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FDA approves new xTAG Cystic Fibrosis 39 Kit v2 from Luminex

Luminex Corporation (NASDAQ: LMNX), the worldwide leader in multiplexed solutions, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a new cystic fibrosis (CF) test: the xTAG® Cystic Fibrosis 39 Kit v2.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 4 Sep 2009

Covidien to divest three product lines to streamline its portfolio

Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced definitive agreements to sell its Sleep Diagnostics and Oxygen Therapy product lines and a proposal to sell its Sleep Therapy product line.

From Chart Industries 4 Sep 2009

Systematic method for improving the stability of antibodies

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have developed a systematic method to improve the stability of antibodies. The technique could lead to better biosensors, disease therapeutics and diagnostic reagents and non-laboratory applications, including environmental remediation.

4 Sep 2009

Covidien's Sleep Diagnostic business acquired by Embla

Embla and Covidien have entered into a definitive agreement under which Embla will acquire Covidien's Sleep Diagnostic business. This includes the sleep diagnostic products sold under the Sandman(TM) brand name. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Completion of the sale is subject to customary closing conditions.

4 Sep 2009

New Technology Showcase highlighting life science technologies to be featured

LifeScience Alley announced today that eight life science organizations from around the United States and Canada will be exhibiting cutting-edge technologies at the association’s Annual Conference on Dec. 9 as part of the New Technology Showcase.

3 Sep 2009

Wellness program helps company control health care costs

"Healthy Quest is designed to focus on health issues that 'drive a lot of costs, and drive a lot of lost productivity,' like obesity, smoking and stress, [Steve Burton, vice president of health and wellness services at Quest Diagnostics] said."

3 Sep 2009

Thermo Fisher Scientific to acquire B.R.A.H.M.S. for $470 million

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire B.R.A.H.M.S. AG for €330 million (approximately $470 million USD). B.R.A.H.M.S. is a leading provider of specialty in-vitro diagnostic tests based on its patented biomarkers for sepsis, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, as well as intensive care treatments and prenatal screening.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 3 Sep 2009

Researchers to analyse nanoparticles

Researchers at Swansea University's Centre for NanoHealth have been awarded £1 million by the Research Councils' Nanoscience through Engineering to Application cross-council programme, led by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC), to analyse the levels at which nanoparticles can be deemed safe within cells.

3 Sep 2009

Molecular pathology laboratories gear up for swift swine flu detection

Dr. Jan Nowak, President of the Association for Molecular Pathology presented public comments today at the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee meeting.

3 Sep 2009

Arrayit receives patent certification from China

Arrayit Corporation (OTCBB: ARYC), a proprietary life sciences technology leader, announces that on August 31st, 2009 the company received a patent certificate from the most populous country on the planet, the People's Republic of China. The patent covers Dr. Mark Schena's microarray methods of genotyping multiple patient samples, commonly referred to as Arrayit's "Variation Identification Platform™" (VIP) technology.

2 Sep 2009

Analytical Technologies division of MDS to be acquired by Danaher

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ) to acquire the Analytical Technologies division of MDS, which includes a 50% ownership position in Applied Biosystems/MDS Sciex joint venture ("AB SCIEX"), a mass spectrometry business, and a 100% ownership position in the former Molecular Devices Corporation, a bioresearch and analytical instrumentation company.

From Danaher 2 Sep 2009

Danaher to acquire mass spectrometry business from Life Technologies Corporation

Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its ownership stake in its mass spectrometry business, operated as a joint venture, to Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) for $450 million in cash. Danaher has also signed an agreement to acquire Life Technologies’ joint venture partner in the mass spectrometry business, MDS Analytical Technologies, a division of MDS Inc. (NYSE:MDZ). The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2009.

From Danaher 2 Sep 2009

Vitro Diagnostics develops technology and products for cell-based cancer therapy

Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. (OTCBB: VODG), dba Vitro Biopharma, announced advances in its adult stem cell products and technology with application to cell-based therapy of cancer. With the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy from brain cancer, we are reminded of such aggressive cancers without effective treatment.

2 Sep 2009

MammoSite ML radiation therapy system approved for breast cancer treatment

Hologic, Inc. (Hologic or the Company), a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the Company's 510K application for the MammoSite((R)) ML radiation therapy system.

1 Sep 2009

Bio-Rad cycle riders raise $73,055 during the Napa Valley Tour de Cure to benefit the ADA

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO) and (NYSE: BIO.B), a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostics products, helped raise approximately $1.1 million during the Napa Valley Tour de Cure, which took place on May 3 to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

1 Sep 2009

MultiGEN Diagnostics launches new technology for clinical testing in molecular diagnostics

San Diego-based MultiGEN Diagnostics Inc. has launched a novel multi-target DNA sequencing technology (MultiGEN) for a wide range of clinical testing in molecular diagnostics.

1 Sep 2009

ChromoCure releases development plan for CS300 Chromosomal Scanner

ChromoCure, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: KKUR) released today its development plan for its next generation of chromosomal scanners. The new system has been given the name "CS300" as the next iteration of its current CS200 Chromosomal Scanner design.

1 Sep 2009

Also in Global Health news: Flu, cholera in PNG; improving life awards; HIV/AIDS in Rwanda; men and maternal/child health; MDR-TB in India

"Twin outbreaks of a flu-like illness and dysentery in a remote region of Papua New Guinea have killed 47 people and infected another 2,000 villagers, a senior medical official said Monday," Agence France-Presse reports. According to provincial health adviser Doctor Theo Likei, the WHO has collected and is testing samples of the virus from the "stricken villages" (8/31). Additionally, the country is experiencing a cholera outbreak - "the first time the disease has officially been confirmed in the country," the BBC reports (Mercer, 8/31).

1 Sep 2009

MabCure featured in the August edition of Biotechnology Focus magazine

MabCure, Inc. (“MabCure”), a biotechnology company using its proprietary technology to create highly specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) for the early detection of cancer, has been featured in the August edition of Biotechnology Focus, Canada's oldest and most successful magazine serving the Canadian life science industry.

31 Aug 2009

Spinal implant developed by Sanfor Clinic neurosurgeon receives FDA market clearance

Sanford Health, a comprehensive health care provider in the Upper Midwest, announced today a spinal implant developed by Sanford Clinic Neurosurgeon, Wilson Asfora, MD, Sanford Clinic Neurosurgery & Spine, has received United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) market clearance as a lumbar intervertebral body fusion device.

31 Aug 2009