Biotech Business Week

Finance - U.S.$10M debt financing provided to Labopharm subsidiary

Financing - Gene expression analysis systems developer raises series A financing

Financing - Stabilized rice bran company receives 1-year extension on loan

Gastroenterology - Immunosuppressive drugs in inflammatory bowel diseases assessed

Generic Drugs - Company extends line with Clotrimazole & Betamethasone Dipropionate Lotion

Generic Drugs - Expiring patent drugs may lose 80% share when generics hit market, study shows

Generic Drugs - Pharma company gains approval to market Metformin XL Tablets

Generic Drugs - Pharma company receives tentative approval for Zidovudine Tablets

Genetics & Genomics - Genomics company acquires 18% stake in German company

Genetics & Genomics - Research study examines gene therapy markets

Grants - $15 Million global health grant awarded to U of Washington for diagnostic device

Grants - Michigan U health system receives $10 million NIA grant for Alzheimer research

HIV/AIDS Prevention - Key Club International, U.S. funders use soccer to kick HIV/AIDS out of Kenya

HIV/AIDS Vaccine - Cross-reactivity of anti-HIV immune responses of major HIV-1 clades reported

Headache and Migraine - Group sequential, adaptive design effective for migraine trial

Headache and Migraine - Medical technology company completes enrollment in migraine study

Health Promotion - Doctors voice support for legislation on indoor tanning equipment

Healthcare Access - Indiana residents making use of prescription assistance clearinghouse

Healthcare Costs - Former HHS secretary to chair preventive healthcare cost reduction committee

Healthcare Coverage - Diversified financial services company to purchase equity position in First HSA

Healthcare Coverage - Prescription drug assistance program opens Iowa chapter

Healthcare Coverage - Research examines trends in health savings accounts

Heart Devices - Airline selects AEDs for deployment at headquarters, ground facilities

Heart Failure - U.S. IDE approval granted to initiate COMPETENT pilot study

Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease - Company gets go-ahead for phase III clinical trials with Defibrotide

Hepatitis C - Pharma company provides update on hepatitis C virus R&D pipeline

Hepatitis C Virus - Agreement signed for celgosivir hepatitis C drug in phase 2 clinical development

Imaging - Company reports progress in ComfortScan clinical trial

Imaging - New Jersey orthopedic group selects digital radiography system

Infectious Diseases - Anti-infectives-focused company provides corporate update

Influenza - Company reduces supply expectations for BEGRIVAC flu vaccine to non-U.S. markets

Influenza - Type 1 effector T cells studied, nature of response to infection clarified

Influenza Vaccine - Flu vaccine granted fast track status by U.S. FDA

Information Technology - Atlanta cardiac care center selects cardiology information system

Information Technology - CR Toolkit now available under SAS Version 9.1.3

Information Technology - Chemical informatics system for data management launched at Schering AG

Information Technology - Collaboration formed to help health providers optimize information systems

Information Technology - Georgia health system to install human resources software

Information Technology - Georgia medical center named one of Most Wired hospitals for sixth year by AHA

Information Technology - Health information management solution product suite sales strong

Information Technology - Health organization selects unified messaging and voice recognition technology

Information Technology - Healthcare IT event highlights PACS

Information Technology - Healthcare software systems company partners to extend prescribing functions

Information Technology - IT companies partner to provide mobile computing systems to regulated industries

Information Technology - IT systems company to provide pharmacy benefits services to Medicaid program

Information Technology - Joint project measures adoption and utilization of technology in coding

Information Technology - LabSmart software audit package launched

Information Technology - Life sciences company launches online resource for nutrition research products

Information Technology - Medical center named most wired hospital in US

Information Technology - Medicare products provider picks call center support company for customer care

Information Technology - Mobile references provider makes online application of MyPyramid available free

Information Technology - New oral cancer risk assessment tool added to information suite

Information Technology - Pharma company selects regulatory compliance software

Information Technology - Portable medical records fits in the palm of your hand from Dx-PRN

Information Technology - Relationship expert helps young adults online

Information Technology - Software to support hospital admissions during catastrophic events launched

Information Technology - Texas hospital selects company to help reduce healthcare costs

Information Technology - Transactions convergence project receives endorsement from state consortium

Information Technology - U. of New Mexico, UNM Health Sciences Center standardize software systems

Information Technology - U.S. FDA grants approval of software for remote patient monitoring

Information Technology - UCLA Medical Group adopts web-based software to automate managed care functions

Injury Prevention - First aid products manufacturer works to raise consciousness of sports safety

Insomnia Therapy - Eszopiclone safe and effective in elderly patients

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - Immune responses to hsp60 epitopes in juvenile idiopathic arthritis published

