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New screening system developed to discover molecules that block HCV life cycle

A newly designed system of identifying molecules for treating hepatitis C should enable scientists to discover novel and effective therapies for the dangerous and difficult-to-cure disease of the liver, says Zhilei Chen, a Texas A&M University assistant professor of chemical engineering who helped develop the screening system.

12 Feb 2010

Today's opinions and editorials: A litigation explosion, Anthem Blue Cross and starting fresh

What would a fresh start look like? It would begin with a new bill. Amending the 2,000 pages in either the Senate or House bill would prove to be impossible. They were born of an unseemly process and based on a premise already rejected by the American people. Language from the existing bills, in areas of agreement, could obviously be used to expedite drafting (Michael O. Leavitt, 2/11).

12 Feb 2010

Scientists uncover new gene that could help save sight of patients with inherited blindness

The international research team led by the University of Leeds found that the TSPAN12 gene is faulty in patients with a disease known as FEVR (Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy), which affects the development of the eye.

12 Feb 2010

3SBio, Ascentage Pharma announce cancer therapeutics collaboration

3SBio Inc., a leading China-based biotechnology company focused on researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing biopharmaceutical products, and Ascentage Pharma Group Corporation, Ltd. ("Ascentage Pharma") announced today that they have formed a strategic alliance to research, develop and commercialize best-in-class targeted cancer therapeutics focusing on programmed cell death, or apoptosis. The alliance will leverage Ascentage Pharma's expertise in structure-based small molecule design, lead optimization and preclinical development with 3SBio's proven drug development and commercialization capabilities in China.

12 Feb 2010

Payments, pricing info, paperwork may contribute to costs, confusion

The way doctors, hospitals and other health care providers are paid creates a so-called "perverse incentive" to order more and more medical services, even when those services do not contribute to better health, according to researchers for Dartmouth's Atlas of Health, CNN's investigations unit reports. The report explores a lawsuit filed against a physician-owned hospital in McAllen, Texas, by one of the physician-owners.

12 Feb 2010

Biological-based therapies are alternative medicines for women recovering from breast cancer

Biological-based therapies such as diet supplements and vitamins are the most popular complementary and alternative medicines for women recovering from breast cancer, according to a Michigan State University researcher working to create a support intervention for women in treatment for the disease.

12 Feb 2010

Medicaid and other state programs face questions about fraud, other difficulties

The state's Medicaid Fraud Division said two state agencies, the Health Department and Human Services Department that administer the Medicaid program, "'filtered' and 'sanitized' information and documents requested by investigators, hindering numerous investigations." The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services wil investigate the allegations (Furlow, 2/10).

12 Feb 2010

Gregg ready for 'dialogue' on health reform, Pelosi ready for reconciliation fight

Politico: "Is [Sen.] Judd Gregg [R- N.H.] a tease or a real potential partner for President Barack Obama in trying to salvage some health care reform in this Congress? ... [T]he New Hampshire conservative brings both a proven ability to swing Republican votes and a background in health care and deficit issues. In a letter to Obama released late Tuesday, Gregg welcomed the [Feb. 25] meeting as a chance for 'constructive dialogue'" and he told Politico he is "open to specific deficit-reduction and cost-containment steps that could be taken to win Republicans' support for health reform," though he has rejected the president's proposals.

12 Feb 2010

iTech Medical signs manufacturing agreement with Thought Technology for MPR technology

iTech Medical, an information technology company, announced today that it has signed an exclusive, three-year manufacturing agreement with Thought Technology Ltd. of Montreal, Quebec for the Company’s proprietary Muscle Pattern Recognition (MPR) technology.

12 Feb 2010

Corey McPherson Nash, Biogen Idec team up to create new website for life science community

Corey McPherson Nash (www.corey.com), a leading national branding and design firm, recently partnered with Biogen Idec to create a new Web site design for the life sciences company.

12 Feb 2010

COBRA extension included in newly unveiled Senate jobs bill

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D- Mont., and ranking Republican Charles Grassley, R- Iowa, this morning jointly unveiled a draft of the chamber's jobs bill, "vowing to maintain the 'bipartisan character' of their negotiations going forward," The Washington Post 44 reports. "The $85 billion package ... is the first in what Democratic leaders say will be a series of job-creation measures the Senate will address in 2010."

