Law and Health Weekly

Gene Research - Genetically altered cells may help artificial skin fight infection

Gene Research - New study sheds light on dark states in DNA

Gene Research - The accuracy of a gene expression test for heart transplant patients is confirmed

Generic Drugs - Mylan's levothyroxine sodium tablets USP approved as generic equivalent to Levothroid

Genetics & Genomics - First prion-free cows reported in Nature Biotechnology

Geriatrics - New York-based geriatric center staff train in specialized dementia care under state grant

Health Promotion - DSM Nutritional Products reports benefits of eating fish outweigh risks

Healthcare Access - Quality improvement strategies for public health agencies is to be explored in 10 States

Healthcare Costs - AARP applauds Medicare's decision to eliminate late-fees

Healthcare Costs - Better review of new technology is needed to balance benefits with health care cost impact

Healthcare Costs - Health care cost-containment strategies are working for consumers, seniors and taxpayers

Healthcare Costs - Health savings accounts not being utilized by consumers, Vimo report indicates

Healthcare Costs - Nearly 40 % of U.S. workers experience fatigue, costing employers billions

Healthcare Costs - Study finds major variation in Medicare Rx drug costs

Healthcare Coverage - Healthways' contract with Blue Shield of California expanded

Healthcare Coverage - Healthways, Saint Mary's Health Plans extend partnership through 2010

Healthcare Coverage - Independence Blue Cross waives copayments for generic drugs through March 31, 2007

Healthcare Coverage - PacifiCare plan combines HMO coverage with bilingual support services

Healthcare Coverage - Study finds 87% of health insurance claims are lifestyle related

Hearing Loss - Sound Pharmaceuticals announces completion of its phase 1 clinical trial for SPI-1005

Heart Disease - Cytori to begin stem cell trial for heart disease

Heart Failure - Defibrillator study shows benefits of dual-chamber pacing

Hemorrhage Control - HemCon receives CE marking for ChitoFlex hemorrhage control bandage

HIV/AIDS Research - New HIV test may predict drug resistance

HIV/AIDS Research - Study finds limited options for backup HIV treatment in some developing countries

HIV/AIDS Therapy - AIDS Foundation says pharma should pay tab for patients on AIDS drug wait list

HIV/AIDS Therapy - Pharma must lower drug prices for middle-income countries, says AIDS Foundation

HIV/AIDS Therapy - Response to anti-HIV therapy is improved if treated at least 6 months after preventive regimen

Hospitals & Health Networks - Olympia Medical Center goes live with Martti interpretation service

Hospitals & Health Networks - Pacer Health completes lease purchase agreement of Knox County Hospital

Hospitals & Health Networks - Plymouth Health completes purchase of Alvarado Hospital

Hospitals & Health Networks - Precision Dynamics, HP provide Chang Gung Hospital with patient management system

Imaging - Reduction of contrast media shown to reduce risk of nephropathy

Immunization Schedules - Health Groups release new immunization schedules

Influenza Vaccine - Henry Schein begins taking 2007 influenza vaccine orders

Influenza Vaccine - ImmuneRegen commences Viprovex study to explore adjuvant capabilities in pandemic influenza vaccine

Information Technology - Inland Empire completes successful activation of Landacorp's maxMC solution

Information Technology - Lexington Medical Center selects XactiMed's revenue cycle solutions

Information Technology - PortBlue announces new agreement with Olympus

Insect Research - Wheat gene attacks stomach lining of insect predators

Kidney Disease - Chronic kidney disease is a risk factor for peripheral artery disease

Leukemia - Innovive gets orphan drug designation for INNO-406 for chronic myelogenous leukemia

Licensing Agreements - Aveo acquires clinical stage anti-cancer compound from Kirin

Licensing Agreements - BioAxone licenses phase II spinal cord injury drug Cethrin to Boston Life Sciences

Licensing Agreements - FivePrime enters osteoarthritis and pulmonary fibrosis collaboration with Centocor

Licensing Agreements - Gene-IT announces Biosite licensing of GenomeQuest

Licensing Agreements - Sigma-Aldrich grants Pfizer nonexclusive world license to use ddRNAi in research programs

