Pharma Business Week articles from November 2008

Pharma Business Week archives from November 2008

The genetic explanation for moles' poor eyesight.(Report)
November 3, 2008... Due to their underground habitats, moles' eyes have been modified by natural selection in ways very different from those of surface-dwelling animals. New research, published in the open access journal BMC Biology, features a detailed anatomical...

T cell response to new melanoma antigen linked to relapse-free survival.
November 3, 2008... Melanoma patients infused with a special type of tumor-fighting T cell are more likely to survive without relapse, suggests a new study by researchers in France. Their report will be published online on October 20 in the Journal of Experimental...

Scripps Research scientists define structure of important neurological receptor.
November 3, 2008... Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute have determined the structure of an adenosine receptor that plays a critical role in a number of important physiological processes including pain, breathing, and heart function. The findings could...

Scripps research scientists enhance immune system attacks on cancer.
November 3, 2008... In an Early Edition issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) published online on October 20, 2008, the scientists describe how they used multiple tactics to rev up both innate and adaptive immunity to enhance the...

Nerve stimulation therapy alleviates pain for chronic headache.(Clinical report)
November 3, 2008... A novel therapy using a miniature nerve stimulator instead of medication for the treatment of profoundly disabling headache disorders improved the experience of pain by 80-95 percent, according to a new study from the University of California,...

Affymetrix Appoints Rick Runkel to Executive Vice President and General Counsel.
November 3, 2008... Affymetrix Inc. (Nasdaq:AFFX) announced the addition of John F. (Rick) Runkel to its management team as Executive Vice President and General Counsel (see also Affymetrix Inc.). "Rick has been a successful lawyer for 25 years and brings a...

Amerinet Celebrates 20 Years of Success with Medical Group Management Association.
November 3, 2008... Amerinet, a leading healthcare group purchasing organization, recently celebrated its 20-year commitment to reducing costs and providing a high quality of customer satisfaction through its participation in Medical Group Management Association's...

Artes Medical's Board of Directors Unanimously Reaffirms Its Opposition to Non-Management Proxy Statement and Rejects Non-Management Proposals.
November 3, 2008... Artes Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARTE), a medical aesthetics company, announced that its Board of Directors unanimously opposes the non-management proxy statement filed by H. Michael Shack and has determined that the Shack proposals are not in the...

CVS Caremark Reports Successful Tender Offer for Longs Drug Stores Shares.
November 3, 2008... CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS) announced that its tender offer for shares of common stock of Longs Drug Stores Corporation (NYSE: LDG) at a price of $71.50 per share has been successful. The offer period expired at 6:00 p.m., New York...

Hayes Inc. Founder and CEO, Winifred Hayes, to Speak at the Annual Texas Association of Health Plans TAHP conference and Trade Show on Emerging Technologies and Healthcare Trends.(Conference news)
November 3, 2008... Winifred Hayes, PhD, founder and CEO of Hayes Inc. will join over 200 healthcare executives, medical directors, CEOs, CFOs, COOs and other top management personnel from health plans, hospitals, health care systems and clinics, as well as...

Healthways Reports Earnings of $0.49 Per Diluted Share for Fourth-Quarter Fiscal 2008.(Financial report)
November 3, 2008... Ben R. Leedle, Jr., chief executive officer of Healthways, Inc. (NASDAQ: HWAY), announced financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, ended August 31, 2008. Total revenues for the quarter were $190.0 million, a 12% increase from...

Pall Corporation to Webcast 2008 Investor Conference.(Conference news)
November 3, 2008... Pall Corporation (NYSE:PLL) announced that it will be holding its 2008 Investor Conference on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 (see also Pall Corporation). The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time and will feature...

Hospitals, Healthcare Providers to Save with Premier Vascular Closure Devices Agreements.
November 3, 2008... Premier Purchasing Partners, LP, announced new agreements for vascular closure devices with Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Vascular of Abbott Park, Ill., and Cardiva Medical Inc. of Mountain View, Calif (see also Premier Inc.). Effective...

Sensient Technologies Corporation Reports Record Third Quarter Revenue and Earnings.(Financial report)
November 3, 2008... Sensient Technologies Corporation (NYSE: SXT) reported record third quarter revenue of $318.6 million, up 8.3% from the comparable period in 2007. Favorable foreign currency translation increased revenues in the quarter by approximately 2%....

Utah Technology Council UTC Reaches Milestone with Tenth Annual Hall of Fame Celebration.
November 3, 2008... When the doors of the Grand Ballroom open on October 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Grand American Hotel in Salt Lake City, it marks the 10-year anniversary of the Utah Technology Council's Hall of Fame Celebration. This year's celebration is not only...

