Blood News and Research

RSS

FDA approves Sprycel for treatment of adults with Ph+ CP-CML

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a new indication for Sprycel (dasatinib) for the treatment of a rare blood cancer when it is first diagnosed. The cancer, called Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CP-CML), is a slowly progressing blood and bone marrow disease linked to a genetic abnormality.

29 Oct 2010

Outcome-based contract between CIGNA and Merck helps diabetics control blood sugar levels

The first national outcome-based contract between a pharmaceutical company and a pharmacy benefit management company resulted in an increase in the number of people with type 2 diabetes who were able to control their blood sugar levels by taking their medications appropriately.

29 Oct 2010

Talecris third quarter net revenue increases 2.8% to $407.0 million

Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings Corp. today announced its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

29 Oct 2010

Stryker enters agreement to acquire assets of Neurovascular division of Boston Scientific

Stryker Corporation announced today a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of the Neurovascular division of Boston Scientific in an all cash transaction for $1.5 billion, which includes $100 million of milestone payments.

From Stryker 29 Oct 2010

Researchers find link between telomere length and colorectal cancer risk

For the first time, researchers have found a link between long telomeres and an increased risk for colorectal cancer, according to research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research special conference on Colorectal Cancer Biology to Therapy, held here Oct. 27-30, 2010.

29 Oct 2010

Gen-Probe third quarter research revenue increases 70% to $3.4 million

Gen-Probe Incorporated today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2010, highlighted by 19% growth in non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) and 8% growth in product sales and total revenues.

29 Oct 2010

Chillies for diabetes: Study

Researchers from Tasmania, Australia are recruiting volunteers in a study to explore if eating chillies can help control lifestyle-related diabetes. At present they need 35 people with type 2 diabetes or glucose intolerance.

28 Oct 2010

Cord Blood America enters new work agreement with Hawaii Medical Service Association

Cord Blood America, Inc., the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company focused on bringing the life-saving potential of stem cells to families nationwide and internationally, is pleased to announce a new work agreement with the Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, the largest and most experienced provider of health care coverage in Hawaii.

28 Oct 2010

YorkTest Laboratories offers testing kit to identify food intolerance

It is estimated that up to 12 million people are living with food intolerance and spending on average up to 350 pounds Sterling on wasted remedies and pills trying to relieve the symptoms before they discover the cause.

28 Oct 2010

Older patients suffer with real life-changing burdens after beating sepsis: Study

A study of nearly 1,200 older patients hospitalized for severe sepsis indicate that those who survive are at higher risk for long-term cognitive impairment and physical limitations than those hospitalized for other reasons.

28 Oct 2010

Immune system may play a role in cancer therapies: Study

The immune system may play a critical role in ensuring the success of certain types of cancer therapies, according to a new study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The research showed treatments that disable cancer-promoting genes called oncogenes are much more successful in eradicating tumors in the presence of a signaling molecule secreted by kind of immune cell called a T helper cell.

28 Oct 2010

Systemic amyloidosis patient to receive triple organ transplant

In 2005, then 40-year-old Walt McGuire was playing hockey twice a week, working full-time and chasing his young daughter. Then one day, he noticed after one trip up the stairs to catch her, he couldn't catch his breath. A few days later his legs were swollen. After numerous trips to different doctors, McGuire finally was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called amyloidosis.

28 Oct 2010

KCI announces U.S. launch of Skin IQ MCM for pressure ulcers

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. announced today the U.S. launch of Skin IQ Microclimate Manager (Skin IQ MCM) through KCI's Therapeutic Support Systems business. Skin IQ MCM is a for-sale, powered coverlet offering clinicians one of the most effective and intuitive products available for the prevention and management of pressure ulcers.

28 Oct 2010

Epigenomics presents data on Septin9 biomarker clinical study for colorectal cancer at UEGW

Epigenomics AG, the cancer diagnostics company, announced that new data obtained in a clinical study with the Company's proprietary Septin9 biomarker for the blood-based detection of colorectal cancer, were presented yesterday at the 18th United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW) in Barcelona, Spain.

28 Oct 2010

NSF awards Rutgers $1.82M grant to acquire Siemens Trio 3T MRI scanner

The last couple decades have seen a virtual renaissance of neuroscience discovery, largely aided by the advanced technology of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

28 Oct 2010

New national campaign to drive awareness on DVT and PE prevention in women

As many as 600,000 people are affected by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) every year, and more than half of those are never diagnosed. Some people experience swelling and varying levels of discomfort in the affected area, and some don't feel anything at all. But the symptoms of DVT can be similar to other conditions, like a pulled muscle, and because some people with DVT do not have any symptoms, there is often a delay in diagnosis. That's when DVT can be fatal.

28 Oct 2010

B. Braun initiates voluntary recall of heparin injection products

B. Braun Medical Inc. was recently notified by its supplier, Scientific Protein Laboratories LLC (SPL), of a nationwide recall of a lot of Heparin Sodium USP Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) sold to B. Braun because additional testing of retained crude heparin samples used by SPL to manufacture this single API lot indicated a trace amount of oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS) contaminant.

From B. Braun Melsungen AG 28 Oct 2010

Nymox updates NX-1207 Phase 3 pivotal trials for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Nymox Pharmaceutical Corporation provided an update today on the Company's Phase 3 pivotal trials for NX-1207, Nymox's investigational drug for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

28 Oct 2010

Health Canada approves PRADAX anticoagulant for stroke prevention in AF patients

Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd. today announces that Health Canada has granted approval of PRADAX (dabigatran etexilate), an oral anticoagulant for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adults with atrial fibrillation in whom anticoagulation is appropriate. PRADAX is the first innovative drug approved in Canada in more than two decades to reduce the risk of stroke in Canadians with atrial fibrillation.

28 Oct 2010

Prolonged use of glucosamine linked to greater risk of developing diabetes

High doses or prolonged use of glucosamine causes the death of pancreatic cells and could increase the risk of developing diabetes, according to a team of researchers at Universit- Laval's Faculty of Pharmacy. Details of this discovery were recently published on the website of the Journal of Endocrinology.

28 Oct 2010