Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

First Edition: October 15, 2010

Today's top stories from major news organizations report on the effort by 20 states to challenge the federal health law, a new federal panel to inform consumers about health care options and the struggle to pay for cancer care.

15 Oct 2010

GI Dynamics' EndoBarrier therapy to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity granted European CE mark approval

GI Dynamics, a leader in non-surgical, endoscopic treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity, today announced that it has received European CE mark approval for the EndoBarrier, a non-surgical therapy to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. This approval is specific to up to 12 months of treatment with the EndoBarrier; the product has already received CE mark approval for three and six months of treatment. Through its commercial partner, Elemental Healthcare, GI Dynamics has also announced the launch of the EndoBarrier in the United Kingdom.

15 Oct 2010

DAS acquires Excerpta Medica from Elsevier

Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group, announced that it has acquired Amsterdam-based medical communications agency Excerpta Medica from world-leading publisher Elsevier.

15 Oct 2010

Emerging Healthcare anticipates results of FDA-approved human embryonic stem-cell treatment

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. eagerly anticipates the results of the first FDA-approved human embryonic stem-cell treatment on a patient with spinal cord injuries, which began this week.

15 Oct 2010

A new therapeutic approach for cancer

Trials are being organized for a new therapeutic approach to treating cancer, under exclusive license by Viral Genetics, Inc. According to Scott & White Healthcare Senior Vice President for Research Richard E. Beswick, M.D., who is also assistant dean of research at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, the trials will be conducted at the Glenda Tanner Vasicek Cancer Treatment Center, located at Scott & White in Temple, Texas.

15 Oct 2010

Startech, STRCIC invest $2.5 million in ViroXis Corporation

Startech and the South Texas Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization (STRCIC) today announced the investment of $2.5 million in San Antonio-based ViroXis Corporation by the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF).

15 Oct 2010

GfK HealthCare: RRMS patients anticipate availability of new oral therapies

Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients have been anticipating the availability of new oral therapies being developed to treat their specific condition. Among the string of oral therapies entering the market is Novartis' Gilenya, which recently became available for use following receipt of FDA approval in late September. One-third of MS patients are aware the new oral agents are under development and there is substantial interest within this group to seek further information through physicians and other sources, according to new research by GfK HealthCare.

15 Oct 2010

Merge Healthcare announces addition of four new customers for etrials myEDC solution

Merge Healthcare, a leading HIT solutions provider, today announced the addition of four new customers for its etrials myEDC solution. These wins reflect continued momentum and interest from the pharmaceutical and contract research organization community with this innovative solution.

15 Oct 2010

MedSolutions, Corporate Research Group announce initial results from diagnostic accuracy program

MedSolutions and Corporate Research Group today announced initial results from a groundbreaking diagnostic accuracy program, which showed shortened hospital stays, reduced emergency room visits and lower overall medical costs among participants.

15 Oct 2010

RMEI, PIM sponsor continuing education monograph on hereditary angioedema

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare but serious condition that can be both challenging to diagnose and to treat. To overcome these obstacles, healthcare professionals who encounter patients with HAE must be aware of the most up-to-date information regarding diagnosis and treatment of this potentially life-threatening condition.

15 Oct 2010

Caris Life Sciences presents new diagnostic data at ACG 2010

Caris Life Sciences, Inc., a leading biosciences company focused on enabling precise and personalized healthcare through the highest quality anatomic pathology, molecular profiling and blood-based diagnostic technologies, today announced upcoming highlights from the Company's presentations at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology ("ACG 2010") held in San Antonio, TX, October 15-20. In total, Caris was awarded 17 accepted abstracts, three of which are ACG Presidential Poster Award recipients.

15 Oct 2010

Democrats mostly silent on health law in their Ads as election approaches

Democrats are mostly remaining silent on the new health law as they release advertisements in bids to retain their seats in Congress, NPR reports.

15 Oct 2010

Officials address several drug issues including medical risks, proper disposal of unused medicine

Federal and state officials are addressing several drug issues including the risks associated with bone-strengthening drugs, complaints about a blood-thinning drug and a new law to help people safely dispose of unused medicine.

15 Oct 2010

More minorities attending American medical schools

News outlets report on issues affecting the doctor workforce, including increased diversity at medical schools and questions about whether rural doctors will qualify for the Medicare payment bonus for primary care physicians.

15 Oct 2010

Enzo Biochem fiscal 2010 total revenues increase 8% to $97.1 million

Enzo Biochem, Inc. today reported results for the fiscal fourth quarter, consistent with our announcement on September 20, 2010, and for the year ended July 31, 2010.

15 Oct 2010

'Largest Medicare fraud scheme' busted

The Los Angeles Times: More than two dozen Los Angeles-area residents were arrested Wednesday "for their alleged roles in a nationwide scheme to bilk Medicare out of more than $160 million. The investigation, dubbed Diagnosis Dollars, resulted in the arrests of 52 people across the U.S. in what authorities described as 'the largest Medicare fraud scheme ever perpetrated by a single criminal enterprise.'"

15 Oct 2010

FDA approves Gamunex-C for primary immunodeficiency treatment

Talecris Biotherapeutics announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gamunex-C (Immune Globulin Injection [Human], 10% Caprylate/Chromatography Purified) for subcutaneous administration in the treatment of primary immunodeficiency (PI).

15 Oct 2010

PMM launches Amputation Prevention Centers of America

Paradigm Medical Management, Inc, a company dedicated to the development, implementation, and management of hospital outpatient wound care, amputation prevention and hyperbaric medicine centers, introduced Amputation Prevention Centers of America, a specialized division of PMM that addresses severe wounds and prevents unnecessary amputations.

14 Oct 2010

First national educational conference on Graft vs. Host Disease

The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, together with the Meredith A. Cowden Foundation, will bring the first national educational conference on Graft vs. Host Disease (GvHD) to Cleveland on Thursday, Nov. 4, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Road, Warrenville Hts. GvHD is a life-threatening complication experienced by an estimated 60 percent of all leukemia and other blood cancer patients following bone marrow transplantation. There is currently no cure.

14 Oct 2010

TruStaff fingerprint biometric log-in provides quick access to Medflow EHR

BIO-key International, Inc. a leader in finger-based biometric identification solutions for the healthcare industry, and Medflow Incorporated, the market leader in the development of electronic health records software solely dedicated to eye care physicians, announced the release of TruStaff fingerprint biometric log-in for securing access to Medflow Electronic Health Records (EHR).

14 Oct 2010