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Researchers discover new evidence on how cholesterol transfers from HDLs to LDLs

Researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have found new evidence to explain how cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the transfer of cholesterol from "good" high density lipoproteins (HDLs) to "bad" low density lipoproteins.

21 Feb 2012

University of Pennsylvania, IMUC enter license agreement for dendritic-cell production method

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics today announced that it has entered into an agreement with the University of Pennsylvania under which University of Pennsylvania has granted the Company an exclusive, worldwide license for a patent pending technology for the production of high-activity dendritic cells.

21 Feb 2012

DPN similar in prediabetic patients and healthy people

In a reversal of two decades of medical reports, a Mayo Clinic study finds the frequency of nerve damage called diabetic polyneuropathy is similar in prediabetic patients and healthy people. Physicians should seek explanations other than prediabetes for patients who have painful small fiber polyneuropathy, the researchers say.

21 Feb 2012

Political cartoons: 'One Pill Makes You...' and 'True Confession?'

Kaiser Health News provides a double dose of health policy cartoons with "One Pill Makes You..." by John Cole and "True Confession?" by R.J. Matson.

21 Feb 2012

FDA grants orphan-drug designation to Arno's AR-42 for treatment of meningioma, schwannoma

Arno Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that its investigational compound, AR-42, has been granted orphan-drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of meningioma and schwannoma of the central nervous system.

21 Feb 2012

Mylan receives $300M committed financing

Mylan Inc. today announced that it has entered into a facility agreement with a syndicate of banks to securitize up to $300 million of U.S. accounts receivable. The facility is committed and has a maturity of three years. The interest rate on any outstanding borrowings will be more than 100 basis points lower than the rate on the company's secured credit facilities.

21 Feb 2012

Xencor, Boehringer Ingelheim partner to develop and supply biosuperior monoclonal antibodies

Xencor, Inc., a company using its proprietary Protein Design Automation (PDA) platform technology to engineer next-generation antibodies, and Boehringer Ingelheim announced today a collaboration agreement for certain Xencor biosuperior monoclonal antibodies.

21 Feb 2012

First Edition: February 21, 2012

Today's health policy headlines include reports about how the Supreme Court's consideration of the health law could prolong the fight over the sweeping measure.

21 Feb 2012

Internet supplements - one click toward poor performance

Sports Medicine Australia, the peak organisation for professionals in sports medicine and sports science, has urged those considering purchasing performance enhancing products via the internet to think again.

21 Feb 2012

Tasmanian devil cancer genome mapped

Researchers, including those from Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute near Cambridge, have sequenced the genome of a facial cancer that is threatening the existence of the Tasmanian devil.

21 Feb 2012

Series of studies on rising obesity rates among kids

New figures show that nearly a quarter of secondary school students are overweight or obese, and lifestyle and socio-economic status are implicated. The research was funded by Cancer Councils around Australia and the National Heart Foundation. A series of articles published in the Medical Journal of Australia draws attention to the challenges presented by overweight and obesity to people in a variety of age groups especially children.

21 Feb 2012

Biotech company defends patent on gene mutation for breast cancer

A US biotechnology company is defending the granting of a controversial patent over a common genetic mutation for breast cancer, rejecting accusations it amounts to the privatization of the human body.

21 Feb 2012

Work place carcinogens responsible for 5,000 cases of cancer annually

According to researchers carcinogens in the workplace are causing about 5,000 cancers each year and medical experts say not enough is being done to reduce the risks.

21 Feb 2012

Teenagers can make do with less sleep: Study finds

According to guidelines teenagers need nine hours of sleep a night, but a new study suggests more sleep can actually hurt a teen's grades.

21 Feb 2012

FDA to review rejected weight loss drug Qnexa

The weight loss pill Qnexa has been once rejected by the FDA over safety concerns. But this Wednesday it will get a second chance before an FDA advisory committee. Qnexa maker Vivus Inc. hopes something might come out of this second chance. The company will be submitting new safety data from patients who took Qnexa for a second year after completing a one-year clinical trial.

21 Feb 2012

Gender nonconformity in childhood leads to increased risk of abuse: Study

According to researchers from Harvard School of Public Health and Children's Hospital Boston, children who do not conform to their gender-expected behaviors and interests are at a higher risk of being abused and facing subsequent traumas. Their work is published in the journal Pediatrics.

21 Feb 2012

FDA grants Priority Review for Repligen's SecreFlo NDA

Repligen Corporation announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for filing and granted Priority Review to the Company's new drug application (NDA) for SecreFlo for the improved detection of pancreatic duct abnormalities in patients with pancreatitis.

21 Feb 2012

GTx fourth quarter net loss increases to $10.7 million

GTx, Inc. today provided a Company update and reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2011.

21 Feb 2012

Genomic instability allows malignant cells to acquire more deadly characteristics

Genomic instability caused by an erosion of the protective caps on chromosomes, followed by activation of an enzyme that reinforces those aps, allows malignant cells to evade destruction and acquire more deadly characteristics, researchers report in an Online Now article at the journal Cell.

21 Feb 2012

Perioperative IT sees significant growth in Anesthesia Information Management Systems

Perioperative IT is seeing significant growth, particularly in Anesthesia Information Management Systems (AIMS) and analytics solutions, according to Atlanta-based Surgical Information Systems ("SIS"). In a recent survey of healthcare decision makers, 84% of those surveyed consider IT solutions as a strategic driver of success in the OR. The survey of 292 healthcare decision makers was sponsored by SIS.

21 Feb 2012