Biotech Week back issues from September 2004:
Recall of Taxus coronary stent system expanded.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s, (ANPI, ANP) corporate partner, Boston Scientific, provided an update on the Taxus Express(2TM) Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System. On July 2 and 16, Boston Scientific announced the voluntary ...
Herpes simplex virus vectors create transgene persistence in motor neurons.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Herpes simplex virus vectors create transgene persistence in motor neurons. According to recent research from England, "the use of viral vectors for gene delivery to motor neurons in vivo has been hampered by the need to perform invasive ...
Company reports unique mechanism of action for cellulite treatment.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Enhance Biotech, Inc., (EBOI), a developer of a portfolio of products focused on lifestyle drugs, has reported the discovery of a combination mechanism of action for the company's anticellulite treatment LI303. The discovery, elucidated ...
Company introduces cloned cats born by new technique.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The first two cats cloned by chromatin transfer (CT), a new cloning technology, are healthy and normal after having been born June 10 and 12, 2004. Genetic Savings & Clone (GSC), a pet-gene banking and cloning company, produced the ...
Study supports use of blood thinners to reduce risk of pulmonary embolism.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Current research supports the use of blood thinners to help acutely ill, hospitalized patients minimize the risk of death from a pulmonary embolism (PE) and its precursor deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, physicians and patients often ...
Pharmaceutical firm loses Aetna contract.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Chronimed, Inc., (CHMD) commented on Aetna's announcement that it will be launching Aetna Specialty Pharmacy with Priority Healthcare. The information provided in the announcement indicated that Aetna's specialty pharmacy business, which ...
Tissue inhibitors of MMPs increased in women with capsular contracture.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study by plastic surgeons, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases are increased in women with capsular contracture after insertion of breast implants. "In various fibrotic diseases, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and ...
Government decides not to intervene and force down AIDS drug price.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The U.S. government refused to override patents on the AIDS drug Norvir, effectively allowing a quintupling of the price to stand despite consumer groups' accusations of price gouging. Patient groups and some members of Congress had ...
New analytical tool evaluates accuracy of continuous glucose monitoring.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Findings published in the August 2004 issue of Diabetes Care indicate that a new analytical tool - the Continuous Glucose Error-Grid Analysis (CG-EGA), created to evaluate the clinical accuracy of continuous glucose monitoring in people with ...
Novel electrode suitable for use in fMRI studies.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel glass-coated carbon fiber electrode is suitable for use in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies. "Recent fMRI studies are of interest in exploring long-range interactions between different brain structures and the ...
Lactating goat mammary glands act as protein synthesis bioreactors.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Lactating goat mammary glands act as protein synthesis bioreactors. According to a study from the Peoples Republic of China, "in order to identify whether the product of a genetically modified or newly isolated eukaryotic gene has ...
Abrin-a A chain from a synthesized gene is catalytically and functionally active.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Abrin-a A chain expressed as soluble form in Escherichia coli from a PCR-synthesized gene is catalytically and functionally active. Scientists in the People's Republic of China report, "Abrin-a A chain (ABRaA) is a potent plant toxin, ...
Study links ACP-104 to improved cognition in schizophrenia patients.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- (415) 318-4214 Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD) announced publication of research linking the mechanism of ACP-104 (N-desmethylclozapine) to the ability of clozapine to improve cognition in patients with schizophrenia. The ...
Aki Watanabe joins board of directors at biotech company.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Acologix, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company, announced the addition of a key member to its team. Aki Watanabe has joined Acologix's board of directors. "Watanabe's broad experience in mergers and acquisitions, financial ...
Ophthalmic device firm to sell Complete Aquavision contact lenses.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., (AMO, AVO) announced plans to sell Complete Aquavision monthly contact lenses in Europe and selected Asia Pacific markets. Through an agreement with CooperVision Limited, a unit of The Cooper Companies ...
Patient enrollment completed clinical trial of AVR118 in patients with AIDS.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Advanced Viral Research Corp. (ADVR) announced that all 30 patients have been enrolled in its phase I/II clinical trial of AVR118 in patients with AIDS, thereby completing patient enrollment in this trial. This phase I/II trial is being ...
