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Abortion language in health care bills continues to rankle both sides

"Pro-life advocates say the Democrats' health care bill would send millions of dollars to community health care centers without restrictions to keep the money from being used to fund abortions, potentially expanding access to the procedure." The National Right to Life Group "calls the Senate bill, which could come up for a vote in the House, 'the most pro-abortion piece of legislation to come before the House of Representatives.'"

5 Mar 2010

Study: Genetic variant of LTA4H offers protection against TB and leprosy

A study into why some people are more resistant than others to diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy has identified a new genetic variant which affects susceptibility to these diseases. The findings, published today in the journal Cell, may have implications for future treatments for the two conditions.

5 Mar 2010

Dermatologist addresses common parasitic infestations and latest treatment options at Academy Annual Meeting

If simply the thought of bedbugs, scabies and head lice makes you feel a little itchy, imagine how those affected by these common infestations feel when they learn what has been creeping around them and causing symptoms such as intense itching, red bite marks or irritated scalps.

5 Mar 2010

Obama pushes reconciliation, action on health care overhaul

In his White House speech Wednesday afternoon, President Barack Obama outlined his updated health overhaul plan and endorsed a legislative maneuver meant to move the congressional efforts on health care reform forward.

4 Mar 2010

U.S. Vascular Access Holdings acquires National Vascular Care

Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s largest provider of dialysis services and products, today announced that its subsidiary, U.S. Vascular Access Holdings, LLC has completed the acquisition of National Vascular Care Inc.

4 Mar 2010

FDA approves CSL Behring's Hizentra for PI

CSL Behring announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted marketing approval for HizentraTM, Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human), 20% Liquid, for treating patients diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency (PI). A once weekly immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement therapy, Hizentra provides effective protection against infection by maintaining a steady and normal level of immunoglobulin in the body.

4 Mar 2010

Heartburn drug Kapidex to be marketed under new name Dexilant

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a name change for the heartburn drug Kapidex (dexlansoprazole) to avoid confusion with two other medications – Casodex and Kadian. Effective in late April 2010, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America Inc. will market Kapidex under the new name Dexilant.

4 Mar 2010

Scientists discover genetic cause of Quebec Platelet Disorder

For some Canadians, any cut such as from dental work or surgery can cause days or more of bleeding. Although they are not hemophiliacs, for some an ordinary bruise can balloon into the size of an orange.

4 Mar 2010

Political heat tests the President's calm composure

The Washington Post: For a president "who so famously rejects drama," recent times have marked "one of the wildest policitcal stretches in recent memory." President Obama has said during yesterday's White House speech that, at stake in this legislative struggle is the nation's ability not only to solve health care problems, but "our ability to solve any problem."

4 Mar 2010

Vaxart raises $12.5M to advance Phase I clinical trials on Avian flu vaccine

Vaxart, Inc., a San Francisco biotechnology company developing oral-delivery vaccines, has closed a $12.5 million Series B financing, led by Care Capital of Princeton NJ. The funding will be used to advance the Company's lead product, an oral vaccine for Avian influenza, through Phase I clinical trials.

4 Mar 2010

Columbia Laboratories to sell progesterone related assets and 11.2M shares to Watson Pharmaceuticals

Columbia Laboratories, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of its progesterone related assets and 11.2 million shares of common stock to Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for a $47 million upfront payment plus royalties of 10 to 20 percent of annual net sales of certain progesterone products. Additional payments up to $45.5 million can be earned by the successful completion of clinical development milestones in the ongoing PREGNANT Study, regulatory filings, receipt of regulatory approvals and product launches.

4 Mar 2010

Chay Enterprises merges with DMI Life Sciences to form Ampio Pharmaceuticals

Chay Enterprises, Inc. is pleased to announce today that the company has merged with DMI Life Sciences, Inc to form Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ampio Pharmaceuticals will trade on the NASDAQ BB under the symbol CHYE. "We have asked FINRA to change our symbol," said Don Wingerter, Ampio Pharmaceuticals' CEO, "and expect to be trading under our new symbol in less than thirty days."

4 Mar 2010

New Jersey hospital offers luxury with health, wellness

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on Virtua Health system's newly opened Health and Wellness Center in New Jersey, and calls it "the new face of luxury." The center was a $31 million investment by the non-profit group and it is expected to do well. "While many New Jersey hospitals grapple with barely-there operating margins and a national slowdown in construction, Virtua is growing.

4 Mar 2010

Dermatologist speaks about common forms of hair loss and treatment options at 68th Annual Meeting

For many women, unexplained hair loss can take a significant psychological toll on their overall quality of life. From altering their hairstyle to hide a thinning part to scaling back their hair care regimen in an effort to halt further hair loss, women try countless ways to cover up this problem - and the results are often lukewarm at best.

4 Mar 2010

Evaluating bone defect repairs using human stem cells: NeoStem, University of Michigan enter into SRA

NeoStem, Inc., an international biopharmaceutical company with operations in the U.S. and China, announced today that it has entered into a sponsored research agreement (SRA) with the University of Michigan to evaluate bone defect repairs using human stem cells. The one-year project, beginning in March, will be funded through the proceeds of a $108,746 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the Small Business Innovative Research Program (SBIR).

4 Mar 2010

AMA enters health IT partnerships

The American Medical Association has made deals with computer retailer Dell, and Ingenix, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, to "help physicians adopt and implement electronic health records", the Chicago Tribune reports.

4 Mar 2010

Leading experts to discuss latest pharmacogenomic research at European Lung Cancer Conference

Rapid advances in drug development, genetics and multidisciplinary treatment have brought the field of oncology to a critical moment, says Dr. Rafael Rosell from the Catalan Institute of Oncology in Badalona, Spain, co-chair of the second European Lung Cancer Conference (ELCC), which will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 28 April to 1 May 2010.

4 Mar 2010

Federal court rejects California Medicaid cuts

The San Francisco Chronicle: "A federal appeals court barred California on Wednesday from lowering Medi-Cal payments to doctors and hospitals by 5 percent and from cutting in-home care workers' wages by nearly 20 percent, saying the state's budget crisis doesn't justify violating federal laws that protect the poor and disabled.

4 Mar 2010

Washington State cracks down on prescription fraud with new paper and ink

The Seattle Post Intelligencer/Everett Herald: "Patients who get written prescriptions will see changes this summer aimed at curbing fraud. Come July 1, prescriptions will be printed on tamper-resistant paper with Mission Impossible-like ink that changes color when rubbed with a finger.

4 Mar 2010

BioSante Pharmaceuticals enters into securities purchase agreements with Great Point and Deerfield Management

BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has received commitments from two institutional investors to purchase $18 million of securities in a registered direct offering. The investors are Great Point Partners, LLC and Deerfield Management Company. BioSante expects to receive net proceeds of approximately $17.5 million after deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses.

4 Mar 2010