Walgreens to Host Webcast of Analysts Day Conference Oct. 30.(Conference news)
November 3, 2008... Walgreens (NYSE:WAG)(NASDAQ:WAG) will host an analysts day conference in Chicago on Thursday, Oct. 30, beginning at 9 a.m. Central time (see also Walgreens). The conference will be simultaneously webcast on Walgreens investor relations Web...

Better instructions reduce complications among patients using common blood thinner.(Report)
November 10, 2008... Patients who report receiving written and verbal instructions on the proper way to take the blood thinner warfarin are significantly less likely to suffer the serious gastrointestinal and brain bleeding problems that are associated with misuse...

Researchers find aggressive phototherapy can improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in some preemies.
November 10, 2008... Researchers at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston say the use of aggressive phototherapy reduces the odds that tiny premature infants will develop neurodevelopmental impairment such as cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness or...

Data on acute myelogenous leukemia reported by researchers at University of Texas.
November 10, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "Aberrant expression of Aurora kinases and inactivation of wild-type p53 by Mdm2 overexpression are frequent molecular events in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and preclinical data for...

New alcoholism research from Taichung Veterans General Hospital outlined.(Clinical report)
November 10, 2008... "We aimed to analyze the relationship between smoking, alcoholic consumption and betel quid chewing with oral cavity cancer. All male patients age similar to 18 years who visited our clinic received an oral mucosal inspection," investigators in...

Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University describe new findings in alcoholism.
November 10, 2008... According to recent research from the United States, "To evaluate the evidence for the use of topiramate for alcohol dependence. MEDLINE (1966-June 2008) and Cochrane Database (2008, Issue 1) searches were conducted using the search terms...

Allergan Reports Third Quarter 2008 Operating Results.(Financial report)
November 10, 2008... Allergan, Inc. (NYSE:AGN) announced operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Allergan also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a third quarter dividend of $0.05 per share, payable on December 1, 2008 to...

Amerinet to Honor Excellence with Healthcare Achievement Awards.
November 10, 2008... Amerinet issued a call for entries among members for its Healthcare Achievement Awards, celebrating the successes of today's best and brightest healthcare providers in reducing healthcare costs and improving healthcare quality (see also...

Artes Medical Broadens Lawsuit to Include Improper Proxy Solicitation Activities of Shack and Others Seeking $30 Million in Damages Due to Business Interference and Other Misconduct.
November 10, 2008... Artes Medical Inc. (Nasdaq:ARTE), a medical aesthetics company, announced that the Company has amended its current lawsuit against two former officers and company founders, Stephan and Gottfried Lemperle, to include claims of improper proxy...

20+ Colorado Bioscience Companies Are Looking to Fill Positions at the 2008 BioWest Conference & Expo's First Annual Job Fair.(Conference news)
November 10, 2008... The Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) is hosting a new Bioscience Job Fair the afternoon of November 14, 1:30 to 4 p.m., following the 2008 BioWest Grand Finale Luncheon. The Job Fair will be held across the car park from the Grand Hyatt's...

Elan to Present at 2008 DB-Biotech Boston Confab.
November 10, 2008... Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN) announced that it will present at the 2008 DB-Biotech Boston Confab in Boston, Massachusetts on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. EST, 1:30 p.m. GMT (see also Elan Corporation, plc). Interested...

EpiCept Corporation to Present at Two Upcoming Investor Conferences.(Conference news)
November 10, 2008... EpiCept Corporation (Nasdaq: EPCT and STO: EPCT) announced that Jack Talley, President and CEO, will be presenting at the 2008 BIOCOM Investor Conference on October 28, 2008 from 11:30-11:55 a.m. local time at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla in San...

Illumina Announces $120 Million Share Repurchase Program.
November 10, 2008... Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program, authorizing the Company to repurchase in the aggregate up to $120 million of its outstanding common stock (see also Illumina, Inc.). ...

Kaydon Corporation Reports Third Quarter Results.
November 10, 2008... Kaydon Corporation (NYSE:KDN) announced its results for the third quarter ended September 27, 2008 (see also Kaydon Corporation). Third Quarter Highlights - -- Order entry was a third quarter record $157.3 million, 34.2 percent higher...

NeoPharm Granted Extension to Regain Listing Compliance on NASDAQ.
November 10, 2008... NeoPharm, Inc. (NASDAQ:NEOL), announced that the Company has received notice from the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel (the "Panel") informing the Company that the Panel has extended the deadline for NeoPharm to regain compliance with...

Opportunities for Life Science Suppliers Plentiful in Rapidly Growing miRNA Research Markets.(Report)
November 10, 2008... Today Percepta Associates Inc. announced the release of MicroRNA Analysis in North America: A research market report for life science tool providers. This report presents an overview of current technologies in use, supplier audits, product...