Third installment of $3 million dollars received for shares of biopolymer stock.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Advanced Viral Research Corp. (ADVR) has received the third of four $3 million payments from James Dicke II and his son James Dicke III. As announced, on February 3, 2004, ADVR entered into an agreement with the Dickes whereby ADVR ...
Pharmaceutical company reports loss of $0.37 per share.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Advancis Pharmaceutical Corporation (AVNC), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel anti-infective products, announced financial and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. Advancis ...
Health plan introduces migraine management program.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Aetna (AET) announced a new Migraine Management Program designed to help improve the quality of life for Aetna members who suffer from migraine, and to reduce costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. "Twenty ...
Thymus-leukemia antigen acts as tumor-specific antigen.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers are investigating thymus-leukemia antigen (TL) as a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class lb molecule and tumor-specific antigen. According to recent research from Japan, "Mouse thymus-leukemia antigens (TL) belong to ...
Urinary tract infection tests for young children compared.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The accuracy of several widely-used tests for pediatric urinary tract infection (UTI) has been compared. UTI is "a major concern in young febrile children," pediatricians in Ohio explained. "Current recommendations favor use of urine ...
Hemodialysis firm reports loss of $0.22 per share for second quarter.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Aksys, Ltd., (AKSY), a developer of dialysis systems, reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004. For the second fiscal quarter of 2004, Aksys reported revenues of $499,000 compared to revenues of $301,000 for the second ...
Pharmacogenomics can predict a patient's sensitivity or resistance to drugs.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Significant differences in gene expression patterns can guide therapy for a variety of diseases, in addition to cancer. "The discovery of the human genome and subsequent expansion of proteomics research combined with emerging ...
Antibodies to Cryptococcus neoformans infection are nonprotective.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Antibodies produced in response to Cryptococcus neoformans pulmonary infection in mice have characteristics of nonprotective antibodies. According to published research from the United States, "Murine cryptocococcal pulmonary infection ...
Liver-directed cell therapy is expected to augment organ shortages.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Liver-directed cell therapy is expected to augment organ shortages. According to a study from the United States, "Treatment of acute or chronic liver diseases by cell transplantation is an attractive prospect because organ shortages ...
Metabolic syndrome treatment strategies outlined.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A researcher outlines treatment strategies for the metabolic syndrome in a recent issue of American Family Physician. According to a study from the United States, "The constellation of dyslipidemia (hypertriglyceridemia and low levels of ...
Understanding of headaches improves with revised criteria.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Newly revised criteria for diagnosing headaches reflects a better understanding of some disorders and the identification of new ones, according to a new study. The special article is published in the "Views & Reviews" section of the ...
ACE inhibitor use may cause mouth swelling in patients.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Long-term use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, commonly used to manage hypertension, may cause lip and tongue swelling, known as angioedema (AE), in some patients, which can lead to airway compromise. Researchers from ...
Commercial manufacture of synthetic heparin on track after successful scale-up.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Australian biotechnology company Alchemia Limited has successfully completed the large scale synthesis of its synthetic heparin on schedule. The achievement demonstrates that Alchemia's manufacturing process can be scaled up from ...
Biopharmaceutical company announces new member of board of directors.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Alfacell Corporation (ACEL) announced the appointment of K. Ravi Acharya, PhD, to the company's Scientific Advisory Board. Acharya has been collaborating with the Alfacell research team on the structure and function of new drug ...
Brassica juncea prevents development of insulin resistance in rats.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Brassica juncea significantly prevented the development of insulin resistance in rats fed fructose-enriched diet. "Brassica juncea (BJ; Hindi name: Rai) seeds and Murraya koenigii (MK; English names: curry leaves) leaves, used as food ...
Approvable letter issued by FDA for Lumigan.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Allergan, Inc., (AGN) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an approvable letter for its Lumigan timolol combination product for glaucoma (bimatoprost 0.03%/timolol 0.05% ophthalmic solution). An ...
Recombinant factor VIIa doesn't reverse melagatran effects.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) doesn't reverse the antithrombotic effects of melagatran. Scientists in Austria conducted a study to "investigate whether activation of the extrinsic coagulation cascade" by rFVIIa "reverses the ...
Survival benefit for patients with poor-risk CLL receiving sequential HDT.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- There is a survival benefit for patients with poor-risk chronic lymphocytic leukemia receiving sequential high dose therapy. "To assess the therapeutic value of sequential high-dose therapy (SHDT) including autologous stem cell ...
Orphan drug designation granted from U.S. FDA for Efaproxyn.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Allos Therapeutics (ALTH) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) awarded orphan drug status to the company's lead clinical candidate, Efaproxyn (efaproxiral) for use as an adjunct to whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) for the ...
Hybridon licenses key VEGF patents for treatment of ocular diseases.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (ALNY) and Hybridon, Inc., (HBY) announced that they have entered into an agreement providing Alnylam with an exclusive license to Hybridon's rights to target Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) for ocular ...
Pharmaceutical firm reports on IPO, financial results.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (ALNY) reported its consolidated financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. Alnylam is focused on creating a significant and sustainable product pipeline using RNAi to silence genes that are ...
Pharmaceutical firm reports 5% decrease in revenues.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Alpharma, Inc., (ALO), announced diluted earnings per share ("DEPS") of $0.01 for the second quarter of 2004. These results include a previously announced pre-tax impairment charge of $9.5 million ($0.13 DEPS) related to the sale of the ...
Triplex-forming oligonucleotides halt colon carcinoma growth in mice.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Triplex-forming oligonucleotides halt colon carcinoma growth in mice. "We have previously shown that oligonucleotides designed to bind in triplex fashion to a specific p53 binding site homology inhibit the proliferation of colon cancer ...
Pharmaceutical company announces new chief scientific officer.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Altus Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced the promotion of Alexey L. Margolin, PhD, to the newly created position of chief scientific officer. Margolin joined Altus in 1993 and previously held the position of vice president of science. ...
Drosophila RNAi library released.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Ambion, The RNA Company, and Cenix BioScience GmbH announced the launch of a new RNA interference (RNAi) library targeting the Drosophila genome. This Drosophila RNAi library consists of more than 13,000 double-stranded RNA molecules ...
Australian biotech firm reduces annual cash expenditure by 41%.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Ambri Limited (ABI) lodged its June 2004 quarterly Appendix 4c cash report. The net operating cash outflow for the quarter was $ 2.8 million. Including capital expenditure, the net cash outflow for the quarter was $3.0 million. Cash on ...
Dermatology organization appoints executive director.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The board of directors of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has appointed Ronald A. Henrichs, CAE, as the organization's executive director. In his new role, Henrichs will lead the largest medical society representing physicians ...
Group encourages journalists to play role in struggle against obesity.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) advisory board member Cecilia Pozo-Fileti, MS, RD, FADA, issued the following statement in regard to the UNITY 2004 conference: "Obesity has reached epidemic proportions and has serious ...
Public-access defibrillation trial results reaffirm AHA message on AED programs.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Trial results reaffirm the American Heart Association's position that a community-based, comprehensive lay-rescuer program that includes both cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training can save more ...
Device firm reports early physician experience with bladder repair system.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- American Medical Systems Holdings, Inc., (AMMD) announced early feedback from physicians on Perigee, its innovative treatment for cystocele repair. Perigee is the most recent addition to the American Medical Systems portfolio of products ...
Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate approved by FDA.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- American Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc., (APP, APPX) announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate for Injection USP, ...
Wavefront technology helps measure medical need for cataract surgery.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A study published in the August edition of the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery reports that wavefront technology, a new way of measuring how vision is distorted by irregularities in the eye, offers a widely accepted means for corroborating ...
Aranesp receives positive regulatory opinion for extended dosing in E.U.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Amgen Inc. (AMGN) announced that the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion to expand the marketing authorization for Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) in the European Union (E.U.). The ...
Mimpara receives positive regulatory opinion for approval in Europe.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Amgen Inc. (AMGN) announced that the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion to approve marketing authorization for Mimpara (cinacalcet HCl) in the European Union (E.U.) for the treatment of ...
