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Klotho protein discovery can lead to new class of drugs for treatment of obesity

An important discovery in mice may make a big difference in people's waistlines thanks to a team of Harvard scientists who found that reducing the function of a transmembrane protein, called Klotho, in obese mice with high blood sugar levels produced lean mice with reduced blood sugar levels.

8 Mar 2011

Study shows how individual cells behave during blood vessel formation

Biologists tend to look at cells in bulk, observing them as a group and taking the average behavior as the norm - the assumption is that genetically identical cells all behave the same way.

8 Mar 2011

UCSF's new pharmacy to focus on direct patient care

Although it won't be obvious to UCSF Medical Center patients, behind the scenes a family of giant robots now counts and processes their medications. With a new automated hospital pharmacy, believed to be the nation's most comprehensive, UCSF is using robotic technology and electronics to prepare and track medications with the goal of improving patient safety.

8 Mar 2011

New discovery can provide insight into lung cancer

A discovery at University of Colorado Cancer Center shows testing lung cancer on a molecular level can produce new insights into this deadly disease.

8 Mar 2011

Alliqua completes transdermal pain patch initial in vitro study for treatment of PHN

Alliqua, Inc., an advanced biomedical products company focused on the development and manufacturing of proprietary drug delivery and liver health technologies, announced today the successful completion of its initial in vitro permeation study for its transdermal pain patch project.

8 Mar 2011

New Lupus drug marching towards approval

A new drug for lupus from the Human Genome Sciences Inc is all set to get clearance in the US this week. If all goes through, this drug will offer patients the first approved treatment option in a half-century, setting the manufacturer up for huge sales.

7 Mar 2011

FDA says no cause for alarm on vaccines for meningitis and pneumonia

According to US health officials there are no reports that arouse new safety concerns over two children’s vaccines that have been suspended in Japan following the deaths of four babies.

7 Mar 2011

5a-reductase inhibitors for male health problems can affect sexual health

A new study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine reveals that, for the first time, 5a-reductase inhibitors commonly used to treat urinary problems in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and found in popular medications to treat hair loss, can produce, persistent erectile dysfunction (ED), depression and loss of libido, even after the medication has been discontinued.

7 Mar 2011

New concerns over prescription narcotics use

Over fifty Australian general practitioners have come under the scanner as part of a national crackdown on inappropriate prescribing of narcotics. The three-month campaign is being carried out by the Medicare following high levels of prescriptions for drugs such as OxyContin and OxyNorm. One GP has been found to be writing over 90 per cent of their prescriptions for narcotics. There are further concerns that the painkillers are being resold on the black market.

7 Mar 2011

Aerie Pharmaceuticals closes $30 million Series B financing

Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of medical innovations in ophthalmology, today announced the closing of a $30 million Series B financing.

7 Mar 2011

Solasia, ZIOPHARM enter license and collaboration agreement for darinaparsin product

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc., an oncology small molecule and synthetic biology drug development company, and Solasia Pharma K.K., a developer of Western oncology pharmaceuticals in-licensed for commercialization in Asian markets, announced today that they have entered into a license and collaboration agreement to develop and commercialize ZIOPHARM's darinaparsin product and related organic arsenic molecules in specified Pan-Asian/Pacific territories.

7 Mar 2011

New insight into coronary artery disease

Insight into the complex biological mechanisms that cause heart disease has taken a major step forward with the discovery of 13 new genes that increase the risk of coronary artery disease.

7 Mar 2011

FDA's action impacts Elite pharma drugs

Elite Pharmaceuticals, Inc. advises that the US Food and Drug Administration announced that it intends to remove approximately 500 cough/cold and allergy related products from the U.S. market.

7 Mar 2011

New research: Rectal specific microbicides can protect against HIV

Microbicides can be used to protect against HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases, either on their own or with the added protection of a condom. New research published by BioMed Central's open access journal AIDS Research and Therapy has investigated the use of lubricants, originally designed for vaginal application, and has developed and tested new, rectal specific, formulations.

6 Mar 2011

Scientists identify regulatory T cells responsible for limiting immune response

Scientists from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have identified the key immune cell population responsible for regulating the body's immune response.

6 Mar 2011

Study links 13 new gene regions to coronary atherosclerosis

Thirteen new gene regions have been convincingly linked to coronary atherosclerosis in a massive, new, international genetics study involving investigators from the Stanford University School of Medicine.

6 Mar 2011

Oxford Instruments patents to be auctioned off at ICAP Ocean Tomo's Spring 2011 Live IP Auction

The Oxford Instruments patents will be auctioned off at ICAP Ocean Tomo's Spring 2011 Live IP Auction on March 31, 2011 in New York City. Oxford Instruments has determined that these patents are not strategic for its ongoing business. The lots include: a concept for the use of magnetic particles for targeted cancer treatment, advanced sterilization techniques, an advanced imaging system, and an advanced microbolometer.

5 Mar 2011

Elsevier / Gold Standard announces enhancements to ProspectoRx

Elsevier / Gold Standard, a leading developer of drug databases and medication management solutions, announced today several enhancements to its pricing tool, ProspectoRx, including the addition of Federal Supply Schedule pricing to facilitate pricing analysis.

5 Mar 2011

US District Court certifies class-action lawsuit against McKesson for drug price manipulation

Today a United States District Court judge certified a nationwide, class-action lawsuit against McKesson Corporation on behalf of municipalities claiming McKesson engaged in a scheme to inflate fraudulently the price of more than 400 brand-name prescription drugs, including blockbusters such as Prozac, Lipitor, Zocor and Vioxx.

5 Mar 2011

HIV prevention, treatment highlighted at Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections

Today was the last day of the 18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, a key HIV/AIDS research meeting being held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston from February 27 through March 2. Highlighted below are selected presentations from March 2nd on research supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, both components of the National Institutes of Health.

5 Mar 2011