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FDA approves Rituxan-FC combination therapy for CLL

Genentech, Inc., a wholly owned member of the Roche Group, and Biogen Idec announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Rituxan® (rituximab) in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC) for people with previously untreated and previously treated CD20-positive chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

18 Feb 2010

Rituxan, intended for patients with CLL receives FDA approval

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Rituxan (rituximab) to treat certain patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a slowly progressing blood and bone marrow cancer.

18 Feb 2010

Norwegian government task force suggests formation of single company to commercialise biomaterial assets

Having studied the ethical, judicial and political arguments, the Norwegian government task force has suggested that a single nationwide company should be formed to commercialise biomaterials assets from the country’s various sources. The task force has also recommended HUNT Biosciences be a model for the national company.

18 Feb 2010

State-of-the-art review of stereological methods for lung morphometry

The ATS and the European Respiratory Society have issued official standards for the quantitative assessment of lung structure.

18 Feb 2010

Gilead Sciences’ “Quad” regimen for HIV exhibits antiretroviral activity comparable to Atripla

Gilead Sciences, Inc. announced Phase II clinical trial results today showing that its investigational fixed-dose single-tablet “Quad” regimen of elvitegravir, GS 9350 (cobicistat) and Truvada® (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) for the treatment of HIV infection exhibited antiretroviral activity comparable to that of Atripla® (efavirenz 600 mg/ emtricitabine 200 mg/ tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg).

18 Feb 2010

HealthTrust Purchasing Group signs 3-year vascular graft procurement contract with MAQUET Cardiovascular

MAQUET Cardiovascular, LLC, a leading provider of cardiovascular technologies, announced today that it has signed a three year contract with HealthTrust Purchasing Group, LP to provide woven and knitted textile vascular grafts to the HealthTrust membership. The contract includes the HEMASHIELD product line and other vascular grafts, which are used to surgically repair or replace damaged blood vessels, including the aorta.

18 Feb 2010

Nanotechnology plays a key role in detection and treatment of cancer

A world-renowned medical researcher discusses the key role that nanotechnology has begun to play in the detection and treatment of cancer in an article that will appear in the March 2010 edition of Mechanical Engineering magazine.

18 Feb 2010

NCI's NCL to conduct characterization studies of Celator Pharmaceuticals' HDPN formulation

Celator Pharmaceuticals today announced that the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL), operated by SAIC-Frederick (Frederick, Maryland), has agreed to conduct characterization studies to advance the development of the company's nanoparticle drug formulation technology.

18 Feb 2010

Sorin Group's newest generation C5 HLM system receives FDA clearance

Sorin Group, a global company and a leader in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of its newest generation C5 Heart-Lung Machine (HLM).

18 Feb 2010

Changes in vaginal pH make women more susceptible to infections

Changes in vaginal pH as a result of common “pH triggers” make women more susceptible to infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV). Understanding how the vaginal environment responds to pH fluctuation helps health professionals prevent and treat these conditions.

18 Feb 2010

NAMI launches new health education program to promote sound "mind and body" health

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has launched a new health education program to promote sound "mind and body" health practices among individuals who live with serious mental illness.

18 Feb 2010

First robot-assisted cystectomy in North Texas

UT Southwestern Medical Center surgeons completed the North Texas region's first robot-assisted bladder removal using the DaVinci system, a four-armed robot controlled by the surgeon via a joystick.

18 Feb 2010

Pediatric patients face number of cardiac conditions that can impact their health

While heart disease is traditionally associated with adults, pediatric patients face a number of cardiac conditions that can impact their health.

18 Feb 2010

Anti-seizure medication prevents seizures in patients following bleeding stroke: Study

A study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute at University Hospital supports the use of an alternative medication to prevent seizures in patients who have suffered a life-threatening traumatic brain injury or bleeding stroke.

18 Feb 2010

Multiple, independent European blood centers to report on INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets and plasma

Cerus Corporation announced today that investigators from blood centers in Sweden, Belgium, France and Slovenia will present their experience with the INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets and plasma during a leading international transfusion safety meeting, the XIIth International Haemovigilance Seminar taking place in Dubrovnik, Croatia from February 17 to 19.

18 Feb 2010

Taking zinc supplements reduces otitis media in healthy children: No clear evidence

A new Cochrane review did not find clear evidence that taking zinc supplements reduces the occurrence of middle ear infections or otitis media in healthy children.

18 Feb 2010

Olympus launches new medical devices for LESS surgery

A variety of new medical devices specifically designed for Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site surgery (LESS surgery) has been announced and introduced by Olympus Europa Holding GmbH and Olympus Medical Systems Corporation. LESS surgery is an advanced, minimally invasive operation technique by which an endoscope and hand instruments are inserted through an access port anchored in just one small incision, usually made in the navel. After developing all the medical devices needed to perform LESS surgery, Olympus has yet again proven its leadership in the field. The release of these innovative devices in Europe took place in autumn 2009.

From Evident Corporation - Life Sciences 18 Feb 2010

FDA warns about drug mix-ups; drug maker agrees to name change to avoid confusion

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned consumers about the potential for serious side effects from mistakenly using Maalox Total Relief instead of other Maalox products. The two products are intended for the relief of different symptoms and contain different active ingredients.

18 Feb 2010

Review: Giving employees more flexibility over their work schedules likely to boost their health

A new evidence review suggests that giving employees more flexibility over their work schedules is likely to boost their health as judged by measures like blood pressure and stress. But interventions that are motivated or dictated by the needs of the employer, such as cutting hours, either have no effect on employee health or make it worse.

18 Feb 2010

Javelin Pharmaceuticals’ Dyloject NDA receives FDA PDUFA date

Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading developer and marketer of specialty pharmaceutical products for pain management, today announced that its New Drug Application (NDA) submitted on December 2, 2009 to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its investigational product candidate, Dyloject™ (diclofenac sodium) Injection, has received an FDA PDUFA date of October 3, 2010. This NDA review is in support of US marketing approval and registration of Dyloject for the management of acute moderate-to-severe pain in adults.

18 Feb 2010

Blood News and Research

FDA approves Rituxan-FC combination therapy for CLL

Rituxan, intended for patients with CLL receives FDA approval

Norwegian government task force suggests formation of single company to commercialise biomaterial assets

State-of-the-art review of stereological methods for lung morphometry

Gilead Sciences’ “Quad” regimen for HIV exhibits antiretroviral activity comparable to Atripla

HealthTrust Purchasing Group signs 3-year vascular graft procurement contract with MAQUET Cardiovascular

Nanotechnology plays a key role in detection and treatment of cancer

NCI's NCL to conduct characterization studies of Celator Pharmaceuticals' HDPN formulation

Sorin Group's newest generation C5 HLM system receives FDA clearance

Changes in vaginal pH make women more susceptible to infections

NAMI launches new health education program to promote sound "mind and body" health

First robot-assisted cystectomy in North Texas

Pediatric patients face number of cardiac conditions that can impact their health

Anti-seizure medication prevents seizures in patients following bleeding stroke: Study

Multiple, independent European blood centers to report on INTERCEPT Blood System for platelets and plasma

Taking zinc supplements reduces otitis media in healthy children: No clear evidence

Olympus launches new medical devices for LESS surgery

FDA warns about drug mix-ups; drug maker agrees to name change to avoid confusion

Review: Giving employees more flexibility over their work schedules likely to boost their health

Javelin Pharmaceuticals’ Dyloject NDA receives FDA PDUFA date

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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