Pharmaceutical firm reports loss of $0.42 per share.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (AMLN) reported a net loss of $39.4 million, or $0.42 per share, for the 3 months ended June 30, 2004, compared to a net loss of $37.2 million, or $0.40 per share, for the same period in 2003. For the 6 ...
Company renames laser venous system.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- AngioDynamics, Inc., (ANGO) announced that it is changing the name of its endovascular laser venous system to VenaCure Laser Vein Treatment. VenaCure is a minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of severe varicose veins. The ...
Phase I trial to study AT1001 for the treatment of Fabry disease.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Amicus Therapeutics, Inc., has initiated a phase I clinical trial with its first clinical candidate, AT1001, for the treatment of Fabry disease. "Fabry disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of alpha-galactosidase ...
Therapeutics manufacturer reports 89% revenue increase in second quarter.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Anika Therapeutics, Inc., (ANIK) reported that revenue for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004, increased 89% to $6,262,000 from $3,318,000 in the second quarter of 2003. The company posted net income of $765,000, or $.07 per diluted ...
Study: Therapy cuts diabetic ulcer rate by 79%.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Anodyne Therapy, LLC, announced the publication of a fifth peer-reviewed clinical study demonstrating restoration of sensation in the feet of patients with peripheral neuropathy. The purpose of the study was to measure improvements in ...
Vision system launched for use with human growth hormone in Japan.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Antares Pharma, Inc., (ANTR) announced that its Japanese licensee, JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., of Ashiya, Japan, has launched the Twin-Jector EZ II, a new product that combines Antares Pharma's Vision needle-free injection technology with JCR's ...
Fisher Scientific completes merger.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Fisher Scientific International, Inc., (FSH) has completed its approximately $4.0 billion merger with Apogent Technologies, Inc., (formerly trading as AOT), providing Fisher Scientific with a $1.1 billion footprint in the high-growth life-science ...
Celera announces clinical milestone payment from Merck.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Celera Genomics Group (CRA), an Applera Corp. business, announced receipt of a milestone payment from Merck & Co., Inc., (MRK) under the Cathepsin K inhibitor collaboration agreement between the companies. This payment recognizes Merck's ...
Firm releases 20M genotypes in new version of free SNP selection tool.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Applied Biosystems (ABI), an Applera Corporation business, announced the release of the new version of its freely available SNPbrowser Software tool that includes data on 20 million genotypes obtained from 160,000 SNPs typed on 180 individuals ...
DNA-based security firm joins alliance.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Peter Brocklesby, president of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., (APDN), announced that ADNAS has joined the InteGuard Alliance. The InteGuard Alliance was formed by GTSI to collaborate in the joint development and implementation of ...
Ariol 2.0 launched as next-generation cellular imaging system.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Applied Imaging Corp. (AICX) announced the release of Ariol 2.0, the latest generation of its Ariol imaging analysis system. Ariol 2.0 combines screening for genetic abnormalities and protein expression in a single instrumentation ...
EAU signs joint venture agreement for drinking water product.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Electric Aquagenics Unlimited, Inc., (EAQU) (EAU), a developer of nontoxic products using water electrolysis that disinfect, sanitize, and clean surfaces and foods, announced it signed a joint venture agreement with Aquagen International, Inc., ...
Biopharmaceutical company names vice president of business development.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Archemix Corp. announced the appointment of Augustine Yee as vice president, business development. Yee will have responsibility for establishing, directing and implementing the company's business development activities. ...
Clinical trial to study anticoagulant for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Archemix Corp. and Nuvelo, Inc., (NUVO) announced the commencement of dosing in a phase I clinical trial of ARC183, an anti-thrombin aptamer that is being developed as an anticoagulant/anti-thrombotic for potential use in coronary artery bypass ...
Biopharmaceutical company achieves $3M milestone in cardiovascular collaboration.
Sep 01, 2004 ... 2004 SEP 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced the achievement of a $3 million milestone from Merck & Co., Inc., for assay development under their cardiovascular collaboration. In October 2002, Arena and Merck entered into a collaboration ...