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March 24, 2009
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DEFEATING DUCHENNE
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| Big shout out to new Bisnow sponsor The Long Companies. They’re leasing medical office space within a mile of Inova Fairfax and Dunn Loring Metro. It’s designed specifically for the medical tenant with augmented water capacity, electrical and mechanical systems. See their ad to the right. |
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Big news from Children's National: A treatment called multiple exon-skipping has reversed the effect of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy on an animal larger than a mouse (in this case, dogs). On Friday, we met study co-author Dr. Eric Hoffman in his lab for details on the results.
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Duchenne is caused by a genetic mutation that stunts muscle growth by preventing the production of the protein dystrophin. Eric, in collaboration with the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry in Tokyo, tested a synthetic molecule called morpholino that fools the compromised genes into secreting dystrophin. (Is it just us, or does "morpholino" sound like Tony Soprano's geneticist uncle?) Eric tells us there's never before been a successful trial of this magnitude—meaning size of the animal and amount of dosage.
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The treatment succeeded in part because the faulty cells are porous, so morpholino (now it sounds like a nerdy superhero) can easily leak in. Unfortunately, treatment near the heart was less effective because it lacks those holes. Of course, lacking holes in the heart is generally a positive thing (except for country singers looking for motivation). Eric's already back at work developing a treatment that can penetrate non-porous cells, as well as other work on metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
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Just so there's no activist confusion: The disease occurred naturally in the dogs. The good news of this study balances a sadder personal tale: Eric sings baritone in a chorus, the Master Chorale of Washington, that was recently forced to close its doors due to financial constraints. Don't miss their penultimate concert, Brahms' German Requiem with the National Symphony Orchestra, April 9-11.
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| Leukemia Ball |
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Saturday was not a good night to be a blood cancer. The Leukemia Ball at the Convention Center raked in $3 million to eradicate the diseases. Above, event co-chair Ed Offterdinger, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) CEO Billy Tauzin, Leukemia & Lymphoma DC Executive Director Donna McKelvey, Eli Lilly's Joe Kelley and daughter Malyia. Joe tells us Eli Lilly is developing several blood cancer drugs, but they're in early stage trials, so they go by code names. Little known fact we made up: The generic drug acetaminophen was so generic, that its secret code name was acetaminophen.
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Comedian Frank Caliendo dazzled with impressions ranging from George Bush to John Madden. Here he announces the winner of a raffled Mercedes.
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Over 2000 people turned out to see Grammy Award-winning R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire. We snapped this of bassist Verdine White. Sure, he looks angry at us, but we assume that's his interpretive dance for fire. We must've missed earth and wind.
Think about it: Now that dogs are being treated for muscular dystrophy, Ed McMahon can once again be the primary man's best friend on the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Send story ideas to Curtis@Bisnow.com
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This newsletter is a journalistic news source which accepts no payment for featured interviews. It is supported by conventional advertisers clearly identified in the right hand column. You have been selected to receive it either through prior contact or professional association. If you have received it in error, please accept our apologies and unsubscribe at bottom of the newsletter. © 2009, Bisnow on Business, Inc., 1323 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036. All rights reserved.
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