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VirWall launches new UV sanitizer to eliminate bacteria, virus from communication devices

ViraShield, the new UV sanitizer introduced by VirWall Systems Inc., is the first multi-purpose device of its kind that takes only seconds to rid those products we've come to depend on of the bacteria and viruses that typically crawl, breed and cover the surfaces of our personal communications devices.

22 Mar 2011

Medicago launches clinical development of seasonal flu vaccine

Medicago Inc. a biotechnology company focused on developing highly effective and competitive vaccines based on proprietary manufacturing technologies and Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), today announced that the first dose of vaccine has been administered thereby initiating the Company's phase I H1N1 influenza VLP vaccine candidate ("H1N1 vaccine") clinical trial in the United States. The primary safety and immunogenicity results for this trial are expected within three months.

21 Mar 2011

Rubini black elderberry extract can inhibit flu and respiratory tract infections

Historically, black elderberries were among the most regarded folk remedies for coughs, colds, and flu. Now modern science has authenticated these therapeutic properties. In February 2011, researchers at Justus-Liebig University in Geissen, Germany reported that a concentrated liquid extract of black elderberries, commercially available as Rubini - Elderberry Extract 3.2%, inhibited the growth of influenza A and B viruses and bacteria associated with upper respiratory tract infections.

18 Mar 2011

Individualized dentritic cell vaccine may increase survival time in patients with glioblastoma

A dendritic cell vaccine personalized for each individual based on the patient's own tumor may increase median survival time in those with a deadly form of brain cancer called glioblastoma, an early phase study at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has found.

18 Mar 2011

Personalized dendritic cell vaccine may increase median survival in mesenchymal glioblastoma patients

17 Mar 2011

Scientists to develop new universal vaccine against various flu viruses

A vaccine that helps against all types of influenza - for several years? If all goes right for Norwegian company Bionor Pharma ASA, such a vaccine could exist within a few years.

17 Mar 2011

China Nepstar Chain Drugstore fourth quarter revenues increase 1.0% to US$95 million

China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd., the largest retail drugstore chain in China based on the number of directly operated stores, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

16 Mar 2011

EU parliament approves resolution calling for countries to revise pandemic response

On the heels of the release of a draft report by an independent panel of experts examining the WHO's response to H1N1, BMJ News reports on a recently approved resolution and accompanying report released by the European Union parliament that calls on EU countries to revise their flu prevention plans "to make them more effective, coherent, and flexible" and for the WHO to revise its definition of pandemic to take into account not only geographical spread of disease but also severity.

16 Mar 2011

XTIO2 presents XTI 360 ANTI-GERM SYSTEM to 83rd Academy Award-nominees

XTIO2 INC. (XTI) presented the 83rd Academy® Award-nominees with the XTI ANTI-GERM / ANTI-VOC / ANTI-ALLERGY SYSTEM, consisting of XTI 360™ Nanocoating and XTI™ Nano-Facemask. It is the world's most effective preventive measure and the best defense against germs transmitted via air and contact surfaces.

15 Mar 2011

External panel issues draft report saying WHO response to H1N1 lacked cohesion, clarity

An independent panel of experts commissioned by the WHO to probe its response to the H1N1 pandemic on Thursday released a draft report stating that while the organization performed well in many ways, it made "crucial mistakes" and "warned tens of millions could die if there is a severe flu outbreak in the future," the Associated Press reports.

14 Mar 2011

Swine flu pandemic declaration by WHO being investigated by experts

Experts who have been investigating the World Health Organization’s management of the response to the H1N1 pandemic have announced that they found no evidence that the drug industry influenced the agency’s decision making over how to handle the virus. In their draft report that panel of independent experts did acknowledge that the WHO failed to understand and respond to conflicts of interest among experts on its advisory Emergency Committee, which had previously acknowledged their pharmaceutical industry ties.

14 Mar 2011

Flu pandemics may return & mutating strains: Studies

Scientists have warned that we have not seen the end of H1N1 swine flu that swept the globe in 2009/10. The strain of the virus could easily morph into a more transmissible form, while an older, mid-20th century virus could also come roaring back they say. Asian influenza, a H2N2 strain, first appeared in 1957 and killed one to four million people despite a major vaccination campaign. Studies have shown that most people today aged 50 or older retain some immunity to the virus, which continues to circulate in birds and swine. But the younger are more vulnerable they warn.

12 Mar 2011

Walgreens sells Pharmacy Benefits Manager to Catalyst Health Solutions

Catalyst Health Solutions Inc said it will buy Walgreen Co's pharmacy benefits management unit for about $525 million in cash, a deal that might spur more consolidation before big generic drug launches that could boost the business.

11 Mar 2011

Researchers concerned about use of mercury-based compound in inactivated flu vaccines

As the United Nations, the European Commission, and the United States Food and Drug Administration evaluate the health and environmental risks associated with mercury, a known neurotoxin, carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen, and immune-system disruptor, new research continues to fuel concerns about Thimerosal, a mercury-based compound used as a preservative in inactivated flu vaccines.

11 Mar 2011

Idera reports $6.0 million net loss for fourth quarter 2010

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.

10 Mar 2011

Swine flu virus may evolve into a deadlier form

In the fall of 1917, a new strain of influenza swirled around the globe. At first, it resembled a typical flu epidemic: Most deaths occurred among the elderly, while younger people recovered quickly. However, in the summer of 1918, a deadlier version of the same virus began spreading, with disastrous consequence. In total, the pandemic killed at least 50 million people - about 3 percent of the world's population at the time.

10 Mar 2011

Also in global health news: Rights abuses in Myanmar; Indian malnutrition; Mali Global Fund grant; shift in USAID's programs in Afghanistan; Gates Foundation grant for vaccines

Human Rights Abuses Impacting Health Situation In Parts Of Myanmar, Study Says.

9 Mar 2011

USPTO grants new patent to Intellect's Alzheimer's vaccine

Intellect Neurosciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company with an internal preclinical and clinical-stage pipeline and licenses with major pharmaceutical companies covering products in late-stage clinical trials, announced today that it has received a new patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office in relation to the Company's RECALL-VAXTM technology platform.

9 Mar 2011

Mississippi researchers work on drug discovey for poison ivy skin rash

Each year nearly 50 million Americans develop an annoying skin rash after coming in contact with poison ivy. But University of Mississippi researchers are working on a pharmaceutical product to rein in the allergic reaction in people already sensitive to the plants and prevent it altogether in those who aren't.

8 Mar 2011

BioAlliance Pharma awarded €2 million in funding to study Lauriad mucoadhesive technology

BioAlliance Pharma SA, a company dedicated to the supportive care and treatment of cancer patients, today announced the award of €2 million in funding over 30 months from the « Fond Unique Interministériel » (a French program supporting collaborative research projects) including an amount of €743,000 specifically allocated to BioAlliance Pharma.

5 Mar 2011