Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

BCM-95 curcumin exhibits anti-inflammatory properties

Top researchers at the Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Lab at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas are exploring the clinical applications of BCM-95®, a new patented extract of curcumin with unprecedented potency, and bioavailability.

17 Sep 2010

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center research team wins 2010 BioFlux Innovation Award

Fluxion Biosciences, Inc. announced today that a research team from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center has won the 2010 BioFlux Innovation Award competition. Laura Sycuro, Ph.D., a post-doctoral research fellow in the lab of David Fredricks, M.D., authored the winning submission which focuses on screening and characterizing bacterial strains involved in biofilm-related infections known to affect women's reproductive health.

From Fluxion Biosciences 17 Sep 2010

LigoCyte to enroll 98 subjects in first clinical trial for bivalent IM norovirus vaccine

LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceuticals company focused on the development of innovative vaccine products, announced today that it has initiated the first clinical trial for its bivalent intramuscular (IM) norovirus vaccine candidate, marking the fourth human clinical trial in the Company's norovirus virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine program.

17 Sep 2010

Researchers identify bacteria responsible for chronic intestinal inflammation

Certain bacteria that inhabit the intestine provide the environmental trigger that initiates and perpetuates chronic intestinal inflammation in individuals who are genetically susceptible to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a study led by Harvard School of Public Health researchers has found.

17 Sep 2010

ESMO honors three eminent cancer specialists for their contribution towards medical research

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) honors three eminent cancer specialists for their contribution to the advancement of medical research. The awards will be presented to Hilary Calvert, Alberto Costa and Bengt Glimelius at the 35th ESMO Congress, to take place from 8-12 October in Milan, Italy.

16 Sep 2010

ESMO honors eminent cancer specialists

15 Sep 2010

Sun Pharmaceutical announces expiration of Tender Offer for purchase of Taro Pharmaceutical shares

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. today announced the expiration of the Tender Offer by Sun's subsidiary, Alkaloida Chemical Company Exclusive Group Ltd. (Alkaloida), to purchase all outstanding Ordinary Shares of Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Taro) for $7.75 per Ordinary Share.

15 Sep 2010

AMRI selects compound for advanced preclinical testing in treatment of IBS

AMRI today announced the selection of a compound from its proprietary research program for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for advanced preclinical testing, with the goal of submitting an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011.

15 Sep 2010

Neurocrine Biosciences announces GSK561679 antagonist's efficacy in major depressive disorder

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. today announced top-line efficacy and safety results from a Phase II clinical trial utilizing Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF1) receptor antagonist GSK561679 in patients currently experiencing a major depressive episode.

15 Sep 2010

NIH grants award to expand Human Microbiome Project

The National Institutes of Health has awarded a three-year, $1.1 million grant to a team of scientists at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory to develop a technology for studying the link between human health and disease and the microorganisms that reside in or on the human body.

15 Sep 2010

Scientists study nanometer scale to develop artificial molecular machines

Molecular machines can be found everywhere in nature, for example, transporting proteins through cells and aiding metabolism. To develop artificial molecular machines, scientists need to understand the rules that govern mechanics at the molecular or nanometer scale (a nanometer is a billionth of a meter).

14 Sep 2010

Ironwood, Forest Laboratories announce positive results for linaclotide Phase 3 clinical trials in IBS-C patients

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) today announced positive top-line results from the first of two Phase 3 clinical trials assessing the efficacy and safety of the investigational drug, linaclotide, in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

14 Sep 2010

Arthritis Foundation, Takeda launch Gout Living educational campaign

The Arthritis Foundation and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., announced the launch of a new educational campaign, Gout Living, to help increase understanding and encourage better management of gout.

14 Sep 2010

Merit Medical Systems acquires BioSphere Medical

Merit Medical Systems, Inc. today announced the completion of its acquisition of BioSphere Medical, Inc., a leading developer and marketer of embolotherapeutic products for the treatment of uterine fibroids, hypervascularized tumors, and arteriovenous malformations.

13 Sep 2010

IASIS Healthcare signs agreement to acquire Brim Holdings

IASIS Healthcare today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Brim Holdings, Inc., which operates Wadley Regional Medical Center in Texarkana, Texas, and Pikes Peak Regional Hospital in Woodland Park, Colorado, in a cash-for-stock transaction valued at approximately $95 million, subject to customary closing conditions and working capital adjustments. Combined revenue of the two facilities is approximately $120 million.

10 Sep 2010

Study finds Laotian/Hmong-Americans have low survival rates for liver cancer

Among Asian-Americans living in California, Laotian/Hmong-Americans have the lowest survival rates for the most common type of liver cancer, a new study by researchers with the UC Davis School of Medicine has found.

10 Sep 2010

Translational Research issue focuses field of stem cell research, therapy

The use of stem cells for research and their possible application in the treatment of disease are hotly debated topics. In a special issue of Translational Research published this month an international group of medical experts presents an in-depth and balanced view of the rapidly evolving field of stem cell research and considers the potential of harnessing stem cells for therapy of human diseases including cardiovascular diseases, renal failure, neurologic disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, pulmonary diseases, neoplastic diseases, and type 1 diabetes mellitus.

10 Sep 2010

Spirus Medical obtains Japanese marketing approval for ENDO-EASE line of endoscopy devices

Spirus Medical announced today that it has obtained marketing approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for the company's proprietary ENDO-EASE line of endoscopy devices. The Endo-Ease Endoluminal Advancement System features novel "over-tubes" that use a spiral design utilizing simple rotation to facilitate enteroscopy, colonoscopy and ileoscopy.

9 Sep 2010

Phase 3 REALIZE study shows milestone in treatment development for hepatitis C

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated today announced that 65% of people overall achieved a sustained viral response (SVR or viral cure) with a telaprevir-based regimen in the pivotal Phase 3 REALIZE study, as compared to 17% of people in the control arm who received pegylated-interferon and ribavirin alone.

8 Sep 2010

NIH announces award to improve human microbiome research

The National Institutes of Health today announced it has awarded approximately $42 million to expand the scope of eight demonstration projects designed to link changes in the human microbiome to health and disease.

8 Sep 2010