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Xeomin botulinum toxin for cervical dystonia now available in the U.S.

Merz Pharmaceuticals today announced that Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA), a new botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of adults with cervical dystonia (CD)or blepharospasm, is now commercially available in the U.S. XEOMIN was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 30, 2010.

6 Oct 2010

Rochester General Hospital Research Institute awarded $7M for Prevnar 13 study of ear infections in children

The Rochester General Hospital Research Institute has been awarded a $7.1 million grant to study the effectiveness of a new vaccine on the bacteria that cause ear infections in children. Michael E. Pichichero MD, Director of the Research Institute, has been named Principal Investigator of the five year study which will follow children who receive the Prevnar 13 vaccine. The vaccine is manufactured by Pfizer Vaccine Research of Collegeville, Pennsylvania which is funding the grant.

6 Oct 2010

Democrats gain in polling, but health care helps GOP hold 'enthusiasm' edge

Democrats are gaining ground in campaign polling, but Republicans still hold a lead, buoyed in part by their stance on health care as the November midterm elections near.

6 Oct 2010

Feds investigate whether drug companies paid bribes overseas

The Wall Street Journal: "Federal investigators are looking at ways that drug makers could be paying bribes overseas to boost sales and speed approvals, according to letters sent to the companies and people close to the matter.

6 Oct 2010

Foot surgeons urge patients not to ignore foot pain

Unexplained foot fractures may be the first sign of osteoporosis, a bone thinning disease which affects over 28 million Americans and accounts for 1.5 million bone fractures a year.

6 Oct 2010

microRNA miR-33 may help control blood cholesterol level

Thanks to a discovery by a Saint Louis University researcher, scientists have identified an important microRNA that may allow us to better control cholesterol levels in blood.

6 Oct 2010

Elsevier launches new version of BrainNavigator online research tool

Elsevier, the leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced a new version of its online research tool BrainNavigator.

6 Oct 2010

Toxic free radical responsible for lung damage due to oxygen therapy

The most toxic free radical appears responsible for much of the lung damage that can result from oxygen therapy in the critically ill or injured, Medical College of Georgia researchers report.

6 Oct 2010

Chevron Corporation raises $25 million for Global Fund

Chevron Corporation today announced that it will commit an additional $25 million to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, raising its 6-year investment in the organization to $55 million.

6 Oct 2010

Report calls for more independent role for nurses

Kaiser Health News staff writers Andrew Villegas and Mary Agnes Carey report: "A new report released today may give nurses with advanced degrees a potent weapon in their perennial battle to get the authority to practice without a doctor's oversight" (Villegas and Carey, 10/5).

6 Oct 2010

New biomarker could aid in accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

A set of proteins found in blood serum shows promise as a sensitive and accurate way to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found as part of a statewide study.

6 Oct 2010

Study on resistance of harmful bacteria to antibiotics

A study by two Florida State University biochemists makes an important contribution to science's understanding of a serious problem causing concern worldwide: the growing resistance of some harmful bacteria to the drugs that were intended to kill them.

6 Oct 2010

New Wipro Rapid Trials platform launched to accelerate drug development

Wipro Technologies, the global Consulting, System Integration and Outsourcing business of Wipro Limited, today announced the launch of Wipro Rapid Trials platform to accelerate drug development across the globe.

6 Oct 2010

Study finds usage of advanced radiology in emergency department increases

From 1998 to 2007, the use of CT or MRI scans in emergency departments for injury-related conditions increased about 3-fold without a similar increase in the prevalence of the diagnosis of certain life-threatening trauma-related conditions, according to a study in the October 6 issue of JAMA.

6 Oct 2010

Anticancer drug Cisplatin induces side effects

Cisplatin, an anticancer drug widely used for treating various types of tumor, can induce side effects in the short term. A team of scientists, mostly from CNRS and the Université de Nice has provided first in vitro evidence that this antitumor agent modifies the sensitivity of cellular pressure sensors. This completely novel mechanism could help to elucidate certain neurological side effects of cisplatin hitherto unexplained.

6 Oct 2010

Watson seeks FDA approval to market rasagiline mesylate tablets

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today confirmed that its subsidiary, Watson Laboratories, Inc., filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market rasagiline mesylate 0.5 and 1.0 mg tablets.

6 Oct 2010

Ore. hospitals with most clout command higher prices

The (Portland) Oregonian: Prices vary radically for similar procedures at Oregon hospitals. "A balloon angioplasty to unclog heart arteries costs about $52,000 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, more than three times the typical amount insurers paid Tuality Community Hospital in Hillsboro, according to hospital payment comparisons posted online today by Oregon health officials."

6 Oct 2010

Nonin Medical announces name change of capnography manufacturing center

Nonin Medical, Inc. today announced that its Hudiksvall-based capnography manufacturing center, formerly MedAir AB, has changed its name to Nonin Medical AB and expanded its operations to better serve Nonin Medical's European customers and distributors.

6 Oct 2010

Latino community not aware of Alzheimer's disease: Survey

According to the Alzheimer's Association "Hispanic Perceptions of Alzheimer's Disease" survey, which was funded by MetLife Foundation and released today during National Hispanic Heritage Month, 64 percent of survey respondents felt that the Latino community is not very aware or not at all aware of Alzheimer's disease.

6 Oct 2010

SAFC expands fermentation capabilities in Israel facility

SAFC, a member of the Sigma-Aldrich® Group (Nasdaq: SIAL), today announced the completion of its state-of-the-art expansion of its Jerusalem, Israel facility. The additional capacity expands SAFC's contract manufacturing capabilities in large molecule recombinant proteins and small molecule Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) through fermentation, including High Potent APIs (HPAPIs) and secondary metabolites.

6 Oct 2010