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Matrix enters licensing agreement with Tibotec for generic Rilpivirine Hydrochloride

Mylan Inc. today announced that its subsidiary Matrix Laboratories Limited has signed an agreement with Tibotec Pharmaceuticals for a non-exclusive license to manufacture, market and distribute a generic version of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor Rilpivirine Hydrochloride (TMC278), pending its regulatory approval for the treatment of treatment-naive HIV-1-infected adults.

28 Jan 2011

HIV causes specific subset of CD4+ T-cells to age rapidly: Study

In the early years of the AIDS epidemic, being infected with the virus that causes the disease was considered a virtual death sentence. But with the development of antiretroviral therapy, many with HIV are now living much longer. In fact, it is estimated that by 2015, about half of all HIV-positive individuals will be older than 50.

28 Jan 2011

Reuters examines how Russia's 'drug problem' has 'become an AIDS problem'

Reuters, in a piece exploring the issue of heroin use in Russia describes how the country's "drug problem has now become an AIDS problem."

28 Jan 2011

Opinions: Global poverty; Global Fund corruption; Tackling poverty, environmental issues

Ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Laurence Chandy and Geoffrey Gert, both of the Brookings Institution's Global Economy and Development program, reflect on "Poverty's Success Story," a Washington Post opinion piece. They note that the last time the World Bank issued global poverty statistics (the number of people in the world living on less than $1.25 each day) was 2005.

28 Jan 2011

Early dental visit is important for good oral health in children

Good oral health is a key component of good overall health in children, which is why an early visit to the dentist is very important, says Temple University pediatric dentist Mark Helpin.

28 Jan 2011

HIV drug used by drug abusers in a deadly concoction

In a sad and rather ironic situation in South Africa, where many are fighting a battle against HIV/AIDS with shortage of Anti-retrovital drugs, there is a new drug craze. South Africa has the world’s largest population of HIV infected citizens - nearly 6 million.

27 Jan 2011

Flood-borne diseases make their appearance

In the wake of Queensland’s devastating floods there are warnings to residents, volunteers and others regarding protection against diseases. Australian Medical Association Queensland president-elect Dr Richard Kidd said he expected a number of diseases to appear as a result of people coming in contact with floodwaters and especially the mud left behind.

27 Jan 2011

IEHA, Cintas release list of best practices for reducing HAIs within healthcare facility

In lieu of recent changes in guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control calling for increased cleaning performance and integration of new auditing controls to regulate cleaning efficacy, Cintas Corporation and the International Executive Housekeepers Association today released a list of best practices for reducing healthcare acquired infections and enhancing levels of cleanliness within a healthcare facility.

27 Jan 2011

'Phenotype switching' helps bacteria lie dormant inside host cells and become a reservoir for relapsing infections

A new study into Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium which is responsible for severe chronic infections worldwide, reveals how the bacteria have developed a strategy of hiding within host cells to escape the immune system as well as many antibacterial treatments. The research, published by EMBO Molecular Medicine, demonstrates how 'phenotype switching' enables bacteria to adapt to their environmental conditions, lie dormant inside host cells and become a reservoir for relapsing infections.

27 Jan 2011

AHF surpasses 150,000 patient milestone

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, is proud to announce a major milestone in its mission to provide cutting-edge medicine and advocacy regardless of a person's ability to pay. The organization has recently surpassed the 150,000 patient mark worldwide.

27 Jan 2011

Mass cholera vaccination early in outbreak could stem spread of disease, studies show

"The cholera bacterium has undergone important mutations in recent years, causing longer outbreaks of the disease with increased fatalities, researchers reported on Wednesday," Reuters reports. "In a package of papers published in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, they said mass vaccinations should be considered as a solution even after outbreaks have begun," the news service writes (Lyn, 1/26).

27 Jan 2011

Pfenex receives $3.1 million SAIC sub-contract to develop malaria antigen

Pfenex today announced that Science Applications International Corporation has awarded Pfenex a sub-contract valued at $3.1 million to help develop a robust, scalable, cGMP ready production process for large scale production of full length Circumsporozoite protein from Plasmodium falciparum.

27 Jan 2011

Lancet series examines health issues facing populations in Southeast Asia

"Southeast Asia's 600 million people are facing a raft of new health challenges as the disaster-prone region undergoes some of the world's fastest social change," according to a series of papers and commentary pieces, published Tuesday in the Lancet, Agence France-Presse reports (O'Brien, 1/25).

27 Jan 2011

MRSA screening in ICU patients can save costs for hospitals

Screening patients in the intensive care unit for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus roduces cost savings for the whole hospital, according to a study that used a statistical simulation model published in the February issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of APIC - the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

27 Jan 2011

Inviragen completes memorandum of understanding with Duke-NUS

Inviragen, and the Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School announced today that they have completed a memorandum of understanding to establish a partnership between the two organizations.

27 Jan 2011

Researchers find food-borne bacteria can cause difficult-to-treat heart infections

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have found that particular strains of a food-borne bacteria are able to invade the heart, leading to serious and difficult-to-treat heart infections.

27 Jan 2011

Anadys begins dosing in ANA598 Phase IIb study for hepatitis C

Anadys Pharmaceuticals, announced today that dosing has begun in the Phase IIb study of ANA598 in combination with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in hepatitis C patients.

26 Jan 2011

Researchers develop anti-HIV gene therapy for rendering T-cells resistant to infection

An innovative genetic strategy for rendering T-cells resistant to HIV infection without affecting their normal growth and activity is described in a paper published in Human Gene Therapy, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. The paper is available free online.

26 Jan 2011

Research shows how pathogenic bacteria hide inside host cells

A new study into Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium which is responsible for severe chronic infections worldwide, reveals how bacteria have developed a strategy of hiding within host cells to escape the immune system as well as many antibacterial treatments. The research, published by EMBO Molecular Medicine, demonstrates how ‘phenotype switching’ enables bacteria to adapt to their environmental conditions, lie dormant inside host cells and become a reservoir for relapsing infections.

26 Jan 2011

Measles warnings for Australia and New Zealand

In a flight from Brisbane that arrived in Auckland two weeks ago, a child was confirmed to have measles and has been taken to hospital. Five other cases of the virus have been confirmed. At present a further 100 cases are being investigated by the Auckland Regional Public Health Service.

26 Jan 2011