Heart Disease News and Research

Latest Heart Disease News and Research

OMJPI enters agreement with Watson to distribute generic version of CONCERTA tablets

Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced it has entered into a supply and distribution agreement with Watson Laboratories, Inc. to distribute an authorized generic version of CONCERTA (methylphenidate HCl extended-release tablets).

3 Nov 2010

UIC awarded $12M to study acquired and familial causes of heart failure

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have been awarded more than $12 million by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to investigate both the acquired and familial causes of heart failure -- with the aim of identifying markers for diagnosis and targets for cures.

3 Nov 2010

NIH awards Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children additional $9.5M research grant

The Center for Pediatric Research (CPR) at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children was recently awarded an additional 5-year, $9.5-million Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Research Resources (NCRR). This competitive award will allow Nemours to continue to expand the CPR and support the recruitment of additional faculty to this diverse pediatric clinical and research facility.

3 Nov 2010

Hyperion HPN-100 phase III pivotal study for urea cycle disorders meets primary endpoint

Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that the Company's phase III pivotal study of glycerol phenylbutyrate (HPN-100), an investigational drug for the treatment of urea cycle disorders (UCDs), met its primary endpoint. The non-inferiority study, conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2009, evaluated the ammonia control of glycerol phenylbutyrate as compared to sodium phenylbutyrate (BUPHENYL®).

3 Nov 2010

South Dakota passes strong smoke-free law

The people of South Dakota delivered a historic victory for health and the right to breathe clean air by overwhelmingly approving Referred Question 12 that makes almost all workplaces, including restaurants, bars and gaming facilities, smoke-free. With bipartisan support, South Dakota is the 29th state to pass a strong smoke-free law that includes all restaurants and bars.

3 Nov 2010

JenaValve commences CE-Mark study for transapical TAVI system

JenaValve™ Technology, Inc., a medical device company specialized in developing transcatheter valve replacement products, announced today the start of its multicenter CE-mark study. The first two implantations of its transapical TAVI system were performed by Dr. med. Hendrik Treede at the Universitäres Herzzentrum Hamburg.

3 Nov 2010

Atritech commences enrollment in WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device study in AF patients

Atritech, Inc. today announced initial enrollment into its confirmatory study, PREVAIL, comparing the WATCHMAN® Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device to long term warfarin therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation. Doctors at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky enrolled the first patient.

3 Nov 2010

Mouse study indicates black raspberries can prevent colorectal cancer

Black raspberries are highly effective in preventing colorectal tumors in two mouse models of the disease, according to a University of Illinois at Chicago study. The findings are published in the November issue of Cancer Prevention Research.

3 Nov 2010

Researchers reveal molecular structure of blood-clotting enzyme

Using state-of-the-art robotic and x-ray crystallographic equipment, researchers at Saint Louis University have revealed for the first time the molecular structure of the zymogen, or inactive, form of a blood-clotting enzyme.

3 Nov 2010

Nile announces results of CD-NP Phase 2 study in renally compromised ADHF patients

Nile Therapeutics, Inc. a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapeutics for cardiovascular disease, today announced results of its Phase 2 study evaluating its lead compound CD-NP in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and mild to moderate renal insufficiency. Study results demonstrated that multiple doses were characterized as well tolerated with favorable drug activity in this acute patient population.

3 Nov 2010

PAC points finger at British Labour party for health inequalities

The cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has criticised the British Labor party for allowing inequalities during its 13 years of power. The MPs said on the acute shortage of General Practitioners, “The Department of Health (DoH) should identify, as a matter of urgency, what measures it can take to drive up the numbers of GPs in deprived areas, including using direct financial incentives to encourage GPs into areas of greatest health need.” Tony Blair pledged to put reducing life expectancy differences at the heart of his policy after winning the general election in 1997.

2 Nov 2010

Salty issues for Australian food co’s

At present health authorities are depending on education and a voluntary approach to cut down on dietary salt. From now on they are urging the government to set mandatory salt limits for food. According to a study from the University of Queensland there are more than one ways to tackle the dietary salt problem which is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease in Australia.

2 Nov 2010

Atrium completes enrollment in iCAST Atrium Registry Ultrasound Study

Atrium Medical Corporation is pleased to announce that the final patient was recently enrolled in the iCAST™ Atrium Registry Ultrasound Study (iCARUS). This study is a prospective, multi-center clinical trial studying the safety and efficacy of the Atrium iCAST™ Balloon Expandable Covered Stent in patients with occlusive disease of the iliac artery.

2 Nov 2010

Palatin receives $978,000 in grants under PPACA

Palatin Technologies, Inc., announced today that it has received $978,000 in grants under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA), with $847,000 available immediately and $131,000 available no later than 30 days after Palatin's fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.

2 Nov 2010

AtriCure third quarter revenue increases $1.2 million to $14.5 million

AtriCure, Inc., a medical device company and a leader in cardiac surgical ablation systems and systems for the exclusion of the left atrial appendage, today announced revenue of $14.5 million for its seasonally impacted third quarter of 2010. Revenue from product sales in the United States was $11.6 million, reflecting growth of 8.1 percent and international revenue was $2.9 million, reflecting 19.2 percent growth on a constant currency basis or 12.7 percent on a GAAP basis.

2 Nov 2010

TriRima shows positive result in food-induced cardiovascular effects associated with MAO inhibitors

CeNeRx BioPharma, Inc., today announced that a new formulation of TriRima, its lead agent for treatment resistant depression, showed excellent safety in a study designed to test whether it is free of the food-induced cardiovascular effects associated with conventional MAO inhibitors.

2 Nov 2010

MEDNAX third quarter GAAP net income increases to $61.3 million

MEDNAX, Inc. today reported GAAP earnings per share of $1.29 for the three months ended September 30, 2010, or $1.06 per share, non-GAAP, when excluding the impact of a favorable resolution of certain tax matters.

2 Nov 2010

Scientists investigate link between nature and reduction in stress levels

Scientists at the University of Essex are embarking on a new project to build on their existing research into the benefits of enjoying the great outdoors.

2 Nov 2010

VA begins distributing disability benefits to Vietnam Veterans exposed to Agent Orange

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun distributing disability benefits to Vietnam Veterans who qualify for compensation under recently liberalized rules for Agent Orange exposure.

2 Nov 2010

Liver-related mortality ranks #4 for people between ages of 45 and 64

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rank mortality related to chronic liver disease and cirrhosis as the 12th most common cause of death in adults in the U.S. Using a modified definition that includes diseases such as viral hepatitis, liver cancer and obesity-related fatty liver disease, Mayo Clinic-led researchers have found that liver-related mortality is as high as fourth for some age groups, and eighth overall.

2 Nov 2010