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12 THE AQUINAS THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2010 Elizabeth Kotz Science Tech Science & Technology Editor Study results provide new hope in battle against Hepatitis C virus Want to COMMENTARY BY ELIZABETH KOTZ Science and Technology Editor In an update posted on Bristol- write for Myers Squibb’s website earlier this month, new early phase re- search shows that BMS-790052, a protein that inhibits a central component of Hepatitis C replica- Science tion, is effective in treating those with the disease when combined with other known treatments. “A lot like HIV, it is anticipated that a combination of at least and Tech? three drugs will be required to prevent the emergence of resis- tance,” Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Nicholas Meanwell, who worked on the study published in the journal Nature, told Reuters. According to Bristol-Myers Squibb, BMS-790052 proved more effective in eliciting a virological Contact the response when combined with two already widely-used hepati- tis C antiviral drugs than those two drugs were used alone. PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS editor at “We are targeting a differ- HEPATITIS C virus and Hepatitis B are the most significant forms of hepatitis. Over time, they ent protein. This will provide a unique resistance profile,” Mean- can result in severe liver damage, including liver cancer. well said in a telephone interview HCV but are weak in comparison Squibb’s website reads. — a measurement of the virus kotze2@ with Reuters. to drugs developed for other dis- BMS-790052 halts HCV replica- in their blood — drop more than Along with Hepatitis B, Hepa- eases. tion. It doesn’t eliminate the vi- 99.9 percent,” Meanwell said in titis C virus (HCV) is among the “While scientists have devel- rus. However, this gives patients an interview with Reuters. leading causes of liver damage oped some effective therapies in more time to fight off the infec- The study is still in its infancy, scranton.edu and liver cancer in the U.S., in recent years for hepatitis B and C, tion by significantly clearing the but a strong treatment is finally addition to other complications significant unmet medical needs virus from their bloodstream. on the horizon for those who are in the liver that often prove fa- still exist as a result of problems “Infected patients who got a victims both of the disease and tal. related to potency, resistance, single 100 milligram dose of the expensive treatments that are Treatments are in place for and tolerability,” Bristol-Myers compound saw their viral load only partially effective. Activision Blizzard executive discusses ‘Call of Duty’’s future BY ALEX PHAM A: If you put yourself in the de- in the fall of 2010. Treyarch also veloper’s shoes, the ability to work developed “Call of Duty: World McClatchy Newspapers on the biggest franchise in the at War” and “Call of Duty 3.” Ever since Activision Blizzard industry and bring your creative And, most recently, we’ve added Inc. fired two top developers of its product to an audience the size of Sledgehammer in the Bay Area. blockbuster “Call of Duty” game the “Call of Duty” franchise is an We haven’t yet announced the franchise in March for alleged “in- opportunity many would crave. content of their game, but it’s go- subordination,” the word on the Q: Infinity Ward lost two other ing to be an innovative take that Web is one of sympathy — for the top developers, Todd Alderman will further broaden the audience developers. and Francesco Gigliotti. Should for “Call of Duty.” The former employees, Jason fans be worried about the future Q: What’s going to happen at West and Vince Zampella, were of the “Call of Duty” franchise Infinity Ward? Word on the street heralded as heroes for suing Ac- now that four of its top develop- is that the studio lacks leadership tivision, while the company’s ex- ers either have quit or were fired? and direction. ecutives were branded “dimwitted A: It’s not a secret that “Call of A: We have interim leader- morons” for dismissing the two Duty” has been one of the most ship in place. We have two senior from their jobs at Infinity Ward, successful franchises in the in- execs currently: Steve Pearce, the studio that makes the “Call of dustry. The franchise plays an ex- our chief technology officer, and Duty” games. tremely important role within the Steve Ackrich, who is the head Activision struck back with a overall plans for Activision. of production for the company. countersuit that tried to reverse A couple of weeks ago, we an- We are currently in the process the popularity tide, accusing West nounced we will get more focused of configuring the new leadership and Zampella of being “self-serv- with a dedicated “Call of Duty” team there. Infinity Ward still has ing schemers” by trying to start business to rally the best talent nearly 100 people. They’ve built their own independent studio of the company against the op- a deep bench, and the change of while still working at Activision. portunity that “Call of Duty” pres- guard will provide an opportunity But aside from terse statements ents for the company. We’ve had for some of the rising stars to put and lawsuits, Activision execu- multiple studios working with the their own stamp on the “Call of tives have largely tried to main- franchise so we can come up with Duty” franchise. In addition, we tain a safe distance from the fall- innovative, new content every will provide them with all the re- out at Infinity Ward, until now. year. Nobody should be surprised sources internally and recruit tal- Thomas Tippl, Activision’s that we will continue to focus dis- ent from the outside. chief operating officer and chief proportionately against the fran- Q: There’s a lot of sympathy financial officer, has broken the chise. out there for West and Zampella, silence to answer some questions Q: How many studios do you expressed on fan and gaming regarding the future of the “Call of have working on “Call of Duty” sites. Activision is being painted PHOTO COURTESY OF MCT CAMPUS Duty” franchise, which has gener- games now? as a greedy corporate overlord. “CALL OF Duty” is one of Activision’s major franchises, having ated more than $4 billion in retail A: Today, we have three stu- How does this sit with you? spawned over four sequels, including the latest, “Call of Duty: sales worldwide since it launched dios working on “Call of Duty.” We A: We treat our developers ex- in 2003. have Infinity Ward, which made tremely well. We have an indepen- Modern Warfare 2.” Q: With two high-profile law- “Call of Duty 2,” “Call of Duty 4: dent studio model that provides successful, they are compensated tunity. We ensure your work will suits underway, do you think Modern Warfare” and “Call of them a lot of creative freedom better here than anywhere else. reach a wide audience. Therefore, you’ll have trouble persuading Duty: Modern Warfare 2.” Then while we take care of the back We’ve been paying our talent mil- we have attracted, and we will talented developers to work for we have Treyarch, which will be office stuff so they can focus on lions of dollars for their work. Our continue to attract, the top talent you? releasing a “Call of Duty” game making games. If their games are setup provides a win-win oppor- in this industry. Follow us on Twitter at @ScrantonAquin a s .