Diagnostics & Imaging Week articles from September 2006

Diagnostics & Imaging Week archives from September 2006

NIDA genetic study focuses on vulnerability to alcohol.
September 7, 2006... Alcoholism wrecks or severely impacts many lives in the U.S., from the alcoholic himself/herself to those around them: family, friends and co-workers. But what if there were a way to test for genetic vulnerability to alcohol dependence and...

PROSPECT probes heart attack in terms of vulnerable plaque.
September 7, 2006... Thanks to a new landmark study that has just completed enrollment, physicians may soon have a means to identify, at an earlier stage, patients believed to be at risk for heart attack, through evaluation of what is now believed to be a key...

Genetix paying 9.6m [pounds sterling] in cash to acquire Applied Imaging.(International report)
September 7, 2006... Genetix Group (New Milton, UK), a manufacturer of equipment for genomics and proteomics research, is acquiring Applied Imaging (San Jose, California/New Castle, UK) in an all-cash transaction valued at 9.6 million [pounds sterling] (US $18.3...

VELscope unit offers newest tech to detect oral cancer.
September 7, 2006... Canadian and U.S. research agencies are joining forces to promote early diagnosis of oral cancer through research into a device that uses high-energy blue spectrum light to spot the disease. The National Institute of Dental Craniofacial...

Combined CT scans more effective to diagnose PE.(Clinical report)
September 7, 2006... Physicians could improve their ability to accurately diagnose pulmonary embolism, which kills about 600,000 Americans a year, if they would extend the commonly used chest computed tomography (CT) to the legs and combined it with the physician's...

Stockholders okay merger into Thermo Fisher Scientific.(Deals roundup)
September 7, 2006... Thermo Electron (Waltham, Massachusetts) and Fisher Scientific International (Hampton, New Hampshire) reported that, at separate meetings held last week, stockholders of both companies voted to approve their merger. More than 99% of the...

Invitrogen (Carlsbad, California) and Sentigen Holding (Phillipsburg, New Jersey) reported a merger agreement for Invitrogen to acquire Sentigen in a cash transaction at a price of $3.37 a share, or about $25.9 million for all shares issued and outstanding.(Deals roundup)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Invitrogen (Carlsbad, California) and Sentigen Holding (Phillipsburg, New Jersey) reported a merger agreement for Invitrogen to acquire Sentigen in a cash transaction at a price of $3.37 a share, or about $25.9 million for all shares issued and...

Applied Imaging (San Jose, California), a supplier of automated imaging and image analysis systems, reported an agreement to be acquired by Genetix Group (New Milton, Hampshire, UK) a cell biology, proteomics and genomics health technology group, for $18.3 million in cash.(Deals roundup)
September 7, 2006... Applied Imaging (San Jose, California), a supplier of automated imaging and image analysis systems, reported an agreement to be acquired by Genetix Group (New Milton, Hampshire, UK) a cell biology, proteomics and genomics health technology...

Bio-Reference Laboratories (Elmwood Park, New Jersey) has agreed to acquire GeneDx (Gaithersburg, Maryland), a gene-based testing laboratory.(Deals roundup)
September 7, 2006... Bio-Reference Laboratories (Elmwood Park, New Jersey) has agreed to acquire GeneDx (Gaithersburg, Maryland), a gene-based testing laboratory. The purchase price will be as much as $17 million "if all contingencies and goals are achieved,"...

Affymetrix selected by SHARE for genome association study.(Agreements roundup)
September 7, 2006... Affymetrix (Santa Clara, California) reported that it has been selected by the SNP Health Association REsource (SHARE) project for a large-scale whole-genome association study. As part of the project, Affymetrix will collaborate with the...

Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) and Biomoda (Albuquerque, New Mexico) have agreed to jointly conduct a validation study of Biomoda's technology, a noninvasive cytology-based lung cancer diagnostic.(Agreements roundup)
September 7, 2006... Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) and Biomoda (Albuquerque, New Mexico) have agreed to jointly conduct a validation study of Biomoda's technology, a noninvasive cytology-based lung cancer diagnostic. Operating from its laboratory at...

