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Norgen Biotek launches over 30 new kits for NA based diagnostics

Norgen Biotek Corp., an innovative privately held Canadian biotechnology company focusing primarily on advancing powerful tools for nucleic acids (NA) and protein purification, today announced the launch of over 30 new kits for nucleic-acid based diagnostics. Norgen makes best-in-class kits for nucleic acid and protein sample preparation, and has recognized that high quality sample preparation is the key to high quality diagnostics.

19 Mar 2010

Pelosi, Obama defend procedure to pass reform

Roll Call: "Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) dismissed as a 'nonissue' a procedural maneuver House Democrats are eyeing to pass their health care overhaul in the wake of comments by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) that the move would be 'disingenuous' and harm Congressional credibility. House Democrats are considering a process that would allow them to avoid a separate vote on the unpopular Senate version of reform by deeming that measure passed once they approve a package of changes to it.

19 Mar 2010

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center announces clinical trial of minimally invasive procedure for opening carotid arteries

Patients who suffer from plaque-related narrowing of a carotid artery but are not good candidates for open surgery may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of a minimally invasive procedure designed to open carotid arteries the way angioplasty and stenting clear arteries of the heart.

19 Mar 2010

Phase 1B clinical study initiated to evaluate safety and efficacy of PMX-60056

PolyMedix, Inc., an emerging biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat acute cardiovascular disorders and infectious diseases, has initiated a Phase 1B clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PMX-60056 in reversing the anticoagulant activity of low molecule weight heparin (LMWH).

19 Mar 2010

Report cites rise in uninsured middle-class Americans

A report released Wednesday by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Barely Hanging On: Middle-Class and Uninsured, looks at the rise in the level of uninsured middle-class people in the last eight years.

19 Mar 2010

GOP strategy: Delay, block, repeal

As Democrats focus on advancing health overhaul legislation in the House, Senate Republicans are plotting ways to delay or block the effort, Politico reports. "Republican aides have been mining the Senate's arcane parliamentary rules for an attack that aims at striking elements both broad and narrow from the bill, weakening the measure and ultimately defeating it."

19 Mar 2010

Three scientists receive 2010 Discoverers Award for developing new class of HIV drug

Three scientists who led the 11-year quest to develop a groundbreaking HIV drug today received the 2010 Discoverers Award -- the highest honor given to scientists by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The honorees are Tony Wood, Ph.D., Elna van der Ryst, M.D., Ph.D. and Manos Perros, Ph.D.

19 Mar 2010

ASCO Scientific Program 2010: Provectus Pharmaceuticals' Phase 2 data on PV-10 accepted for presentation

Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, announced today that data from its Phase 2 study of PV-10 for metastatic melanoma has been accepted for presentation at the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Scientific Program to be held on June 4 – 8, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois.

19 Mar 2010

CDIs are becoming significant issue in healthcare institutions: Study

Clostridium difficile infections are quickly becoming a significant issue in healthcare based upon recent studies. Preliminary data collected from nursing homes and highlighted in a Supplementary Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory shows that almost 40 percent of gastrointestinal infections reported are CDIs.

19 Mar 2010

Advertising, fundraising money talks in health care debate

NPR's Julie Rovner fact-checked several of the television ads being run about the health care debate. She found fault with several major ads, including ones sponsored by American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the liberal group Americans United for Change, National Republican Campaign Committee, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Democracy for America, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

19 Mar 2010

FDA approves Somaxon Pharmaceuticals' Silenor for treatment of insomnia

Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the New Drug Application (NDA) for Silenor® (doxepin) for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep maintenance.

19 Mar 2010

Survey unveils impact of gene regulation on human health

Researchers are only beginning to understand how individual variation in gene regulation can have a lasting impact on one's health and susceptibility to certain diseases. Now, an ambitious survey of the human genome has identified differences in the binding of master regulators called transcription factors to DNA that affect how genes are expressed in different people.

19 Mar 2010

As reform hangs in balance, policy benefits continue to be discussed

NPR reports on the immediate effects of the proposed health care bill, and that Congressional Democrats are focusing on those benefits in messages to constituents. "The White House is trying to shift the conversation away from the messy legislative process — which Republicans are keying on — and instead focus on what the health care overhaul would do for families and businesses."

19 Mar 2010

Cameron Health initiates clinical trial of minimally invasive S-ICD System for patients at risk of SCA

Cameron Health, Inc. today announced the commencement of the company's pivotal clinical trial to gain U.S. approval of its Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator (S-ICD®) System. The minimally invasive S-ICD System is prescribed for use in patients at risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). The S-ICD System is unique in that the implantation of the system is entirely subcutaneous; no leads are in or on the heart.

19 Mar 2010

Penn Medicine, AstraZeneca collaborate to generate new AD drug candidates

The University of Pennsylvania and AstraZeneca today announced a new collaborative research agreement to make use of their respective talents and resources in an effort to bridge the transition from drug discovery to development.

19 Mar 2010

Wellpoint draws flak for infulfilled promise to help uninsured

The health insurance company WellPoint delivered on only about one-fifth of a $30-million pledge to help the uninsured, the Los Angeles Times reports.

19 Mar 2010

Call for European Cystic Fibrosis healthcare gap to be closed

A healthcare gap amounting to a ‘death sentence’ for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) children born in Eastern Europe must be closed say researchers from the EuroCareCF Coordination Action for Cystic Fibrosis.

18 Mar 2010

Acne drug prevents HIV breakout

Johns Hopkins scientists have found that a safe and inexpensive antibiotic in use since the 1970s for treating acne effectively targets infected immune cells in which HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, lies dormant and prevents them from reactivating and replicating.

18 Mar 2010

Stiff skin syndrome cause found

By studying the genetics of a rare inherited disorder called stiff skin syndrome, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have learned more about scleroderma, a condition affecting about one in 5,000 people that leads to hardening of the skin as well as other debilitating and often life-threatening problems. The findings, which appear this week in Science Translational Medicine, open doors to testing new treatments.

18 Mar 2010

Malvern image analysis system measures sub-visible particulates in biotherapeutics

Specialists at Malvern Panalytical have demonstrated the application of dynamic particle image analysis to the measurement of sub-visible particulates in biological therapeutics, using the Sysmex FPIA-3000 particle characterization system.

From Malvern Panalytical 18 Mar 2010