MITES

Vestaron Receives EPA Approval for Second Active Ingredient, BASIN® Bioinsecticide

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 7, 2024

Durham, North Carolina, March 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vestaron Corporation, a leading innovator in sustainable crop protection solutions, proudly announces the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval of its second novel-acting peptide-based insecticide, BASIN®.

Key Points: 
  • Durham, North Carolina, March 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vestaron Corporation, a leading innovator in sustainable crop protection solutions, proudly announces the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval of its second novel-acting peptide-based insecticide, BASIN®.
  • Vestaron’s first active ingredient, the award-winning SPEAR® bioinsecticide, was commercialized in 2020; it was the first new “neuromuscular” mode of action (IRAC group 32) since the diamides in 2007.
  • Juan Estupinan, Interim CEO and President of Vestaron, expressed his excitement about this milestone and its implications for the agriculture industry: “We are thrilled to receive EPA approval for our second active ingredient, BASIN.
  • For more information about Vestaron and its innovative portfolio, please visit www.vestaron.com .

Tarsus Introduces “Mite Party” Campaign for XDEMVY® (lotilaner ophthalmic solution) 0.25% to Educate Consumers about Demodex Blepharitis

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 5, 2024

“Mite Party” is designed to elevate consumer awareness of Demodex blepharitis through relatable messaging and compelling visuals to encourage patients who may have Demodex blepharitis to seek out an eye care provider for screening.

Key Points: 
  • “Mite Party” is designed to elevate consumer awareness of Demodex blepharitis through relatable messaging and compelling visuals to encourage patients who may have Demodex blepharitis to seek out an eye care provider for screening.
  • “We are committed to increasing Demodex blepharitis education and awareness so that patients more effectively understand their disease and are motivated to seek treatment,” said Aziz Mottiwala, Chief Commercial Officer of Tarsus.
  • We look forward to advancing this novel campaign with the goal of helping as many patients with Demodex blepharitis as possible.”
    Demodex blepharitis occurs when Demodex mites – the most common ectoparasites found on humans – overpopulate on the eyelids.
  • “Mite Party” will officially launch on the XDEMVY Facebook page (@xdemvyrx) with a live event designed to “break up the mite parties” on Demodex blepharitis patients’ eyelids.

Draft guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis in moderate to low-sized study populations

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 12, 2024

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      Guideline on allergen products development for
      immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis in moderate to lowsized study populations

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      Table of contents

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      Executive summary ..................................................................................... 3

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      1.

    • Specific effects ................................................................................................. 17

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      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
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      12.

    • Management for allergies may involve avoidance of the allergen, medications to relieve

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      symptoms, or allergen immunotherapy (AIT) to desensitize the immune system to the allergen.

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      Recommendations are made on the clinical development, potential study designs and safety

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      considerations for allergen products within the scope of the guideline.

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      in moderate to low-sized study populations
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      While allergen specific immunotherapy is the only known disease modifying therapy for type I allergies,

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      there is no such treatment available for type IV allergies.

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      Several guidelines applicable for allergen products are available (see section 3) and provide advice on

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      quality and clinical development according to the current knowledge.

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      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

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      However, this guideline does not cover the indication of atopic dermatitis or asthma as these

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      conditions will require separate clinical trials (see Section 6).

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      In addition, the guideline does not cover medicinal allergen products manufactured using recombinant

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      DNA technology, synthetic peptides, DNA or RNA constructs and/or cell preparations as they differ

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      substantially to the allergen products as discussed above.

    • 1

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      ?

      Guideline on the clinical development of products for specific immunotherapy for the treatment

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      of allergic diseases - CHMP/EWP/18504/2006
      ?

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      Guideline on Allergen Products: Production and Quality Issues EMEA/CHMP/BWP/304831/2007

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      Guideline on process validation for finished products - information and data to be provided in
      regulatory submissions - EMA/CHMP/CVMP/QWP/BWP/70278/2012-Rev1, Corr.1

      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
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      ?

      Recommendations on common regulatory approaches for allergen products - CMDh/399/2019

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      4.

    • In any

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      case, a reduced validation should include all relevant manufacturing process steps that are considered
      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
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      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

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      product specific.

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      Diagnostic allergen products (Type I allergy)

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      A possible target indication is diagnosis of type I hypersensitivity (immediate-type allergy) by prick,

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      intracutaneous or provocation testing.

