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MRF announces winners of six 2009 research grants

The Migraine Research Foundation (MRF), the only nonprofit organization devoted solely to funding migraine research, today announced the winners of the 2009 research grants. This year's grantees will explore such important areas as pediatric migraine, the genetic association between migraine and cardiovascular events, and why opioids enhance migraine pain.

5 Sep 2009

Worthington Industries obtains Structural Composites Industries

Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WOR) announced today that its Worthington Cylinders business segment has purchased Structural Composites Industries, LLC (SCI).

5 Sep 2009

Researchers study tumor diversity to improve breast cancer treatment

One person's breast cancer is not the same as another person's, because the gene mutations differ in each tumor. That makes it difficult to match the best therapy with the individual patient.

5 Sep 2009

Health Net's ECHO kit to help military families maximize the health care benefits

Health Net Federal Services, LLC, the government operations division of Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT), today announced its newly developed Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) kit for service members and their families in the TRICARE North Region, designed to provide user-friendly, educational information to enhance understanding of the ECHO program.

5 Sep 2009

Proton Therapy facility in Prague to implement Elekta's information management systems

Elekta (STO:EKTAB) will provide treatment planning and information management systems for a major Proton Therapy facility in Prague, Czech Republic. The software solutions will facilitate the highest quality of patient care and lead to improved clinical efficiency.

From Elekta 5 Sep 2009

Spectrum's ZEVALIN expanded label receives FDA approval for treating non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM:SPPI), a commercial-stage biotechnology company with a focus in oncology, today announced ZEVALIN® (ibritumomab tiuxetan), a CD20-directed radiotherapeutic antibody, received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an expanded label for the treatment of patients with previously untreated follicular non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL), who achieve a partial or complete response to first-line chemotherapy.

5 Sep 2009

Yoga reduces back pain and fights depression

People with chronic low-back problems who do yoga also do better at overcoming pain and depression than people treated conventionally for back pain, a West Virginia University study funded by the National Institutes of Health shows.

5 Sep 2009

Researchers discover the causes for the severity of RSV illness

Approximately one-half of all infants are infected with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during the first year of life, and almost all children have been infected at least once by the time they reach their second birthday. Researchers at West Virginia University have discovered what makes RSV such a severe and persistent illness.

4 Sep 2009

OSI Pharmaceuticals initiates two clinical trials with OSI-906 oral insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor inhibitor

OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIP) announced today the initiation of two clinical trials with OSI-906, the Company’s potential first-in-class, oral insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) inhibitor. The first study is a Phase III, multi-center study that will evaluate the use of OSI-906 for patients with locally advanced or metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC).

4 Sep 2009

rPA anthrax vaccine and its Valortim anthrax anti-toxin program data presented

PharmAthene, Inc., a biodefense company developing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats, announced today that data from the Company's third generation recombinant protective antigen (rPA) anthrax vaccine program and its Valortim((R)) anthrax anti-toxin program were presented at the Bacillus - ACT 2009 meeting, August 30 - September 3, 2009, organized by the American Society for Microbiology.

4 Sep 2009

Real American Brands to start medical transportation business

Real American Brands, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: RLAB) announced today that the company has approved plans to pursue and operate an emergency and non-emergency health services transportation division, to be developed in close consultation with transport and medical personnel who have broad experience in the field.

4 Sep 2009

Positive impact on medication adherence through Aetna's care management program

Aetna announced today results of an analysis from the first half of 2009, demonstrating an average medication adherence of over 95 percent for its members taking Specialty medications. Disease states evaluated in Aetna’s analysis include: multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, Crohn's disease, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), psoriasis, Hepatitis C and asthma.

4 Sep 2009

Oncotype DX multigene expression test for breast cancer patients

In an effort to provide breast cancer patients with prompt, critical information about treatment options for use at their first visit with the medical oncologist, a number of leading U.S. surgeons request Genomic Health's Oncotype DX molecular test at the time of surgery or biopsy.

4 Sep 2009

New web resource launched for AAC community supporters

Prentke Romich Company (PRC), the leading manufacturer of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) devices for individuals with speech disabilities, today announced the launch of AAC Language Lab, a comprehensive new web resource for speech professionals, teachers, and parents who support the AAC community.

4 Sep 2009

Covidien to divest three product lines to streamline its portfolio

Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced definitive agreements to sell its Sleep Diagnostics and Oxygen Therapy product lines and a proposal to sell its Sleep Therapy product line.

From Chart Industries 4 Sep 2009

Banner Good Samaritan treats cancers and neurological disorders with the Novalis Tx radiosurgery platform

John J. Kresl, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center are now treating a wide variety of cancers and neurological disorders with highly-accurate, non-invasive, image-guided radiosurgery using the Novalis Tx(TM) radiosurgery platform from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) and BrainLAB.

4 Sep 2009

First artificial heart implant successfully performed by a AUBMC medical team

A medical team at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) has successfully performed the first artificial heart implant in Lebanon, saving the life of a 37-year-old man suffering from terminal heart failure.

4 Sep 2009

NCI renews SPORE grant for the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer

National Cancer Institute (NCI) has renewed a $11.5 million Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer, which supports multidisciplinary research at Fox Chase Cancer Center and the University of Pennsylvania. First approved in 1999, this marks the third five-year term for the Fox Chase-Penn Ovarian SPORE.

4 Sep 2009

Nicotine replacement therapy before surgery can prevent common complications

People who start nicotine replacement therapy at least four weeks before surgery can halve their risk of poor wound healing. This is what the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) concludes in information published on informedhealthonline.org today.

3 Sep 2009

Endo Pharmaceuticals launches VALSTAR for treating recurrent carcinoma in situ bladder tumors

Endo Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ENDP) today announced the availability of VALSTAR(TM) (valrubicin) for the treatment of a distinct form of bladder cancer. VALSTAR is the only FDA-approved intravesical therapy for patients with Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-refractory carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the urinary bladder for whom immediate removal of the bladder would be associated with unacceptable medical risks.

3 Sep 2009