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Scripps Research receives $1.9 million NIH grant for prostate cancer study

The Scripps Research Institute and Tampa's Moffitt Cancer Center have been awarded more than $2 million to study the formation and progression of prostate cancer. Of the funds awarded, approximately $1.9 million will go to Scripps Research, with the remaining $138,380 supporting Moffitt Cancer Center work.

27 Apr 2011

FDA grants orphan drug status to Provectus' PV-10 for liver cancer treatment

Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, has received orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Rose Bengal, the active ingredient in its novel oncology drug PV-10, for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer.

27 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: Shortsighted fight against fund to prevent disease; strengthening regulators' control of premium increases

House Republicans are so bent on blocking any and all aspects of health care reform that they have passed a bill that would eliminate a farsighted program — the Prevention and Public Health Fund — intended to help states and communities prevent diseases. Eliminating the fund would save roughly $16 billion over the course of a decade. … The loss to states and local communities would be considerable.

27 Apr 2011

IDSI signs exclusive distribution agreement with Kepter Internacional

Imaging Diagnostic Systems, Inc., a pioneer in laser breast imaging, announced today that it has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Kepter Internacional of Monterrey, Mexico to promote its CTLM systems throughout Mexico.

27 Apr 2011

PPD reports net revenue of $383.2 million for first quarter 2011

PPD, Inc. today reported its financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

27 Apr 2011

FDA clears Biomet's Active Articulation Hip System

Biomet, Inc., a global leader in the manufacture of orthopedic and biotechnology products, today announced clearance of its Active Articulation E1 Dual Mobility Hip System, by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

27 Apr 2011

QHR signs agreement to acquire EMIS assets

QHR Technologies Inc. today announced that the Company has signed an Asset Purchase Agreement ("APA") to acquire the assets of EMIS Inc. a 100% subsidiary of Egton Medical Information Systems Limited based in Leeds, UK and part of EMIS Group plc.

27 Apr 2011

Omega 3 rich oils fall from grace: May raise prostate cancer risk

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26 Apr 2011

Lilly and Medtronic’s joint venture in Parkinson’s disease therapy

Lilly has already developed a protein called GDNF (glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor) known to preserve the function of neurons and Medtronic will provide a system that carries the medicine to a key area of the brain.

From Medtronic 26 Apr 2011

Hair transplant robot gets FDA nod

The United States regulator, Food and Drugs Administrator (FDA) has approved a machine called the Artas System for commercial use. According to manufacturers Restoration Robotics, Artas is “an interactive, computer assisted system utilizing image-guided robotics to enhance the quality of hair follicle harvesting” by combining “several features including an interactive, image-guided robotic arm, special imaging technologies, small dermal punches and a computer interface.” Artas can be used only on patients with straight brown or black hair at this stage.

26 Apr 2011

Black people more likely to exhaust financial resources for cancer therapy than whites: Study

In a new study published online in the journal Cancer, it was said that when faced with life-threatening cancer, minority patients like blacks may be more likely to drain their bank accounts to extend life than whites.

26 Apr 2011

FDA rules e-cigarettes as tobacco products and plans regulations

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ruled that electronic cigarettes should be considered tobacco products. E-cigarettes are small plastic or metal devices that heat a liquid nicotine solution, creating a vapor that is then inhaled. They are marketed as a way to help smokers quit by addressing their addiction and the behavioral aspects of smoking.

26 Apr 2011

FDA supports new Hepatitis C drug from Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Vertex pharmaceuticals jumped 10 percent in value on the Nasdaq after U.S. regulators FDA said the company’s experimental hepatitis C drug cures more patients than current therapies.

26 Apr 2011

Diabetes and prediabetes are on the rise: New medication in research trials

As the newest statistics from the CDC show, diabetes is an ever increasing problem for Americans. Almost 26 million adults in this country now have diabetes, an increase of 9% since 2008. Ninety to 95% of cases are type 2 diabetes, marked by a gradual inability of the body’s cells to respond to insulin, and eventually an inability to produce enough insulin. In addition, almost 79 million people in this country have prediabetes. The CDC has warned that if diabetes continues on its current course, it could affect a third of all adult Americans by 2050.

26 Apr 2011

New study sheds light on evolution of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus in Japan

Analysis of mutations of the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus by researchers at the RIKEN Omics Science Center (OSC) has revealed major genetic differences between the virus in its early phase of infection in Japan and in its peak phase. While yielding valuable clues on the genetic origins of drug resistance, the findings also pave the way toward the development of new diagnostic kits for detecting and preventing the spread of global pandemic diseases.

26 Apr 2011

Botox injections: Reading and mimicking emotions hampered

In cosmetics, a Botox injection, consisting of a small dose of botulinum toxin, can be used to prevent formation of wrinkles by paralyzing facial muscles and can therefore make users appear less emotional. Now a new study finds that the cosmetic toxin may also make recipients less able to read the emotions of others.

26 Apr 2011

Tai chi for heart failure patients: It works!

A latest study from Harvard Medical School has found that Tai chi, often called “meditation in motion,” appears to improve the quality of life in people with heart failure. The ancient Chinese exercise of tai chi features physical movements that are slow and gentle and require concentration. The study is published in the April 25, 2011 issues of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

26 Apr 2011

New malaria initiative

According to the UN chief envoy for malaria a $5 billion campaign has saved several hundred thousand lives in recent years, keeping international efforts on track to virtually end deaths from the mosquito-borne disease by 2015. The UN reveals that about 780,000 people, mostly babies and toddlers in sub-Saharan Africa, now die from malaria annually, down from nearly 1 million in 2008.

26 Apr 2011

MRI referrals determined by loyalty to unit rather than patient choice

Referrers were found to have a strong sense of loyalty to external medical units, with almost eight per cent saying that they had used the same MRI provider for over 25 years. Clinicians, who identified location, staff expertise and scanner quality as key reasons for initially referring patients, said they were difficult to influence thereafter.

26 Apr 2011

Newer birth control pill raises risk of blood clots

Two human trials in the US and the UK including women from both populations showed that women taking newer forms of oral contraceptives, which include drosperinone, a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone, increased their risk of developing a blood clots by two or three times over those taking older birth control pills that rely on a different form of the hormone known as levonorgestrel.

26 Apr 2011