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CNN reports on recent uptick in cholera cases worldwide

CNN's "the chart" blog examines the rising number of cholera cases around the world. In addition to the cholera outbreak in Haiti, "[a]s of this month, four African nations - Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger - have reported more than 40,000 cases of cholera and more than 2,000 deaths. And Pakistan, a country that is still suffering from the effects of horrific floods, also is reporting 100+ cases of cholera since last month."

29 Oct 2010

Outcome-based contract between CIGNA and Merck helps diabetics control blood sugar levels

The first national outcome-based contract between a pharmaceutical company and a pharmacy benefit management company resulted in an increase in the number of people with type 2 diabetes who were able to control their blood sugar levels by taking their medications appropriately.

29 Oct 2010

Parasitic disease inflicts damage to women's reproductive organs: Research

Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Copenhagen shows that the parasitic disease, commonly known as snail fever, or schistosomiasis, almost eats its way into women's reproductive organs. Today researchers from all over the world are gathering in Copenhagen to find out what can be done to halt the disease which is affecting millions of women in Africa.

29 Oct 2010

Agweek examines USAID's food aid purchases

Agweek examines USAID's approach to purchasing food aid. The piece notes USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah's comments from his Oct. 15 remarks at the World Food Prize symposium in Des Moines, Iowa, when he explained that USAID has used $250 million to purchase foodstuffs in developing countries this year.

29 Oct 2010

Inefficient suppression of DUX4 gene causes facioscapulohumeral dystrophy: Study

An international team of researchers led by an investigator from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has made a second critical advance in determining the cause of a common form of muscular dystrophy known as facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, or FSHD.

29 Oct 2010

Countdown on as Republicans ready health repeal agenda, Democrats continue push

Kaiser Health News' Health on the Hill, examines advertisements about the new health law in a video conversation. Many Democrats, concerned that voters view the measure in a negative light, continue to not mention health reform.

29 Oct 2010

New noninvasive stool DNA test to predict colorectal cancer

An investigational DNA methylation test could alter the screening landscape for colorectal cancer, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research special conference on Colorectal Cancer: Biology to Therapy, held here Oct. 27-30, 2010.

29 Oct 2010

Boston Scientific's Neurovascular business to be acquired by Stryker

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced the execution of a definitive agreement under which Stryker Corporation will acquire Boston Scientific's Neurovascular business. The purchase price is $1.5 billion, payable in cash, of which $1.4 billion is payable at closing and $100 million will be payable following the closing and upon the occurrence of the commercialization of the next-generation Target™ Detachable Coils and the transfer or separation of certain manufacturing facilities, which is anticipated to occur over a period of approximately 24 months.

From Stryker 29 Oct 2010

Talecris third quarter net revenue increases 2.8% to $407.0 million

Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings Corp. today announced its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

29 Oct 2010

StemCells initiates HuCNS-SC second clinical trial for Batten disease in children

StemCells, Inc. announced today that it has initiated a second clinical trial of its HuCNS-SC product candidate (purified human neural stem cells) in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL, also often referred to as Batten disease), a fatal neurodegenerative disorder in children.

29 Oct 2010

Return of the doc cuts threatens access, physician-group lobby says, again

Pending Medicare cuts could mean physician practices would back away from the program, according to a trade group representing these doctor groups, Medscape reports.

29 Oct 2010

Researchers depict new statistical algorithm to identify genetic variations for common diseases

A group of researchers at The Scripps Research Institute and the Scripps Translational Science Institute has published a paper that reviews new strategies for identifying collections of rare genetic variations that reveal whether people are predisposed to developing common conditions like diabetes and cancer.

29 Oct 2010

Sanofi-aventis to acquire BMP Sunstone

Sanofi-aventis and BMP Sunstone Corporation announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which sanofi-aventis is to acquire all outstanding shares of BMP Sunstone for cash consideration of USD 10 per share, or a total of approximately USD 520.6 million on a fully diluted basis.

29 Oct 2010

With incentives from insurers, pharmacies refocus from snacks to drugs

Drug stores are returning to their roots — drugs, the (Raleigh N.C.) News and Observer/Scripps News reports. "After years of adding everything from groceries to grills to their inventory, drugstore chains are once again emphasizing their pharmacies.

29 Oct 2010

Emergent BioSolutions completes Trubion acquisition

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Trubion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., following a majority vote to approve the merger by Trubion stockholders at a special meeting conducted at Trubion's Seattle headquarters on October 28, 2010. The acquisition provides Emergent with multiple, advanced stage candidates in the key disease areas of oncology and autoimmunity as well as access to novel and versatile protein therapeutic platforms.

29 Oct 2010

Physician-owned hospitals racing to meet health law deadline

Kaiser Health News staff writer Christopher Weaver, working in collaboration with USA Today, reports: "At the Cypress Pointe Surgical Hospital here, construction workers scrambled on a recent day to turn a mud pit into a parking lot and put other finishing touches on the $35 million physician-owned facility" (Weaver, 10/28).

29 Oct 2010

Stryker enters agreement to acquire assets of Neurovascular division of Boston Scientific

Stryker Corporation announced today a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of the Neurovascular division of Boston Scientific in an all cash transaction for $1.5 billion, which includes $100 million of milestone payments.

From Stryker 29 Oct 2010

Low birth weight linked to poor growth in children with CKD

The lower the birth weight, the greater the chance of poor growth rate in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a new study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).

29 Oct 2010

More details of the health law revealed as implementation unfolds

The law imposes stringent restrictions on physician-owned hospitals, which critics say cherry pick the lucrative specialty patients community hospitals depend on to stay afloat, Kaiser Health News/USA Today report.

29 Oct 2010

ResMed third quarter revenue increases 17% to $282.0 million

ResMed Inc. today announced record revenue and income for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. Revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 was $282.0 million, a 14% increase (a 17% increase on a constant currency basis) over the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

From ResMed Corp 29 Oct 2010