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Freie Universität professor receives ERC grant for bacterial biofilm formation study

Prof. Dr. Regine Hengge at the Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy at Freie Universität Berlin has been awarded funding from the European Research Council (ERC) for her research project to investigate the formation of bacterial biofilms. Hengge will receive an ERC Advanced Investigator Grant in an amount of up to two million euros.

15 Dec 2009

Alvogen establishes operations in Asia and opens an office in Shanghai

Alvogen, Inc. (Alvogen), the U.S.-based pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has established operations in Asia and has opened an office in Shanghai, China that will lead efforts to commercialize the company’s products in the country.

15 Dec 2009

Supplements boost immune system and offer protection against seasonal flu

Accompanied by a chorus of coughs and sniffles, the winter season has arrived. "Protecting your health during this year's winter season should be a top priority for people," said Tom Tolworthy, CEO and Chief Health Enthusiast for The Vitamin Shoppe. "Many of our customers are being proactive in boosting their immune systems this time of year."

15 Dec 2009

PPI announces new Exotec Cubital Tunnel Splint

When staff from a leading orthopaedic group grew tired of struggling to apply the difficult to adjust and uncomfortable cubital tunnel splints available on the market, they enlisted Professional Products, Inc. (PPI) to develop a superior alternative. PPI, a leader and innovator in orthopaedic solutions for nearly five decades, responded with the revolutionary Exotec Cubital Tunnel Splint(TM) (cubitaltunnelsplint.com), which it announced today.

15 Dec 2009

RORalpha protein revealed as an essential regulator of inflammatory factors

How do the brain cells called astrocytes ensure the protection of neurons? By studying the protagonists in the protection and satisfactory functioning of neurons, scientists at the Laboratoire Neurobiologie des Processus Adaptatifs (CNRS/UPMC) have found a mechanism that clarifies the role of astrocytes.

15 Dec 2009

Lee Enterprises cancels health coverage for retirees

In an act of corporate greed, Lee Enterprises, owner of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other newspapers, is canceling company-paid health insurance for scores of retirees, the Newspaper Guild of St. Louis announced today. Retirees will protest outside the Post-Dispatch building, 900 North Tucker Boulevard, in downtown St. Louis, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15.

15 Dec 2009

Mitrionics' Accelerated Computing Platform selected by QUT for accelerating algorithms

Mitrionics AB, the technology leader in FPGA-based hybrid computing, today announced that the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) High Performance Computing group has selected the Mitrion™ Accelerated Computing Platform to explore several projects designed to accelerate algorithms in different application areas.

15 Dec 2009

Florida doctor performs new, effective treatment for sinusitis

Local physician William Laskowski, MD has become the first doctor in Florida to perform an effective new treatment for sinusitis called FinESS® Sinus Treatment in an office setting. FinESS® (Entellus Medical, Maple Grove, MN) is a balloon sinuplasty option that is less-invasive than traditional sinus surgery and breaks the cycle of chronic or recurrent sinusitis with immediate relief and lasting results.

15 Dec 2009

Medline, 3M reach an amicable agreement over surgical hand cleaner allegations

Medline Industries, Inc., based in Mundelein, Illinois, and 3M Company, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, announced today that they have amicably reached an agreement resolving all claims between them based on allegations that each company made false claims in advertising promoting their respective surgical hand cleaners, Medline’s Sterillium® Rub and 3M’s Avagard™ Surgical Hand Antiseptic.

15 Dec 2009

Ethanol can worsen global health problems

Ethanol, often promoted as a clean-burning, renewable fuel that could help wean the nation from oil, would likely worsen health problems caused by ozone, compared with gasoline, especially in winter, according to a new study led by Stanford researchers.

15 Dec 2009

Retrospective study demonstrates new survival data for patients with myelofibrosis

A recent study, published in the December issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, demonstrates new survival data for the blood disorder myelofibrosis. This retrospective study is the largest ever conducted in young patients with primary myelofibrosis.

15 Dec 2009

Haemonetics alleges continued patent infringement by Fenwal, files a new lawsuit

Haemonetics Corporation announced today that it has filed a new legal action to stop Fenwal Inc.'s continued patent infringement resulting from Fenwal's just released red cell collection kits, using a modified separation chamber. Fenwal allegedly modified its separation chamber to circumvent Haemonetics' patent and the injunction entered by the Court prohibiting Fenwal's continued sale of infringing products after December 1, 2010.

15 Dec 2009

New study to help researchers develop highly effective drug for MLL

A new study could point the way to the development of better drugs to fight a deadly form of childhood leukemia called mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL).

15 Dec 2009

OU lab completes studies on new type of training technique

Bemben's lab at the university is currently only one of four labs outside of Japan that has been working with the KAATSU-Master training system, testing the effectiveness of reducing blood flow to exercising muscle.

15 Dec 2009

Seattle Genetics announces collaboration to globally develop and commercialize brentuximab vedotin

Seattle Genetics, Inc. and Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company with its parent company Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited today jointly announced that Seattle Genetics and Millennium have entered into an agreement to globally develop and commercialize brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35).

15 Dec 2009

SNFs in Ohio make major changes in operations and services to deal with Medicaid bed tax

Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in Ohio are making major changes in operations and services in order to deal with a 92 percent increase in the state-imposed Medicaid bed tax (franchise permit fee) from $6.25 to $12.01 per bed per day, scheduled for December 15.

15 Dec 2009

Findings raise new hope for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A new study involving data from more than 20,000 individuals has uncovered several DNA sequences linked to impaired pulmonary function. The research, an analysis that combined the results of several smaller studies, provides insight into the mechanisms involved in reaching full lung capacity.

15 Dec 2009

Tech Rx Transformation Contest launched by CDW Healthcare and Cerner

CDW Healthcare, part of the public sector subsidiary of CDW Corporation, and Cerner Corporation, a global provider of healthcare solutions, today announced the launch of the Tech Rx Transformation Contest, which offers physician practices nationwide the opportunity to receive an end-to-end electronic health record (EHR) solution valued at up to $50,000.

15 Dec 2009

Molecular Partners closes its CHF 46 million Series B equity investment round

Molecular Partners AG, a pioneer in the development of DARPins as next generation protein therapeutics, has announced the closing of its Series B equity investment round securing CHF 46 million (€ 30 million, $ 45 million).

15 Dec 2009

Beneficiaries may need to pay coinsurance for orally delivered oncology drugs, says new report

HealthLeaders-InterStudy and Fingertip Formulary find that over the next five years, a greater percentage of health plans will transition orally delivered oncology drugs from a copayment structure to a reimbursement model that incorporates a coinsurance payment, thereby shifting more costs onto patients. Copayments represent a set dollar amount associated with a pharmacy benefit while coinsurance represents a percentage of cost that must be paid by the beneficiary.

15 Dec 2009