Virus News and Research

Latest Virus News and Research

First U.S. patients could receive H1N1 vaccine next week

U.S. health officials announced Thursday the first batches of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine the government ordered will begin arriving in designated locations across the country on Tuesday and may be administered in the first patients by the end of next week, Reuters reports (Fox, 10/1).

3 Oct 2009

$7.2 million grant awarded to develop microbicide-releasing vaginal ring

The National Institutes of Health has awarded Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University a four-year, $7.2 million grant to develop a microbicide-releasing vaginal ring to prevent HIV transmission.

3 Oct 2009

Advaxis announces Phase I trial results of its ADXS11-001 therapeutic cancer vaccine

The Phase I trial of ADXS11-001, the lead vaccine candidate of Advaxis, Inc. (OTCBB: ADXS), the company that pioneered the live, attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) vaccine, has shown thirty-six (36) month survival in three (3) of the thirteen (13) evaluable patients treated with Advaxis’ therapeutic cancer vaccine, indicating the possibility of persistent immune protection.

1 Oct 2009

New website offers personalized advice on H1N1

Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a new website which gives personalised advice on coping with swine flu and other cold and flu symptoms.

1 Oct 2009

Study shows students do not follow proper hygiene routines

Thousands of bacteria lurk in college dormitories, but students are not following proper hygiene routines to help protect themselves from serious illness, according to a study released today from the Simmons College Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community, sponsored by an educational grant from LYSOL® brand products.

1 Oct 2009

Studies show vitamin D plays an important role in preventing respiratory infections

Several studies and articles published this year show that vitamin D plays an important role in the prevention of respiratory infections such as the cold and flu.

1 Oct 2009

Drug companies take immediate measures to deliver millions of H1N1 vaccines

Drug companies are sprinting ahead in a race against the clock to deliver millions of doses of vaccine for the H1N1 influenza virus before cooler weather ushers in the 2009-2010 flu season. A two-part cover story in the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News, ACS' weekly newsmagazine, focuses on that topic and efforts to develop antiviral drugs for flu infections.

1 Oct 2009

Phase 1 clinical trial to test safety and activity of human MAB launched in India

MassBiologics of the University of Massachusetts Medical School today announced the beginning of a Phase 1 clinical trial, testing the safety and activity of a human monoclonal antibody (MAB) developed to neutralize the rabies virus.

1 Oct 2009

New improved marker-free technique provides faster blood analysis

The analysis takes just a few minutes and the doctor knows straight-away whether there are any pathogens in the blood. An improved marker-free technique provides the basis for faster analysis, whether in a hospital or for mobile blood donations.

1 Oct 2009

MSN launches new online service to help people manage healthcare decisions

Today, MSN released the beta of My Health Info, a new online service that helps people manage their health information on the Web. My Health Info is a unique service that offers people a variety of tools and widgets to upload, organize and monitor health information stored in their personal Microsoft HealthVault accounts.

1 Oct 2009

The RMC foundation develops videos for schools on how to tackle swine flu

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, the H1N1 swine flu could be severe enough to cause major staffing shortages and other workplace disruptions, the supply of vaccines to prevent the disease is taking longer to produce than originally forecast.

1 Oct 2009

Biology and geography scientists explain the spread of HIV-1 epidemic in Africa

Scientists studying biology and geography may seem worlds apart, but together they have answered a question that has defied explanation about the spread of the HIV-1 epidemic in Africa.

1 Oct 2009

HIV/Aids five times more prevalent in American prisons than in general population: Study

HIV/Aids is up to five times more prevalent in American prisons than in the general population. Adherence to treatment programs can be strictly monitored in prison. However, once prisoners are released, medical monitoring becomes problematic.

1 Oct 2009

Swine flu vaccine distribution plan for Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Health today discussed the state's distribution plans for the new pandemic H1N1 vaccine.

1 Oct 2009

Vertex Pharmaceuticals to receive $155 million in cash from two financial transactions

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated today announced that it will receive $155 million in cash from two financial transactions. In the first transaction, Vertex will receive approximately $120 million in cash for the issuance of notes repayable no later than October 31, 2012 in the total amount of $155 million.

1 Oct 2009

Ardea's to present its hyperuricemia canditate study results at the ACR/ARHP Scientific Meeting

Ardea Biosciences, Inc. announced that it will present results from a Phase 2a, proof-of-concept study of RDEA594, its lead product candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout, at the 2009 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) / Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP) Annual Scientific Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1 Oct 2009

Injectible H1N1 vaccine ships ahead of schedule in U.S.

The first H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine shots available in the U.S. were shipped ahead of schedule after the pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis finished production nearly two weeks early, the chief executive of the company said Tuesday, the New York Times reports.

1 Oct 2009

New technique developed to kill swine flu in any indoor environment

The swine flu has started to spread across the US and there is one company ready to stop it in its tracks. Premier Ozone of Charlotte, NC has developed a proprietary system to kill swine flu in any indoor environment and eliminate bacteria and mold in the process. The specialized system uses no chemicals and has been proven to kill over 99.99% of all surface and airborne viruses and bacteria. The process has no adverse effects on buildings or furniture and is not dangerous to the public.

1 Oct 2009

Update from BioCryst Pharmaceuticals regarding intravenous peramivir

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has delivered a written response to the request for proposal (RFP) announced on September 21, 2009 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) for the supply of intravenous (i.v) peramivir for the treatment of critically ill influenza patients under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). BioCryst management intends to provide an update once the RFP process has reached a conclusion.

1 Oct 2009

NERAC launches public information campaign to prevent H1N1

As millions of Massachusetts children and teenagers returned to school this month, at the start of a serious flu season, the Northeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council (NERAC) has an important health message: "It's Up to You to Stop the Flu."

30 Sep 2009