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Study data of Perifosine + Bortezomib combination in multiple myeloma patients presented

Æterna Zentaris Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, today announced that its partner Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc. reported updated efficacy and safety data as well as new survival data on the clinical activity of perifosine (KRX-0401) in combination with bortezomib (Velcade(R)) (+/- dexamethasone) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

7 Dec 2009

Black women may need different mammogram guidelines

"Many African-American women don't fit the profile of the average American woman who gets breast cancer. For them, putting off the first mammogram until 50 — as recommended by a government task force — could put their life in danger," NPR reports.

7 Dec 2009

Some progress on health bill, Senators prepare for long December

"Senate Republicans and Democrats are digging in for a long December, vowing they have no objection to the possibility of a working Christmas to debate healthcare reform," The Hill reports. "From GOP rank-and-file to Democratic leaders, senators say they regret but recognize the need to put public duty ahead of their families and follow a schedule tentatively laid out by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Reid has said he may call the chamber back into session in between the Christmas and New Year's holidays" (Rushing, 12/6).

7 Dec 2009

Advocates worried about health insurance affordability push for more subsidies

The Boston Globe: "President Obama has promised that the nation's health care overhaul will make medical insurance available - and affordable - for everyone. But while bills in Congress would make insurance more accessible for millions of Americans, advocates worry that the Senate bill would impose significant financial burdens on some of the families who will now be required to buy coverage."

7 Dec 2009

PharmAthene presents Protexia clinical trial results at PHEMCE conference

PharmAthene, Inc., a biodefense company developing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats, today announced Phase I clinical trial results for Protexia, a pegylated recombinant version of human butyrylcholinesterase (rBChE), which has been shown to be effective in animal models in preventing toxicity from exposure to chemical nerve agents.

7 Dec 2009

Masimo SpHb monitoring technology installed at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center

Masimo, the inventor of Pulse CO-Oximetry(TM) and Measure-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, announced today that Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, has completed its system-wide conversion to Masimo SET pulse oximetry technology.

7 Dec 2009

$225,000 funding for promising epilepsy research

The Epilepsy Research Foundation (ERF), a unique joint venture of non-profit epilepsy organizations, and the Milken Family Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation, today announced two new grants recognizing promising epilepsy research in clinical development, totaling $225,000 in funding. The grant awards were announced by the Epilepsy Therapy Project and the Epilepsy Foundation, as well as the Milken Family Foundation, during the 7th Judith Hoyer Lecture in Epilepsy at the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society in Boston, MA.

7 Dec 2009

Incyte's INCB18424 provides previously unachievable clinical benefits in myelofibrosis patients

Incyte Corporation announced this morning that INCB18424 (also referred to as INCB018424), its selective, orally available janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, will be the subject of three oral presentations at the 51st American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in New Orleans.

7 Dec 2009

'Never events' - medical errors - still continue 10 years after landmark report

Advocates and experts examine progress made since the Institute of Medicine released its landmark report that called for the elimination of medical errors, or "never events," ten years ago. Modern HealthCare interviews Helen Haskell, who founded the advocacy organization Mothers Against Medical Error, and examines progress and shortcomings: "Families are still losing loved ones to errors, Haskell explained during a recent conference hosted by Consumers Union. But the biggest difference in the past 10 years is, 'where once there was denial, we now have tireless leaders.'"

7 Dec 2009

Regular sexual activity can help improve the overall health in men

Boston Medical Group, a national physician network specializing in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, today released the top ten reasons regular sexual activity can help improve men’s overall health. From decreased blood pressure to more restful sleep, sexual activity is essential for maintaining bodily functions as well as overall health and well-being.

7 Dec 2009

Medicare fraud 'rampant' in Miami, spreads among different ethnic communities nationally

"Medicare fraud runs rampant in Miami-Dade" while federal experts examine how the crime spreads among different ethnic communities in different cities, The Associated Press/Miami Herald reports

7 Dec 2009

Increased sense of separation in this holiday season's most harmful gifts

A couple years ago, lead paint in toys manufactured in China sent parents searching frantically for gifts made in the USA. This fall, news of Baby Einstein refunds suggested that even so-called educational toys are suspect. Renowned parenting expert Dr. Jeffrey Fine, Ph.D., says that such videos are actually harmful to developing brains, retarding language development and shortening attention spans. Moreover, there is an increased sense of separation, which is the defining trait of each of this holiday season's most harmful gifts.

7 Dec 2009

Interim data from Celator Pharmaceuticals' CPX-351 trial presented at the ASH meeting

Celator Pharmaceuticals today announced that interim safety and efficacy data from its Phase 2 multicenter, randomized, open-label clinical trial of CPX-351 (Cytarabine:Daunorubicin) Liposome Injection versus conventional cytarabine and daunorubicin therapy ("7+3") in patients 60-75 years of age with untreated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were presented at the 51st American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana (ASH Abstract # 1033).

7 Dec 2009

Synta Pharmaceuticals announces study results of elesclomol

Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing small molecule drugs to treat severe medical conditions, today announced the results of a study evaluating the activity of elesclomol against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines and primary leukemic blast cells from AML patients, presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in New Orleans.

7 Dec 2009

Cytometry system to precisely control cell movement using sound waves

Applied Biosystems, part of Life Technologies Corporation today announced its entry into the flow cytometry instrumentation market with the debut of the Attune™ Acoustic Focusing Cytometer, a first of its kind cytometry system designed to use sound waves to precisely control the movement of cells.

7 Dec 2009

FDA provides a Complete Response Letter for Somaxon Pharmaceuticals' Silenor NDA

Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the in-licensing, development and commercialization of proprietary branded pharmaceutical products and late-stage product candidates for the treatment of diseases and disorders in the central nervous system therapeutic area, today announced that the company has received a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its New Drug Application (NDA) for Silenor® (doxepin) for the treatment of insomnia.

7 Dec 2009

Æterna Zentaris reports Phase 3 results of its cetrorelix pamoate Z-036 trial for BPH

Æterna Zentaris Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, today reported Phase 3 results for its European efficacy trial Z-036 in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with cetrorelix pamoate.

7 Dec 2009

Gloucester Pharmaceuticals to be acquired by Celgene

Celgene Corporation and Gloucester Pharmaceuticals Inc., a privately held pharmaceutical company, announced a definitive merger agreement under which Celgene Corporation will acquire Gloucester Pharmaceuticals. Celgene says the acquisition will continue to advance its leadership position in the development of disease-altering therapies through innovative approaches for patients with rare and debilitating blood cancers.

7 Dec 2009

Interleukin Genetics' PST genetic test approved for marketing in New York

Interleukin Genetics, Inc. announced today it has received approval by the State of New York's Department of Health for the Company to sell in New York its PST Genetic Test that determines predisposition to severe periodontal disease in individuals.

7 Dec 2009

Encouraging data from Seattle Genetics' phase I trial of brentuximab vedotin

Seattle Genetics, Inc. today reported data from a phase I weekly-dosing clinical trial of brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35), an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), including multiple complete and partial remissions in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma or systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).

7 Dec 2009