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Intrexon announces AgBio Division launch and Agarigen acquisition

Intrexon Corporation, a next generation synthetic biology company, today announced the launch of its Agricultural Biotechnology (AgBio) Division in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina and the acquisition of Agarigen, Inc., a North Carolina-based company that has developed a novel, mushroom-based expression platform for the rapid, high yield production of recombinant proteins.

2 Feb 2011

In-depth analysis of health law decision

News outlet examine how constitutional issues, most notably the Commerce Clause, are central to the health law and its journey to the nation's highest court. Meanwhile, the Associated Press offers insights into Judge Vinson's own experiences with the health system.

2 Feb 2011

Pregnant women eating baked clay at risk of cancer, kidney damage and brain damage

Pregnant women eating baked clay could be exposing themselves and their unborn child to toxic chemicals, according to research by De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester, UK.

2 Feb 2011

Scientists test new dry powder measles vaccine that can be inhaled

Sustained high vaccination coverage is key to preventing deaths from measles. Despite the availability of a vaccine, measles remains an important killer of children worldwide, particularly in less-developed regions where vaccination coverage is limited. A team of researchers, led by scientists at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of Colorado, developed and successfully tested a dry powder, live-attenuated measles vaccine that can be inhaled.

2 Feb 2011

Research discovers new role of TRPV1 receptors in regulation of locomotor activity

Research by a Barrow Neurological Institute scientist on the thermoregulatory effects of a receptor more commonly studied for its role in pain is the cover story in the Feb. 2 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

2 Feb 2011

Antares initiates dosing in VIBEX MTX clinical study for rheumatoid arthritis

Antares Pharma, Inc. today announced that the first patient has been dosed in a clinical study evaluating the VIBEX™ MTX product which is being developed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The clinical study will evaluate several dose strengths of VIBEX MTX delivered with a proprietary autoinjector versus conventional needle and syringe administration by a healthcare professional.

2 Feb 2011

Study finds link between oral health care and heart disease

During American Heart Month in February, United Concordia Dental, one of the nation's largest dental insurers, wants to remind adults that taking care of their teeth and gums is an important part of promoting heart health.

2 Feb 2011

Senate GOP leaders advance efforts to force health law repeal vote

Politico: "Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told Republicans Tuesday that he plans to force a vote on repealing the health care reform law this week. The plan is to tack the amendment onto the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill this afternoon, a Republican aide told POLITICO. McConnell told Republicans of the plan in their weekly policy lunch" (Haberkorn, 2/1).

2 Feb 2011

Pfizer board authorizes new $5 billion share repurchase program

Pfizer Inc. today announced that its board of directors authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $5 billion of its common stock. This is in addition to approximately $4 billion of authorization remaining under its current repurchase program and increases the company's total repurchase authorization to $9 billion.

2 Feb 2011

EA sponsors research grant to investigate specific cancers and kinase mutations

Expression Analysis today announced a jointly sponsored research grant for up to eight American Cancer Society Grantees to investigate and draw parallels between specific cancers and recurring mutations in specific kinases, using targeted genome sequencing.

2 Feb 2011

Some insurers join forces for health law lobbying efforts

Top executives from UnitedHealth Group Inc. and WellPoint Inc. are meeting almost monthly with their counterparts from Aetna Inc., Cigna Corp. and Humana Inc. in an informal lobbying alliance aimed at blunting parts of the health-care law, say people with knowledge of the sessions.

2 Feb 2011

FDA approves Cyberonics Aspire High Capacity generator for vagus nerve stimulation therapy

Cyberonics, Inc. today announced that the AspireHC™ (High Capacity) generator for use in vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for commercial release.

2 Feb 2011

New compound appears to prevent pain crises in sickle cell disease: GHSU

A new compound appears to prevent the traffic jam of cells that causes debilitating pain crises and associated mortality in sickle cell disease, Georgia Health Sciences University researchers report.

1 Feb 2011

PET imaging may play a role in early evaluation of vandetanib response in thyroid cancer

Positron emission tomography can image metabolic changes following treatment with the protein kinase inhibitor vandetanib, helping to define the therapy response or the effectiveness of the therapeutic agent, according to research published in the February issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

1 Feb 2011

Fluidigm launches new BioMark HD Real-time PCR System for genomic analysis

Fluidigm today introduced the new BioMark HD Real-time PCR System, the company's most advanced instrument for genomic analysis ever. The BioMark HD System is designed for researchers who require the sensitivity and throughput needed to study gene expression down to the single-cell level -- especially those who have limited amounts of sample or study rare populations of cells.

1 Feb 2011

BioMarin commences GALNS Phase 3 trial in patients with Morquio A Syndrome

BioMarin Pharmaceutical announced today that it has initiated a pivotal Phase 3 trial for N-acetylgalactosamine 6-sulfatase, intended for the treatment of the lysosomal storage disorder Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA, also called Morquio A Syndrome.

1 Feb 2011

FDA, Optivia collaborate to examine effect of dietary supplements in drug-induced liver injury

Optivia Biotechnology, a leading provider of in vitro transporter assay services, today announced that the company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have signed a collaboration agreement to assess the effect of dietary supplements on key drug transporters.

1 Feb 2011