Kidney Disease - Demonstration project to help Medicare beneficiaries with kidney disease

Kyphoplasty - Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty study update presented at conference

Lung Cancer - New data show treating lung cancer patients preoperatively may improve outcomes

Lung Cancer - Patient treated with platinum therapy in small cell lung cancer clinical trial

Lung Cancer - Positive clinical data from combination regimens in lung cancer therapy reported

Lung Cancer - Results of preclinical lung cancer study in mice reported

Market Analysis - Authorized generics pave the way for lifecycle management

Market Analysis - Novartis retains number one rank with managed care executives

Marketing - Cardiac rapid diagnostics technology shows positive market acceptance

Marketing - Independent testing to support safety marks for nanoarray system complete

Marketing - Marketing rights to CollaRx Gentamicin Surgical Implant acquired

Marketing - Report: Competitive positioning critical factor in oncology resource allocation

Medicaid - Healthcare company tentatively awarded Medicaid contract in Texas

Medical Devices - 510(k) submitted to U.S. FDA for resorbable cement restrictor product in US

Medical Devices - Dual-top mini orthodontic titanium screws launched in North America

Medical Devices - Eye exercise device launched by specialty retailer

Medical Devices - Investigative device exemption application submitted for arterial closure device

Medical Devices - Medical device company launches endovascular technology in China

Medical Devices - Study conducted to show potential benefits of cardioscan system

Medical Devices - Test data from near infra-red spectroscopy technology to be presented

Medical Devices - U.S. FDA grants clearance for osteoinductive bone matrix putty

Medicare - Medicare partnership to launch grassroots education campaign

Medicare - Seniors get more cholesterol screenings with new Medicare reimbursement levels

Medicare - U.S. CMS opens National Coverage Determination for Microvolt T-Wave Alternans

Melanoma - Curcumin blocks growth of melanoma in lab test

Melanoma - Study shows sunscreen use in children may lower risk of future skin cancer

Menopause - Gel reduces hot flashes in menopausal women

Mental Health - Association opposes changes to access to medications for mental illness

Mental Health - Grant to increase capacity of Vermont mental health treatment services

Mergers & Acquisitions - Acquisition of Salmedix completed

Mergers & Acquisitions - Antibody maker acquires Stressgen Bioreagents

Mergers & Acquisitions - Biotechnology device company announces intention to acquire Surgica Corporation

Mergers & Acquisitions - Company announces stockholder approval of merger with GlaxoSmithKline

Mergers & Acquisitions - Dialysis services company acquires apheresis program

Mergers & Acquisitions - Distributor to be acquired by McKesson

Mergers & Acquisitions - European Commission grants unconditional approval for Celanese to acquire firm

Mergers & Acquisitions - Final purchase agreement to buy Fournier Pharma finalized for 100% of company

Mergers & Acquisitions - Health insurance company announces merger with PacifiCare Health Systems Inc.

Mergers & Acquisitions - Health insurance company announces merging with Neighborhood Health Partnership

Mergers & Acquisitions - Healthcare cost management firm acquires healthcare information company

Mergers & Acquisitions - Healthcare services company to acquire pharmaceutical distributor

Mergers & Acquisitions - Maternal and neonatal health company expands services in Florida

Mergers & Acquisitions - Medical devices company announces acquisition of Medimop Medical Projects Ltd.

Mergers & Acquisitions - Medical education media firm makes progress on merger with additional network

Mergers & Acquisitions - Orthopedics company acquires StayFuse product line

Mergers & Acquisitions - Pharma company signs purchase agreement with Guangdong Medicine Group

Mergers & Acquisitions - Pharma firm signs deal for sale of U.S., Canadian consumer medicines business

Mergers & Acquisitions - Pharmaceutical company caring for the elderly to acquire excelleRx

Mergers & Acquisitions - Privately held U.K. biotechnology company Ionix Pharmaceuticals acquired

Mergers & Acquisitions - Refractive, cataract surgery company buys Pennsylvania based Kremer Laser Eye

Mergers & Acquisitions - Registration statement for acquisition of Accredo Health declared effective

Mergers & Acquisitions - Report: Healthcare M&A market heats up and VC funding keeps flowing

Mergers & Acquisitions - Scientific and technical electronics company to acquire NovAseptic AB

Mergers & Acquisitions - Support company for people with special needs acquires assets of On-Call Plus

Mergers & Acquisitions - Surgical device maker acquires Seattle Systems

Mergers & Acquisitions - TEMM subsidiary buys 21 skilled nursing, 4 rehab facilities in Kentucky

Mergers & Acquisitions - Valleylab division buys developing microwave ablation company Vivant Medical

