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Fidaxomicin, CDA1/CDB1 effective for treating CDI : Report

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that, in first- and second-line treatment of Clostridium difficile infection, nearly 70 percent of surveyed infectious disease specialists and internists will use Optimer's fidaxomicin and nearly half will use Medarex/Merck's CDA1 and CDB1, one year after the launch of these agents. The lower recurrent/relapse rate associated with fidaxomicin and CDA1/CDB1 is the most influential attribute surveyed clinicians cite in their decisions to prescribe these emerging agents for CDI.

6 Aug 2010

Researchers recommends robotic prostatectomy over traditional open surgery method

While sharp debate continues among medical professionals as to whether a radical prostatectomy performed with the assistance of a robotic device is more beneficial than the traditional open surgery method, research just published by investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) shows new evidence supporting the safety of the robotic procedure - including what is believed to be one of the lowest complication rates to date. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

6 Aug 2010

Helmsley Charitable Trust awards $3.15M grant to support UofL James Graham Brown Cancer Center

The University of Louisville has received a $3.15 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to support the UofL James Graham Brown Cancer Center and cancer research taking place in Owensboro. The grant will be matched with state "Bucks for Brains" funding to bring more than $4.5 million to the Owensboro Cancer Research Program.

6 Aug 2010

Studies show biological agents play important role in maintaining remission in Crohn's disease

Biological agents may play an important role in maintaining remission in Crohn's disease, according to two new studies in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association Institute.

6 Aug 2010

New research on use of medicine, diet to prevent UV-induced skin cancer

In most cases, non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation - the invisible rays from the sun that can burn the skin. To reduce the risk of skin cancer, dermatologists encourage the public to Be Sun Smart, including limiting sun exposure and using broad-spectrum sunscreens.

6 Aug 2010

Scientists find molecular cocktail to transform non-muscle cells into cardiac muscle

In heart disease, cardiac muscle gradually dies off and, with little or no way to regenerate those cells, that can ultimately lead the heart to fail. But scientists reporting in the August 6th issue of Cell, a Cell Press publication, might have found a way to fix those losses. They've devised a three-ingredient molecular cocktail that transforms fibroblasts - structural cells that the heart is chock full of - directly into beating heart cells.

6 Aug 2010

Cobalis, BESPHarma partner to launch national distribution program for PreHistin Allergy Defense Formula

Cobalis Corp. announced today that it has entered into a 5-year distribution partnership agreement with Florida-based BESPHarma, LLC to launch a national distribution program wherein physicians and healthcare providers can offer their patients PreHistin Allergy Defense Formula directly in their offices.

6 Aug 2010

Agendia inaugurates new clinical genomics laboratory

Agendia, a world leader in molecular cancer diagnostics, today announced the inauguration of a new state-of-the-art clinical genomics laboratory in Irvine, CA. Previously, Agendia's offices and laboratory were located in Huntington Beach, CA. The new laboratory will further increase capacity to support Agendia's strong commercial expansion in the U.S. market, as well as the use of multiple Agendia tests in clinical research. MammaPrint, the company's lead product and the only FDA-cleared breast cancer recurrence test, is reimbursed by an increasing number of payers, covering some 100 million lives today.

6 Aug 2010

WaferGen launches SmartChip System for discovery, validation of biomarkers

WaferGen Biosystems, Inc., a leading developer of state-of-the-art genomic analysis systems, today announced it has launched the breakthrough WaferGen SmartChip Real-Time PCR System, the next-generation Real-Time PCR system for discovery and validation of biomarkers, or gene expression patterns, on a single platform. The SmartChip System is designed to provide accurate, highly sensitive and high-throughput gene expression profiling capabilities to researchers, clinicians and pharmaceutical companies.

6 Aug 2010

New laboratory to speed up research for melanoma treatment set up at University of Bristol

A new Skin Cancer Research Fund Laboratory has been set up in Bristol to study cancer cells collected from skin cancer patients attending Frenchay Hospital. It is hoped the new facility will speed up research into treatments for malignant melanoma - the most deadly form of skin cancer. The new laboratory at the Microvascular Research Laboratories at the University of Bristol will be officially opened today (Tuesday August 22nd) by the director of the Skin Cancer Research Fund, Mr Paul Townsend.

6 Aug 2010

Biovail second-quarter total revenues increase 23% to $238.8 million

Biovail Corporation today announced financial results for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010.