Competitive Technologies (CTT; Fairfield, Connecticut) reported signing a worldwide service and representation agreement with Dr. Vincent Agnello of Lahey Clinic, a teaching hospital affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine (Boston) to commercialize a laboratory test used to diagnose and monitor Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).(Agreements roundup)
September 7, 2006... Competitive Technologies (CTT; Fairfield, Connecticut) reported signing a worldwide service and representation agreement with Dr. Vincent Agnello of Lahey Clinic, a teaching hospital affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine (Boston)...

Microchip Biotech completes $4.5 million Series A round.(Financings roundup)
September 7, 2006... Microchip Biotechnologies (MBI; Dublin, California) reported completing its Series A investment round. A total of $4.5 million was secured, including equity and amounts based on further product development. The round was co-led by...

Cepheid wins Phase II funding for R&D of TB detection device.(Grants/contracts)(research and development)(tuberculosis)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Cepheid (Sunnyvale, California), a molecular diagnostics company, reported receiving Phase II funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health for a Small Business Technology...

A $5 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation is expected to accelerate Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's (both Seattle) progress toward early detection of breast and prostate cancer through an innovative "proof-of-principle" project that will set new standards for the field.(Grants)
September 7, 2006... A $5 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation is expected to accelerate Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's (both Seattle) progress toward early detection of breast and prostate cancer through an innovative...

DMS Imaging (Fargo, North Dakota), a member of the DMS Health Group, reported that it has signed a three-year agreement with Amerinet (St. Louis, Missouri), which serves more than 37,000 healthcare organizations nationwide.(Grants)
September 7, 2006... DMS Imaging (Fargo, North Dakota), a member of the DMS Health Group, reported that it has signed a three-year agreement with Amerinet (St. Louis, Missouri), which serves more than 37,000 healthcare organizations nationwide. DMS Imaging will...

VivoMetrics Government Services.(Grants)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... VivoMetrics Government Services (Ventura, California) reported that the LifeShirt ambulatory physiologic monitoring system is now offered on the Federal Supply Services Contract, which includes GSA and VA schedules, to all federal U.S....

Imaging Diagnostic Systems (IDSI; Fort Lauderdale, Florida) a developer of laser optical imaging systems, reported that it has licensed its technology for use in small animal imaging to Bioscan (Washington).(Deals roundup)
September 7, 2006... Imaging Diagnostic Systems (IDSI; Fort Lauderdale, Florida) a developer of laser optical imaging systems, reported that it has licensed its technology for use in small animal imaging to Bioscan (Washington). Bioscan will pay an up-front license...

PerkinElmer (Boston), a leader in health sciences and photonics, said it has acquired Avalon Instruments (Belfast, Northern Ireland).(Deals roundup)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... PerkinElmer (Boston), a leader in health sciences and photonics, said it has acquired Avalon Instruments (Belfast, Northern Ireland). Financial terms were not disclosed. PerkinElmer said the acquisition expands and complements its...

Critics: Bayer should pay to test GM Rice.(International report)
September 7, 2006... The costs of testing European food for contamination with Bayer's unauthorized GM rice should be met by the company, insisted on Sept. 1 the environmentalist organization Friends of the Earth Europe. In the wake of the recent EU action to...

Viacortis validates heart tissue viability.(International report)(EUREKA )
September 7, 2006... Viacortis, a EUREKA project being carried out in Lithuania, has developed new techniques to monitor the viability of heart tissue during heart surgery, so that cardiac surgeons have a real-time, comprehensive indication of how the heart is...

Oxonica, BD in development accord.(International report)
September 7, 2006... Nanotechnology company Oxonica (Oxford, UK) reported signing a licensing agreement with BD (Becton, Dickinson and Co.; Franklin Lakes, New Jersey) for Oxonica's Nanoplex nanoparticle-based biomarker detection systems. BD will help fund a...

CytoCore new ticker symbol CYCR.OB.(Briefly Noted)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... CytoCore (Chicago) said that the company, formerly listed on the Nasdaq Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board market as MCDG.OB, has changed its ticker symbol to CYCR.OB, to finalize the process of changing its name to CytoCore. The CytoCore...

