with each cohort enrolling 6 patients. Data in the publication with a cut-off date of March 2020, demonstrated that administration of UV1 resulted in specific T-cell responses in the majority of the patients. The highest dose of 700 g, resulted in the highest proportion of immune responses. In addition, immune responses in the high-dose cohort were stronger, occurred at an earlier timeframe and were associated with long survival. The 4-year overall survival (OS) for the patients in the highest cohort was 83%, as compared to 39% for the total patient group.

The acceptance of our publication is a recognition of the confidence we have in UV1 as a universal cancer vaccine that could potentially treat a range of cancer indications, stated Jens Bjrheim, Chief Medical Officer at Ultimovacs. The data in the publication together with the 5-year topline results that we announced last month, confirm that UV1 can potentially benefit patients with non-small cell lung cancer. In all four Phase I trials that Ultimovacs has conducted with UV1, we see promising overall survival outcomes that support our ongoing, extensive clinical development program for UV1.

The abstract of the publication is available here: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.572172/abstract, the full article can be accessed after publication at the Frontiers in Immunology website: http://www.frontiersin.org.

About UV1 UV1 is a peptide-based vaccine inducing a specific T cell response against the universal cancer antigen telomerase. UV1 is being developed as a therapeutic cancer vaccine which may serve as a platform for use in combination with other immunotherapy which requires an ongoing T cell response for their mode of action. To date, UV1 has been tested in four phase I clinical trials in a total of 82 patients and maintained a positive safety and tolerability profile as well as encouraging signals of efficacy.

About UV1 Clinical Programs As a universal cancer vaccine, UV1s unique mechanism of action has the potential to be applicable across most cancer types. The clinical development of the UV1 vaccine includes three randomized, multinational, Phase II combination trials recruiting more than 400 patients in total. The INITIUM trial is an Ultimovacs-sponsored clinical trial recruiting 154 patients with metastatic malignant melanoma to evaluate UV1 in combination with ipilimumab and nivolumab as first-line treatment. The NIPU study is testing UV1 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors ipilimumab and nivolumab as second-line treatment in 118 patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare lung cancer. The study is sponsored by Oslo University Hospital and Bristol-Myers Squibb is providing the checkpoint inhibitors for this study. Ultimovacs anticipates announcing data on the primary endpoints for the NIPU and INITIUM studies in 2022. A third Phase II clinical trial will evaluate UV1 in a new cancer indication in combination with indication-specific standard of care cancer therapies different from those to be tested in INITIUM and NIPU. In this new collaboration, Ultimovacs will supply UV1 and a big pharma company will supply its proprietary cancer treatment to the clinical trial group which will sponsor the trial.

About Ultimovacs Ultimovacs UV1 universal cancer vaccine candidate leverages the high prevalence of the human telomerase (hTERT) to be effective across the dynamic stages of the tumors growth and its microenvironment. By directing the immune system to hTERT antigens that are present in over 80% of all cancers, UV1 drives CD4 helper T cells to the tumor with the goal of activating an immune system cascade to increase anti-tumor responses. Ultimovacs strategy is to clinically demonstrate UV1s impact in a range of cancers and in several immunotherapy combinations while expanding our pipeline of cancer vaccine therapies, convinced that a universal approach may be the key to achieving better outcomes for patients.

For further information, please see http://www.ultimovacs.com.

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Ultimovacs Announces Acceptance of Publication in 'Frontiers in Immunology' Featuring Positive Results From Phase I Trial Evaluating UV1 in Non-Small...

Immunology

New study could help scientists more effectively utilise T-Cell technologies to better understand immune responses – University of Birmingham

T cells form a crucial part of the immune system and work by detecting fragments of viruses, bacteria and cancer cells using their T cell receptors (TCRs).

A comparison of two key research tools used by immunologists to study different types of T-cell receptor signals has identified important features of existing technologies that could allow scientists to better understand immune responses, in a new study led by scientists at the University of Birmingham.

T cells form a crucial part of the immune system and work by detecting fragments of viruses, bacteria and cancer cells using their T cell receptors (TCRs). Once the fragments are detected, important signals are delivered from the TCRs to inside the T cell. Understanding how TCR signalling is initiated in T cells is critical for understanding how the immune system behaves in response to infectious disease, cancer and autoimmune conditions.