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      7.1.

    • Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
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      8.

    • Clinical development of products for AIT: Study design,
      efficacy and safety

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      In general, the clinical development should be performed according to current guidelines.

    • In such single trial, the suitability as a test allergen as well as the

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      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

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      dose finding for the therapeutic allergen could be investigated.

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      8.2.1.

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      In general, sensitivity and specificity of the product should be determined.

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      10.2.

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      4.

    • Allergol Immunopathol, 1989;

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      17(2):53-65

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      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
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      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

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Internist Shirin Peters, M.D. of Bethany Medical Clinic, Shares Top Tips for the Challenges of Winter Allergies

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

has identified at-home recommendations to combat winter allergy symptoms, helping allergy sufferers manage triggers, ease concerns, and avoid future flare-ups.

Key Points: 
  • has identified at-home recommendations to combat winter allergy symptoms, helping allergy sufferers manage triggers, ease concerns, and avoid future flare-ups.
  • “Many associate seasonal allergies just with spring but winter presents a different challenge to allergy sufferers.
  • Moreover, simple lifestyle changes and at-home tips can help manage symptoms and bring some relief during these cooler months,” says Dr. Peters, with Bethany Medical Clinic.
  • Dr. Peters shares preventative measures to decrease your chances of winter and indoor allergies and lower your risk of developing sinusitis and nasal polyps.

There are benefits to sharing a bed with your pet – as long as you’re scrupulously clean

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024

Perhaps the cat curls up at the end of your bed.

Key Points: 
  • Perhaps the cat curls up at the end of your bed.
  • Maybe the dog dives under the duvet or pops their head on your pillow.
  • But if you do share your bed with Fluffy or Fido, what what does science suggest is best practice?

Disturbed Sleep

  • One challenge of sharing your bed with your pet could be disturbed sleep.
  • The movement of sleeping partners (two or four-legged) may lead to reduced sleep efficiency, although a bed large enough to accommodate all can mitigate this.
  • Encouraging your pet to sleep elsewhere, but within the bedroom could also be beneficial if sleep disturbance is affecting your wellbeing.

Bed bugs

  • These ectoparasites might hop from our pets to us and either cause transient or more prolonged irritation.
  • Indeed, we can even share infections with our pets – including COVID-19 – so it’s not all one-sided.

Allergies and injuries

  • Minor, unintentional injuries such as scratches can occur.
  • Contact with dust and dander from pet hair can be prolonged when in close proximity.

Keeping it clean

  • Advice suggests that at least weekly washing of bed sheets is good practice.
  • If you share your bed with pets, washing bedclothes every three to four days is suggested.
  • The fur and feet of our pets can be contaminated with dirt and pathogens too.

It’s bedtime

  • Balancing the potential downsides of sharing a bed with your pet, with possible benefits is important to assess whether it is a good choice for you or not.
  • With good hygiene and management, the choice to share your sleep with your pet might just give you both a great night’s sleep.


Jacqueline Boyd is affiliated with The Kennel Club (UK) through membership, as Chair of the Activities Health and Welfare Subgroup and member of the Dog Health Group. Jacqueline is a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT #01583) and she also writes, consults and coaches on canine matters on an independent basis, in addition to her academic affiliation at Nottingham Trent University.

QIAGEN announces partnership with Penn State University to advance microbiome sciences

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024

Germantown, Maryland, and State College, Pennsylvania, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QIAGEN (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced a first-in-kind collaboration with Penn State University in the United States to create a shared research and education facility for the fast-developing microbiome sciences.

Key Points: 
  • Germantown, Maryland, and State College, Pennsylvania, Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QIAGEN (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced a first-in-kind collaboration with Penn State University in the United States to create a shared research and education facility for the fast-developing microbiome sciences.
  • In doing so, this new partnership will provide QIAGEN with a site to support the development of new products as a testing center.
  • This includes an internship program for graduate students from Penn State at QIAGEN laboratories at the European operational headquarters in Hilden, Germany, and helps them prepare for careers in the biotechnology industry.
  • “Additionally, it will foster relationships with the microbiome research community and enable us to better develop new products for microbiome research based on direct customer feedback.”
    Seth Bordenstein, Director of the One Health Microbiome Center, Professor of Biology and Entomology, and Huck Endowed Chair in the Microbiome Sciences, at Penn State said: “The ‘One Health’ vision shared by QIAGEN and Penn State University is critical for microbiome research.