Multiple Myeloma - Phase I clinical trial of IPI-504 initiated for multiple myeloma

Multiple Sclerosis - Phase II clinical trial initiated in patients with multiple sclerosis

Nanotechnology - Distribution rights acquired for first nanotech-based anti-bacterial spray

Neuroscience - Anti-Hu paraneoplastic syndrome presented as cranial nerve palsies

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - Canada approves Tarceva as treatment for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - Journal publishes report on Tarceva trial

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - Pivotal phase III Tarceva study published in journal

Nosocomial Infections - Penn report on hospital-acquired infections released

Nosocomial Infections - Staph compound immunogenicity study in cardiac patients meets primary endpoints

Obesity Education - FPA comments on call for obesity warning labels, soft-drink targeted messages

Obesity Surgery - Benefits of minimally invasive bariatric surgeries for obesity weighed

Obesity Therapy - Melanin-concentrating hormone 1 receptor antagonist fights obesity

Oral Health - Experts report that dental x-rays effectively identify stroke risk factors

Osteopenia - Clinical trial shows promise with nitric oxide-donating compound in bone disease

Osteoporosis - PREOS new drug application accepted for review by U.S. FDA

Overactive Bladder - Company acquires U.S. rights to SANCTURA

Pain Management - Licensing agreement made to investigate opioid analgesics in pain treatment

Pain Management - Novel vanilloid receptor antagonist has antinociceptive effects

Pain Medicine - European phase II/III study of Dyloject meets primary endpoint

Patents - ACE System developer strengthens IP estate with four new patents

Patents - Biotech company strengthens patent portfolio on neuregulins products

Patents - Blood volume expander developer announces new patent in China

Patents - Company announces settlement, license agreement with Georgetown

Patents - European patent granted for Thymosin beta 4 wound-healing technology

Patents - Federal jury rules against ACell in patent infringement verdict

Patents - Medical device company receives patent for hemodiafiltration delivery module

Patents - Medical device maker acquires U.S. patents

Patents - Patent issued for SPY Intra-operative Imaging System

Patents - Pharmaceutical company issued U.S. drug delivery system patent

Patents - Two patent applications filed on stem cell devices

Patents - U.K. patents granted covering siRNAs targeting VEGF and HCV

Patents - U.S. Patent issued for ultrasonics-assisted transdermal drug delivery technology

Patents - U.S. patent granted for detecting nucleic acids

Patents - U.S. patent granted for manufacture of HPV-related disease and cancer product

Patients - Medical device firm's intellectual property portfolio expands to 140

Pediatric Obesity - Pediatricians' poll shows decrease in unstructured play, increase in overweight

Peripheral Arterial Disease - Brazil patients receive paclitaxel-coated stent for peripheral arterial disease

Personnel - Bioinformatics solutions provider appoints new U.S. sales manager

Personnel - Biopharma firm names Steve Thornton to board of directors

Personnel - Biotech company adds to executive management team

Personnel - Biotech company announces addition of chief financial officer

Personnel - Biotech company appoints Simcha Edell as chief financial officer

Personnel - Biotech company names Stephen Grant chief medical officer

Personnel - Biotechnology company names members to board of directors

Personnel - Cardiovascular surgery device manufacturer establishes board of advisors

Personnel - Chemical company elects member to board of directors

Personnel - Chuck Chukwumerije, PhD, named VP, quality assurance, by pharmaceutical company

Personnel - Claire M. Fraser, PhD, named to National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity

Personnel - Consulting company names healthcare sector lead

Personnel - Contract research organization appoints executive officer

Personnel - DNA-based diagnostics company names Trevor L. Hawkins to board of directors

Personnel - Donald Broomfield named new president and CEO of imaging company

Personnel - Douglas Liu named president global operations

Personnel - Dr. Shahzad Malik named to board of directors of immune-focused company

Personnel - Earpiece maker appoints securities analyst Peter Brennan to board of directors

Personnel - Former RiceTec exec named president of livestock genomics company

Personnel - Gene therapy company adds John Walker to board of directors

Personnel - Health care company announces retirement of executive vice president

Personnel - Hospice services provider appoints Jon M. Donnell to board of directors

Personnel - Hospital transport provider appoints executive to board of directors

Personnel - Human Genome Sciences names Barry A. Labinger executive VP and CCO

Personnel - Ilan B. David, PhD, named VP, new business development, by aesthetics company

Personnel - Imaging company names Steven Durnil president and CEO, succeeding Harris Ravine

Personnel - Imaging products developer strengthens management team

Personnel - Informatics company recruits healthcare industry veterans

Personnel - Jane M. Nani, MD, joins endocrinologists at Illinois fertility centers

Personnel - Jerald S. Schindler named president, research unit, by clinical software company

Personnel - Joanna Horobin appointed chief executive officer by oncology-focused company

Personnel - John J. Hamre, PhD, elected to research, engineering company board of directors

Personnel - John J. Reddington named COO of cardiovascular therapies-focused company

Personnel - Kenneth L. Rice Jr. named chief financial officer at biotech firm

Personnel - Mark G. Mindell named VP, human resources, by imaging devices company

Personnel - Medical device company names president and chief operating officer

Personnel - Medical device firm announces sales force expansion

Personnel - Medical equipment provider appoints copresident

Personnel - Medical waste company appoints sales representative

Personnel - Nanoscale instruments provider promotes Jeannine Sargent to EVP, GM position

Personnel - Nutritional supplements firm names VP of organizational development

Personnel - Pharma company announces retirement of senior manager

Personnel - Pharma company appoints business development manager

Personnel - Pharma company appoints member to board of directors

Personnel - Pharma company appoints new board member

Personnel - Pharma company appoints senior director of clinical development

Personnel - Pharma marketing services provider names business development executives

Personnel - Pharmaceutical company announces resignation of president

Personnel - Pharmaceutical company makes board appointment

Personnel - Pharmaceutical company strengthens senior leadership team

Personnel - Pharmaceutical development company announces resignation of CEO

Personnel - PrognostiX names new CEO

Personnel - Ramon W. Mohanlal named chief medical officer at Interleukin Genetics

Personnel - William C. Henning named CEO of acute care facility Centennial Medical Center

Pharmaceutical Research - Research shows pharma companies using clinical results to drive marketing

Pharmaceutical Research - Research study examines how to win investigators in a competitive market

Pharmaceutical Research - Study examines pharma resource allocation from preclinical to phase III

Philanthropy - Production company launches child survival impact campaign

Physiology - Reduction of ferricytochrome c analyzed, tyrosyltyrosylphenylalanine implicated

Preventive Medicine - Drug companies become charter advertisers with African American Medical Network

Product Licensing - Company inks licensing agreement for use of MediVas technology

Product Licensing - Diagnostics firm granted license for real-time PCR patents

Product Licensing - Flourocarbon-based oxygen delivery technology sublicensed to ImaRx Therapeutics

Product Licensing - Medical devices companies collaborate on drug eluting stent development

Product Licensing - StemCells, Inc., gains access to human stem cell immortalization technology

Product Licensing - Topical treatment for radiation dermatitis licensed in Portugal and Brazil

Prostate Cancer - CMS adds cryosurgical ablation of prostate to Medicare covered procedures list

Prostate Cancer - Enrollment complete in trial of therapy for androgen-independent prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer - Scientists experiment with compound as treatment for prostate cancer

Protein Expression - Germinating Arabidopsis seeds studied, patterns of protein oxidation defined

Proteomics - Biochemical company introduces new antibody array for protein kinase expression

Proteomics - Method for analyzing protein phosphorylation cell status introduced

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Bosentan in pulmonary arterial hypertension study useful for Eisenmenger

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - Company announces PDUFA date for Thelin NDA

Quality Assurance - Florida university pain center gets guidance in applying for JCAHO accreditation

RNA Research - Single screen, ready-to-transfect siRNA libraries launched

Rabies - Company announces human monoclonal antibody combination against rabies

Sleep Apnea - Researchers investigate pharma treatments for sleep apnea

Staffing - Pharmaceutical companies better served by in-house staffing, not outsourcing

Stem Cell Research - Committee approves stem cell policy enhancements

Stem Cell Research - Company acquires rights to new stem cells and placenta products

Stem Cell Research - Dr. Robert Lanza testifies before Senate subcommittee

Stem Cell Transplantation - Society unveils coloring book to help children receiving stem cell transplants

Stroke - Partnership to develop and market Desmoteplase

Surgical Technology - CE Mark approval granted for polymer-free drug-eluting stent for cardiology

Surgical Technology - Medical technology company commercially releases thoracic stent graft system

Surgical Technology - Paper on cardiovascular monitoring technology for horses released

Tobacco Use - Researchers report discovery of molecular basis of nicotine dependence

Type 2 Diabetes - Takeda acquires rights to DPP4 inhibitors formerly granted to services provider

Urology - Laser-resistant uretero-reno-fiberscope introduced at urological meeting

Vaccine Development - Pharma company receives grant to develop thermostable vaccines

Vaccine Development - U of Saskatchewan offered $5.6 million for research into vaccines for newborns

Venous Thromboembolic Events - EC okays new use of Arixtra for prevention of VTE in abdominal surgery