Studying TCR signalling during immune responses in living organisms is technically challenging, and scientists have used indirect approaches, by identifying genes that are rapidly expressed when a T cell signals from its TCR. The genes Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 have been identified as offering clear read outs of TCR signalling however it is unknown precisely what controls their expression and how different types of TCR signals may control them.

This latest study, funded by The Wellcome Trust, is the first to compare the two main methods used to study the signalling pathways of these genes as well as analysing them to better understand what types of TCR signals they may sense. The first and perhaps the most established in the field uses a genetically engineered mouse model Nr4a1-GFP which makes green fluorescent protein in cells that are expressing the gene Nr4a1. The second, co-invented by Dr David Bending at the University of Birminghams Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy is a novel technology using Nr4a3-Tocky mice which make a fluorescent protein that changes colour over time in response to TCR signals.

The study has revealed crucial differences between the technologies which could make them complimentary in studying different types of TCR signals. For example, the Nr4a1-GFP system is very sensitive to TCR signals, and therefore has the ability to capture the very short signals received by T cells that help them develop and survive. On the other hand, the Nr4a3-Tocky system requires longer TCR signals, which are generally seen only during immune responses. The findings were particularly interesting as Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 genes are from the same gene family and share significant similarities in their genetic codes however, as this study has shown, they are controlled by different signalling pathways.

Lead author Dr David Bending said: Our study could have a significant impact on the academic community, in particular on scientists investigating TCR signals in a variety of model systems such as infections, cancer and autoimmunity. However, these tools will greatly aid scientists in studying the effects on T cells of immunotherapies and vaccines in pre-clinical mouse studies, which will lay a foundation to guide future human research.

Our study also suggests that analysis of Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 expression patterns in human T cells could be a useful method for identifying responsive T cells, which has potential impact for vaccine studies.

The paper Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 reporter mice are differentially sensitive to T cell receptor signal strength and duration was published on 3 November 2020 in Cell Reports.

For media enquiries please contact Sophie Belcher, Communications Manager, University of Birmingham, on +44 7815607157. Alternatively, contact the Press Office out of hours on +44 (0)7789 921165.

Jennings et al., Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 Reporter Mice Are Differentially Sensitive to T Cell Receptor Signal Strength and Duration, Cell Reports 33 (2020) 108328,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108328

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New study could help scientists more effectively utilise T-Cell technologies to better understand immune responses - University of Birmingham

Immunology

Fluidigm Mass Cytometry Technologies, Including CyTOF, Imaging Mass Cytometry and Maxpar Direct, Utilized in More than 100 National Clinical Trials -…

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fluidigm Corporation (NASDAQ:FLDM), an innovative biotechnology tools provider with a vision to improve life through comprehensive health insight, today announced that its mass cytometry technologies, including CyTOF , Imaging Mass Cytometry (IMC), and Maxpar Direct, have been used in 113 National Clinical Trials listed in the clinicaltrials.gov database. This includes 94 ongoing and 19 completed clinical trials. Twenty-five trials were initiated in 2020, three of which utilize Imaging Mass Cytometry.

Fluidigm mass cytometry technologies have been deployed in multiple clinical trials related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including evaluation of immune response at different stages of the disease process and assessment of response to therapy at the cellular and molecular levels. These technologies are also being used in clinical trials for diverse indications and interventions in immuno-oncology, oncology, autoimmune diseases, vaccines, infections, surgery, blood and immune disorders, immunology, and allergy.

The large and growing number of clinical trials utilizing our mass cytometry technologies is evidence of our progress in implementing our vision to improve life through comprehensive health insight, said Chris Linthwaite, President and CEO of Fluidigm. We are gratified that our technologies are enabling cutting-edge discoveries that have the potential to transform clinical trial design and implementation, and we believe that ultimately they will help to advance clinical practice to achieve improved health outcomes.

The rapid deployment of our technologies to support clinical research addressing the current global health crisis demonstrates the flexibility with which those technologies can be adapted to meet specific and urgent research objectives, including pandemic response.

