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World Heart, LaunchPoint Technologies sign license agreements

World Heart Corporation (WorldHeart) announced today that it has finalized assignment and exclusive license agreements with LaunchPoint Technologies Inc., (LPT) Goleta, California, and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for its next-generation minimally invasive blood pump, the MiVAD. The MiVAD(TM) is designed to provide partial cardiac support between 2-4 liters per minute to less sick heart failure patients than those served by existing full-support Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs).

17 Nov 2009

GlaxoSmithKline and bioMerieux to develop predictive test for breast cancer treatments

bioMerieux has signed an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline to develop a predictive test to help clinicians select the most appropriate treatment for different segments of breast cancer patients.

17 Nov 2009

Also in global health news: Global corruption; HIV vaccine; smoking; DRC aid

A new report from Transparency International says the fight against corruption worldwide is slowing as urgency to address the global economic downturn recedes, Bloomberg reports.

17 Nov 2009

Dem leaders target Dec. 18; Senators offer health reform insights

Politico: "Senate and House leaders are hoping to close up shop for the year by Dec. 18, even though neither chamber has figured out the end game for health care reform and must-pass appropriations bills." House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Tuesday that both he and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., are targeting that day 18 as "a last day for this session of Congress."

17 Nov 2009

ProVation MD software chosen for cardiology procedure documentation at Creighton University Medical Center

Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information for healthcare professionals and students, announced today that Creighton University Medical Center has selected ProVation® MD software for Cardiology procedure documentation and coding. The software will be used to document and code catheterization cases at The Cardiac Center of Creighton University.

17 Nov 2009

Abbott and BG Medicine announce a development and commercialization agreement for galectin-3 biomarker

Abbott and BG Medicine, Inc. today announced a development and commercialization agreement for galectin-3, a novel biomarker that may play a role in detecting the development and progression of heart failure. The assay will be developed for Abbott's ARCHITECT immunochemistry instrument platform, specifically the company's i1000SR and i2000SR instruments. The agreement grants Abbott a license to BG Medicine's intellectual property related to galectin-3.

17 Nov 2009

Medicare doctor payment "fix" could slip, jeopardizing AMA support for health reform

The American Medical Association backed the House Democrats' reform bill earlier this month, at a time when it appeared likely lawmakers would move to permanently end looming cuts to doctors' Medicare payments that Congress defers from year to year, Politico reports.

17 Nov 2009

Polls find deep divisions on health care reform, support for taxing rich

As the Senate prepares to take up legislation aimed at overhauling the nation's health-care system, President Obama and the Democrats are still struggling to win the battle for public opinion. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows Americans deeply divided over the proposals under consideration and majorities predicting higher costs ahead. But Republican opponents have done little better in rallying the public opposition to kill the reform effort.

17 Nov 2009

Senate Democrats wait for CBO score, work to hold onto votes

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is planning a "key test vote by the end of the week" on a health reform bill, according to Senate aides, Politico reports. "The vote on a motion to proceed to the bill could come as early as Friday, teeing up the amendment process to begin after the Thanksgiving break." Reid may keep the Senate in session over the weekend (Budoff Brown, 11/17).

17 Nov 2009

Effect of abortion restrictions in health bill may be less than advocates fear

Despite widespread debate, abortion restrictions in the House health reform bill could affect only a small number of women. Meanwhile, Catholic bishops weigh into the debate and abortion rights group plan a rally to contest the restrictions.

17 Nov 2009

Technology to help elderly people stay healthy at home

In a collaboration between Kaiser Health News and The Washington Post, Elizabeth Olson writes about how emerging technology is helping older people stay in their homes and can, in some instances, offer mechanisms to improve patient outcomes and reduce health care costs.

17 Nov 2009

Advanced BioHealing commences efficacy trial of Dermagraft in the treatment of VLUs

Advanced BioHealing, Inc. (ABH), a leader in commercializing the promise of regenerative medicine, announced that it has initiated a pivotal trial of Dermagraft® in subjects with venous leg ulcers (DEVO-Trial) to assess the product’s safety and efficacy in the promotion of healing venous leg ulcers (VLUs). Dermagraft is a bio-engineered skin substitute that assists in restoring damaged tissue and supports the body’s natural healing process.

17 Nov 2009

KHN column: Is fear of flu shifting the goal posts?

"If any public health message has alarmed Americans in recent weeks, it is the repeated claim in the media that healthy young people are dying of 2009 H1N1, or swine flu. ... The response has been predictable: frantic parents clogging waiting rooms in pediatricians' offices, lining up for hours to get their kids vaccinated, and rushing to fill prescriptions for anti-viral drugs before the local pharmacy runs out" (11/17).

17 Nov 2009

Genzyme and Isis Pharmaceuticals announce phase 3 study data of mipomersen

Genzyme Corp. and Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that data from the phase 3 study of mipomersen in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (hoFH) were presented today at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions.

17 Nov 2009

White House deal with drug makers may be unraveling

"Congressional Democrats' intensifying efforts to pay for their healthcare overhaul and provide more relief for consumers are threatening to unravel a White House deal with the pharmaceutical industry and turn one of Washington's most powerful lobbies against the legislation," the Los Angeles Times reports.

17 Nov 2009

Today's selection of opinions and editorials

Why One Democrat Voted No On Health Bill The Philadelphia Inquirer After months of debate over reforming the health-care system, I decided to vote against the bill that the House of Representatives passed a little more than a week ago. I did not come to this decision lightly (Rep. John Adler, D-Penn., 11/17).

17 Nov 2009

Capsugel to have exclusive rights to Appian Labs' AppiForm Modular Release System technology

Appian Labs, LLC, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in advanced therapeutic design and delivery, has announced an exclusive Development and Commercial License Agreement for the company’s AppiForm™ Modular Release System with Capsugel, the world's leading provider of dosage form solutions to the pharmaceutical and related healthcare industries. The agreement provides for Capsugel to utilize the AppiForm Modular Release System for customizable drug delivery profiles.

17 Nov 2009

Business opponents of health overhaul ramp up advertising

"Business foes of health care overhaul legislation are outspending supporters at a rate of 2-to-1 for TV ads as they grow increasingly nervous over a final bill," The Associated Press reports.

17 Nov 2009

Study finds uninsured trauma patients much more likely to die in ER

"Uninsured patients with traumatic injuries, such as car crashes, falls and gunshot wounds, were almost twice as likely to die in the hospital as similarly injured patients with health insurance, according to a troubling new study," The Associated Press reports. "The findings by Harvard University researchers surprised doctors and health experts who have believed emergency room care was equitable."

17 Nov 2009

Alkermes commences phase 2 study of ALKS 33 in patients with alcohol dependence

Alkermes, Inc. today announced the initiation of a phase 2 clinical study of ALKS 33, an investigational oral opioid modulator for the potential treatment of alcohol dependence and other central nervous system disorders. The study will assess the safety and efficacy of multiple doses of ALKS 33 in patients with alcohol dependence and is designed to further define the clinical profile of ALKS 33.

17 Nov 2009