New Study Reveals Picis Emergency Department Information System Significantly Reduces Patient Length of Stay.
November 10, 2008... Research from the University of Colorado Hospital to be presented at this week's American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Research Forum in Chicago reveals that the use of an emergency department information system (EDIS) from Picis has...

Seattle Genetics to Present at the Oppenheimer Healthcare Conference.(Conference news)
November 10, 2008... Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) announced that Eric L. Dobmeier, Chief Business Officer, will present at the Oppenheimer 19th Annual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, at 10:40 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference is being...

Mouse model highlights histone methylation as distinguishing feature for leukemia subtypes.
November 17, 2008... Research using a new mouse model has led to the identification of a potential therapeutic target for a type of leukemia commonly associated with an unfavorable prognosis. The study, published by Cell Press in the November issue of the journal...

Study sheds light on genetic differences that cause a childhood eye disease.(Report)
November 17, 2008... Medical researchers at the University of Alberta have unlocked part of the mystery underlying a childhood eye disease. New research shows how children with some types of glaucoma end up with missing or extra pieces of DNA (see also University...

Pitt research identifies new target in brain for treating schizophrenia.
November 17, 2008... PITTSBURGH--Research from the University of Pittsburgh could expand the options for controlling schizophrenia by identifying a brain region that responds to more than one type of antipsychotic drug. The findings illustrate for the first time...

First gene for clubfoot identified at Washington University School of Medicine.
November 17, 2008... Clubfoot, one of the most common birth defects, has long been thought to have a genetic component. Now, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report they have found the first gene linked to clubfoot in humans (see...

Previously unknown immune cell may help those with Crohn's and colitis.
November 17, 2008... The tonsils and lymphoid tissues in the intestinal tract that help protect the body from external pathogens are the home base of a rare immune cell newly identified by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The...

Aradigm to Present at the Rodman & Renshaw 10th Annual Healthcare Conference on November 11.(Conference news)
November 17, 2008... Aradigm Corporation (OTCBB:ARDM) (the "Company") announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Igor Gonda, Ph.D. will present at the Rodman & Renshaw 10th Annual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at 5:45 p.m. Eastern...

Baxter to Present at the 2008 Annual Credit Suisse Health Care Conference.(Conference news)
November 17, 2008... Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) announced that it will present at the 2008 Annual Credit Suisse Health Care Conference on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (MST) or 10:30 a.m. (EST) (see also Baxter International Inc.). The...

Compugen Has No Intention of Issuing Equity at Current Market Value.
November 17, 2008... Compugen (NASDAQ:CGEN)(TASE:CGEN)announced that it has no intention of issuing equity at the company's current market value. This statement was made in response to questions from shareholders and others (see also Compugen). Mr. Martin...

Compugen to Present at Rodman & Renshaw Healthcare Conference.(Conference news)
November 17, 2008... Compugen Ltd. (Nasdaq:CGEN) announced that company chairman Martin Gerstel will present a company overview and plans for 2009 at the 10th Annual Rodman and Renshaw Conference to be held in New York on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, at 11:35 a.m....

CVS Caremark Corporation to Present at the Credit Suisse Annual Global Health Care Conference on November 12th.(Conference news)
November 17, 2008... CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS) announced that Dave Rickard, Chief Financial Officer, will be speaking to investors at the Credit Suisse Annual Global Health Care Conference on November 12, 2008. Mr. Rickard is scheduled to speak at...

MOCON Announces Increased Third Quarter Revenue and Net Income.(Financial report)
November 17, 2008... MOCON, Inc. (Nasdaq:MOCO) reported its operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 (see also MOCON, Inc.). Net sales for the third quarter 2008 were $7,429,000, an increase of 9 percent compared to $6,820,000 for the third...

PetMed Express D/B/A 1-800-PETMEDS Announces a Second $20 Million Share Repurchase Program.
November 17, 2008... The Board of Directors of PetMed Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:PETS) has approved a second share repurchase program of up to $20 million, effective immediately. This program is intended to be implemented through purchases made from time to time in...

Scottsdale Healthcare Implements Picis LYNX E/Point to Standardize ED Charging.
November 17, 2008... LYNX Medical Systems, a Picis company, announced the implementation of its E/Point emergency department (ED) facility charging application at all three Scottsdale Healthcare hospitals. The system-wide implementation of the industry-leading...

Thermo Fisher Scientific Provides Notice of Conversion Right to Debenture Holders.
November 17, 2008... As required under the indenture covering Apogent Technologies Inc. Floating Rate Convertible Senior Debentures due 2033 (CUSIP No. 03760AAK7), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is providing public notice to the holders of these bonds...

