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YM BioSciences' nimotuzumab Phase II trials: FDA advises patient enrollment

YM BioSciences Inc., announced that the FDA has advised the Company that it may now enroll patients at US clinical sites into two ongoing randomized, double-blind Phase II trials of its lead product, nimotuzumab. One of the two trials is in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who are ineligible for curative treatment and being treated palliatively and the other in patients with brain metastases from NSCLC. Current NSCLC palliative treatment and treatment for brain metastases is radiation alone.

27 Jan 2010

Researchers simplify confusing warnings labels on prescription bottles

Replacing confusing language and icons on standard warnings labels for prescription medicine and listing only the most important warnings could make a big difference in how well patients understand the instructions that are critical to their health, according to a new study from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

27 Jan 2010

ZIOPHARM receives Notice of Allowance for palifosfamide from U.S. patent office

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. announced today that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for Application Serial No. 11/257,766 entitled “Salts of Isophosphoramide mustard and analogs thereof as anti-tumor agents” with claims directed to compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and lyophilisates. These claims cover the Company’s proprietary palifosfamide composition (ZIO-201 or ZymafosTM). The Company has recently reported positive randomized Phase II sarcoma interim data for intravenous palifosfamide at the Annual Meeting of the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) on November 6, 2009 and expects, following U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review, to initiate a registration trial the first half of 2010.

27 Jan 2010

BioOhio launches Annual Scholarship program to promote bioscience career pursuits among students

The connection between higher education and pursuing a bioscience career is without question. The availability of funds for a student to pursue a bioscience education, however, is sometimes less certain.

27 Jan 2010

Bayh urges Dems to move to the center; Nelson says he cannot support national exchange

The Wall Street Journal: "Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, the very embodiment of calm understatement, seems an unlikely character to play the role of scold. But in recent weeks—particularly after last week's Massachusetts mauling—he has been scolding his Democratic Party, and sternly.

27 Jan 2010

Health IT money secured, but program faces challenges

Washington has channeled billions of dollars to help hospitals and doctors adopt electronic medical records, but obstacles remain on the horizon. One possible challenge is that no entity has yet been named to "test and certify" the records, Modern Healthcare reports. Nonetheless, one group, The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology, will begin taking applications Feb. 12 from health IT vendors to do just that. The group fulfilled the certifying function for much of the Bush administration and gained the confidence of then-HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt.

27 Jan 2010

FDA approves first heart valve conduit that can delay need for open-heart surgery

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the Medtronic Melody Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve and Ensemble Delivery System, the first heart valve to be implanted through a catheter, or tube, in a leg vein and guided up to the heart. This new approach to the treatment of adults and children with previously implanted, poorly functioning pulmonary valve conduits can delay the need for open-heart surgery.

27 Jan 2010

Doctors delay talking about end-of-life care

A study published this month finds doctors delay talking about end-of-life care, which often proves very costly. The Los Angeles Times reports: "Most doctors don't talk about end-of-life issues with their cancer patients when those patients are feeling well, a new survey has found." Physicians also tended to delay these conversations "until treatments have been exhausted. Those delays mean patients might not be able to make truly informed choices early in their treatment.

27 Jan 2010

As state legislatures gear up, federal health overhaul is on their agenda

The New York Times Prescriptions Blog: "The question of equality, or inequality, among states is a major reason President Obama's overhaul of the health care system, and the legislation in Congress to make it happen, seemed to reach the brink of collapse last week." The issue also reflects "one of the biggest challenges" the President and Congressional leaders face in their efforts to overhaul the health care system. The key question: "how to devise a national solution for a problem that varies sharply from state to state."

27 Jan 2010

BioElectronics signs contract with YesDTC Holdings to enter the Japanese market

BioElectronics Corp., the maker of inexpensive, disposable drug-free anti-inflammatory devices, today announced the signing of a contract with YesDTC Holdings, Inc. (YESD.OB) to enter the Japanese market and receipt of the single largest product order and revenue commitment in company history.

26 Jan 2010

Abbott submits Premarket Approval application for the ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay to FDA

An assay to aid in the early detection of HIV infection may soon be available in the United States. Abbott announced today it has submitted a Premarket Approval application for the ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for expedited review. Upon approval, the assay is expected to be the first test available in the United States to simultaneously detect the combined presence of HIV antigens (proteins produced by the HIV virus) and antibodies (proteins produced by the body to fight HIV antigens), which would allow for the early detection and ongoing monitoring of the virus.

26 Jan 2010

Findings may yield novel therapeutic strategies for late-stage breast cancer

Researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have determined how the TGFβ-Smad signaling pathway, which is over activated in late-stage cancers, is responsible for the "epigenetic memory" that maintains unique patterns of regulatory DNA hypermethylation causing silencing of critical genes that facilitate breast cancer progression.

