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New research sheds light on origins of cryptococcal fungal infection

New research has shed light on the origins of a fungal infection which is one of the major causes of death from AIDS-related illnesses. The study, published today in the journal PLoS Pathogens, funded by the Wellcome Trust and the BBSRC, shows how the more virulent forms of Cryptococcus neoformans evolved and spread out of Africa and into Asia.

4 May 2011

NCPA explains how PBM tools can reduce costs in Texas, other states

Texas and other states across the country could save billions in Medicaid without limiting access by transitioning to a more efficient and affordable pharmacy benefit model being used in Medicare and the commercial sector, the National Center for Policy Analysis announced in a new white paper, "Increasing the Cost-Effectiveness of Medicaid Drug Programs."

4 May 2011

FTC, FDA take action on unproven STD drug products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission today announced a joint effort to remove products from the market that make unproven claims to treat, cure, and prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

4 May 2011

New MIT drug-delivery nanoparticle could target any type of tumor

MIT chemical engineers have designed a new type of drug-delivery nanoparticle that exploits a trait shared by almost all tumors: They are more acidic than healthy tissues.

4 May 2011

Boston Scientific reports first use in Europe of Blazer Open-Irrigated Catheter

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced CE Mark approval and first use in Europe of its Blazer™ Open-Irrigated Catheter, the Company's latest radiofrequency ablation (RFA) catheter designed to treat a variety of arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia and other supraventricular tachycardias. The product is being launched this quarter in select CE Mark countries.

4 May 2011

AHF cautions against fast track FDA-approval for expanded use of Gilead’s Truvada

During its quarterly meeting over the weekend, The Board of Directors of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) adopted a resolution cautioning Gilead Sciences against seeking fast track FDA-approval for the expanded use of its best selling AIDS treatment, Truvada, as a possible form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent the transmission of HIV.

4 May 2011

Herbal remedies commonly used in infants without efficacy & safety guarantees: Study

According to a new U.S. government study parents commonly give infants teas or herbal supplements said to soothe “fussiness” even though there's no good evidence that the products work. The market is flooded with these teas and botanical products with ingredients like chamomile, ginger and fennel that are marketed for easing infants' tummy troubles, fussiness and sleep problems. However there is no evidence that these are effective and safe.

4 May 2011

PolyMedix Phase 1B/2 clinical study data presented at ATVB meeting

PolyMedix, Inc., an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat life-threatening infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders, announced that clinical data with PMX-60056 were presented at the American Heart Association's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology Meeting in Chicago on April 28, 2011.

4 May 2011

Cancers use body's own defences to resist drugs

CANCER RESEARCH UK scientists have discovered that tumours are able to recruit part of the body's defence system to protect them from the effect of a drug designed to block the supply of blood to the tumour.

4 May 2011

iOWH, Center for World Health and Medicine partner to combat childhood diarrhea

The Center for World Health and Medicine at Saint Louis University and the Institute for OneWorld Health have established a joint research agreement to develop new drugs to combat diarrhea, which is the second leading cause of death worldwide in children under age 5.

4 May 2011

Viewpoints: Dem representatives on health spending; Star Tribune praises IPAB; NY Times on stem cells

When the debate over the fiscal 2012 budget began, the country — or, more accurately, the media — was focused on Rep. Paul Ryan's proposal. Introduced on behalf of the Republican House majority, our colleague's plan puts the interests of wealthy corporations first by slashing Medicare and Medicaid and spending trillions on a new corporate tax cut. Indeed, cutting is all it seems to do. ... That's not a jobs plan — that's an economic death sentence.

4 May 2011

Researchers develop novel spinal cord injury treatment

Rutgers researchers have developed an innovative new treatment that could help minimize nerve damage in spinal cord injuries, promote tissue healing and minimize pain.

4 May 2011

SBS explores ‘superbugs’ on Insight Tuesday 10th May

Since the discovery of penicillin in the early twentieth century, antibiotics have fought infections and diseases that were once life threatening. But over time, many bacteria have become resistant to these drugs and patients are increasingly at risk.

3 May 2011

CTI to re-submit pixantrone NDA to FDA's Office of New Drugs for re-review

Cell Therapeutics, today announced that the Office of New Drugs of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after carefully reviewing the materials CTI submitted in support of its appeal, the reviews of the New Drug Application for pixantrone prepared by the FDA staff, the transcript of the March 22, 2010 Oncology Drugs Advisory Committee meeting and consulting with the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research's Deputy Director of Clinical Science and the Office of Biostatistics, concluded that accelerated approval of pixantrone NDA 022481 may not necessarily be out of reach based on a single controlled clinical trial, provided two key matters can be satisfactorily resolved.

3 May 2011

U.Va, Coulter Foundation partner for translational research in biomedical engineering

The University of Virginia and the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation have teamed to create a $20 million endowment to foster research collaboration between biomedical engineers and clinicians, with the goal of developing new technologies to improve patient care and human health.

3 May 2011

Ipsen first quarter sales increase 6.1% to €285.8 million

Ipsen reported today its sales for the first quarter 2011.

3 May 2011

Beta amyloid may inhibit specific cell motors and contribute to memory loss

A protein associated with Alzheimer's disease clogs several motors of the cell transport machinery critical for normal cell division, leading to defective neurons that may contribute to the memory-robbing disease, University of South Florida researchers report.

3 May 2011

HIV drugs may also combat parasitic diseases: Study

Scientists have discovered that drugs used to treat HIV may also one day become lifesaving drugs targeted at parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis and malaria.

3 May 2011