Antibiotic News and Research

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Antibiotics are drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms.

Two antimicrobial drug developing companies evaluate new approach for treating bacterial infections

Chaperone Technologies, Inc. and MerLion Pharmaceuticals Pte Ltd., both privately-held companies developing new antimicrobial drugs, announced today that they are together evaluating a unique approach for the treatment of resistant and life-threatening bacterial infections.

4 Dec 2009

Discovery of antibiotic molecule may lead to the development of potent antibacterial drugs

An antibiotic that binds to a well-established target in a novel and unexpected way could be the inspiration for designing new, more potent antibacterial drugs.

4 Dec 2009

Enrollment closed early in Cubist Pharmaceuticals' ecallantide Phase 2 program

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the early closing of enrollment in its ecallantide Phase 2 program. Ecallantide, in development as therapy to reduce bleeding in on-pump cardiac surgery, is now known as CB-500,929. After a regularly scheduled review meeting, the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) contacted the company to recommend a temporary suspension in enrollment in one of the CB-500,929 trials, CONSERV-2.

3 Dec 2009

Guidelines to diagnose and manage complicated skin and soft tissue infections published

New evidence-based recommendations developed by the Surgical Infection Society to guide physicians in the diagnosis and management of complicated skin and soft tissue infections have been published in Surgical Infections, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (www.liebertpub.com).

3 Dec 2009

Genta to supply Ganite for new CF clinical trial

Genta Incorporated announced that the Company will supply Ganite® (gallium nitrate injection) for a new clinical trial that will be initiated in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who may develop serious infections.

2 Dec 2009

Infections remain a common problem in ICU patients

An international study that examined the extent of infections in nearly 1,300 intensive care units (ICUs) in 75 countries found that about 50 percent of the patients were considered infected, with infection associated with an increased risk of death in the hospital, according to a study in the December 2 issue of JAMA.

2 Dec 2009

MRI pioneer honored with MRC Millennium Medal

Sir Peter Mansfield, The University of Nottingham's Nobel Laureate for Physiology and Medicine, is to be recognised, once again, for his part in one of the most important breakthroughs in medical science.

2 Dec 2009

New form of pathogen becomes a healthcare challenge in Africa

Research shows how a new, more deadly strain of Salmonella emerged over an 18-month period. Becoming resistant to antibiotics, acquiring the ability to spread from person to person and losing genes along the way, the new strain has become a healthcare challenge in Africa, killing up to one in four patients.

1 Dec 2009

DFG approves establishment of new CRCs; research topics range from modern prostheses to political reforms to marine bacteria

The DFG has approved the establishment of 17 new Collaborative Research Centres as of 1 January 2010. This decision was made recently by the relevant Grants Committee in Bonn.

1 Dec 2009

Innovotech announces financial results for third-quarter 2009

Innovotech Inc. today announced its unaudited financial and operational results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009.

25 Nov 2009

Great Lakes Health Plan rated among Top 20 Medicaid health plans

Great Lakes Health Plan (GLHP), part of AmeriChoice, is rated among the nation’s Top 20 Medicaid health plans according to the 2009-10 U.S. News & World Report/National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) survey of “America’s Best Health Insurance Plans.”

25 Nov 2009

Medical Nutrition launches Diff-Stat pre- and probiotic supplement to prevent the onset of AAD and C-diff

Medical Nutrition USA, Inc., a developer and distributor of uniquely engineered, nutrition-medicine products, announced the introduction of Diff-Stat™, a new supplement containing pre- and probiotics to help restore and maintain beneficial bacteria that prevent the onset of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and clostridium difficile (C-diff).

24 Nov 2009

MRSA making its way into hospitals, says study

The community-associated strain of the deadly superbug MRSA-an infection-causing bacteria resistant to most common antibiotics-poses a far greater health threat than previously known and is making its way into hospitals, according to a study in the December issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

24 Nov 2009

10 x '20 Initiative calls for global commitment to develop 10 new antibiotics by 2020

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has asked for a commitment from the Obama administration and the European Union to further the Society's mission to achieve the development of 10 new antibiotics within the next 10 years, known as the 10 x '20 Initiative. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antimicrobial resistance as one of the three greatest threats to human health.