Affymetrix completes earnings restatement.(Briefly Noted)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Affymetrix (Santa Clara, California) reported that it has completed its restatement of the company's financial statements. The restated financial statements have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in an amended Form 10-K/A...

Acacia Research (Newport Beach, California) reported that its CombiMatrix group's subsidiary, Combi-Matrix Molecular Diagnostics (CMDX) has launched its first molecular diagnostic service.(Product Briefs)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Acacia Research (Newport Beach, California) reported that its CombiMatrix group's subsidiary, CombiMatrix Molecular Diagnostics (CMDX) has launched its first molecular diagnostic service. This offering uses CMDX' Constitutional Genetic Array...

Affymetrix.(Product Briefs)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Affymetrix (Santa Clara, California) reported the beta release of its GeneChip Command Console (AGCC) software. AGCC will replace the GeneChip Operating Software (GCOS) and support all cartridge-based GeneChip arrays with a file-based system...

Automated Cellular Imaging System.(Product Briefs)
September 7, 2006... Automated Cellular Imaging System (Aliso Viejo, California) reported availability of the first ACIS III (Automated Cellular Imaging System) to be used in beta testing. Clarient is a technology and services resource for pathologists, oncologists...

Biophan Technologies.(Product Briefs)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Biophan Technologies (Rochester, New York) reported that the U.S Patent and Trademark Office has issued patent No. 7,091,412, which covers the placement of nanomagnetic coatings on medical devices that are exposed to biological tissues....

Caliper Life Sciences.(Product Briefs)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Caliper Life Sciences (Hopkinton, Massachusetts) reported the availability of the Xenogen IVIS Spectrum in vivo imaging system. The IVIS performs high sensitivity bioluminescent imaging and advanced fluorescent imaging, including spectral...

NeuroMetrix.(Product Briefs)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... NeuroMetrix (Waltham, Massachusetts) reported receiving an updated FDA 510(k) clearance for its NC-stat nerve conduction testing system. The updated Intended Use language is "The NeuroMetrix NC-stat is intended to stimulate and measure...

Targeted Molecular Diagnostics.(Product Briefs)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Targeted Molecular Diagnostics (TMD; Westmont, Illinois) reported the upcoming launch of the PhosphoGuard kit for preserving phosphoproteins during tissue fixation and processing. PhosphoGuard is an additive to conventional fixatives to prevent...

WayPoint Biomedical Holdings.(Product Briefs)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... WayPoint Biomedical Holdings (Huntington Beach, California) has received FDA clearance for two over-the-counter (OTC) home-use drug tests: the Health Essist Marijuana & Cocaine and Multi-Drug Cup (tests for seven different drugs). With more...

Applied NeuroSolutions.(People in Places)
September 7, 2006... Ellen R. Hoffing has been named president/CEO for Applied NeuroSolutions (Vernon Hills, Illinois). Previously Hoffing was vice president, strategic planning of American Pharmaceutical Partners (Schaumburg, Illinois). Applied Neurosolutions...

Del Global Technologies.(Del Global Technologies Corp. appoint James Risher and Mark Zorko )(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... James Risher has been appointed CEO of Del Global Technologies (Valhalla, New York), and Mark Zorko has been named company CEO. Risher, a member of the company's board, was appointed interim CEO of Del Global, effective July 22. Zorko has been...

TriPath in $350m buyout by BD; ALIS acquired by Carl Zeiss.(Deals roundup)
September 14, 2006... TriPath Imaging (Burlington, North Carolina), a maker of products to detect and treat cancer, officially agreed to be acquired by BD (Becton Dickinson and Co.; Franklin Lakes, New Jersey) for $9.25 per share in cash, or about $350 million in a...

Lung cancer still most deadly, breast cancer diagnoses down.
September 14, 2006... BETHESDA, Maryland -- The National Cancer Institute (NCI; Bethesda, Maryland) released a report on cancer for 2006 and while the numbers for some cancer fatalities seem to trend down, the numbers offer several anomalies that researchers have...