25 Jan 2010

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals to submit additional data for FUSILEV sNDA

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, a commercial-stage biotechnology company with a primary focus in oncology, today announced that it has met with the FDA regarding it’s supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for FUSILEV® (levoleucovorin) for injection for the treatment of patients with advanced metastatic colorectal cancer. In October 2009, the FDA issued a Complete Response letter regarding its sNDA for FUSILEV.

25 Jan 2010

Long-term graft retention is improved through supplementation of fat grafts with ADRCs

Results from Cytori Therapeutics’ preclinical fat grafting study have been published in the February issue of the Annals of Plastic Surgery. This article, entitled “Supplementation of Fat Grafts with Adipose-Derived Regenerative Cells (ADRCs) Improves Long-Term Graft Retention,” examines the science behind cell-enriched autologous fat grafting and its application to cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. The results demonstrate a doubling in graft retention in cell-enriched grafts and provide insight into the mechanisms behind this improvement.

25 Jan 2010

Quest Diagnostics announces 2.8% increase in revenues for full-year 2009

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, announced that for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, income from continuing operations increased to $182 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, compared to $170 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, in 2008. The quarter included a $0.04 per share charge associated with the early extinguishment of debt, which was offset by certain non-recurring tax benefits totaling $0.04 per share.

From Quest Diagnostics 25 Jan 2010

First commercial implants of ATS Medical's ATS 3f Enable Aortic Bioprosthesis performed

ATS Medical, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of state-of-the-art cardiac surgery products and services today announced the first commercial implants of the ATS 3f Enable® Aortic Bioprosthesis were recently performed at the University of Berne Hospital, Berne, Switzerland by Lars Englberger, MD, Mario Stalder, MD, and Professor Thierry Carrel. The procedures were completed using a sutureless technique and the patients are recovering with no complications.

25 Jan 2010

First Edition: January 25, 2010

Today's news begins to set the scene for the President's upcoming State of the Union address, and provides continuing coverage of Democrats' efforts to regroup on health reform.

25 Jan 2010

Beyond Pay-for-Performance: A free Webinar to help hospitals improve patient care

Attend the free Webinar, "Beyond Pay-for-Performance," and learn how today's national performance improvement efforts are helping hospitals improve patient care and reduce costs - and discover the tactics and strategies behind top-performing hospitals and health systems.

25 Jan 2010

World’s largest repository of correlated genetic genealogical information under creation in Mali

The Utah Arts Council today announced it has selected Faces of Mali, an exhibit of photographs of village life in western Africa, for its 2010 traveling art program. The show, sponsored by Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF) and Mali Rising—two Utah-based non-profit organizations—and the Embassy of Mali, opens a window for viewers into a region with a 600-year history as a center for scholarship and trade. The first traveling exhibit is scheduled for Canyon Community Center in Springdale beginning Feb. 4.

25 Jan 2010

American Red Cross, NECN and Comcast team up for blood drive campaign

For the sixth year in a row, the American Red Cross, NECN and Comcast have joined together to help patients in need by increasing the blood supply and raising awareness about the ongoing need for blood donors.

25 Jan 2010

Medical News

YM BioSciences' nimotuzumab Phase II trials: FDA advises patient enrollment

Researchers simplify confusing warnings labels on prescription bottles

ZIOPHARM receives Notice of Allowance for palifosfamide from U.S. patent office

BioOhio launches Annual Scholarship program to promote bioscience career pursuits among students

Bayh urges Dems to move to the center; Nelson says he cannot support national exchange

Health IT money secured, but program faces challenges

FDA approves first heart valve conduit that can delay need for open-heart surgery

Doctors delay talking about end-of-life care

As state legislatures gear up, federal health overhaul is on their agenda

BioElectronics signs contract with YesDTC Holdings to enter the Japanese market

Abbott submits Premarket Approval application for the ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay to FDA

Findings may yield novel therapeutic strategies for late-stage breast cancer

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals to submit additional data for FUSILEV sNDA

Long-term graft retention is improved through supplementation of fat grafts with ADRCs

Quest Diagnostics announces 2.8% increase in revenues for full-year 2009

First commercial implants of ATS Medical's ATS 3f Enable Aortic Bioprosthesis performed

First Edition: January 25, 2010

Beyond Pay-for-Performance: A free Webinar to help hospitals improve patient care

World’s largest repository of correlated genetic genealogical information under creation in Mali

American Red Cross, NECN and Comcast team up for blood drive campaign

Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging

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