Examples of the diverse ways in which Fluidigm mass cytometry technologies are being incorporated into clinical trials as of September 30, 2020:

Commenting on the COntAGIouS trial, Professor Frederik De Smet, PhD, of the University of Leuven, the lead investigator for the trial, said, At the start of the pandemic the clinicians in our hospital who were treating COVID-19 patients asked us to work collaboratively with them to understand the immunological aberrations in hospitalized patients. To address this urgent need for knowledge, my lab combined the Maxpar Direct Immune Profiling Assay with Maxpar Pathsetter, allowing rapid data analysis without the immediate need for bioinformaticians.

This is important, because when were evaluating up to 40 parameters at a time for each cellwhich is straightforward using CyTOFanalyzing even a few hundred thousand cells generates enormous amounts of data. With Maxpar Pathsetter we were able to establish a data analysis structure that rapidly yielded results that helped inform our understanding of the immune response to the virus and provided insights into how to potentially improve management of infectedpatients. In addition, we performed extensive bioinformatics analyses to integrate all 40 markers to a maximal extent and deep-phenotype each blood sample.

About FluidigmFluidigm(Nasdaq:FLDM) focuses on the most pressing needs in translational and clinical research, including cancer, immunology, and immunotherapy. Using proprietary CyTOFand microfluidics technologies, we develop, manufacture, and market multi-omic solutions to drive meaningful insights in health and disease, identify biomarkers to inform decisions, and accelerate the development of more effective therapies. Our customers are leading academic, government, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, plant and animal research, and clinical laboratories worldwide. Together with them, we strive to increase the quality of life for all. For more information, visitfluidigm.com.

Fluidigm, theFluidigmlogo, CyTOF, Direct, Imaging Mass Cytometry, IMC, Immune Profiling Assay, Maxpar, and Pathsetter are trademarks and/or registered trademarks ofFluidigm Corporationinthe United Statesand/or other countries. All other trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners. Fluidigm products are provided for Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Forward-Looking Statements for FluidigmThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, statements regarding the impact of Fluidigm mass cytometry technologies on clinical trials and health care. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from currently anticipated results, including but not limited to risks relating to challenges inherent in developing, manufacturing, launching, marketing, and selling new products; risks relating to company research and development and distribution plans and capabilities; reductions in research and development spending or changes in budget priorities by customers; potential product performance and quality issues; intellectual property risks; and competition. Information on these and additional risks and uncertainties and other information affectingFluidigmbusiness and operating results is contained in Fluidigms Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2019, and in its other filings with theSecurities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof.Fluidigmdisclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.

Available InformationWe use our website (fluidigm.com), investor site (investors.fluidigm.com), corporate Twitter account (@fluidigm), Facebook page (facebook.com/Fluidigm), and LinkedIn page (linkedin.com/company/fluidigm-corporation) as channels of distribution of information about our products, our planned financial and other announcements, our attendance at upcoming investor and industry conferences, and other matters. Such information may be deemed material information, and we may use these channels to comply with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Therefore, investors should monitor our website and our social media accounts in addition to following our press releases,SECfilings, public conference calls, and webcasts.

Fluidigm

Media:Mark SpearmanSenior Director, Corporate Communications650 243 6621mark.spearman@fluidigm.com

Investors:Agnes LeeVice President, Investor Relations650 416 7423agnes.lee@fluidigm.com

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Fluidigm Mass Cytometry Technologies, Including CyTOF, Imaging Mass Cytometry and Maxpar Direct, Utilized in More than 100 National Clinical Trials -...

Immunology

The Immunology Drug Market to substantiate from 2017 to 2025 – The Think Curiouser

The immune system is an assembly of structures and processes inside the body to protect against possibly damaging foreign bodies and diseases. It identifies various threats like bacteria, viruses, and parasites and distinguishes them from bodys healthy tissues. When the immune system weakness and lose the capability to detect and destroy the abnormal cells or body attacks and damages its tissues lead to diseases like cancer and autoimmune diseases. Immunotherapy is a process which includes the treatment by inducing, enhancing or suppressing an immune system to fight against the diseases.