11 Feb 2010

British rhubarb could be a potential source of anti-cancer agent

Eating rhubarb baked in a crumble is not only tasty it may also be the best way to take advantage of its health benefits, and could lead to the development of new cancer treatments.

From Sheffield Hallam University 11 Feb 2010

Health companies criticized for deceptive marketing while Anthem rate hikes continue to draw attention

"Minnesota's attorney general on Wednesday sued two Texas companies she said falsely represented their discounted health care plans as medical insurance to thousands of customers," The Associated Press/Washington Post report.

11 Feb 2010

Critical phases of brain development may be mistimed in autistic patients, says study

Research into Fragile X Syndrome - a genetic condition that is the leading known cause of autism - has discovered that critical phases in the brain's development may be mistimed in people with the condition.

11 Feb 2010

WellPoint defends 39% premium hike in letter to Sebelius

The Associated Press/Washington Post: WellPoint, the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross "is blaming the Great Recession and rising medical costs for its planned 39 percent rate increase for some California customers of its Anthem Blue Cross plan. But Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius isn't buying the explanation proffered in a letter delivered to her" today.

11 Feb 2010

Emory-UGA IPIRC to host symposium on H1N1 virus

The Emory - University of Georgia Influenza Pathogenesis and Immunology Research Center will host a symposium April 18 - 20 at the Emory Conference Center featuring an international roster of speakers.

11 Feb 2010

Eating chocolates may lower stroke risk, but more research is needed

Eating chocolate may lower your risk of having a stroke, according to an analysis of available research that will be released today and presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto April 10 to April 17, 2010. Another study found that eating chocolate may lower the risk of death after suffering a stroke.

11 Feb 2010

Coalition group calls for bigger FDA budget

The Los Angeles Times reports that when the president's budget was announced, calling for an increase in the FDA's budget, "a coalition of public interest advocates, patient groups and healthcare industry interests regulated by the FDA had a swift response: It's not enough. 'We are disappointed in the president's budget request and ... will seek to increase' the budget, said Steven Grossman, deputy executive director of Alliance for a Stronger FDA.

11 Feb 2010

Excelimmune receives $1M investment as part of open Series-B financing round

Excelimmune, Inc. announced today they have received a $1 million investment as part of an open Series-B financing round. The investment comes from a mixture of existing and new investors.

11 Feb 2010

Calif. budget cuts will hit adult day care centers, prison health care; Texas and Kansas weigh Medicaid cuts

Under the most recent cost-saving budget proposals, 327 adult day healthcare centers throughout California would be eliminated. Cuts could save the state $135 million in fiscal 2011, state projections show.

11 Feb 2010

Research News and Research

New screening system developed to discover molecules that block HCV life cycle

Today's opinions and editorials: A litigation explosion, Anthem Blue Cross and starting fresh

Scientists uncover new gene that could help save sight of patients with inherited blindness

3SBio, Ascentage Pharma announce cancer therapeutics collaboration

Payments, pricing info, paperwork may contribute to costs, confusion

Biological-based therapies are alternative medicines for women recovering from breast cancer

Medicaid and other state programs face questions about fraud, other difficulties

Gregg ready for 'dialogue' on health reform, Pelosi ready for reconciliation fight

iTech Medical signs manufacturing agreement with Thought Technology for MPR technology

Corey McPherson Nash, Biogen Idec team up to create new website for life science community

COBRA extension included in newly unveiled Senate jobs bill

British rhubarb could be a potential source of anti-cancer agent

Health companies criticized for deceptive marketing while Anthem rate hikes continue to draw attention

Critical phases of brain development may be mistimed in autistic patients, says study

WellPoint defends 39% premium hike in letter to Sebelius

Emory-UGA IPIRC to host symposium on H1N1 virus

Eating chocolates may lower stroke risk, but more research is needed

Coalition group calls for bigger FDA budget

Excelimmune receives $1M investment as part of open Series-B financing round

Calif. budget cuts will hit adult day care centers, prison health care; Texas and Kansas weigh Medicaid cuts

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