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Double-lung transplant donation saves life

Kurt Penner, who in 2002, was days away from dying of emphysema received a life-saving double-lung transplant through the Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN). On December 27, he'll be carrying the 2010 Olympic torch for 300 metres through the streets of Woodstock, Ontario, thanks to that donation.

24 Dec 2009

"Tan Tax" will hurt middle-class women and women-owned businesses

The proposed 10 percent federal tax on indoor tanning services, added to the latest U.S. Senate health care reform bill in a back-room deal over the weekend, will fall 40-50 percent short of delivering the revenue its proponents promised, according to the International Smart Tan Network (Smart Tan). The tax unfairly targets female consumers, who make up more than two-thirds of tanning clients, and would be detrimental to the thousands of women who own the majority of America's indoor tanning salons.

24 Dec 2009

QUITPLAN Services' quit-smoking campaign: Monkeys on people's backs

Quitting smoking is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions for many Minnesotans. As the holiday approaches, QUITPLAN Services, the free quit-smoking program provided through ClearWay Minnesota(SM), hopes to motivate them to make a fresh start with a new television ad launching just as most smokers resolve to quit. The new ad acknowledges that every individual experiences different triggers for smoking, and highlights the free, personalized help available through QUITPLAN Services. The ad debuts on Dec. 28.

24 Dec 2009

Scientists uncover a central process in memory encoding

Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have made a major discovery in how the brain encodes memories. The finding, published in the December 24 issue of the journal Neuron, could eventually lead to the development of new drugs to aid memory.

24 Dec 2009

Arigene requests Trimeris to extend tender offer for outstanding shares

Trimeris, Inc. (“Trimeris”) today announced that in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October 2, 2009, as amended, by and among Trimeris, Arigene Co., Ltd. and RTM Acquisition Company (“Arigene” and “Purchaser,” respectively) (the “Merger Agreement”), Arigene has requested through counsel that Trimeris consent to an extension of the expiration date of the tender offer for all of Trimeris’ outstanding shares of common stock commenced by Arigene and the Purchaser on October 19, 2009. Arigene has requested an extension of the expiration date of the tender offer to January 15, 2010.

24 Dec 2009

Increase in COBRA health care plan enrollment rates among subsidy-eligible employees

A new analysis from Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company, indicates that average monthly enrollment rates in COBRA health care plans among subsidy-eligible employees have increased by 20 percentage points since the COBRA subsidy was enacted in March 2009.

24 Dec 2009

E2F1 transcription factor inhibition reduces EGFR expression and invasive potential of melanoma cells

Inhibition of transcription factor E2F1 reduced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and reduced the invasive potential but not proliferation of metastatic melanoma cells, according to a brief communication published online December 23 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

24 Dec 2009

Philadelphia Insurance Companies to offer Chiropractor's Malpractice Insurance

Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) is pleased to announce it will begin offering Chiropractor's Malpractice Insurance in several states. Chiropractors may now obtain policies in Alabama, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota and Utah. Filing approval is anticipated for Mississippi, Ohio and Texas within the next 60 days with additional states to follow in 2010.

24 Dec 2009

Today Zealous intends to sell its subsidiary to pay off legacy debt

Today Zealous, Inc. announced that it is considering selling its stake in Zealous Interactive in order to monetize the valued asset and reduce its legacy debt.

24 Dec 2009

The Concord Coalition discusses fiscal risks in health care reform

With the House having passed its version of health care reform (H.R. 3962) and the Senate on the verge of passing its version (H.R. 3590), the outline of a final bill is beginning to take shape. In its new Issue Brief, The Concord Coalition looks ahead at the fiscal considerations that will likely be the subject of conference committee discussions and "end game" negotiations. These include the cost of expanding coverage, the methods used to prevent that cost from adding to the deficit, and the prospects for systemic reforms to reduce cost growth over time.

24 Dec 2009

Bristol-Myers Squibb updates its 2009 guidance for GAAP and non-GAAP earnings

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today updated its 2009 guidance for GAAP and non-GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations.

24 Dec 2009

Data compare CORBA premiums and non-group health insurance options in Texas

Today, eHealthInsurance.com, the leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses, released data comparing non-group health insurance premiums for policies available at eHealth in the state of Texas, and subsidized COBRA premiums for people in Texas.

24 Dec 2009

Salix Pharmaceuticals sued over alleged kidney damage due to OsmoPrep

Suits were commenced Dec. 23, 2009 in North Carolina for four users who allege kidney damage due to the use of OsmoPrep, a prescription drug used to cleanse the intestines in preparation for a colonoscopy. (Holshouser et al v. Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. and Salix Pharmaceuticals. Inc.)

24 Dec 2009

Smith & Nephew adds PELNAC dermal replacement wound product to its portfolio

Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN) Advanced Wound Management division, announces the agreement to partner with Gunze Limited, Japan and exclusively distribute PELNAC dermal replacement in Japan, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

24 Dec 2009

Michele Obama visits Children's National Medical Center

First Lady Michelle Obama read the holiday classic 'Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, during her holiday visit to Children's National Medical Center.

24 Dec 2009

CPF, ATS and health groups launch campaign to raise awareness on lung health

The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) announced today it is joining with the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and lung health organizations around the globe for 2010: The Year of the Lung, a multi-faceted campaign that aims to raise awareness about the importance of lung health, generate social and political support for preventing and treating lung disease and encouraging increased public and private funding for lung disease research and development.

24 Dec 2009

Oklahoma's largest health insurer redesigns web site

Because Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma recognizes that health insurance is becoming more and more complicated, the state's largest health insurer has redesigned its public Web site to better assist and educate customers as well as the general public. Now live, the new site provides an education that enables wise health care decisions, communicates a commitment to partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma customers and emphasizes the insurer's trustworthiness.

24 Dec 2009

Teva-KOWA Pharma signs definitive agreement to acquire major shares in Taisho Pharmaceutical Industries

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today that Teva-KOWA Pharma Co., Ltd., the Company's joint venture in Japan with KOWA Company, Ltd., has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority of the outstanding shares of Taisho Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.

24 Dec 2009

Terri McCormick's statement on Senate healthcare reform bill

In the rush to pass the so-called "healthcare reform bill," U.S. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) stomped his feet and held his breath until he extracted his presents from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. One such gift exempts Nebraska from paying the $45 million increase in Medicaid imbursement costs. Nelson was the 60th Democrat to get his stocking stuffed.

24 Dec 2009

Eli Lilly and Kowa Pharmaceuticals America to co-promote LIVALO in the U.S

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), Kowa Company, Limited, and Kowa's U.S. subsidiary, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., today announced that Lilly and Kowa Pharmaceuticals America have entered into a co-promotion agreement in the United States to commercialize LIVALO® (pitavastatin). Lilly and Kowa have also entered into a licensing agreement in Latin America. LIVALO is a statin approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2009 for the treatment of primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia.

24 Dec 2009