For more insights into the Market, request a sample of this report @https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/15259

According to American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, autoimmune disease affects up to 50 million Americans. Autoimmune diseases are of 80 types out of which most prevalent are rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematous (Lupus),Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis,inflammatory bowel arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis and affects different body organs like joints, muscles, skin, red blood cells, blood vessels, connective tissues and endocrine glands. Immunology drug is becoming the choice of several oncologists as they provide long-lasting affect by activating the immune system to identify cancerous cell and kill them through the natural process as well as improve the quality of survival. Some of the cancer treatment vaccines approved by FDA are bacillus Calmette-Gurin (BCG), Sipuleucel-T which propel the growth of the Immunology Drug market.

For Information On The Research Methodology request here @https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/15259

Immunology Drug Market: Drivers and Restraints

The increase in the prevalence rate of the different type of cancer and rheumatoid cancer, rising government initiatives, increasing funding from the various government and non-government organization is driving the immunology drug market. Patients with poor prognosis are expected to drive the growth of the immunology drugtrial evidence reveals that after preparing the immune system to fight against cancer immunology, drug effects last for a long time even after the reduction of the tumor. High costs of immunology drug and lack of awareness could be the possible restraints for the immunology drug market. Also, the introduction of generic drugs in some regions and slower pipeline development are the challenges for the immunology drug market.

To receive extensive list of important regions, Request TOC here @https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/15259

Immunology Drug Market: Segmentation

Immunology drug market is segmented by drug class and the end users.

To the date most clinically and effective drugs in monoclonal antibodies are Humira (adalimumab) and Remicade (infliximab).

Immunology Drug Market: Overview

Development of some new drugs with success rate is expected to offer the good opportunity for immunology drug market. Wide-ranging scope of Immuno-oncology agents in different cancer treatments would provide the maximum share to immunology drug market in the forecast period. pharmaceutical companies and R&D are showing increased interest in this field and is expected to offer better potential for immunology drug market. Companies involved in partnership and R&D for efficient technologies are some of the latest trends that have been observed in immunology drug market. Currently, most of the immunology drugs are in clinical trial and are expected to rise the immunology market after clearance or success of these products from clinical trials.

Immunology Drug Market: Region-wise Outlook

North America has the largest share globally in immunology drug market because of the availability of better reimbursement policies, high potential to invest the huge amount of money in the development of immunology drug and the advancement in the technologies. Europe is the second largest region regarding value because of the easy accessibility to the immunology drug, and also the affordability for the cost of treatment is high. Increase in awareness, rising economy, increasing government initiatives and large patient pool in Asia-Pacific regions also demonstrates the higher growth in Immunology Drug Market.

Immunology Drug Market: Key Market Participants

Some of the major players in Immunology drug market are Abbott Laboratories, Active Biotech, Eli Lilly and Company, Autoimmune Inc., Pfizer, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Seattle Genetics, Inc., Genentech, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Eisai Co., Bayer AG and Sanofi Aventis LLC.

The immune system is an assembly of structures and processes inside the body to protect against possibly damaging foreign bodies and diseases. It identifies various threats like bacteria, viruses, and parasites and distinguishes them from bodys healthy tissues. When the immune system weakness and lose the capability to detect and destroy the abnormal cells or body attacks and damages its tissues lead to diseases like cancer and autoimmune diseases. Immunotherapy is a process which includes the treatment by inducing, enhancing or suppressing an immune system to fight against the diseases.

According to American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, autoimmune disease affects up to 50 million Americans. Autoimmune diseases are of 80 types out of which most prevalent are rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematous (Lupus),Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis,inflammatory bowel arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis and affects different body organs like joints, muscles, skin, red blood cells, blood vessels, connective tissues and endocrine glands. Immunology drug is becoming the choice of several oncologists as they provide long-lasting affect by activating the immune system to identify cancerous cell and kill them through the natural process as well as improve the quality of survival. Some of the cancer treatment vaccines approved by FDA are bacillus Calmette-Gurin (BCG), Sipuleucel-T which propel the growth of the Immunology Drug market.

Immunology Drug Market: Drivers and Restraints

The increase in the prevalence rate of the different type of cancer and rheumatoid cancer, rising government initiatives, increasing funding from the various government and non-government organization is driving the immunology drug market. Patients with poor prognosis are expected to drive the growth of the immunology drugtrial evidence reveals that after preparing the immune system to fight against cancer immunology, drug effects last for a long time even after the reduction of the tumor. High costs of immunology drug and lack of awareness could be the possible restraints for the immunology drug market. Also, the introduction of generic drugs in some regions and slower pipeline development are the challenges for the immunology drug market.

Immunology Drug Market: Segmentation

Immunology drug market is segmented by drug class and the end users.

To the date most clinically and effective drugs in monoclonal antibodies are Humira (adalimumab) and Remicade (infliximab).

Immunology Drug Market: Overview

Development of some new drugs with success rate is expected to offer the good opportunity for immunology drug market. Wide-ranging scope of Immuno-oncology agents in different cancer treatments would provide the maximum share to immunology drug market in the forecast period. pharmaceutical companies and R&D are showing increased interest in this field and is expected to offer better potential for immunology drug market. Companies involved in partnership and R&D for efficient technologies are some of the latest trends that have been observed in immunology drug market. Currently, most of the immunology drugs are in clinical trial and are expected to rise the immunology market after clearance or success of these products from clinical trials.

Immunology Drug Market: Region-wise Outlook

North America has the largest share globally in immunology drug market because of the availability of better reimbursement policies, high potential to invest the huge amount of money in the development of immunology drug and the advancement in the technologies. Europe is the second largest region regarding value because of the easy accessibility to the immunology drug, and also the affordability for the cost of treatment is high. Increase in awareness, rising economy, increasing government initiatives and large patient pool in Asia-Pacific regions also demonstrates the higher growth in Immunology Drug Market.

Immunology Drug Market: Key Market Participants

Some of the major players in Immunology drug market are Abbott Laboratories, Active Biotech, Eli Lilly and Company, Autoimmune Inc., Pfizer, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Seattle Genetics, Inc., Genentech, Inc., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Eisai Co., Bayer AG and Sanofi Aventis LLC.

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The Immunology Drug Market to substantiate from 2017 to 2025 - The Think Curiouser

Immunology

Arcutis Announces Appointment of Terrie Curran to Board of Directors – GlobeNewswire

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Nov. 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQT), a medical dermatology company developing innovative treatments for patients with immune-mediated dermatological diseases and conditions, today announced that Terrie Curranhas been appointed to the Arcutis Board of Directors effective Nov. 2, 2020, and that Alexander Asam, Ph.D. has decided to step down from the Board.

We are tremendously grateful for Alexanders contributions to Arcutis, commented Patrick Heron, Chairman of the Arcutis Board of Directors. His thoughtful counsel and leadership were instrumental in our recent progress, particularly our two recent very successful public financings. While we will miss his guidance, we wish him well in his future endeavors.

We are absolutely delighted to welcome Terrie to the Arcutis Board, said Frank Watanabe, Arcutis President and Chief Executive Officer. She is an exceptionally talented biopharmaceutical executive with over 20 years of industry experience in product commercialization. With her extensive experience launching and successfully commercializing innovative products in the dermatology segment, she is uniquely positioned to help Arcutis in its next stage of development, particularly in light of the upcoming data from our pivotal Phase 3 trials and potential NDA submission next year.

I am delighted to join the Arcutis board at this exciting time, said Terrie Curran. The Companys lead product candidate, topical roflumilast, has the potential to become the standard of care for plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis. I look forward to contributing my expertise, specifically with commercialization planning and execution, to help them build a leading dermatology company.

Ms. Curran is CEO and President at Phathom Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PHAT), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing new treatments for gastrointestinal diseases. Prior to this, she was the former President, Global Inflammation and Immunology (I&I) Franchise and member of the Executive Committee at Celgene. She joined Celgene in 2013 as the U.S. Commercial Head of the I&I Franchise and built the capabilities and recruited the teams that executed the successful launch of OTEZLA for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Prior to joining Celgene, she served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Global Womens Health at Merck & Co. Ms. Curran holds graduate and bachelors degrees from the University of Technology Sydney.

About Arcutis - Bioscience, applied to the skin.Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQT) is a medical dermatology company developing innovative treatments for patients with immune-mediated dermatological diseases and conditions. The Company is leveraging recent advances in immunology and inflammation to develop differentiated therapies against biologically validated targets to solve persistent treatment challenges in serious diseases of the skin. Arcutis robust pipeline includes four novel drug candidates currently in development for a range of inflammatory dermatological conditions. The Companys lead product candidate, topical roflumilast, has the potential to become the standard of care for plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis. For more information, visit http://www.arcutis.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains "forward-looking" statements, including, among others, statements regarding data from the pivotal Phase 3 trials; the potential NDA submission next year; the potential for topical roflumilast to become the standard of care for plaque psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis; and the potential for Arcutis to become a leading dermatology company. These statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ include risks inherent in the clinical development process and regulatory approval process, the timing of regulatory filings, and our ability to defend our intellectual property. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties applicable to our business, see the "Risk Factors" section of our Form 10-Q filed with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 11, 2020, as well as any subsequent filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to revise or update information herein to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

Investors and Media:Heather Rowe ArmstrongVice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communicationsharmstrong@arcutis.com805-418-5006, Ext. 740

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Arcutis Announces Appointment of Terrie Curran to Board of Directors - GlobeNewswire

Immunology

Sunway University Researcher Looks into Genomes and Allergies – QS WOW News

Dust mites, common in most human habitats are also one of the most common causes of allergies. Dr Kavita Reginald, Senior Lecturer from the Department of Biological Sciences at Sunway University has made it her interest to study these microscopic arachnids.

According to Dr Kavita, there are about 10 common dust mite species that can be found in the home environment, each capable of causing allergies. For her doctoral research, she focused on identifying the different allergens produced by dust mites. Material from dust mites was isolated and through gene sequencing techniques it was found that each mite is capable of producing over 30 distinct allergens.

It was during this time that Dr Kavita discovered a new dust mite allergen. Upon further characterization, this new allergen was found to be an important cause of allergic reactions within the local population. This allergen was subsequently named Der f 22 (the 22nd allergen identified from the house dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae) by the international allergen nomenclature committee, explained Dr Kavita.

Another of her research contribution is the initial identification of two epitopes (IgE antibody binding molecular signatures) of a very potent allergen, Der p 2 that was shown to be potential immunotherapy molecules as shown by mouse model experiments.

Dr Kavita, whose research area is focused on allergy and immunology is particularly interested in understanding the genetic and immunological factors that contribute to allergic conditions. Asides from researching into dust mites, her other notable works include identifying and patenting a novel protein of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus as an initial diagnostic target for atopic dermatitis.

These bacteria are specifically found on skin lesions of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis, a common type of eczema. She has also contributed to research on the molecular mechanisms of immune cells which dives deep into understanding how signaling proteins communicate when immune cells are activated (in infections or allergies).

Allergic diseases are a global health problem that affects up to 25% of the worlds population and represent a heavy burden for both the patients and the health care system. While the immune mechanisms are similar, the symptoms of allergic diseases are varied, based on the location of the immune reaction and can include conjunctivitis, rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, atopic dermatitis, gastro-intestinal symptoms, and life-threatening systemic anaphylaxis. Allergic diseases are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. My research investigates both these aspects to obtain a holistic understanding on allergies and its causes, said Dr Kavita.

According to Dr Kavita, current research points towards the influence of small errors in the genome, also known as single nucleotide polymorphism in certain genes can cause an individual to be atopic, or genetically susceptible to an allergic response to certain triggers. In fact, recent studies in individuals with atopic dermatitis showed that mutation in the filaggrin gene is the most significant risk factor for this disorder.

My group is studying the genetic factors associated with allergic rhinitis among individuals of the Han Chinese heritage. Interestingly, our data has revealed that the majority of the risk genes identified in our population were novel in their links to allergic rhinitis. At present we are characterizing these genes, to better understand their role in the mechanisms of allergic rhinitis.

An allergic reaction happens when a foreign antigen (or allergen) is recognized by the immune system (specifically IgE antibodies). This leads to the activation of the system causing downstream symptoms of allergies such as breathlessness, wheezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose.

With regards to major allergens that affect the Malaysian population, Dr Kavita characterizes and identifies the source (dust mites, pollen, cockroaches, fungus) as well as the molecular signatures of these allergens. She hopes to come up with better diagnostic tools in identifying specific allergens.

Dr Kavita did 7 years of post-doctoral research in Austria and France in the area of immunology research. For her, possessing information on the molecular signatures (epitopes) is very useful in designing safe and effective immunotherapy molecules for allergy treatment.

She cites that Allergen immunotherapy is the only curative therapy of allergy, and its effects are long lasting, even after therapy is stopped. Allergen immunotherapy is a really exciting area of translational clinical research that I would like to explore in the future. The development of safe and effective immunotherapy is really the holy grail in treating allergies.

However, we still need to first characterize the molecular signatures (or epitopes) and use this knowledge to design immunotherapy vaccines. Some of my current work in the area is in characterizing the epitopes of several important dust mite allergens.

For Dr Kavita, research and scientific advancements have no real meaning or impact unless its shared, and understood by the masses.

In this spirit, I bring various aspects of my research, news of the latest advancements in the field of immunology and insights from recent scientific publications into the classroom at any possible opportunity, explained Dr Kavita who lectures on Clinical Chemistry, Pathology and Immunology.

Since joining Sunway University 3 years ago, she tries to expose her students to diverse laboratory techniques in allergy research, such as allergy diagnosis or to quantify levels of allergens within the dust. Dr Kavita believes these experiments will help expose students to the practical aspects of her research area.

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Sunway University Researcher Looks into Genomes and Allergies - QS WOW News

Immunology

Canadian scientists find markers in blood they believe are linked to severe COVID-19 – National Observer

Canadian immunologists say theyre finding telltale markers in patients' blood that help predict the severity of COVID-19 and could lead to more targeted treatments.

David Kelvin, a Dalhousie University professor of immunology, is co-author of a study that draws links between severity of the illness and the presence of large amounts of the virus's genetic material ribonucleic acid, or RNA in blood samples.

He and Spanish scientist Jesus Bermejo-Martin of the Institute of Biomedical Investigation of Salamanca led a group of 36 medical researchers tracking patients coming into Spanish hospital wards and ERs, and looking for about 30 so-called "biomarkers in their blood plasma.

The work occurred during the first wave of the pandemic in the spring.

Though less publicized than research on vaccines, biomarkers are seen as key to tracking and predicting illness, and they can identify which proteins are being released that prevent the immune system from coping.

The study, which has been published online and is currently in the final stages of peer review for the journal Critical Care, concludes that the presence of the virus's RNA in blood is "associated to critical illness."

Kelvin says the work could lead to partnering with a pharmaceutical firm to develop standard and rapid blood-testing looking for the genetic marker in patients who test positive.

"A test is what we're hoping for," he said in an interview this week. "We need to develop ways to quickly know who should be placed in a ward, who should go in (intensive care) and who is well enough to go back home."

While North American hospitals often do test for the presence of the viruss genetic material in the blood of severely ill COVID-19 patients, Kelvin says more rapid, standardized tests are needed for patients when they arrive in hospital.

"We're facing a huge surge in patients, and there are a limited number of beds," he said. "If we want to allocate those beds, we should tie them to those who have this genetic material circulating in their blood."

The article says the Spanish-based study is among the largest of its kind in the world to date, with 250 patients included 50 outpatients, 100 patients hospitalized in various wards and 100 critically ill patients. Blood samples were collected within 24 hours of patients being admitted, with a series of followup tests.

The paper found 78 per cent of critically ill patients had the genetic material as a biomarker, compared to just a quarter of the general ward patients and two per cent of outpatients.

Kelvin said his study also noted the presence of three molecules associated with repressing the immune system in the critically ill patients studied, a finding that other scientists can pursue.

There seemed to be a link between the trio of molecules Interleukin-10, Interleukin-1 RA and PDL-1 and the presence of the virus's genetic material in the blood, he said. The molecules occur naturally in the body and are used clinically to treat autoimmune diseases.