Licensing Agreements - Sunesis out-licenses LFA-1 inhibitor program to biopharma company SARcode Corporation

Licensing Agreements - Victory Pharma signs license agreement with Hi-Tech Pharmacal on naproxen sodium formulation

Liver Failure - ELAD bioartificial liver trial in China achieves significance at halfway point

Marine Biology - Tropical freshwater species are not being protected from toxic chemicals

Market Analysis - Decision Resources' predict Democrats will dramatically alter prescription landscape

Market Analysis - Despite progress, tools and platforms for biomarker discovery face numerous challenges

Market Analysis - Efforts to curb drug expenditures and improve patient access driving forces in Q3

Market Analysis - GlaxoSmithKline's first patent on Imitrex scheduled to expire in July 2007, triptans to dominate

Market Analysis - Market research report explores characteristics of dynamic psychiatric industry market

Market Analysis - Reference pricing methods forced branded, generic drugs into same price groups in Germany

Market Analysis - Report shows 41% of disease management and patient adherence program budgets are outsourced

Market Analysis - Status of California children undermines public health and economy, Children Now study finds

Marketing - Research analyzes pharmaceutical brand commercialization spending

Marketing - Sales reps average 184 training hours during first year

Medicaid - KePRO named Maryland Medicaid's Utilization Control Agent

Medical Devices - A materials database will aid development of cardiovascular medical devices

Medical Devices - Advanced Medical Optics reports on U.S. launch of Tecnis Multifocal intraocular lens

Medical Devices - Electrical stimulation device gives new hope to patients with paralysis

Medical Devices - Electrically conductive tissue may one day substitute for a pacemaker

Medical Devices - MedicalCV to submit amended 510(k) for cardiac ablation system to seek soft tissue clearance

Medical Devices - PARI's eFlow wins Good Design Award

Medical Devices - Pumps someday may allow patients to recover their own hearts

Medical Errors - Grant is funding a patient safety study designed to help eliminate prescription errors

Medicare - I-Flow reports that ON-Q postsurgical pain treatment is now covered by Medicare

Medicare - Medicare Part D late enrollment penalty is eliminated

Medicare - New Jersey pharmacists remind seniors that Medicare offers preventive and wellness services

Medicare - Projected Medicare Part D costs drop by 30%

Meniere Disease - Study offers hope of long-term Vertigo relief for Meniere disease patients

Mental Health - Women with migraines are more likely to have depression, other physical ailments

Mergers & Acquisitions - Acquisition of Bayer's diagnostic division is finalized

Mergers & Acquisitions - Arrhythmia Research announces asset purchase, establishes new division

Mergers & Acquisitions - Boston Scientific acquires EndoTex Interventional Systems

Mergers & Acquisitions - Chattem, Inc. completes acquisition of certain consumer brands from Johnson & Johnson

Mergers & Acquisitions - Consorta joins HealthTrust as equity owner

Mergers & Acquisitions - Elder Health to acquire Health Partners' Medicare Plan

Mergers & Acquisitions - Gentium acquires Italian Defibrotide marketing rights from Crinos

Mergers & Acquisitions - German laboratory equipment provider Sartorius acquires all shares of Toha Plast GmbH

Mergers & Acquisitions - Graceway Pharmaceuticals completes acquisition of 3M's pharma business in North and Latin America

Mergers & Acquisitions - On Assignment, Inc. completes acquisition of VISTA Staffing Solutions

Mergers & Acquisitions - PMI Dental Health Plan merges with parent company Delta Dental of California

Mergers & Acquisitions - Psychiatric Solutions acquires Three Rivers Behavioral Health

Mergers & Acquisitions - Renal Advantage completes acquisition of RenaLab

Mergers & Acquisitions - Tripos signs definitive agreement to sell discovery research business to Provid Pharma

Mergers & Acquisitions - U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group acquires Professions HealthCare, Bakersfield, California

Mergers & Acquisitions - Varian Medical Systems announces intent to acquire ACCEL Instruments for $30 million

Mergers & Acquisitions - VaxGen raises $51.3 million through sale of interest in Celltrion

Metastatic Melanoma - Medarex completes enrollment in ipilimumab monotherapy pivotal trial for metastatic melanoma

