Botulism News and Research

RSS

Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by botulinum toxin, which is produced by the bacterium ''Clostridium botulinum''. The toxin enters the body in one of four ways: by colonization of the digestive tract by the bacterium in children (infant botulism) or adults (adult intestinal toxemia), by ingestion of toxin from foodstuffs (foodborne botulism) or by contamination of a wound by the bacterium (wound botulism).

Multiple sclerosis drug shows promise to counteract effects of botulinum neurotoxin

Scientists are reporting that variants of a drug already approved for treating multiple sclerosis show promise as a long sought treatment for victims of bioterrorist attack with botulinum neurotoxin which is 10,000 times deadlier than cyanide and the most poisonous substance known to man.

18 Nov 2010

University of Padua Professor wins Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize

Frankfurt am Main. The chemist and biologist Professor Cesare Montecucco, 62, of the Department of Biomedical Research at the University of Padua, Italy, has won the 100,000 euro Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize 2011 for his contribution to research in the field of bacterial diseases, including tetanus, botulism, anthrax and Helicobacter pylori associated diseases.

27 Oct 2010

Botox receives FDA approval for treatment of chronic migraine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Botox injection (onabotulinumtoxinA) to prevent headaches in adult patients with chronic migraine. Chronic migraine is defined as having a history of migraine and experiencing a headache on most days of the month.

18 Oct 2010

FDA files complaint for permanent injunction against Brooklyn Juice Company

At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Justice today filed a complaint for permanent injunction against a Brooklyn juice company to prevent it from processing and distributing juice products.

8 Oct 2010

New method for detecting spores of non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum

The Institute of Food Research has collaborated in the development of a new method for detecting spores of non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium is the major health hazard associated with refrigerated convenience foods, and these developments give the food industry and regulators more quantitative information on which to base the procedures that ensure food safety.

1 Oct 2010

Albert Einstein College of Medicine receives grant to study role of proteins in health and disease

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) has awarded Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University a five-year, $30 million grant to study the structure and function of thousands of biomedically important proteins.

1 Oct 2010

Cangene to focus commercialization efforts on key markets

Cangene Corporation today reports that it will further focus its commercialization efforts on key markets for its products in the near term. Cangene acquired the U.S. commercialization rights to HepaGam B(R) (Hepatitis B Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)) in October 2009 and soon after began building a U.S. sales force.

16 Aug 2010

Neogen fiscal 2010 net income increases 26% to $17.5M

Neogen Corporation announced today that its net income for its 2010 fiscal year, which ended May 31, increased 26% from the previous year to $17,521,000. Net income in the fiscal year increased to $0.76 per share, compared to the prior year's $0.61, adjusted for a 3-for-2 stock split that was effective Dec. 15, 2009.

20 Jul 2010

Cangene eliminated from ARS contract

Cangene Corporation today reports that it has been advised by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that Cangene has been eliminated from the competitive range with respect to its bid on a contract for developing a treatment for acute radiation syndrome.

17 Jul 2010

Cangene announces development of Immune Globulin Intravenous product

Cangene Corporation today announces that it is developing an Immune Globulin Intravenous product, commonly known as IGIV. IGIV is a widely used anti-infective with a variety of indications including treating primary immune deficiency, immune thrombocytopenic purpura and other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

15 Jun 2010

Cangene third-quarter revenues decline 39% to $41.1M

Cangene Corporation today reports financial results for the third quarter ended April 30, 2010.

15 Jun 2010

Botox reduces short-term pain in thoracic outlet syndrome patients

Made popular for its ability to smooth wrinkles when injected into the face, Botox - a toxin known to weaken or paralyze certain nerves and muscles - may have another use that goes beyond the cosmetic.

11 Jun 2010

SQI Diagnostics second-quarter net loss increases to $2,021,000

SQI Diagnostics Inc., a medical systems automation company focused on evolving laboratory-based biomarker testing, today announced its financial and operational results for the second quarter ended March 31, 2010.

1 Jun 2010

The Toronto Stock Exchange accepts Cangene's normal course issuer bid

Cangene Corporation announces today that a normal course issuer bid has been accepted by The Toronto Stock Exchange.

27 May 2010

SQI Diagnostics signs development agreement with Silliker

SQI Diagnostics Inc., a medical systems automation company focused on evolving laboratory-based biomarker testing, today announced that it has entered into a development agreement with Silliker, Inc., a leading internationally accredited company dedicated to improving nutrition, food safety and quality, for the commercialization of a botulism toxin panel that will run on SQI's SQiDman analytical system.

26 Apr 2010

Cangene extends botulism antitoxin contract with BARDA

Cangene Corporation today reports that it has signed a no-cost modification to extend its botulism antitoxin contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority ("BARDA"). BARDA is the department within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that manages the two biodefence-related, stockpiling contracts Cangene has with HHS.

30 Mar 2010

Cangene receives European Commission approval to market ImmunoGam

Cangene Corporation today reports that it has received European Commission approval to market Cangene's ImmunoGam(TM) (Human Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin), indicated for immunoprophylaxis of hepatitis B.

18 Mar 2010

Spasticity in flexor muscles of elbow, wrist, and fingers: Botox approved for treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) to treat spasticity in the flexor muscles of the elbow, wrist, and fingers in adults. Spasticity is common after stroke, traumatic brain injury, or the progression of multiple sclerosis.

10 Mar 2010

FDA approves BOTOX for treatment of increased muscle stiffness in adults with upper limb spasticity

Allergan, Inc. today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) for the treatment of increased muscle stiffness in the elbow, wrist and fingers in adults with upper limb spasticity.

9 Mar 2010

New strategy against Botulinum toxin

A study involving the world's deadliest substance has yielded a new strategy to clear toxins from the body-which may lead to more efficient strategies against toxins that may be used in a bioterrorist event, as well as snake bites, scorpion stings, and even some important chronic diseases.

26 Feb 2010