Metabolomics study leading to better disease biomarkers.(International report)
September 14, 2006... NORWICH, UK -- Recent efforts to optimize metabolomics technology is beginning to bear fruit in the discovery of novel biomarkers for disease. In general, the concentrations of metabolites are amplified relative to the proteins that prompted...

FDA issues guidance for in vitro diagnostic multivariate assays.(1st of two stories)
September 14, 2006... The FDA last week issued draft regulatory guidance for clinical laboratories and industry regarding so-called in vitro diagnostic multivariate index assays (IVDMIA) that use mathematical formulas to interpret "large amounts of gene and protein...

Diagnostics firm Rosetta files to raise up to $39 million in IPO.(Financings roundup)
September 14, 2006... In what could bring the company $39 million, Rosetta Genomics (Rehovot, Israel) filed for an initial public offering to fund R&D work, including work on diagnostic products for prostate, lung, colorectal and breast cancers. The company...

Turning p53 on, off may aid in avoiding radiation's damage.(Making an omelet without a hammer)
September 14, 2006... One of the ironies of cancer is that patients generally feel worse after treatment than before; radiation and chemotherapy induce widespread cell death, by activating the DNA damage response via what is known as p53. P53's claim to fame is...

Affymetrix in three-year pact for microarray development.(Agreements roundup)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Affymetrix (Santa Clara, California) and Partners HealthCare (PC; Boston) said that they have entered into a three-year translational research collaboration to develop microarray-based diagnostics for complex diseases such as newborn hearing...

Abbott (Abbott Park, Illinois) said it has signed an agreement with the American Red Cross (ARC; Atlanta) to supply 20 of its Abbott Prism System fully automated blood screening instruments for ARC's five U.S. National Testing Laboratories.(Agreements roundup)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Abbott (Abbott Park, Illinois) said it has signed an agreement with the American Red Cross (ARC; Atlanta) to supply 20 of its Abbott Prism System fully automated blood screening instruments for ARC's five U.S. National Testing Laboratories....

CardioVascular BioTherapeutics (Las Vegas) reported signing a master service agreement with leading global clinical research organization (CRO) Kendle (Cincinnati).(Agreements roundup)
September 14, 2006... CardioVascular BioTherapeutics (Las Vegas) reported signing a master service agreement with leading global clinical research organization (CRO) Kendle (Cincinnati). Kendle will support CVBT in its Phase II clinical trial ensuring that the...

Positron (Houston), a developer of PET medical devices, reported that it has partnered with MIMvista (Cleveland) to provide MIMcardiac display and analysis software for their mPower brand scanners.(Agreements roundup)
September 14, 2006... Positron (Houston), a developer of PET medical devices, reported that it has partnered with MIMvista (Cleveland) to provide MIMcardiac display and analysis software for their mPower brand scanners. MIMcardiac, part of the MIMvista...

iCAD (Nashua, New Hampshire), a provider of computer-aided detection (CAD) solutions, and FujiFilm Medical Systems USA (Stamford, Connecticut), a provider of digital mammography technology, reported that Fuji will offer iCAD products through its U.S. sales channels.(Agreements roundup)
September 14, 2006... iCAD (Nashua, New Hampshire), a provider of computer-aided detection (CAD) solutions, and FujiFilm Medical Systems USA (Stamford, Connecticut), a provider of digital mammography technology, reported that Fuji will offer iCAD products through...

HemoCue (Lake Forest, California) and Independent Medical Co-Op (IMCO; Daytona Beach, Florida) have entered into a distribution agreement that HemoCue said will lead to growth in both the physician office lab and hospital markets.(Agreements roundup)
September 14, 2006... HemoCue (Lake Forest, California) and Independent Medical Co-Op (IMCO; Daytona Beach, Florida) have entered into a distribution agreement that HemoCue said will lead to growth in both the physician office lab and hospital markets. IMCO is...

