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Ranibizumab improves vision in patients with visual impairment due to DME: RESTORE study

Results from a new major diabetes eye health study may have the potential to change the way vision loss due to diabetic macular edema, a serious and devastating complication of diabetes, is treated. One year results from the RESTORE study show that 37 per cent of patients treated with ranibizumab only and 43 per cent of those treated with ranibizumab plus laser therapy, had a significant improvement in visual acuity of 10 letters or more on an eye chart, compared to 16 per cent of patients treated with laser alone - the current standard treatment for visual impairment due to DME.

7 Jun 2010

Microplasmin exhibits potential to cure 50% of patients with macular hole

ThromboGenics NV, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative treatments for eye disease, announces that further data from the first successful Phase III trial with microplasmin (TG-MV-006) for the non-surgical treatment of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) were presented at the World Ophthalmology Congress by Dr. Matthew Benz, MD (The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, U.S.)

7 Jun 2010

RTU announces phase 2 clinical trial results of UF-021 in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today confirmed that its partner, R-Tech Ueno, Ltd. reported the results of its recently completed phase 2 clinical trial of UF-021 in retinitis pigmentosa patients. The results showed improvement in visual function dose-dependently in both visual field test and subjective findings.

5 Jun 2010

GPI executive director announces keynote speakers, panel topics for 2010 World Stem Cell Summit

Bernard Siegel, executive director of the Genetics Policy Institute and co-chair of the 2010 World Stem Cell Summit, announced the selection of keynote speakers for the World Stem Cell Summit, which is taking place at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan, October 4-6.

4 Jun 2010

R-Tech Ueno announces completion of Phase II clinical study of UF-021 for retinitis pigmentosa

We are pleased to announce that the Phase II clinical study of UF-021, product name Ocuseva, which we are developing as a therapeutic drug for retinitis pigmentosa, has been completed.

4 Jun 2010

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International honors Roche with "Chancellor's Award"

Roche, makers of ACCU-CHEK® blood glucose meters, infusion pumps, lancing devices and data management systems for people with diabetes, received the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International's "Chancellor's Award" during the JDRF Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. The "Chancellor's Award" recognizes and honors longstanding JDRF corporate partners.

From Roche Sequencing and Life Science 2 Jun 2010

Latinos have highest rates of eye disease: New research

New research suggests Latinos have the highest rates of eye disease in the United States, and one Los Angeles area clinic, Eye Physicians of Long Beach, is supremely prepared to meet the community's eye care needs.

2 Jun 2010

Preparation reduces winter sports injuries

During winter those who are active need to prepare for the cold conditions or risk injuries, warns Sports Medicine Australia.

31 May 2010

Alimera Sciences provides new data from Iluvien Phase 3 FAME clinical trials for DME

Alimera Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development and commercialization of prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, today announced that a new analysis of data from its Phase 3 (FAME) clinical trials for Iluvien, the company's investigational intravitreal insert being studied for diabetic macular edema (DME), indicates that patient vision continues to improve significantly over 30 months.

28 May 2010

IOM, UIC to convene regional meeting to discuss rising rates of diabetes, obesity in the U.S

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies will convene a regional meeting on Sept. 21 at the University of Illinois at Chicago to discuss the rapidly rising rates of diabetes and obesity in the U.S.

27 May 2010

UCI scientists create eight-layer, early-stage retina from human embryonic stem cells

UC Irvine scientists have created an eight-layer, early-stage retina from human embryonic stem cells, the first three-dimensional tissue structure to be made from stem cells.

27 May 2010

New study holds promise for patients with LCA

A new study led by Dr. Robert Koenekoop at the Montreal Children's Hospital at the McGill University Health Centre holds promise for certain patients with Leber congenital amaurosis, an inherited retinal degenerative disease that causes significant vision loss from birth. The study, sponsored by Canadian company QLT Inc., is designed to treat patients with LCA due to genetic mutations in either retinal pigment epithelium protein 65 or lecithin:retinol acyltransferase.

