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Canada supports Mexico's pandemic response efforts

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, on behalf of the Government of Canada, has announced it will be providing five million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to Mexico to help bridge that country's immediate pandemic vaccine requirements. This is not a donation. Mexico will replenish Canada's H1N1 vaccine supply by March 31, 2010.

7 Jan 2010

Developing countries reassess need for donated H1N1 vaccine

As the number of H1N1 (swine flu) cases in some regions of the world continues to fall, developing countries scheduled to receive donated H1N1 (swine flu) vaccines from the WHO are reassessing just how many vaccines their countries need, the Canadian Press reports.

6 Jan 2010

Pfizer and Strides Arcolab announce new collaboration

Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and Strides Arcolab today announced a new collaboration, wherein Pfizer will commercialize off-patent sterile injectable and oral products in the United States through its Established Products Business Unit.

6 Jan 2010

BioMimetic Therapeutics amends and restates its agreement with Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics

BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that effective December 31, 2009, the Company amended and restated its manufacturing and supply agreement with Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc. for the supply of bulk rhPDGF-BB to BioMimetic.

6 Jan 2010

HHS introduces National Influenza Vaccination Week to raise awareness about flu vaccine

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has designated the week of January 10 through 16 as National Influenza Vaccination Week, in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of the flu vaccine.

6 Jan 2010

Oral cladribine to be the first oral disease-modifying multiple sclerosis therapy despite receiving RTF letter

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that a recent "refuse to file" (RTF) letter issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding Merck Serono's oral cladribine has heightened the competition between oral cladribine and its primary competitor, Novartis/Mitsubishi Tanabe's FTY-720 (fingolimod), to be the first oral disease-modifying multiple sclerosis therapy to reach the market in the United States.

6 Jan 2010

LifeVantage receives formal approval to launch Protandim in Mexico

LifeVantage Corporation, the maker of science-based solutions to oxidative stress, announced today that the Company has received formal approval from the Mexican government to launch its flagship product, Protandim®, in Mexico. Initial shipments have cleared customs and Protandim® has been shipped to distributors in Mexico.

6 Jan 2010

Treatment with Effient more cost effective, show TRITON-TIMI 38 clinical trial results

Results from a health economic substudy of the TRITON-TIMI 38 clinical trial showed that among patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), including stenting, treatment with Effient(®) (prasugrel) compared with branded clopidogrel (Plavix(®)) was more cost effective, and in most cases cost saving.

6 Jan 2010

CDC and AAFP recommend whooping cough vaccine for adults and adolescents

Many people may think of whooping cough as a disease of the past -- something eradicated generations ago. However, the number of cases reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that whooping cough (pertussis) is still very much a public health concern; health experts estimate that up to 600,000 cases occur each year in adults alone. In fact, whooping cough cases are on the rise in San Diego

6 Jan 2010

Special Notice announces BARDA's intentions to negotiate contract modification with PharmAthene

PharmAthene, Inc. a biodefense company specializing in the development and commercialization of medical countermeasures against chemical and biological threats, today commented on a Special Notice published by the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) on December 29, 2009.

6 Jan 2010

Study reveals majority of drug companies utilize in-house call centers

Cutting Edge Information's most recent medical information study reveals that drug companies overwhelmingly agree that operating medical information call centers in-house is more efficient.

6 Jan 2010

Innexus Biotechnology designs new psoriasis product

InNexus Biotechnology Inc. (TSX.V: IXS) (www.ixsbio.com), a drug development company commercializing the next generation of antibodies based on its groundbreaking Dynamic Cross Linking (DXL™) technology, today announced the development of a new psoriasis product based on its proprietary dermal permeating Transmab™ technology.

6 Jan 2010

Jumpstart and Portal Capital invest $500,000 in TheraVasc for PAD drug

JumpStart Inc., the Northeast Ohio venture development organization that accelerates the progress of high growth early-stage businesses, and Portal Capital, a Cleveland-based private equity firm investing in life science companies, each announce an investment commitment of $250,000 in TheraVasc Inc., for a total commitment of $500,000. The

6 Jan 2010

AMT receives Innovation Credit to develop gene therapy treatment for DMD

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, a leader in the field of human gene therapy, announced today that it will receive an Innovation Credit of up to EUR 4 million from the Dutch government to support the development of AMT's gene therapy treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

6 Jan 2010

Opinions: U.S. medical emergency response; micronutrients; rotavirus vaccine; antibiotic development

"[D]espite the tireless efforts of public health and health-care workers, America's experience with H1N1 shows that the nation is not prepared to deal with a flu pandemic," former Democratic Senator Bob Graham and former Republican Senator Jim Talent write in Washington Post opinion piece that examines U.S. preparedness for medical emergencies. The writers chaired the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism.

6 Jan 2010

Animal experiments show old antidepressant may reverse heart failure

A team of Johns Hopkins and other researchers have found in animal experiments that an antidepressant developed over 40 years ago can blunt and even reverse the muscle enlargement and weakened pumping function associated with heart failure.

6 Jan 2010

Study indicates efficacy of antidepressants varies significantly depending on symptom severity

An analysis of randomized trials indicates that compared with placebo, the magnitude of benefit of antidepressant medications varies with the severity of depressive symptoms, and may provide little benefit for patients with mild or moderate depression, but appear to provide substantial benefit for patients with very severe depression, according to an article in the January 6 issue of JAMA.

6 Jan 2010

Health Canada approves Zyclara Cream for multiple actinic keratoses

Health Canada has approved Zyclara™ (imiquimod) Cream 3.75%, a topical prescription treatment for multiple actinic keratoses (AK) located on the face or balding scalp in adults. Actinic Keratosis is a common skin condition that can lead to squamous cell carcinoma, a form of non-melanoma skin cancer, if left untreated.

6 Jan 2010

Preclinical data of Geron's telomerase inhibitor drug published

Geron Corporation today announced the publication of preclinical data demonstrating that its telomerase inhibitor drug, imetelstat (GRN163L), inhibited telomerase activity and reduced tumor size in xenograft models of glioblastoma, and inhibited the activity of glioblastoma stem cells in culture.

6 Jan 2010

Cancer Research UK and CRT to undertake phase I clinical trial of DI-B4

CANCER RESEARCH UK and Cancer Research Technology (CRT), the charity's development and commercialisation arm, are to undertake a phase I clinical trial of an investigational monoclonal antibody1 drug from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, called DI-B4 - it is announced today (Monday).

6 Jan 2010