Metastatic Melanoma - Vical initiates trial of cancer immunotherapeutic as first treatment for metastatic melanoma

Myocardial Infarction - Huntington Hospital named receiving center for heart attack patients

Nanotechnology - Homing nanoparticles pack multiple assault on tumors

Nanotechnology - NanoMed Pharmaceuticals issued broad patent to make nanoparticles

Natural Products - Chromium may help diabetes, cholesterol and heart disease

Nausea - Abraxis launches Ondansetron for nausea, vomiting associated with chemotherapy

Neurology - Blood thinning drugs linked to an increase in brain hemorrhage cases

Neurology - DURECT starts Phase II dosing for Transdur-Bupivacaine (DUR-843) for post-herpetic neuralgia

Neurology - Education does not protect against age-related memory loss

Neurology - Memory is linked to recovering from addiction

Neurology - Memory loss can be attributed to a fall off in the health of synapses

Neurology - Trusting your instincts leads you to the right answer

Obesity Research - Excess weight and adult weight gain increase the risk of dying from prostate cancer

Obesity Research - Experts offer tips to lose weight and keep it off

Obesity Research - Healthy eating is at a supermarket near you

Obesity Research - Obesity may be just body chemistry

Obesity Research - Obsession with weight is significant indication of body dysmorphic disorder

Obesity Research - Study finds obese patients fair better than lean patients when hospitalized for acute heart failure

Obesity Research - Study shows fast food as family meals limits healthy food intake and increases obesity risk

Obesity Therapy - Nutrition experts applaud U.S. Federal Trade Commission settlement with diet pill manufacturers

Obstetrics - Tumor suppressor gene proves critical for placenta development

Oncology - MGI announces publication of phase II data on Dacogen (decitabine) for Injection

Ophthalmology - Eye implants in animals may hold promise for people

Pain Management - Experts offer nine ways to relieve joint stress

Pain Management - Heart defect is linked to some cases of migraine headaches

Pain Management - Study finds that caffeine cuts post-workout pain by nearly 50%

Palliative Care - Hopeful nurses are more comfortable and confident in caring for dying children

Pancreatic Cancer - Clinical trial of Biomira's PX-12 in pancreatic cancer begins enrollment

Parkinson Disease - Schwarz Pharma announces publication of rotigotine data in Neurology

Patents - EPIX Pharmaceuticals secures patent on novel 5-HT1A receptor agonist and related compounds

Patents - Neuralstem notified by European patent office of intent to grant patent on neural stem cells

Patents - Northstar Neuroscience awarded U.S. patent for cortical stimulation therapy

Patents - Prometheus is licensee of patent for OmpC antigen for Crohn disease

Patient Safety - Quality healthcare delivery initiatives take center stage in Minneapolis Market

Pediatric Obesity - Mayo Clinic study shows adding activity to video games helps fights pediatric obesity

Pediatric Obesity - No breakfast and frequent fast food leads to extra pounds in aging teens

Pediatrics - Children with heart defects can benefit from exercise

Personnel - Aegis board of directors names Henry Ross CEO

Personnel - Auriga Laboratories appoints Richard K. Sampson as national sales director

Personnel - Avalon Pharmaceuticals names clinical advisory board

Personnel - California Association of Physician Groups elects CEO

Personnel - Carol Berry joins AviaraDx as vice president of sales

Personnel - Celgene elects Sol J. Barer, PhD, to chairman of the board

Personnel - ChemoCentryx appoints Juan Jaen, PhD, senior vice president, drug discovery

Personnel - Convenient Care Association welcomes new board members

Personnel - Covance promotes Luis T. Gutierrez, Jr., to president of Covance Commercialization Services

Personnel - Cowen announces formation of Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners, adds three principals

Personnel - David P. Meeker, MD, named to Penwest Pharmaceuticals' board of directors

Personnel - Delcath appoints Dr. Samuel Herschkowitz as interim COO

Personnel - Donald P. Beeman appointed chairman of the board of directors at LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals

Personnel - Dr. Charles Peck joins Take Care Health Systems as chief medical officer

Personnel - Dr. Margaret Chan takes office as director-general of World Health Organization

Personnel - DrFirst appoints G. Cameron Deemer new president

Personnel - Exelixis announces senior management promotions

Personnel - ForteBio announces appointment of Bill Albright as chief financial officer

Personnel - Gene-IT expands executive team, announces Michael J. McManus as vice president and general manager

Personnel - Gerresheimer Group expands management team, appoints Dr. Max Raster member of management board

Personnel - Hiffa named VP human resources at Jackson Healthcare Solutions

Personnel - J. Kerry Clayton retires from Assurant's board of directors

Personnel - Kenney joins Globus Medical as vice president, strategy and corporate development

Personnel - Kosan appoints Jane Green vice president, corporate communications

Personnel - National Surgical Care announces executive appointments

Personnel - NovaCardia appoints John Crawford as chief financial officer

Personnel - Quidel names John M. Radak chief financial officer

Personnel - Radius appoints Nick Harvey senior vice president and chief financial officer

Personnel - Rational Therapeutics appoints Robert Irwin as chief executive officer

Personnel - Renovis announces management changes

Personnel - Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. names Christi Pedra new president and CEO

Personnel - Sucampo Pharmaceuticals appoints Ronald W. Kaiser as chief financial officer

Personnel - SXC Health Solutions announces resignation of Michael Callaghan from board of directors

Personnel - ThermoGenesis Corp. appoints William Osgood, PhD, general manager of operations

Personnel - United Surgical Partners promotes Mark Kopser to executive vice president and CFO

Prison Health - Physicians need to be advocates for prisoners' health

Prostate Cancer - BioMerieux and ExonHit Therapeutics initiate third genome-based cancer diagnostic program

Quality Assurance - High hospital house staff workload is associated with worse patient outcomes

Radiofrequency Ablation - Technique minimizes complications of cardiac ablation procedure

Sexual & Reproductive Health - Antares' sexual dysfunction therapy enters phase III study

Sexual & Reproductive Health - Mating with showy males may reduce offspring's ability to fight off pathogens

Sexual & Reproductive Health - The pill has little, if any, effect on a woman's sex drive

Sexual & Reproductive Health - Too many women settle for mediocre sex

Sexual & Reproductive Health - Young single men are more likely to bank sperm before testicular cancer treatment

Sleep Research - Poor sleep can contribute to heart disease, and heart disease can disturb sleep

Solid Tumors - BiPar Sciences begins enrollment in phase Ib study of BSI-201

Solid Tumors - Enzon Pharmaceuticals files IND for novel HIF-1alpha antagonist in cancer

Staffing - The narrowing gap in nursing shortage is due to an influx of older first time nurses

Stem Cell Research - Amorcyte cardiac cell therapy trial passes first stage and opens two new sites

Stem Cell Research - Scientists discover a new, readily available source of stem cells

Stem Cell Research - Scientists discover the stage at which an embryonic cell is fated to become a stem cell

Stem Cell Research - Two of three Americans want action in January on stem cell research

Stroke - D-Pharm announces positive Phase IIb trial results for DP-b99 in acute stroke patients

Thrombosis - Archemix initiates phase I trial for selective anti-platelet aptamer

Toxic Metal Exposure - Expert offers ways to reduce toxic metal exposure at home

Type 1 Diabetes - MacroGenics, JDRF partner to back trial of monoclonal antibody for new-onset type 1 diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes - Daiichi Sankyo announces filing of supplemental New Drug Application for WelChol in type 2 diabetes

Venous Disease - First comprehensive national venous disease screening results published

Weight Loss - Study shows satisfaction greater with weight loss methods recommended by health officials

Epidemiology - Studies from and the United States advance epidemiology knowledge

Healthcare - Reports from University of Illinois, U.S., describe recent advances in healthcare research

Akdeniz University, Turkey - Akdeniz University, Turkey, researchers detail recent medical findings

Karolinska University, Sweden - Study findings from Karolinska University, Sweden, are outlined in reports

Pfizer - New developments from Pfizer outlined recently

Chattem - Recent developments announced by Chattem

DUSA Pharmaceuticals - Recent findings from DUSA Pharmaceuticals provide an update on new developments

Mylan Laboratories - New activities and developments reported by Mylan Laboratories

Stanford University, U.S. - Recent developments from Stanford University, U.S., detailed

Ohio State University, U.S. - Ohio State University, U.S., researchers publish recent findings

University of Wisconsin, U.S. - Officials from University of Wisconsin, U.S., report on recent activities

Johnson & Johnson - Johnson & Johnson details recent developments

Medtronic - Reports summarize new developments from Medtronic

Watson Pharmaceuticals - Officials at Watson Pharmaceuticals announce latest news and research developments

University of Maryland, U.S. - Data published by University of Maryland, U.S., researchers advance medical knowledge

Genzyme - Recent news from Genzyme summarized

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals - Angiotech Pharmaceuticals announced its latest developments

Sequenom - Sequenom provides information on its latest news and research developments

Northwestern University, U.S. - New studies from Northwestern University, U.S., outlined

Inex Pharmaceuticals - Recent reports from Inex Pharmaceuticals provided an update

Research and Markets - Research and Markets officials summarized the newest activities

Bristol-Myers Squibb - Bristol-Myers Squibb officials describe recent developments

NMT Medical - New developments reported by NMT Medical officials

Duke University, U.S. - Duke University, U.S., scientists detail new medical studies and findings

St. Jude Medical - Officials from St. Jude Medical report on recent developments

North American Scientific - Recent reports from North American Scientific provided an update

Clinical Data - Officials at Clinical Data announce latest news and research developments

Amgen - Recent reports from Amgen provided an update

University of Liege, Belgium - Researchers from University of Liege, Belgium, report details of new studies and findings

Research and Markets - Officials at Research and Markets announce latest news and research developments

DNAPrint Genomics - Officials at DNAPrint Genomics discuss recent developments

Enzo Biochem - Enzo Biochem reports on new developments

Diomed - Recent findings from Diomed provide an update on new developments

Kinetic Concepts - Officials at Kinetic Concepts announce latest news and research developments

Affymetrix - Affymetrix details recent developments

Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada - Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada, study data released

Pharmos - Pharmos provides an activity update

University of Florida, U.S. - Research from University of Florida, U.S., provides new scientific insights

Pfizer - News published by Pfizer officials updates activities

Valeant Pharmaceuticals - Recent developments from Valeant Pharmaceuticals summarized

Stanford University, U.S. - Recent news from Stanford University, U.S., summarized

American Diabetes Association - Reports describe the most recent news from American Diabetes Association

Barr Pharmaceuticals - Recent developments announced by Barr Pharmaceuticals

SonoSite - SonoSite details recent developments

Delcath Systems - New developments from Delcath Systems described

University of Alabama, U.S. - New findings from University of Alabama, U.S., detailed

Siemens - Officials from Siemens recently report on new developments

AstraZeneca - Recent developments from AstraZeneca detailed

Roche - Reports from Roche highlight the latest developments

Chonnam National University, South Korea - Researchers from Chonnam National University, South Korea, describe new findings

Immtech Pharmaceuticals - Officials from Immtech Pharmaceuticals report latest developments

University of Calgary, Canada - New findings from University of Calgary, Canada, described

Inspire Pharmaceuticals - Inspire Pharmaceuticals provides information on its latest news and research developments

InterMune - New reports from InterMune detailed

Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals - Recent activities involving Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals announced

Matrixx Initiatives - Matrixx Initiatives provides an activity update

University of Helsinki, Finland - Researchers from University of Helsinki, Finland, report recent findings

DOV Pharmaceutical - Recent developments from DOV Pharmaceutical outlined

Health Discovery - New activities and developments reported by Health Discovery

Brock University, Canada - Brock University, Canada, investigators have published new study data

Cutting Edge Information - Recent activities involving Cutting Edge Information announced

Acusphere - Acusphere reports on new developments

King Pharmaceuticals - Recent activities involving King Pharmaceuticals announced

University of Auckland, New Zealand - Medical study results published by University of Auckland, New Zealand

American Academy of Neurology - New reports from American Academy of Neurology detailed

Frost & Sullivan - Officials from Frost & Sullivan provide details of new developments

Cardiac Science - Officials from Cardiac Science recently report on new developments

Cordis - Officials from Cordis report on recent developments

Frost & Sullivan - News from Frost & Sullivan highlights the latest developments