JDRF reports more than $5.5m in funds for diabetes research.(Grants/contracts)
September 14, 2006... The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF; New York) reported that it is funding researchers from around the world to assess new diabetes technologies, with first-year financing of more than $5.5 million. The research announced...

Cybergenetics.(Contracts)(Cybergenetics, Inc.)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Cybergenetics (Pittsburgh) reported being awarded a contract by New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) to apply its TrueAllele technology for identifying World Trade Center (WTC) remains. Dr. Mechthild Prinz, director of...

Strategic Diagnostics.(Contracts)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Strategic Diagnostics (Newark, Delaware) said that it has signed a new agreement to supply bio-reagents to a large manufacturer of in vitro diagnostics. The initial term of the agreement is five years. The company aid that starting...

Innogenetics wins $7m from Abbott Labs in jury ruling.(Court report)
September 14, 2006... Innogenetics (Gent, Belgium) reported that a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin has ruled that Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, Illinois) willfully infringed Innogenetics U.S. Patent No. 5,846,704 (the '704...

Hypertension Diagnostics.(Court report)
September 14, 2006... Hypertension Diagnostics (HDI, St. Paul, Minnesota) reported that the Minnesota State Court of Appeals has ruled against it in the matter of Charles F. Chesney, et. al. vs. Hypertension Diagnostics, Inc., et. al. The court upheld a previous...

Panacea launches laboratory unit providing tests for cancer.
September 14, 2006... Panacea Pharmaceuticals (Gaithersburg, Maryland) reported launch of a new business, a CLIA-compliant diagnostic testing laboratory named Panacea Laboratories, to provide blood, serum and tissue tests to diagnose and monitor cancer. It said...

ALIS (Peabody, Massachusetts), a nanotechnology start-up firm developing scanning ion microscopes and imaging systems, reported that it has been acquired by the Nano Technology Systems Division (NTS) of Carl Zeiss (Oberkochen, Germany).(Deals roundup)
September 14, 2006... ALIS (Peabody, Massachusetts), a nanotechnology start-up firm developing scanning ion microscopes and imaging systems, reported that it has been acquired by the Nano Technology Systems Division (NTS) of Carl Zeiss (Oberkochen, Germany). ALIS...

Acacia Research (Newport Beach, California) reported that Acacia Patent Acquisition, a subsidiary of the Acacia Technologies group specializing in technology licensing, has acquired rights to a patent portfolio relating to imaging technology that aids medical personnel in the examination of patients.(Deals roundup)
September 14, 2006... Acacia Research (Newport Beach, California) reported that Acacia Patent Acquisition, a subsidiary of the Acacia Technologies group specializing in technology licensing, has acquired rights to a patent portfolio relating to imaging technology...

Stratagene (La Jolla, California), a developer of life science research and diagnostic products, said it has obtained an exclusive option to evaluate and license a family of patents and patent applications controlled by Denmark-based AROS Applied Biotechnology.(Deals roundup)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Stratagene (La Jolla, California), a developer of life science research and diagnostic products, said it has obtained an exclusive option to evaluate and license a family of patents and patent applications controlled by Denmark-based AROS...

More precise detailing of live cells devised.(International report)
September 14, 2006... NORWICH, UK -- A team from Imperial College London and Cambridge University have devised a method for imaging cells without killing them, making it possible to watch biology in action. Among the processes recorded in real time are the...

Vascular ultrasound screening effective.(International report)
September 14, 2006... John Postley, MD, of the New York Physicians Group presented study results at the annual meeting of the World Congress of Cardiology (WCC; Antipolis, France) in Barcelona this week, demonstrating that vascular ultrasound screening can be a more...

Mindray Medical International.(Financings roundup)
September 14, 2006... Chinese medical device maker Mindray Medical International (Shenzhen, China) reportedly has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $276 million in an initial public offering. Terms for the offering have not been set,...

Merge Technologies.(Financings roundup)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Merge Technologies (d.b.a., Merge Healthcare; Milwaukee) reported that its board has adopted stock buyback plans for up to $20 million of the company's common stock over a two year period. "Management believes that the potential long-term...

