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Phase 2 MS clinical trial data continues to show durable reductions in relapse rate

Genzyme Corporation reported today that four-year follow-up data from its completed Phase 2 multiple sclerosis (MS) trial continued to show durable reductions in relapse rate and sustained accumulation of disability three years after the majority of patients received their last course of the investigational compound alemtuzumab.

14 Sep 2009

Test for detecting ovarian cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cleared a test that can help detect ovarian cancer in a pelvic mass that is already known to require surgery. The test, called OVA1, helps patients and health care professionals decide what type of surgery should be done and by whom.

14 Sep 2009

AAN's ability to mimic the human brain helps diagnose cardiac infections

Mayo Clinic researchers say that "teachable software" designed to mimic the human brain may help them diagnose cardiac infections without an invasive exam. Those findings are being presented today at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) in San Francisco.

14 Sep 2009

Continuing his health overhaul campaign, Obama emphasizes risk of losing insurance

Politico: "....(the) analysis of data from the University of Michigan shows many Americans will be without health insurance at periods of their life ... In his weekly radio and internet address, Obama cites the study to say, 'half of all Americans under 65 will lose their health coverage at some point over the next ten years.'"

14 Sep 2009

Monoamine oxidases responsible for personality and behaviour

Antisocial and aggressive behaviours represent a widespread and expensive social problem. Recent research has convincingly shown that there is a strong interaction between genetic inheritance and environment for development of personality and behaviour.

14 Sep 2009

Marketing study conducted to investigate decline in Gardasil vaccine supply

Sales of Merck's HPV vaccine, Gardasil, declined by a third this year, and three years after the FDA approved the drug an estimated three out of four women remain unvaccinated -- despite millions spent on advertising and lobbying for government mandates. A recent marketing study offers a reason.

14 Sep 2009

Clinical Logistics partners with a GLP compliant laboratory

Clinical Logistics is pleased to announce the introduction of specimen storage services through a partnership with Gentris Corporation (Gentris), a GLP compliant laboratory, located in Morrisville, North Carolina.

13 Sep 2009

AVONEX results in fewer injection site reactions, according to a clinical study

Data from an observational phase IV study of 499 patients entitled The Swiss MS Skin Project show that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients taking AVONEX (interferon beta-1a IM) reported significantly fewer injection site reactions (ISRs) compared to patients on Betaferon- (interferon beta-1b), Copaxone- (glatiramer Acetate) or Rebif - (interferon beta-1a).

13 Sep 2009

Signum Biosciences awarded $1.6 million SBIR Phase II grant

Signum Biosciences, Inc has been awarded a $1.6 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant by the National Institute of Allergy and Infection Diseases (NIAID) to continue the development of its topical STM (Signal Transduction Modulator) anti-inflammatory technology for the treatment of inflammatory skin disease.

11 Sep 2009

U.S., Australian researchers say single H1N1 vaccine dose protects adults against virus

The results of clinical trials have shown one dose of the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine is enough to offer adults protection against the virus, U.S. and Australian researchers said Thursday, the Associated Press reports (Neergaard, 9/11).

11 Sep 2009

Study identifies causes, rates of death among young people worldwide

"Road accidents, pregnancy and childbirth complications, suicide, violence, the AIDS virus and tuberculosis are the biggest killers of young people across the world," according to a paper published on Friday in the journal Lancet, Reuters reports.

11 Sep 2009

Pneumonia-causing diseases kill 1.2m children under 5 annually, Studies say

"Each year 1.2 million children under age 5 die from Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae B or Hib," which cause pneumococcal disease and are preventable with vaccines, according to studies published Thursday in the journal Lancet, Reuters reports.

11 Sep 2009

IRIN examines report on varying cost of ARVs for countries with similar socioeconomic status

IRIN examines a recent report (.pdf) that found varying price rates countries pay for antiretrovirals (ARVs) - with "some nations … paying up to three times more for the life-prolonging medicines than others with similar HIV prevalence and income levels."

11 Sep 2009

Forbes examines efforts to bring clean drinking water to India, Kenya

Forbes examines efforts currently under way to help people living in India and Kenya access clean drinking water through a partnership between Acumen Fund, "a nonprofit global venture fund focused on alleviating poverty" and the design firm IDEO. Called the Ripple Effect, the partnership received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

11 Sep 2009

FDA accepts Merz Pharmaceuticals' premarket approval application for Belotero Balance

Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a leading specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review Merz's premarket approval (PMA) application for Belotero(R) Balance.

11 Sep 2009

Scientists to get funding from The European Research Council

The European Research Council (ERC) expects to fund some 240 top researchers in its second prestigious ERC Starting Grant competition. This new wave of grantees follows the 299 researchers who received grants in the first Starting Grant competition in 2007.

11 Sep 2009

The 2009 Private Care Association Conference to discuss crucial issues affecting private care registries

During its 2009 Annual Conference in Washington, DC from September 29 through October 1, the Private Care Association (PCA) will address some of the most pressing issues facing private care registries in the country today. The most crucial issues to be discussed during the Conference include:

11 Sep 2009

Flu Clinic Locator makes it easy for people to locate the most convenient clinic to get their seasonal flu vaccine

The American Lung Association is making it easier for people to get their seasonal flu vaccine this year with the availability of its 2009-2010 Flu Clinic Locator. The largest online directory of public seasonal influenza vaccination clinics is now available at www.flucliniclocator.org.

11 Sep 2009

Speech unifies Democrats, for now, could set stage to bypass opponents

The day after President Obama's speech Wednesday, Democrats rallied behind his plan, including several key conservative members of the party, the Los Angeles Times reports. "'If the details live up to the quality of the speech, then it's a good plan,' said Tennessee Rep. Jim Cooper, a conservative Democrat who has been critical of the healthcare bill developed by House leaders." Other Democrats praised the speech for its endorsement of the proposed public insurance plan (Levey, 9/11).

11 Sep 2009

Post-speech debates: Illegal immigrant coverage, tort reform, abortion funding

President Obama's speech opened the door for experts and lawmakers to examine his proposed health reforms, with questions ranging from how reforms affect illegal immigrants' coverage to abortion funding.

11 Sep 2009