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New findings show seaweed extract inhibits H1N1 virus

In a breakthrough that offers new hope for the containment of influenza outbreaks, an Australian biotechnology company has isolated a natural extract from seaweed which has been shown to inhibit the H1N1 virus.

5 May 2010

Idera Pharmaceuticals reports net loss of $1.9M for first-quarter 2010

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of DNA- and RNA-based drug candidates targeted to Toll-like Receptors, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

5 May 2010

Second fidaxomicin Phase 3 clinical study data in patients with CDI to be presented at DDW 2010

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the presentation of new data from its second fidaxomicin Phase 3 clinical study in patients with Clostridium difficile infection. The data, presented by Stuart Johnson, M.D. during an oral session at the annual meeting of Digestive Disease Week in New Orleans, indicated that treatment with fidaxomicin significantly improved the recurrence rate and global cure rate in CDI patients requiring concomitant antibiotics, compared to vancomycin.

5 May 2010

Biotech industry reviews effects of the recession

Minneapolis Star Tribune, on the Biotechnology Industry Organization's convention in Chicago: "The biotechnology industry, hurt by the recession, is looking for inspiration from Charles Darwin. Leading executives say unless biotech companies adapt to a less-robust economy and changing industry standards, they won't survive the downturn. Biotech start-ups, seen as the lifeblood of the industry, have been among the worst hit by a decline in venture capital investments."

5 May 2010

Reprints Desk launches ePrints NRx scientific article collection service

Derycz Scientific, Inc., the content repurposing company, today announced that its subsidiary Reprints Desk, an award-winning provider of information services and content workflow solutions, has launched ePrints NRx, a new scientific article collection service that simplifies the re-use of PDFs by medical marketers, brand managers and sales professionals.

4 May 2010

MAP Pharmaceuticals reports net loss $14.1 million for first-quarter 2010

MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

4 May 2010

Techne Corporation's consolidated net earnings up 17.2% for quarter ended March 31, 2010

Techne Corporation's consolidated net earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 increased 17.2% to $32.4 million or $.87 per diluted share compared with $27.6 million or $.74 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The increase in net earnings for the quarter was primarily due to a $4.7 million tax benefit, equating to $.12 per share, resulting from a foreign exchange tax loss on Techne's repatriation of 50 million pound sterling from R&D Systems Europe to its U.S. based parent.

From BiosPacific, Inc. 4 May 2010

Glycos Biotechnologies announces international expansion into Malaysia

Glycos Biotechnologies, Inc., an emerging biochemical company pioneering metabolic engineering and microbiology innovations for the production of sustainable biochemicals, today announced the company's international expansion into Malaysia.

4 May 2010

Techne declares dividend of $0.26 per share for quarter ended March 31, 2010

Techne Corporation announced that its Board of Directors has decided to pay a dividend of $0.26 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The quarterly dividend will be payable May 28, 2010 to all common shareholders of record on May 14, 2010. Future cash dividends will be considered by the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.

From BiosPacific, Inc. 4 May 2010

Clinical development of RG7128 is on track: Pharmasset

Pharmasset, Inc., in response to certain inaccuracies in an article published by PharmaWire on May 3, 2010 about its development program for treatment of hepatitis C virus in collaboration with Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, stated today that the development of RG7128 is on track, and that no safety or other concerns have delayed the program.

4 May 2010

Mylan Pharmaceuticals receives FDA approval for Bupropion HCl ER Tablets

Mylan Inc. today announced that its subsidiary Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-release Tablets USP, 150 mg, the generic version of GlaxoSmithKline's smoking cessation aid, Zyban.

4 May 2010

Vanda reports total revenue of $12.4 million for first-quarter 2010

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of clinical-stage products for central nervous system disorders, today announced financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

4 May 2010

FDA grants market clearance for Illumina's BeadXpress system for multiplex genetic analysis

Illumina, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted 510(k) market clearance for the company's BeadXpress system for multiplex genetic analysis.

From Illumina, Inc. 4 May 2010

CBAI signs License and Cooperation agreement with AXM Pharma

Cord Blood America, Inc., the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells, a biological insurance policy, to families nationwide and internationally, announced today that an architectural firm has been retained for the new, 200,000 square foot umbilical cord blood processing and storage facility in China.

4 May 2010

Isolated microalgal strain produces significant amounts of DGLA that helps reduce risk for heart attacks

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers have isolated a microalgal strain which produces large amounts of a polyunsaturated fatty acid that could reduce blood pressure, chronic inflammation and blood cholesterol level, reducing the risk for heart attacks.

4 May 2010

BIO's Policy Statement addresses global health challenges

Biotechnology Industry Organization President and CEO released the following statement on a set of options to increase access to medicines in the developing world which was announced at the Partnering for Global Health Forum 2010 today.

4 May 2010

UCB, IBDWG announce recipients of 2010 Research Awards in IBD for GI Fellows

UCB and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Working Group today announced the five recipients of the 2010 Research Awards in Inflammatory Bowel Disease for Gastroenterology Fellows, each of whom will receive a one-year $40,000 research grant for their original clinical or basic research.

4 May 2010