College of Health Sciences

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BLR Bio, a biotechnology company in Rosalind Franklin University's Helix 51 incubator, announced new data on its novel therapy for systemic sclerosis and lung fibrosis at the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) Annual Conference this week in Manchester, UK. BLR Bio CEO and CSO Bruce Riser, a renowned expert in fibrotic diseases, pictured in his lab at Rosalind Franklin University's Helix 51 biomedical incubator. Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is a devastating disorder, encompassing a group of chronic lung conditions that affect the tissue between the air sacs in the lungs. ILD conditions can include Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which can result from systemic sclerosis. The estimated prevalence in the United States is 654,852, according to a February 2024 publication in the journal CHEST. "These patients are in urgent need of a therapy that can halt or reverse this disease without the threat of serious side effects," said BLR Bio CEO and CSO Dr. Bruce Riser. In the new study, presented by Dr. Andrew Leask at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, BLR 200, the company's lead compound, demonstrated the ability to reduce key disease tissue markers for fibrotic lung disease. Reductions were shown in Ashcroft scores, collagen levels, and both fibronectin-1 (FN-1) and profibrotic CCN4, signaling molecules involved in the development of scar tissue. Dr. Leask is a leading expert in fibrosis and CCN proteins and a long-term collaborator with BLR Bio. "Our data shows the reductions in Ashcroft scores and collagen levels appear to be more pronounced than those seen with other therapies on the market and in development," Dr. Riser said. "Combined with prior observations modeling scleroderma skin fibrosis, BLR-200 has shown the potential to address both skin and lung fibrosis. It appears to be the only drug in development that reduces expression of all three CCN proteins — CCN1, CCN2, CCN4 — that play a crucial role in the activation of fibroblast cells critical for initiating and maintaining fibrosis." Dr. Joseph DiMario, RFU Interim VP for Research, noted that BLR Bio was one of the first tenants of Helix 51. "We are very pleased to see the progress the company is making toward the development of life-changing medicines," he said. About Rosalind Franklin University Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose Photo 51 was crucial to solving the structure of DNA. Recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, diabetes, obesity, and gait and balance, RFU encompasses the Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. Learn more at rosalindfranklin.edu. About BLR Bio Learn more at blrbio.com. Office of Marketing and Communications [email protected] SOURCE Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

TUESDAY, April 8, 2025 -- One in 13 youth and adolescents globally experience nocturnal enuresis, according to a review published online March 20 in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health . Molalign Aligaz Adisu, from the College of Health Sciences at Woldia University in Ethiopia, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis seeking to synthesize global epidemiological data on nocturnal enuresis. Based on 128 studies (445,242 individuals in 39 countries), the researchers found that the overall pooled prevalence of nocturnal enuresis among children and adolescents was 7.2 percent. Factors significantly associated with nocturnal enuresis included a positive family history (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.49), positive urinary tract infection (aOR, 3.89), parental death (aOR, 1.93), first birth order (aOR, 0.5), and male sex (aOR 1.63). "It is recommended that health care providers should implement routine screening for nocturnal enuresis, particularly for children with known risk factors such as family history and urinary tract infections, and the development of targeted interventions and support mechanisms should be prioritized, considering the significant impacts of these factors among children and adolescents," the authors write. Abstract/Full Text Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

Monopar's pipeline includes clinical-stage radiopharmaceuticals targeting advanced solid tumors and late-stage ALXN1840, a treatment for Wilson Disease NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Jan. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science announced that Monopar Therapeutics is the latest biotech company to join the Helix 51 biomedical incubator community. Monopar, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm, is developing personalized and precise radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat aggressive cancers, and will utilize the labs and other resources in Helix 51 to further its research objectives. Continue Reading Rosalind Franklin University's Innovation and Research Park, located between Chicago and Milwaukee, is designed for collaboration among academic and industry scientists and entrepreneurs. The IRP currently houses six disease-focused research centers. Helix 51, RFU's biomedical incubator, continues to expand its roster of startup, early-stage and international companies. "We are excited to be a part of the vibrant biomedical community at RFU," said Monopar COO Andrew Cittadine, MBA. "We see this as an opportunity to accelerate the development of new products and were drawn to the talented and collaborative community at Helix 51." Radiopharmaceuticals — drugs that selectively target cancer and are linked with radioisotopes — are a key component of nuclear medicine. Rapid advancements in the field have significantly improved healthcare by enabling highly targeted diagnosis and treatment of diseases, particularly cancer, through the precise delivery of radiation directly to diseased tissues. The technique helps minimize damage to healthy organs, leading to earlier detection, more effective therapies and improved patient outcomes with fewer side effects. An article published this month in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy hailed the technology's ability to "improve the efficiency and biosafety of tumour diagnosis and therapy." Monopar is also working on a late-stage investigational drug for the treatment of Wilson Disease, a rare genetic disorder. Helix 51 is the only wet-and dry-lab based incubator in Lake County, Illinois, which is home to more than 122 bioscience companies and 33,000 bioscience jobs. The university's Innovation and Research Park also provides research space to biotech and biopharma companies looking to grow. The IRP features numerous core facilities essential for drug, device and diagnostic research and development. "Rosalind Franklin University is committed to expanding collaboration between academic research and the life-science industry to develop new therapeutic solutions for difficult-to-treat diseases," said Dr. Joseph DiMario, RFU interim vice president for research. "Our Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology, and Infection and Center for Genetic Diseases can also provide additional research support and expertise to Monopar. We're pleased to include them in our growing oncology cluster of companies." About Rosalind Franklin University Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is committed to serving humanity through the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals and the discovery of knowledge dedicated to improving wellness. The university embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose Photo 51 was crucial to solving the structure of DNA. Recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, diabetes, obesity, and gait and balance, RFU encompasses the Chicago Medical School, College of Health Professions, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine. Learn more at rosalindfranklin.edu. Office of Marketing and Communications [email protected] SOURCE Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED