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Melinda Gates shares thoughts on U.S. global health efforts

During a recent interview with The Hill's "Blog Briefing Room," Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, praised former President George W. Bush for the enactment of PEPFAR and commended the Obama administration's commitment to global health issues and for "being very open minded [and] saying we don't have to go back and reinvent the wheel."

24 Oct 2009

BD to acquire HandyLab

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)announced today that it signed a definitive agreement to acquire HandyLab, Inc., an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company that develops and manufactures molecular diagnostic assays and automation platforms. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close during the first quarter of fiscal year 2010. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 24 Oct 2009

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals launches the Tan EndoGlide Endothelium Insertion System in the U.S.

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced the commercial launch of the Tan EndoGlide(TM) Endothelium Insertion System in the United States. Angiotech holds exclusive U.S. distribution rights to market and distribute the Tan EndoGlide Endothelium Insertion System, which it obtained in a supply agreement with privately held Network Medical Products, Ltd. Angiotech will launch the product during the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting, to be held in San Francisco, CA on October 24-27, 2009.

24 Oct 2009

NCD to discuss employment, health care and seclusion issues affecting the disabled

The National Council on Disability (NCD) will hear presentations and discuss employment, health care, and restraint and seclusion issues affecting people with disabilities during its quarterly meeting at the Holiday Inn Express, 920 Broadway, Nashville, TN, which begins at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2009, and concludes at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2009.

24 Oct 2009

U.S. District Court rules in favor of Allergan in its patent infringement suit against Exela PharmSci

Allergan, Inc. announced today that the United States District Court for the District of Delaware ruled in favor of Allergan, Inc. in its patent infringement suit against Exela PharmSci, Inc., Exela PharmSci Pvt., Ltd. ("Exela"), Apotex, Inc. and Apotex Corp. ("Apotex") (collectively, the "Defendants") for seeking to market purported generic versions of Allergan’s drugs ALPHAGAN® P (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) 0.1% and 0.15%. Specifically, after a trial in March of 2009, the Court ruled today that all five patents (U.S. Patent Nos. 6,627,210; 6,641,834; 6,673,337; 6,562,873; and 5,424,078) asserted by Allergan are valid and enforceable, that Apotex's proposed generic versions of ALPHAGAN® P 0.1% and 0.15% infringe each of the five patents, and that Exela's proposed generic version of ALPHAGAN® P 0.15% infringes U.S. Patent No. 6,641,834, which was the only patent asserted against it. Pursuant to the Hatch-Waxman Act, the United States Food and Drug Administration is required to delay approval of Defendants’ proposed generic products until the last to expire of the infringed patents, which is 2022.

24 Oct 2009

Efforts to measure support for the public option continue

Associated Press: Democratic leaders in Congress scrambled Friday to round up votes for allowing the government to sell health insurance in competition with private industry as they struggled to finalize a health care bill that meets President Barack Obama's goals." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spent Friday "calling and talking with wavering Democrats to test support for different versions of the plan."

24 Oct 2009

Clinical results of FlexStent Femoropopliteal Self Expanding Stent System presented

Interim six month clinical results on the use of the FlexStent Femoropopliteal Self Expanding Stent System in the Superficial Femoral Artery were presented today at the VIVA conference by Dr. William Gray of NY Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital.

24 Oct 2009

Congress reauthorizes Ryan White Care Act - funding for HIV/AIDS

The New York Times: "The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed legislation allocating billions of dollars in federal money for the treatment of HIV and AIDS. By a vote of 408-9, the House reauthorized the Ryan White Care Act, first enacted in 1990 and named for the Indiana teenager who died of AIDS. The Senate has already passed the bill by unanimous consent."

24 Oct 2009

Bio-Rad Laboratories to acquire diagnostic businesses of Biotest AG for 45 million euros

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research and clinical diagnostics products, announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire certain diagnostic businesses of Biotest AG for 45 million euros.

24 Oct 2009

HHS funds $17M for fight against costly and dangerous health care-associated infections

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the award of $17 million to fund projects to fight costly and dangerous health care-associated infections, or HAIs.

24 Oct 2009

AcuMedSpa Holdings to launch online marketing campaign

AcuMedSpa Holdings, Inc., which owns and operates multiple Medical Spa locations throughout South Florida has reached an agreement to launch a major Online Marketing Campaign as well as improve AMSZ's web presence through SEO and website redesign and user friendliness with ARC Media Consultants.

24 Oct 2009

Axis Three launches 3D surgical simulation platform at Plastic Surgery 2009

At Plastic Surgery 2009, Axis Three (www.axisthree.com), the leader and pioneer of 3D surgical simulation tools for the cosmetic surgery industry, today introduced its Portrait 3D Face Simulation Module, the Company’s latest innovation in its 3D surgical simulation technology.

24 Oct 2009

Chasm between insurers and reform supporters grows

Although "[h]ealth insurers insist they're still committed to getting a health care overhaul bill passed this year," many people in Washington are "wondering if — or when — the industry will change its mind and try to kill it," The Associated Press reports.

24 Oct 2009

New Living 4 Life wellness program to make life better for seniors

Aegis Living, a national leader in senior living and assisted living communities, is pleased to announce that it's partnering with Bastyr University, renowned institution of natural health arts and sciences education and research, to make life better for seniors through its new innovative Living 4 Life program. With this collaboration, new programs and activities will enhance the mind, spirit and physical health of residents at Aegis Living.

24 Oct 2009

Campaign to end pediatric HIV/AIDS launched in Africa

At the launch of the Campaign to End Pediatric HIV/AIDS (CEPA) on Thursday, advocate Graca Machel urged African leaders to redirect state spending to prevent and treat HIV infections among women and children, Agence France-Presse reports.

24 Oct 2009

Aeterna Zentaris raises US$5.1 million from institutional investors

AEterna Zentaris Inc., (the "Company") a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, announced today that it has completed its previously announced registered direct offering of US$5.5 million of units comprised of common shares and common share purchase warrants to certain institutional investors.

24 Oct 2009

One in 10 adolescents exhibit chronic behavior problems

Ten percent of young adolescent boys -- or one in 10 -- exhibit a symptom of conduct disorder as well as a symptom of risky or problem gambling, according to new research findings from the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions (RIA).

24 Oct 2009

As House lawmakers near vote, controversies linger

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her top lieutenants said Thursday that they are close to corralling the 218 votes they need to move forward with comprehensive legislation that would include a version of the public option prized by liberals as a fundamental pillar of reform," the Washington Post reports (Montgomery and Murray, 10/23).

24 Oct 2009

A look at the past and present costs and history of American health care

A couple stories Friday examine just how Americans ended up with a system where employers pick up the tab for health insurance and which groups will end up paying more for health reform.

24 Oct 2009

HHS asked to repeal a rule on notifying consumers when there is a breach of medical records

Consumer Watchdog today called on the Health and Human Services Department to repeal a rule that allows health care providers and insurers to decide whether consumers must be notified when the security of their electronic confidential health information has been breached.

23 Oct 2009