Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

KYTHERA and Intendis initiate ATX-101 European Phase III studies for reduction of submental fat

KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. and Intendis, Bayer HealthCare's dermatology business, today announced the initiation of two European Phase III studies evaluating ATX-101, a first-in-class injectable adipolytic agent, for the reduction of localized fat under the chin (submental fat).

10 Jan 2011

AMT enters agreement with Consortium for clinical development of novel gene therapy to treat Sanfilippo B

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, a leader in human gene therapy, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Institut Pasteur, Paris, France, and a group of French research institutes (together the "Consortium") to support clinical development of a novel gene therapy to treat Sanfilippo B.

10 Jan 2011

AHRQ study shows 19 million U.S. adults received diabetes treatment in 2007

Approximately 19 million U.S. adults reported receiving treatment for diabetes in 2007, more than double the 9 million who said they received care in 1996, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

10 Jan 2011

GOP sets stage for health reform law repeal vote; Dems fight back, citing CBO report

News outlets report that as House Republicans moved ahead to bring the repeal of the health law to a floor vote next week, political messaging wars about the law are continuing.

10 Jan 2011

Air purifier helps reduce H1N1 swine flu virus on contact

Only one week into the new year swine flu has already claimed several lives. Healthmap.org believes that swine flu has resulted in hospitalization and even death not only in the UK, but also in other parts of Europe and America. Reports indicate that the virus is even more virulent than last year.

10 Jan 2011

House approves rule for repeal vote; clears the way for Wednesday action

The Associated Press: "Confronting President Barack Obama, the new Republican-led House took a first step Friday toward a symbolic vote to repeal his landmark health care overhaul law." The 236-181 was a largely party line vote, is "unlikely to amount to more than a political message, since Democrats who still run the Senate have promised to block efforts to scrap the law and Obama has veto power."

10 Jan 2011

Norwest Equity Partners acquires Vista's SIS software solutions

Surgical Information Systems, a leader in perioperative information systems, announced today that Norwest Equity Partners, a leading middle-market equity investment firm, has acquired the Company from Vista Equity Partners.

10 Jan 2011

Anthem Blue Cross, Washington Hospital enter agreement to deliver quality care

Washington Hospital and Anthem Blue Cross today announced that they have reached an agreement which will continue the Hospital's delivery of quality care to Anthem members and the Tri-City community's access to its local hospital.

10 Jan 2011

Innovative device reduces dental drill's noise, helps people to seek oral healthcare treatment

An innovative device which cancels out the noise of the dental drill could spell the end of people's anxiety about trips to the dentist, according to experts at King's College London, Brunel University and London South Bank University, who pioneered the invention.

10 Jan 2011

USDTL launches two new tests for monitoring long-term alcohol exposure using fingernail, hair specimens

United States Drug Testing Laboratories launched two new tests for monitoring long-term alcohol exposure on Friday. Using fingernail and hair specimens, the new assay is the first and only test to report a donor's alcohol exposure for the past 90 days reliably.

10 Jan 2011

Cornerstone Healthcare announces acquisition of Sunrise for $4.5 million

Cornerstone Real Estate Funds, and its strategic alliance partner and sub-advisor Servant Healthcare Investments, announced that Cornerstone Healthcare Plus REIT has acquired Sunrise at Floral Vale - a 36 unit/48 bed community specifically designed to meet the needs of memory impaired residents.

10 Jan 2011

Advantedge Healthcare Solutions announces acquisition of AMSplus

AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, one of the nation's leading providers of medical billing and practice management services, announced today that it has acquired AMSplus, a division of CBay Systems.

9 Jan 2011

Infinity provides guidance on anticipated pipeline and business goals for 2011

Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today provided guidance on its anticipated pipeline and business goals for 2011. Infinity begins the year with a broad pipeline of four drug candidates in clinical development and a fifth expected to enter the clinic during the year. The company also enters 2011 with approximately $345 million in committed capital.

7 Jan 2011

Roundup: Calif. and health reform; Conn. mental health parity; Insurance premium increases in Iowa, Fla.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield's proposed 11 percent health insurance premium increase is excessive, two experts have concluded. The company, which insures three-quarters of Iowans who buy their own policies, already raised premiums on those plans an average of 18 percent last spring. Wellmark sparked outcries when it announced in November that it wants to raise those rates again in order to keep up with rising prices and increased use of medical care (Leys, 1/7).

7 Jan 2011

CBO analysis estimates health overhaul repeal price tag to be $230 billion

With the CBO findings, GOP efforts to undo the health law and claim the mantle of fiscal responsibility took a hit. Democrats immediately pounced on the cost estimate as new ammunition in an ongoing battle. But Republican leaders dismissed the document, saying it is a "job-killing" measure that would add to the nation's debt and instead pointed to a report of their own.

7 Jan 2011

BIND Biosciences commences BIND-014 Phase 1 clinical trial in cancer

BIND Biosciences announced today that it has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile of BIND-014 in cancer patients. BIND-014, the first product candidate to enter clinical evaluation from BIND's broad proprietary Medicinal Nanoengineering platform, is a targeted polymeric nanoparticle containing the cytotoxic agent, docetaxel.

7 Jan 2011

Today's Opinions: Brooks, Reich, Fund, Cook on repeal; End-of-life care controversy continues

The health care reform law was signed 10 months ago, and what's striking now is how vulnerable it looks. Several threats have emerged — some of them scarcely discussed before passage — that together or alone could seriously endanger the new system. ... After the trauma of the last two years, many people wish the issue would go away. But it's not going away, especially since costs will continue to rise. (David Brooks, 1/6).

7 Jan 2011

Some Democrats wrestle with reform positions, others file amendments on repeal to force GOP votes against popular consumer protections

As the House vote on repealing the health law looms in the near future, some Democrats are contemplating their votes in the context of stiff election pressure or expressing their doubts about the measure's individual mandate. Meanwhile, in a strategic measure, other Democrats are pursuing amendments to the GOP repeal bill that would force up-or-down votes on the health care law's popular consumer provisions.

7 Jan 2011

Hologic announces acquisition of Interlace Medical

Hologic, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, announced today it has acquired Interlace Medical, Inc. (Interlace), the developer and manufacturer of the MyoSure hysteroscopic tissue removal system (MyoSure). Interlace's operations will be integrated within Hologic's GYN Surgical Products division.

From Hologic, Inc. 7 Jan 2011

ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals to raise $22.5 million

ADVENTRX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has entered into definitive agreements to sell 8,184,556 units in a registered direct offering to RA Capital Management, certain healthcare-focused investors, and other institutional investors for a per unit purchase price of $2.75, representing gross proceeds to ADVENTRX of approximately $22.5 million.

7 Jan 2011