24 Nov 2009

Vitamin D: A multi-purpose nutrient for overall health

A string of recent discoveries about the multiple health benefits of vitamin D has renewed interest in this multi-purpose nutrient, increased awareness of the huge numbers of people who are deficient in it, spurred research and even led to an appreciation of it as "nature's antibiotic."

24 Nov 2009

RSV found to cause more emergency department visits and hospitalizations than seasonal flu

Influenza, particularly H1N1, has understandably captured the attention of public health officials, the media and the public. However, an analysis from Children's Hospital Boston, based on patients seen in its emergency department (ED) during several recent flu seasons, shows that another virus - respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - takes a substantially greater disease toll among young children than does seasonal flu.

23 Nov 2009

Antibiotic resistance a growing problem, particularly in southern, eastern Europe

Antibiotic resistance is increasing throughout the world because of excessive use, Agence France-Press reports. The news service writes, "Experts at the 2nd annual European antibiotics awareness day held by the Stockholm-based European Centre for Diseases Prevention and Control (ECDC) said new, hyper-resistant bacteria were emerging, threatening the pillars of global health."

20 Nov 2009

"EurSafety Health-net" launched to fight hospital acquired MRSA infection

On November 19, 2009, the kick-off meeting for the Euregio-project "EurSafety Health-net" has taken place. EurSafety Health-net is the follow-up of EUREGIO MRSA-net, that, according to the Robert Koch Institute, gained some sort of model character all over the nation when talking about prevention of hospital acquired MRSA infection. Besides the protection against infection, the main goal of this new project is to strengthen the patients' safety on both sides of the border.

20 Nov 2009

Leading driver of antibiotic selection in nosocomial pneumonia in Europe found

Arlington Medical Resources (AMR) and Decision Resources find that the leading driver of antibiotic selection in nosocomial pneumonia in Europe is broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens.

20 Nov 2009

PolyMedix completes public offering of units for aggregate gross proceeds of $20.7 million

PolyMedix Inc. (http://polymedix.com), an emerging biotechnology company developing acute care therapeutic drug products for infectious diseases and cardiovascular disorders, announced today that it has completed a public offering of units for aggregate gross proceeds of $20.7 million.

18 Nov 2009

Antibiotic News and Research

Further Reading

Two antimicrobial drug developing companies evaluate new approach for treating bacterial infections

Discovery of antibiotic molecule may lead to the development of potent antibacterial drugs

Enrollment closed early in Cubist Pharmaceuticals' ecallantide Phase 2 program

Guidelines to diagnose and manage complicated skin and soft tissue infections published

Genta to supply Ganite for new CF clinical trial

Infections remain a common problem in ICU patients

MRI pioneer honored with MRC Millennium Medal

New form of pathogen becomes a healthcare challenge in Africa

DFG approves establishment of new CRCs; research topics range from modern prostheses to political reforms to marine bacteria

Innovotech announces financial results for third-quarter 2009

Great Lakes Health Plan rated among Top 20 Medicaid health plans

Medical Nutrition launches Diff-Stat pre- and probiotic supplement to prevent the onset of AAD and C-diff

MRSA making its way into hospitals, says study

10 x '20 Initiative calls for global commitment to develop 10 new antibiotics by 2020

Vitamin D: A multi-purpose nutrient for overall health

RSV found to cause more emergency department visits and hospitalizations than seasonal flu

Antibiotic resistance a growing problem, particularly in southern, eastern Europe

"EurSafety Health-net" launched to fight hospital acquired MRSA infection

Leading driver of antibiotic selection in nosocomial pneumonia in Europe found

PolyMedix completes public offering of units for aggregate gross proceeds of $20.7 million

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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