27 May 2010

Health Canada approves Victoza for treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is growing at an alarming rate in Canada, with an estimated 3.7 million people expected to be diagnosed by 2020. It is a progressive disease that, if not properly monitored and managed over time, will lead to serious long term complications. Canadians now have a novel treatment available to help them maintain optimal blood glucose levels. Health Canada has approved Victoza (liraglutide), the first GLP-1 analogue, for once-daily administration for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes to improve glycemic control in combination with metformin or metformin and a sulfonylurea.

27 May 2010

NIDDK awards Albert Einstein College of Medicine $9.5M for continuation of Diabetes Research and Training Center

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University a five-year, $9.5 million grant for the continuation of its Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC). The DRTC was also awarded a $632,000 supplemental grant for equipment and additional pilot and feasibility studies through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), bringing total NIH support to $10,177,000.

26 May 2010

Vical receives $4.0M grant to support development of novel vaccine for CMV infection

Vical Incorporated announced today that the company is collaborating with leading pediatric infectious disease researchers Stuart P. Adler, M.D., and Michael A. McVoy, Ph.D., of Virginia Commonwealth University under a five-year, approximately $4.0 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.

25 May 2010

FDA grants 510(k) market clearance for EraGen's MultiCode-RTx HSV 1&2 Kit

EraGen Biosciences Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) market clearance for EraGen's MultiCode®-RTx HSV 1&2 Kit.

20 May 2010

BBSRC, EPSRC fund £1.5M for synthetic biology projects under EuroSYNBIO Programme

Four new projects, announced today, will develop biological methods that offer a new approach to antibiotic production, power generation for extremely small mechanical components, new classes of medicines and innovative techniques to study cell biology.

19 May 2010

Statue commemorating 30th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox unveiled

A statue commemorating the 30th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox is being unveiled today in front of the World Health Organization headquarters by the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Margaret Chan.

18 May 2010

New cases of Type 1 diabetes in young children to double by 2020: The Lancet

By 2020, new cases of Type 1 diabetes in children younger than five are expected to double if current trends continue, according to a study published in The Lancet. Diabetes is an epidemic, with numbers of those suffering from diabetes and its complications increasing worldwide.

14 May 2010

Study: When incentive payments are removed, quality of health care suffers

Los Angeles Times: Researchers in Britain teamed with Kaiser Permanente in Northern California "to see what happened in Northern California when the health giant stopped rewarding doctors who screened patients for diabetic retinopathy and cervical cancer."

13 May 2010

Blindness News and Research

Ranibizumab improves vision in patients with visual impairment due to DME: RESTORE study

Microplasmin exhibits potential to cure 50% of patients with macular hole

RTU announces phase 2 clinical trial results of UF-021 in patients with retinitis pigmentosa

GPI executive director announces keynote speakers, panel topics for 2010 World Stem Cell Summit

R-Tech Ueno announces completion of Phase II clinical study of UF-021 for retinitis pigmentosa

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International honors Roche with "Chancellor's Award"

Latinos have highest rates of eye disease: New research

Preparation reduces winter sports injuries

Alimera Sciences provides new data from Iluvien Phase 3 FAME clinical trials for DME

IOM, UIC to convene regional meeting to discuss rising rates of diabetes, obesity in the U.S

UCI scientists create eight-layer, early-stage retina from human embryonic stem cells

New study holds promise for patients with LCA

Health Canada approves Victoza for treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes

NIDDK awards Albert Einstein College of Medicine $9.5M for continuation of Diabetes Research and Training Center

Vical receives $4.0M grant to support development of novel vaccine for CMV infection

FDA grants 510(k) market clearance for EraGen's MultiCode-RTx HSV 1&2 Kit

BBSRC, EPSRC fund £1.5M for synthetic biology projects under EuroSYNBIO Programme

Statue commemorating 30th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox unveiled

New cases of Type 1 diabetes in young children to double by 2020: The Lancet

Study: When incentive payments are removed, quality of health care suffers

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

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