Vital Images.(Financings roundup)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Vital Images (Minneapolis), a provider of visualization and analysis solutions, reported that it has filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission which, when declared effective, will permit the company to...

Thomas, McNerney & Partners II fund closes out at $375m.(Financings roundup)
September 14, 2006... Thomas, McNerney & Partners (Stamford, Connecticut), a healthcare venture capital firm that invests in life science and medical technology companies, reported the close of its second fund, Thomas, McNerney & Partners II, L.P. with $375 million...

Affymetrix.(Product Briefs)(product development)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Affymetrix (Santa Clara, California) reported publication of the "MicroArray Quality Control" (MAQC) study, a collaborative effort led by the FDA that included 137 scientists from private and public sector laboratories. Affymetrix and other...

Automated Cellular Imaging System.(Product Briefs)
September 14, 2006... Automated Cellular Imaging System (Aliso Viejo, California) reported availability of the first ACIS III (Automated Cellular Imaging System) to be used in beta testing. Clarient is a technology and services resource for pathologists, oncologists...

CAS Medical Systems.(Product Briefs)
September 14, 2006... CAS Medical Systems reported that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for expanded use of its Fore-Sight Absolute Cerebral Oximeter in additional patient populations including children over 40 kg and infants. CAS says the Fore-Sight Cerebral...

Masimo.(Product Briefs)(product information)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Masimo (Irvine, California) reported the availability of the Masimo Rainbow SET Pulse CO-Oximetry platform. Masimo Rainbow SET provides pulse oximetry (SpO2) readings in situations of motion and low perfusion and enables clinicians to...

Nanogen.(Product Briefs)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Nanogen (San Diego) has been granted patent No. 7,060,224 from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for an application of its core technology in nanofabrication and nanomanufacturing. Potential uses of the technology range from further...

Heartscape Technologies.(People in Places)
September 14, 2006... Arthur Hiller has been named CEO and director at Heartscape Technologies (Columbia, Maryland). Hiller was formerly senior vice president at Millennium Pharmaceuticals. Heartscape makes devices that diagnose heart attacks and ischemia.

iCAD.(People in Places)
September 14, 2006... Darlene Deptula-Hicks has been named executive vice president of finance and CFO of iCAD (Nashua, New Hampshire). Most recently, Deptula-Hicks was executive vice president, CFO and treasurer of ONI Medical Systems. Before ONI, Deptula-Hicks was...

Immucor.(People in Places)(retirement of Edward Gallup and election of Gioacchino (Nino) De Chirico)
September 14, 2006... Immucor (Norcross, Georgia) a company that provides providing automated instrument-reagent systems to the blood transfusion industry, reported the retirement of Edward Gallup as CEO and the election of Gioacchino (Nino) De Chirico as his...

Merge Technologies Incorporated.(People in Places)
September 14, 2006... Kenneth Rardin has been named president/CEO of Merge Technologies Incorporated (d.b.a. Merge Healthcare; Milwaukee). Prior to joining Merge Healthcare, Rardin was chairman/CEO of Park City Solutions. Merge develops medical imaging and...

Quidel.(People in Places)
September 14, 2006... Paul Landers has announced his retirement as CFO from Quidel (San Diego) effective March 31, 2007. Landers has been CFO for five years. Quidel makes point-of-care rapid diagnostic tests.

Sontra Medical.(People in Places)
September 14, 2006... Harry Mitchell has been named CFO, treasurer and vice president of finance for Sontra Medical (Franklin, Massachusetts). Sontra makes non-invasive, continuous transdermal glucose monitors for use in the intensive care market.

FDA seeks to clarify guidance on analyte specific reagents.(2nd of two stories)
September 21, 2006... The FDA has issued draft regulatory guidance for the medical device industry on commercially distributed active ingredients of medical tests, or analyte specific reagents (ASRs). ASRs are chemicals used in tests intended for use in the...

Ventana Medical Systems won't increase Vision Systems offer.
September 21, 2006... Ventana Medical Systems (Tucson, Arizona) on Sunday reported that it will not increase the price offered under the Vision Systems (Melbourne, Australia) scheme of arrangement in an attempt to trump Cytyc's (Marlbough, Massachusetts) cash offer...

