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World Food Prize recipients call for investment in agriculture in developing countries

The 2010 World Food Prize recipients say despite the economic situation "it's no time for the United States to back off a historic pledge to invest in boosting the production of the world's poorest farmers," the Des Moines Register reports.

15 Oct 2010

Mylan granted FDA approvals for generic Hyzaar and Cozaar ANDAs

Mylan Inc. today announced that its subsidiary Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. received final approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) for the generic versions of Hyzaar® Tablets, 50 mg/12.5 mg and 100 mg/25 mg, and Cozaar® Tablets, 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg, both antihypertensives.

15 Oct 2010

First Edition: October 15, 2010

Today's top stories from major news organizations report on the effort by 20 states to challenge the federal health law, a new federal panel to inform consumers about health care options and the struggle to pay for cancer care.

15 Oct 2010

FDA warns companies over unsubstantiated claims of 'chelation' products

The Food and Drug Administration says there's no proof that nonprescription 'chelation' products—which claim to treat everything from autism to Alzheimer's disease—can rid the body of toxic metals.

15 Oct 2010

WHO Western Pacific meeting addresses immunization, TB control, women's health

The WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific meeting continued with leaders discussing regional immunization goals, public health emergencies, TB control, and the health effects of urbanization, multiple news outlets report.

15 Oct 2010

FDA revokes marketing clearance for knee orthopedic device

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that an orthopedic device used in the knee should not have been cleared for marketing in the United States. The announcement follows a re-evaluation of the scientific evidence that was undertaken after a September 2009 agency report identified problems in the agency's review of the device.

15 Oct 2010

Delcath executes melphalan supply agreement with Synerx and Bioniche Teoranta

Delcath Systems, Inc. announced today that it has executed a multi-year supply agreement with Synerx Pharma, LLC and Bioniche Teoranta, an affiliate of Mylan, Inc., for the supply of Delcath's branded melphalan hydrochloride for injection ("melphalan"). Melphalan is the chemotherapeutic drug used with Delcath's Chemosaturation system in its Phase III clinical study for the treatment of patients with hepatic metastases from ocular or cutaneous melanoma.

15 Oct 2010

Belief in willpower influences behavior

It could happen to students cramming for exams, people working long hours or just about anyone burning the candle at both ends: Something tells you to take a break. Watch some TV. Have a candy bar. Goof off, tune out for a bit and come back to the task at hand when you're feeling better. After all, you're physically exhausted.

15 Oct 2010

Alimera Sciences obtains $32.5M senior secured credit facility

Alimera Sciences, Inc. announced today that it has obtained a $32.5 million senior secured credit facility to help fund its working capital requirements. The credit facility consists of a $20 million revolving line of credit provided by Silicon Valley Bank and a $12.5 million term loan provided by MidCap Financial, LLC and Silicon Valley Bank.

15 Oct 2010

MRI-guided laser ablation offers way to kill tumors

Physicians at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus are among the first in the nation to use a technique known as MRI-guided laser ablation to heat up and destroy kidney and liver tumors. So far, five patients have been successfully treated meaning no visible tumors remained after the procedure.

15 Oct 2010

Officials address several drug issues including medical risks, proper disposal of unused medicine

Federal and state officials are addressing several drug issues including the risks associated with bone-strengthening drugs, complaints about a blood-thinning drug and a new law to help people safely dispose of unused medicine.

15 Oct 2010

FDA approves Cephalon's REMS for GABITRIL

Cephalon, Inc. today announced that a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for its antiepileptic medication GABITRIL(R) (tiagabine hydrochloride) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The GABITRIL REMS consists of a Medication Guide to inform patients about the potential risks associated with the use of GABITRIL.

15 Oct 2010

IRIN examines forthcoming U.N. child malnutrition program; IPS reports on FAO Latin American report

IRIN looks at a planned U.N. initiative to combat early childhood malnutrition and the questions surrounding it.

15 Oct 2010

NIH awards two new grants to develop Avidocin platform

AvidBiotics today announced the receipt of two new grants totaling $1 million dollars from the National Institutes of Health that further the development of the company's novel Avidocin™ platform for narrow spectrum antibacterial proteins against important health care threats. These grants add to three previous grants covering AvidBiotics' anti-infectious disease technologies, which provide approximately $3.4 million in currently active funding for the company.

15 Oct 2010

IOM Report: Food nutrition labels should be simple, on front

The food industry should provide simple, clearly-worded nutrition information on the front of food packages, according to a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

15 Oct 2010

Moores Cancer Center files IND application for topical NexACT-based formulation

Apricus Biosciences, backed by a revenue generating CRO business and seeking to leverage its multi-route NexACT drug delivery technology and internal pipeline through out-licensing partnerships, today announced that the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) has filed an Investigational New Drug Application with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration ("FDA") for approval to test Nupen, Apricus Bio's proprietary, topical NexACT-based formulation of filgrastim (Neupogen).

15 Oct 2010

Waist circumference predicts long-term cardio-metabolic health risks in children: Research

A new long-term study published by researchers at the University of Georgia, the Menzies Research Institute in Hobart, Australia and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia suggests that waist circumference, rather than the commonly used body mass index measure, is the best clinical measure to predict a child's risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes later in life.

15 Oct 2010

FDA approves Gamunex-C for primary immunodeficiency treatment

Talecris Biotherapeutics announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gamunex-C (Immune Globulin Injection [Human], 10% Caprylate/Chromatography Purified) for subcutaneous administration in the treatment of primary immunodeficiency (PI).

15 Oct 2010

Robot-assisted brachytherapy for treating prostate cancer

In the first-of-a-kind clinical trial, a robot will be used to place therapeutic radioactive seeds in prostate cancer patients. The National Cancer Institute-supported study, which will enroll 14 patients, has just opened at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

15 Oct 2010

Allure Medical Spa to offer FDA approved Coolsculpting by Zeltiq for non-invasive fat reduction

Great news for men and women dealing with exercise and diet-resistant fat in areas like the tummy, love handles and back rolls! Allure Medical Spa of Shelby Township is the first in Southeastern Michigan to offer Coolsculpting by Zeltiq, the first ever procedure approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Sept. 8, 2010), for the non-invasive reduction of fat. Coolsculpting by Zeltiq is a virtually painless procedure that reduces fat cells with no needles, surgery or downtime.

15 Oct 2010