Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

ASGE announces 35 new honorees under Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized 35 endoscopy units as part of its program specifically dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy, in all settings where it is practiced in the United States. The ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program honors endoscopy units that follow the ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscopy reprocessing and CDC infection control guidelines. To date, 307 endoscopy units have been recognized by ASGE.

23 Feb 2011

Nationwide Children's Hospital joins Autism Speaks ATN to offer patient care

Nationwide Children's Hospital has been selected to join the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, connecting Columbus with Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Missouri as the nation's only ATN institutions in the Midwest region.

23 Feb 2011

Infinity commences IPI-926 Phase 2 trial in patients with pancreatic cancer

Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the initiation of the randomized Phase 2 portion of the trial of IPI-926 in combination with gemcitabine in patients with previously untreated, metastatic, pancreatic cancer.

22 Feb 2011

New research demonstrates how climate change can increase exposure, risk of human illness

A panel of scientists speaking today at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science unveiled new research and models demonstrating how climate change could increase exposure and risk of human illness originating from ocean, coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems, with some studies projecting impacts to be felt within 30 years.

20 Feb 2011

Kentucky, Virginia LapBand centers install Crospon's EndoFLIP system

Crospon, an Irish medical device developer based in Galway, has announced that its EndoFLIP system is now being used in two leading LapBand centers in Kentucky and Virginia.

19 Feb 2011

EGS publishes three clinical studies on TIF procedure over past four months

EndoGastric Solutions, the leader in the emerging field of Natural Orifice Surgery (NOS), announced that three clinical studies on transoral fundoplication have been published over the past four months.

18 Feb 2011

New study: Asthma may have relationship with airway microbiota composition

Asthma may have a surprising relationship with the composition of the species of bacteria that inhabit bronchial airways, a finding that could suggest new treatment or even potential cures for the common inflammatory disease, according to a new UCSF-led study.

18 Feb 2011

Conatus commences multi-center CTS-1027 Phase 2b trial for HCV treatment

Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today the treatment of the first patient in a multi-center Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating CTS-1027 in combination with Peginterferon Alfa-2a and ribavirin in a treatment experienced, hepatitis C null responder patient population. Safety, tolerability, and antiviral activity of the triple combination will be assessed after up to 48 weeks of therapy.

18 Feb 2011

Positive preliminary data from ongoing PSMA ADC phase 1 study against prostate cancer

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported positive preliminary data from an ongoing phase 1 study of PSMA ADC, an antibody-drug conjugate designed to selectively deliver chemotherapy to cells that express prostate-specific membrane antigen.

17 Feb 2011

New method may eliminate colonoscopies

Nobody enjoys colonoscopies, including mice. University of Missouri researchers are excited about the potential of using genetic biomarkers to predict colon cancer caused by inflammation. A new method developed at the MU Research Animal Diagnostic Laboratory (RADIL) could eventually lead to a method that might eliminate colonoscopies altogether.

17 Feb 2011

Bioniche presentation focuses on implementing E. coli cattle vaccine to reduce risk of human infection

Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, gave a presentation about its E. coli O157 cattle vaccine at the First International One Health Congress in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

16 Feb 2011

Study: BPS is safe and effective for patients undergoing therapeutic endoscopy

Researchers from Korea report that, compared with conventional sedation, balanced propofol sedation using propofol in combination with midazolam and meperidine, provided higher health care provider satisfaction, better patient cooperation, and similar adverse event profiles in patients undergoing therapeutic endoscopic procedures.

16 Feb 2011

Scott & White Healthcare offers TIF procedure to patients with chronic heartburn

Millions of Americans, or 10 percent of the population, suffers from daily heartburn or other symptoms of reflux such as regurgitation, chronic cough, hoarseness and dental erosions. Until recently, many of these patients faced either a lifetime of daily medications, incomplete resolution, or worsening of their symptoms while treatment options were often limited to surgery.

16 Feb 2011

Positive results from Glenmark's crofelemer Phase 2 study in acute watery diarrhea

Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is pleased to announce the positive results of a successfully completed Phase 2 study of crofelemer for the treatment of hospitalized adult patients with mild to moderate acute watery diarrhea conducted by its partner Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd..

14 Feb 2011

Richard J. Fasenmyer Foundation awards $3M to Cleveland physicians for AIDS research

A three-year, $3 million gift from the Richard J. Fasenmyer Foundation will fund research by a pair of Cleveland physicians into HIV and the body's response in autoimmune diseases.

11 Feb 2011

Afinitor plus BSC doubles progression-free survival in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published a study today that shows Afinitor® (everolimus) tablets plus best supportive care (BSC) more than doubled progression-free survival (PFS), or time without tumor growth, versus placebo plus BSC in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET).

10 Feb 2011

Repligen third quarter total revenue increases 26% to $7,068,000

Repligen Corporation today reported results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, ended December 31, 2010. Total revenue for the quarter was $7,068,000 compared to total revenue of $5,617,000 for the third quarter of fiscal year 2010 ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $1,451,000 or 26%.

9 Feb 2011

Natco Pharma files ANDA with FDA for generic version of Tamiflu

Alvogen, the US-based pharmaceutical company, today announced that its India-based partner, Natco Pharma Limited, has filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the generic version of Tamiflu.

9 Feb 2011

MRI Medical announces name change to Xeridiem Medical Devices

MRI Medical Inc. is changing its name to Xeridiem Medical Devices, Inc. as part of its corporate development plan.

9 Feb 2011

Study finds heartburn as a common condition in Iceland

Heartburn is a signature symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a cluster of symptoms and signs associated with regurgitation of stomach acid up to the pharynx and mouth. Patient-based studies of GERD have shown high prevalence and chronicity, particularly in Western societies. GERD is associated with significant health-care utilization and diminished quality of life.

8 Feb 2011