Metabolomics' 'robot scientist' to be used in biomarker study.(International report)
September 21, 2006... NORWICH, UK -- Recent efforts to optimize meta-bolomics technology is beginning to bear fruit in the discovery of novel biomarkers for disease. In general, the concentrations of metabolites are amplified relative to the proteins that prompted...

Home Diagnostics to launch IPO seeking to raise up to $100m.(Financings roundup)
September 21, 2006... Home Diagnostics (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) has filed for an initial public offering seeking to raise about $100 million. It initially has priced the offering of 6.6 million shares at from $14 to $16. Home Diagnostics makes blood glucose...

bioMerieux in BB DiversiLab buy; Primedex adds imaging centers.(Deals roundup)
September 21, 2006... bioMerieux (Durham, North Carolina), a maker of in vitro diagnostics, has acquired Bacterial Barcodes (BB; Athens, Georgia), which makes the DiversiLab system used for automated microbial genotyping, offering solutions to track...

Section 401 lapse a key issue, with said and 'unsaid' debated.(Conference news)
September 21, 2006... WASHINGTON -- On the second day of the advertising and promotions conference held by the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI; Washington), a number of expert panelists came from law offices, but the primary center of attention was on broader...

Metagenics, BioMeridian team for integrating BioRep, BIM.(Agreements)(Brief article)
September 21, 2006... Metagenics (San Clemente, California) and BioMeridian (Salt Lake City) reported forming a partnership to provide health practitioners with a new software tool named BioRep. When used in conjunction with BioMeridian's Bioelectrical Impedance...

AMCI Corporation (Gyrus ACMI; Southborough, Massachusetts), the Urology & Gynecology division and subsidiary of Gyrus Group (Cardiff, UK) and a manufacturer of diagnostic and therapeutic minimally invasive surgical devices used in urology and gynecology, has entered into a partnership agreement with Conceptus (San Carlos, California), manufacturer of the Essure Permanent Birth Control system.(Agreements)
September 21, 2006... AMCI Corporation (Gyrus ACMI; Southborough, Massachusetts), the Urology & Gynecology division and subsidiary of Gyrus Group (Cardiff, UK) and a manufacturer of diagnostic and therapeutic minimally invasive surgical devices used in urology and...

Iris International (Chatsworth, California), a manufacturer of automated IVD urinalysis systems and devices used in hospitals and clinical reference laboratories, reported that its Iris Diagnostics Division has entered into a five-year agreement to supply and service automated urine microscopy technology for Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp; Burlington, North Carolina).(Agreements)
September 21, 2006... Iris International (Chatsworth, California), a manufacturer of automated IVD urinalysis systems and devices used in hospitals and clinical reference laboratories, reported that its Iris Diagnostics Division has entered into a five-year...

DR Systems reports $4 million in new hospital, imaging work.(Grants/contracts)(Brief article)
September 21, 2006... DR Systems (San Diego) reported that it has been awarded six new RIS/PACS contracts totaling nearly $4 million. The facilities awarding the contracts were: Washington Hospital Healthcare System (Fremont, California); Halifax Hospital...

Invitrogen (Carlsbad, California) reported that its subsidiary, Invitrogen Federal Systems, has received a $1,243,000 extension to an existing contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to support research using Invitrogen's proprietary ProtoArray protein microarray technology to detect and analyze biothreat agents.(Contracts)(Brief article)
September 21, 2006... Invitrogen (Carlsbad, California) reported that its subsidiary, Invitrogen Federal Systems, has received a $1,243,000 extension to an existing contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to support research using Invitrogen's proprietary...

Omicia (Emeryville, California), a company specializing in personalized medicine based "on genomic insights" has been awarded a $788,517 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, Maryland) to refine the disease marker genome annotation system successfully prototyped by the company during Phase I.(Grants)
September 21, 2006... Omicia (Emeryville, California), a company specializing in personalized medicine based "on genomic insights" has been awarded a $788,517 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute...