Citation: Clinical Infectious Disease, May 1, 2004

Despite a critical need for new antibiotics to treat drug-resistant and other infectious disease, very few antibiotics are being developed, according to a study in the May 1 issues of Clinical Infectious Disease.

REI researchers evaluated FDA databases of approved drugs and found that FDA approvals of new antibiotics declined 56 percent during the past 20 years. Researchers found only six new antibiotics in the R & D pipeline out of 506 drugs being developed. "Pharmaceutical companies appear to be more interested in developing drugs that patients take for life", says lead author Brad Spellberg, MD. "By comparison, antibiotics are usually prescribed for one or two weeks at most."

Researchers Identify Unifying Structural Code Among Diverse Classes of Natural Antibiotics

Citation: Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United Sates of America (PNAS), May 2004

Investigators at REI have identified a novel structural signature that is conserved in otherwise distinct classes of antimicrobial peptides. Antimicrobial peptides are small, naturally occurring protein antibiotics that protect organisms against infection. The discovery of such a broadly encompassing structural signature within these ancient host defense peptides could significantly accelerate development of novel molecules to fight multi-drug resistant infections.

"We believe this discovery offers new insights into the evolution of immune defense against infection," said Nanette Yount, PhD, and Michael Yeaman, PhD.

Testosterone Gel Study First to Show Long-term Benefits and Safety

Citation: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, May 4, 2004

Longterm use of testosterone gel is safe and effective for men with low testosterone, according to a new study published in the May 1 issue of
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Contact: David Feuerherd
df@issuesmangement.com
310-215-0234
Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed)
3-May-2004