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Inhibitex commences trials on INX-189 for treatment of Hepatitis C infections

The first clinical trials have started on a new investigational drug, discovered by researchers at Cardiff University, which is being developed to treat infections caused by Hepatitis C virus.

15 May 2010

Agronomic practices can increase cancer-preventive phytochemicals in broccoli and tomatoes

A University of Illinois study has demonstrated that agronomic practices can greatly increase the cancer-preventive phytochemicals in broccoli and tomatoes.

15 May 2010

Tiny cell bricks hold potential for building artificial tissue

Tissue engineering has long held promise for building new organs to replace damaged livers, blood vessels and other body parts. However, one major obstacle is getting cells grown in a lab dish to form 3-D shapes instead of flat layers.

14 May 2010

Experts address fundamental questions related to renal failure in ICU

Despite the fact that recent medical advances have allowed healthcare professionals to stabilize patients who would have otherwise died, many stabilized patients later develop organ system failure. In fact, acute renal failure is one of the biggest threats to critically ill patients: forty percent of patients with this condition die.

14 May 2010

BioSphere Medical to merge with Merit Medical Systems, Merit BioAcquisition

BioSphere Medical, Inc. - the pioneer in the use of bioengineered microspheres to treat uterine fibroids, hypervascularized tumors and vascular malformations by a minimally invasive, image-guided medical procedure called embolotherapy - today reported that it has entered into an a definitive agreement and plan of merger with Merit Medical Systems, Inc. and Merit BioAcquisition Co., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merit Medical pursuant to which BioSphere Medical will merge with and into Merit BioAcquisition Co. in a cash transaction valued at approximately $96 million.

14 May 2010

DMC recommends Celsion to continue enrollment in ThermoDox clinical study for primary liver cancer

Celsion Corporation announced today that after reviewing data from 294 patients including data from 12 Japanese patients enrolled in the pivotal Phase III ThermoDox® clinical study (HEAT Study) for primary liver cancer, the Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) has recommended that Celsion continue to enroll patients in the trial.

14 May 2010

Immunosuppressive drug sirolimus improves kidney health of patients with ADPKD: Study

The immunosuppressive drug sirolimus considerably improves the kidney health of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology.

14 May 2010

Merit Medical Systems to acquire BioSphere Medical

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. today announced that it has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire BioSphere Medical, Inc. in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $96 million, inclusive of all common equity and Series A Preferred preferences.

14 May 2010

Study evaluates cost-utility of MARS treatment in ALF patients

Numerous studies have documented the favorable effects of MARS albumin dialysis treatment on clinical and laboratory parameters and survival in liver failure patients. However, to ensure that limited resources are utilized in an ethical manner, the subjective feelings of the patient in terms of health-related quality of life and costs should also be taken into account.

13 May 2010

Risk of venous thromboembolism is low after hepatic resection in cirrhotic patients: Researchers

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary neoplasm of the liver and often arises in the context of a chronic liver disease that impairs coagulative function. Surgical resection is the best option to cure HCC, however, surgery on cirrhotic liver may increase the risk of bleeding.

12 May 2010

Key mechanisms for delivery of LNP-encapsulated siRNAs to the liver

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today the publication of pre-clinical research in the journal Molecular Therapy revealing key mechanisms related to the systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).

12 May 2010

Updated data from Vical's Phase 2 trial of high-dose Allovectin-7 in metastatic melanoma patients

Vical Incorporated announced the publication in the June issue of Melanoma Research of updated data from the company's Phase 2 trial of high-dose (2 mg) Allovectin-7® in patients with metastatic melanoma. A separate article in the May issue of Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy reviewed results from the Phase 2 trial and previous clinical studies of Allovectin-7®.

12 May 2010

Mutation causing light chain amyloidosis identified

Light chain amyloidosis, a deadly protein misfolding disease, is caused by multiple mutations in cells that are intended to protect the body. Instead, the mutations send misfolded bundles of proteins through the bloodstream, potentially destroying the heart, kidneys, liver or other organs. Mayo Clinic researchers have identified one of these mutations and have shown that the molecule's shifting position is as important as its unique shape. The findings appear in the current issue of the journal Structure.

12 May 2010

Benefits outweigh risks in myeloablative therapy for children with high-risk neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is among the most common of childhood cancers and fortunately, some children will get better spontaneously. Yet for children with high-risk disease the outlook is poor: more than half will relapse despite chemotherapy.

12 May 2010

IMBio receives regulatory concurrence from FDA to market OCL 500 microspheres in the U.S.

IMBiotechnologies Ltd., a privately held biotechnology company focused on developing medical device products for use in the area of embolotherapy, today announced that it has received regulatory concurrence from the United States Food and Drug Administration to market its lead product, Occlusin 500 Artificial Embolization Device in the U.S. for the treatment of unresectable/inoperable hypervascularized tumours.

12 May 2010

Australian TGA approves Acetadote for treatment of paracetamol poisoning

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Phebra Pty Ltd. today announced that Acetadote® (acetylcysteine) Injection has been granted regulatory approval for marketing and sale in Australia. Acetadote, an injectable drug used to treat acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose, was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the government agency responsible for regulating drugs and medical devices in Australia.

12 May 2010

CINJ nurses to present at Oncology Nursing Society's 35th Annual Congress

Florence Nightingale once stated that nursing is an art that requires as much devotion and preparation as any painting or sculpture. This sentiment is echoed in the work of today's nurses and their pursuit of both clinical knowledge and technical expertise. Nurses from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) and throughout the country, will be doing their part in contributing to the art of nursing when presenting at the Oncology Nursing Society's 35th Annual Congress being held this week in San Diego, California.

11 May 2010

SNP biomarker could reduce guesswork associated with prescribing drugs

A tiny gene mutation in human liver cells could one day influence how high or low a dose patients need of about half of the clinically used drugs on the market, new research suggests.

11 May 2010

Harbor BioSciences reports encouraging results from Triolex Phase IIa trials

Harbor Biosciences, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, metabolic and inflammatory diseases, today released an update to its development program for Triolex to treat obesity-induced insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

10 May 2010

Achillion reports lower net loss of $5.6M for first-quarter 2010

Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leader in the discovery and development of small molecule drugs to combat the most challenging infectious diseases, today reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2010. For the first quarter of 2010, the Company reported a net loss of $5.6 million or $0.16 per share, compared with a net loss of $6.7 million or $0.25 per share for the first quarter of 2009. Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2010 were $25.0 million, up $15.3 million compared with December 31, 2009.

10 May 2010