5 Aug 2010

New study reinforces need for national catastrophic drug plan in Canada for cancer patients

In a newly released report comparing international usage of prescription drugs, Canada ranks thirteenth among 14 countries for cancer drugs launched within the last five years. The study, conducted for the UK Secretary of State for Health, compared 14 countries for their usage of 14 categories of prescription drugs to determine whether the UK is adequately providing for the health needs of its citizens.

5 Aug 2010

Scientists discover gene linked to eight-fold risk of breast cancer recurrence

Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered that a gene called POLQ is linked to an eight-fold risk of breast cancer returning. Developing drugs to block POLQ could increase survival and stop the cancer coming back, according to research published in OncoTarget.

5 Aug 2010

EBRI publishes detailed summary of consumer-driven health plans

The nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute today published a detailed summary of what is known about consumer-driven health plans, a relatively new option for paying for medical expenses that first began to appear nearly a decade ago.

5 Aug 2010

Project for improving nurses' assessment skills to detect and alleviate delirium symptoms

In the future, nurses may more accurately detect and alleviate symptoms of delirium in persons with dementia, thanks to a five-year, $2.7-million grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research.The project, led by Donna Fick, professor of nursing, Penn State, seeks to improve nurses' assessment skills and reduce the use of drugs to treat delirium and dementia.

5 Aug 2010

Scientists to develop new antibiotics to tackle infection-causing bacteria

Detailed pictures published today reveal how a new type of experimental antibiotic can kill bacteria that are already resistant to existing treatments. The findings could ultimately help scientists to develop new antibiotics to tackle the bacteria responsible for many hospital and community-acquired infections.

5 Aug 2010

Catalyst Health Solutions second-quarter 2010 net income up 21%

Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc., a pharmacy benefit management company, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The Company reported quarterly net income of $19.5 million, up 21% compared to $16.2 million in the prior year. Earnings per diluted share increased by $0.07 to $0.44 from $0.37. Revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, grew by 24% to $890.1 million from $717.6 million in the prior year.

5 Aug 2010

Nature News examines how scientists, farmers are working to meet the growing demand for artemisinin

"From bust to boom to bust again: artemisinin, the key ingredient of front-line antimalarial drugs, is entering the third chapter of its turbulent history," Nature News writes in an article that examines the challenges scientists and farmers are facing as they attempt to keep up with the growing demand for the compound just as a "$343-million initiative starts to battle malaria through hugely subsidized medicines."

5 Aug 2010

Genzyme, Isis announce results of two mipomersen phase 3 studies

Genzyme Corp. and Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced results of two phase 3 studies of mipomersen in patients who had high cholesterol levels while on maximally tolerated lipid-lowering therapy. In the study of patients with severe hypercholesterolemia, mipomersen reduced LDL-C, the primary endpoint, by 36 percent compared with a 13 percent increase for placebo.

5 Aug 2010

Injecting PAP may reduce chronic pain: Research

A study published in the Aug. 4, 2010 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience introduces an enzyme that could pack a big punch in the battle against chronic pain. Its name is prostatic acid phosphatase or PAP for short. According to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, PAP blocks pain in animal models by siphoning off a molecule called PIP2—a critical component of the chemical cascade behind chronic pain.

5 Aug 2010

Drugs News and Research

Fidaxomicin, CDA1/CDB1 effective for treating CDI : Report

Researchers recommends robotic prostatectomy over traditional open surgery method

Helmsley Charitable Trust awards $3.15M grant to support UofL James Graham Brown Cancer Center

Studies show biological agents play important role in maintaining remission in Crohn's disease

New research on use of medicine, diet to prevent UV-induced skin cancer

Scientists find molecular cocktail to transform non-muscle cells into cardiac muscle

Cobalis, BESPHarma partner to launch national distribution program for PreHistin Allergy Defense Formula

Agendia inaugurates new clinical genomics laboratory

WaferGen launches SmartChip System for discovery, validation of biomarkers

New laboratory to speed up research for melanoma treatment set up at University of Bristol

Biovail second-quarter total revenues increase 23% to $238.8 million

New study reinforces need for national catastrophic drug plan in Canada for cancer patients

Scientists discover gene linked to eight-fold risk of breast cancer recurrence

EBRI publishes detailed summary of consumer-driven health plans

Project for improving nurses' assessment skills to detect and alleviate delirium symptoms

Scientists to develop new antibiotics to tackle infection-causing bacteria

Catalyst Health Solutions second-quarter 2010 net income up 21%

Nature News examines how scientists, farmers are working to meet the growing demand for artemisinin

Genzyme, Isis announce results of two mipomersen phase 3 studies

Injecting PAP may reduce chronic pain: Research

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