Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

GAVI says pentavalent vaccine price to fall, but $3.7B still needed to vaccinate children in developing countries

The average price of a vaccine that protects children against five diseases is expected to "drop to $2.58 next year compared to the current average price of $2.97," the GAVI Alliance said Friday, Reuters reports. The group credits the expected price decline, which "represents a decrease of 30 percent over the last seven years," in part to an "increased demand for the pentavalent, or five-in-one vaccine," according to the news service (Kelland, 11/26).

30 Nov 2010

FDA approves Axiron topical solution CIII for testosterone replacement therapy in men

Acrux , a drug delivery company that develops and commercializes patented pharmaceutical products for global markets, and Eli Lilly Company today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Axiron® topical solution CIII for testosterone replacement therapy in men. Axiron is the first testosterone topical solution approved for application via an underarm applicator.

29 Nov 2010

More women are dying of lung cancer in UK

New research shows that the rates of lung cancer in women have risen and this could be a sign that efforts to persuade them to quit smoking have failed. The cases among men have fallen on the other hand.

29 Nov 2010

DK Sinopharma third quarter sales increase 66% to $7,290,685

DK Sinopharma, Inc., announced its third quarter 2010 financial results. The Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q was filed with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission on November 22, 2010.

29 Nov 2010

Merck announces initial results from ISENTRESS Phase III study in HIV-1

Merck today reported initial results from the Phase III study investigating the efficacy and safety of a treatment regimen including ISENTRESS® (raltegravir) Tablets once daily in treatment-naïve adult patients infected with HIV-1. ISENTRESS is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced adults.

29 Nov 2010

Spectrum's FUSILEV sNDA accepted by FDA for review

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in oncology, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for filing and review the complete response regarding its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for FUSILEV® (levoleucovorin) for Injection for treatment of patients with advanced metastatic colorectal cancer.

29 Nov 2010

Depressed and suicidal individuals linked to low levels of stress hormone cortisol

Depressed and suicidal individuals have low levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their blood and saliva. They also have substances in their spinal fluid that suggest there is increased inflammation in the brain. These findings could help to develop new methods for diagnosing and treating suicidal patients.

29 Nov 2010

QIAGEN to supply point-of-need molecular veterinary diagnostics for disease detection in emerging countries

QIAGEN has been selected to contribute to the fight against infectious diseases in animals in emerging countries by supplying an international pilot project associated with the United Nations with portable devices to perform ultra-fast molecular testing in the field.

From QIAGEN Manchester Limited 29 Nov 2010

New laboratory test for pregnant women to detect GBS infections

A more rapid laboratory test for pregnant women to detect Group B strep (GBS), the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns, is being studied by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

29 Nov 2010

Whooping cough outbreak in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is witnessing an outbreak of whooping cough with more people falling ill. Health authorities are urging all people over 7 years of age to get vaccinated against the disease.

28 Nov 2010

Medicago, Genopole expand collaboration

Medicago Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing highly effective and competitive vaccines based on proprietary manufacturing technologies and Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), today announced an extension to its partnering agreement of July 2009 with Genopole®. Medicago and Genopole® will also work towards the creation a laboratory for research on vaccine and antibody targets of interest for France in terms of public health and biodefense.

26 Nov 2010

New findings provide insight into brain development

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have identified key components of a signaling pathway that controls the departure of neurons from the brain niche where they form and allows these cells to start migrating to their final destination. Defects in this system affect the architecture of the brain and are associated with epilepsy, mental retardation and perhaps malignant brain tumors.

25 Nov 2010

Plant-derived bioscavenger protects against pesticide and nerve agent organophosphate poisoning

The brain is forever chattering to itself, via electrical impulses sent along its hard-wired neuronal "Ethernet." These e-messages are translated into chemical transmissions, allowing communication across the narrow cleft separating one neuron from another or between neurons and their target cells. Of the many kinds of molecules involved in this lively chemical symposium, acetylcholine is among the most critical, performing a host of functions in the central and peripheral nervous system.

24 Nov 2010

CIHI study finds impact of H1N1 pandemic on Canadian hospitals

While the H1N1 global pandemic may not have resulted in as many severe cases as originally predicted, a new study released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) shows that more than 15,000 Canadians were admitted to hospital for H1N1 in Canada between April and December 2009.

24 Nov 2010

Vertex submits NDA for telaprevir for treating hepatitis C

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced that it has completed the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval for telaprevir, Vertex's investigational treatment for people with hepatitis C.

23 Nov 2010

New water dispenser with Firewall UV technology deactivates harmful micro-organisms

Waterlogic water dispensers with Firewall UV technology, have become the world's first bottle-less water coolers to be awarded dual certification for achieving the highest levels of drinking water purification.

23 Nov 2010

Study examines nosocomial outbreak of influenza in Hong Kong hospitals

Direct contact and droplets are the primary ways influenza spreads. Under certain conditions, however, aerosol transmission is possible. In a study published in the current issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, available online, the authors examined such an outbreak in their own hospital in Hong Kong.

23 Nov 2010

Pennsylvania's first reported flu-related death of 2010-11 flu season

The Department of Health today confirmed a 45-year-old man from Lehigh County as Pennsylvania's first reported flu-related death of the 2010-11 flu season.

23 Nov 2010

New simple diagnostic tool to detect dangerous viruses

Boston University researchers have developed a simple diagnostic tool that can quickly identify dangerous viruses like Ebola and Marburg. The biosensor, which is the size of a quarter and can detect viruses in a blood sample, could be used in developing nations, airports and other places where natural or man-made outbreaks could erupt.

22 Nov 2010

HHS details health law MLR requirement: insurers must spend at least 80 percent on medical care

The medical loss ratio, also know as MLR, rule requires insurance companies to spend at least 80 cents of the premium dollar on medical care and quality. For employer plans covering more than 50 people, the requirement is 85 cents, according to The Associated Press.

22 Nov 2010