The detection of the molecules in critically sick patients comes on the heels of similar findings by British scientists.

Immunologist Mark Cameron, who worked with Kelvin studying the 2003 SARS outbreak in Toronto, says the findings are helpful on several levels.

In the short term, the linking of the virus's RNA with critical illness helps clinicians in diagnosing severity of the illness, said Cameron, a Canadian based at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

Meanwhile, identifying proteins that signal the immune system isn't reacting properly can lead to targeted therapies, he added.

"By testing for and identifying biomarkers, you can then find treatments or drugs that can rebalance our immune system, Cameron said in an interview.

If we find a biomarker that's up or down and is associated with good or bad outcomes, you have something you can change that can push you towards health rather than worsening illness," he said.

Cameron said often the main treatment for severe COVID-19 is steroids, but his hope is the biomarkers will allow for more precise therapies.

"A steroid is like a sledgehammer . . . . It tamps down the entire immune response and may decrease the things we need in our immune system to fight the virus. So, you want more specific treatments," he said.

His team is studying the early biomarkers present in 50 patients who have just been infected in nursing homes in Cleveland.

Like Kelvin, his early findings also show the presence of the RNA of the virus in patients who are ill, though he didn't quantify the amounts.

Cameron said testing systems used in the study are extremely precise, but the goal will be to create cheaper methods that can produce results in minutes or hours.

Asked if the work will become irrelevant if a vaccine is found, Cameron said the study of biomarkers will remain crucial in years to come to monitor COVID-19 in patients and target their treatment.

"This will be needed five months from now, and five years from now," he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 30, 2020.

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Canadian scientists find markers in blood they believe are linked to severe COVID-19 - National Observer

Immunology

Horizon Therapeutics plc Names Karin Rosn, M.D., Ph.D. Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer – Business Wire

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) today announced that Karin Rosn, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the company as executive vice president, research and development and chief scientific officer, reporting directly to Tim Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

We are thrilled to welcome Karin to Horizon during this transformative time in our companys growth, said Walbert. We have made significant progress during the last three years in building a strong R&D organization and a diversified pipeline. We are confident that Karins ability to build and lead cross-functional teams, clinical development experience and therapeutic area expertise, will contribute to solidifying our position as a leading rare disease biopharmaceutical company.

Dr. Rosn is an accomplished life sciences executive and physician with nearly three decades of experience that includes directing biologic clinical research and development and building, leading and successfully launching multiple novel medicines in the United States and globally. Prior to Horizon, she was senior vice president, U.S. medical affairs at GlaxoSmithKline, where she led a team of more than 300 physicians and medical professionals in disease areas including immunology, respiratory and inflammation.

I have focused my entire career on collaborating with diverse teams to address complex scientific problems that result in treatments for patients in need, said Dr. Rosn. There is much work to be done in the research and development of medicines for rare diseases and I applaud Horizons continued commitment to this space. The companys evolution during the last decade to bring therapies to the most underserved communities is inspiring and I look forward to leading this accomplished R&D organization.

Prior to GlaxoSmithKline, Dr. Rosn was senior vice president, U.S. and global medical affairs at Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc. as well as a member of the clinical development leadership team working on the Phase 2b-3/4 clinical programs and U.S. FDA and European Medicines Agency filing strategies. Prior to Aimmune, Dr. Rosn was therapeutic area head, immunology, at Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. During her tenure at Genentech, she also served as lead medical director responsible for developing Phase 2-3 clinical programs for multiple biologics in the areas of immunology, respiratory, allergy and dermatology.

Dr. Rosn received her medical degree and doctorate from Lund University in Lund, Sweden.

About Horizon

Horizon is focused on researching, developing and commercializing medicines that address critical needs for people impacted by rare and rheumatic diseases. Our pipeline is purposeful: we apply scientific expertise and courage to bring clinically meaningful therapies to patients. We believe science and compassion must work together to transform lives. For more information on how we go to incredible lengths to impact lives, please visit http://www.horizontherapeutics.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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Horizon Therapeutics plc Names Karin Rosn, M.D., Ph.D. Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer - Business Wire