In the war against diseases, nerve cells need their armor.
November 24, 2008... In a new study, researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), McGill University, and the Universite de Montreal have discovered an essential mechanism for the maintenance of the normal structure of myelin, the protective covering...

US 'super bugs' invading South America, according to UT Medical School at Houston researchers.
November 24, 2008... Two clones of highly antibiotic-resistant organism strains, which previously had only been identified in the United States, are now causing serious sickness and death in several Colombian cities including the capital Bogota, say researchers at...

Gender affects perceptions of infidelity.
November 24, 2008... A new study in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy explored how men and women perceive online and offline sexual and emotional infidelity. Results show that men felt sexual infidelity was more upsetting and women felt emotional infidelity...

Data from University of Colorado provide new insights into acute pancreatitis.
November 24, 2008... According to recent research published in the journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, "Long-term outcomes of minor papilla endotherapy (MPE) in pancreas divisum are limited. To determine the efficacy of MPE in symptomatic pancreas divisum...

Studies by P. Mariani and co-authors describe new findings in anal cancer.
November 24, 2008... According to recent research published in the journal Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, "Following initial radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of anal cancer, patients who present with either persistent or locally recurrent...

Amarin to Present at 10th Annual Rodman & Renshaw Healthcare Conference.(Conference news)
November 24, 2008... Amarin Corporation plc (NASDAQ:AMRN) announced that Mr. Thomas Lynch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will present at the upcoming 10th Annual Rodman & Renshaw Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 10.45 am Eastern Time....

Amerinet Enhances Construction Solutions with Innovative New Partnerships, Products and Services.
November 24, 2008... Amerinet announces the launch of an enhanced Construction Solutions Portfolio, forging new partnerships and adding unique features meant to further increase member savings (see also Amerinet). "Our approach provides maximum continuity of...

Dutch Medical Device CRO Runs the NY City Marathon.
November 24, 2008... Factory CRO, a European medical device CRO (contract research organization) based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, completed the NY City Marathon last week, breaking personal records, raising money for an African education charity, and emphasizing...

BioReference Laboratories, Inc to Speak at the 2008 Credit Suisse Phoenix Health Care Conference.(Conference news)
November 24, 2008... BioReference Laboratories, Inc (NASDAQ-"BRLI") announced that Richard L. Faherty, Chief Information Officer, is scheduled to speak at the Credit Suisse Phoenix Health Care Conference on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort...

BioReliance Introduces New Protein Array Platform -- ReliArray.
November 24, 2008... BioReliance announces the introduction of its new protein array platform that offers greater sensitivity, reduced testing time and reliable results. The platform, brand-named ReliArray(TM), can simultaneously screen for four non-human pathogens...

CDEX Inc. Announces Record FY08 ValiMed Sales/Leases and Forecasts Continued Growth in FY09.(Financial report)
November 24, 2008... Following up on recent announcements related to global expansion, CDEX Inc. (OTCBB: CEXI) announces record ValiMed sales and more than doubling of its hospital client base in FY08, which ended October 31, with eleven ValiMed units sold or...

Charles River Reschedules 2009 Guidance Release.
November 24, 2008... Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) announced that it has elected to defer guidance for fiscal 2009 until it announces its 2008 fourth-quarter and full-year results, tentatively scheduled for release on February 9, 2009....

Dynavax to Present at Credit Suisse Healthcare Conference.(Conference news)
November 24, 2008... Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:DVAX) announced that it will present at the Credit Suisse 2008 Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. MST (2:00 p.m. PST) in Phoenix, Arizona. Dino Dina, M.D., President and...

Fifty Thousand Physicians Choose Epocrates iPhone App.
November 24, 2008... Epocrates, Inc. announced hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals and consumers, including more than 50,000 U.S. physicians, have downloaded its drug and formulary reference application to an Apple iPhone(TM) or iPod Touch(R) device...

Steven Sell Named President of Health Net of California.
November 24, 2008... Steven Sell has been named president of Health Net, Inc.'s (NYSE:HNT) largest subsidiary, Health Net of California, Inc (see also Health Net, Inc.). "We are delighted Steve is taking on this new role within Health Net," said Jim Woys,...

Osteologix to Present Corporate Overview at Upcoming Conferences.(Conference news)
November 24, 2008... Osteologix, Inc. (OTCBB:OLGX) announced that the Company will present a corporate overview to potential investors and partners at two upcoming conferences. On Monday, November 10 at 12:00 p.m. ET, Philip J. Young, President and CEO, will...

Take Care Health Systems Extends Presence in Phoenix with Five Additional Clinics.
November 24, 2008... Take Care Health Systems has opened five new Take Care Clinics at Walgreens drugstores, as part of the company's multi-phase expansion in the greater Phoenix area. Take Care Health Systems, one of the largest managers of convenient care clinics...