Bee Houses: Proper Set Up and Care for Mason Bees

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Failing to address this issue may result in infested bee hotels, endangering mason bee populations.

Key Points: 
  • Failing to address this issue may result in infested bee hotels, endangering mason bee populations.
  • She emphasizes, "Houdini flies and pollen mites are prevalent parasites we encounter in mason bee hotels.
  • While some bee enthusiasts find fulfillment in the continuous care of mason bees throughout the year, others may opt for a more hands-off approach.
  • Rent Mason Bees provides a convenient program where you release bees and rent the nesting material that they will clean and maintain for you.

Scabies: UK facing unusually large outbreaks – and treatment shortages appear mostly to blame

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 5, 2024

Outbreaks happen regularly – with an estimated 450 million cases occurring globally each year.

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  • Outbreaks happen regularly – with an estimated 450 million cases occurring globally each year.
  • But since the start of winter, outbreaks in the UK have been higher than normal.
  • While there a probably a few factors that can explain this spike, treatment shortages appear to be at the heart of it.
  • The skin rash is also more severe, with a crust over the surface of the infected area.
  • Itching may take up to a month to completely subside after treatment.

Outbreak causes

  • This means mites spread more easily in places where people come into close contact with each other for extended periods of time – such as schools, universities and prisons.
  • Residential care and nursing homes are particularly high-risk settings for scabies outbreaks, with vulnerable populations and staff members alike at risk of infection.
  • Another factor in the outbreak could be stigma against having scabies, with many people claiming the disease is caused by being unclean or a lack of bathing.
  • In reality, there’s no good evidence about a lack of washing being a risk factor.
  • While some evidence suggests that scabies incidence is higher in the winter, in reality outbreaks can happen at any time of the year.
  • Since September 2023, there’s been a shortage of both permethrin and malathion in the UK due to supply issues.

Preventing infection

  • If anyone has symptoms that might be scabies or another skin infection, such as itching and a rash or skin wounds, these should be reported to a doctor or healthcare provider as early as possible.
  • This is especially important if they have potentially been in close contact with a known case.
  • Scabies outbreaks can be brought under control – but diagnosis and treatment as early as possible is required for that to happen.


Michael Head has previously received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK Department for International Development, and currently receives funding from Research England and the UK Medical Research Foundation.

EcoSleep by Brooklyn Bedding Launches Two All-New Models

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

PHOENIX, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Brooklyn Bedding, manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, and direct-to-consumer distributor of award-winning sleep products, announced today the relaunch of its organic sleep line, EcoSleep, by adding two all-new GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GREENGUARD Gold Certified models, EcoSleep and EcoSleep Luxe.

Key Points: 
  • PHOENIX, Jan. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Brooklyn Bedding , manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, and direct-to-consumer distributor of award-winning sleep products, announced today the relaunch of its organic sleep line, EcoSleep, by adding two all-new GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GREENGUARD Gold Certified models, EcoSleep and EcoSleep Luxe.
  • Sold exclusively online at EcoSleep.com, EcoSleep and EcoSleep Luxe offer an affordable entry point for all-natural latex mattresses.
  • "Our all-new EcoSleep and EcoSleep Luxe models offer high quality, organic materials at an affordable entry point," said John Merwin, Chief Executive Officer of Brooklyn Bedding.
  • Both EcoSleep models layer sustainably sourced organic wool and organic cotton to create an all-natural quilted top cover.

GreenLight Biosciences Secures EPA Registration for New Bioinsecticide, Calantha, Historic Step Towards A Safer and More Sustainable Food System

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 4, 2024

Following the federal and state approvals, the company has now successfully sold and shipped its first order.

Key Points: 
  • Following the federal and state approvals, the company has now successfully sold and shipped its first order.
  • "The registration of Calantha marks not just a milestone for our company, but a quantum leap for farmers, our food system and security, and people," said Andrey Zarur, Chief Executive Officer, GreenLight Bio.
  • We are thrilled to witness the impending impact of this commercial chapter of our company in creating a more sustainable future."
  • GreenLight Bio's breakthrough platform, capable of economically producing dsRNA, fuels its robust pipeline of additional innovative insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.