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What Makes a Cleaning Product 'Natural'?
An industry association is unveiling guidelines to define what the term means. Products that meet the standards will get a seal.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-11
Simple Health-Care Fix Fizzles Out
A 2007 study found that many stent procedures were no more effective than cheaper drug therapies for heart patients. But the failure of those findings to resonate with doctors and insurers shows one of the obstacles facing health-care overhaul.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-11
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Q4 2009 Earnings Call Transcript
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (LGND)Q4 2009 Earnings Call TranscriptFebruary 9, 2009 9:00 am ETComplete Story »
seekingalpha.com 2010-02-10
Charles River Laboratories International Inc. Q4 2009 Earnings Call Transcript
Charles River Laboratories International Inc. (CRL)Q4 2009 Earnings CallFebruary 9, 2010 8:30 am ETComplete Story »
seekingalpha.com 2010-02-10
Biogen Idec, Inc. Q4 2009 Earnings Call Transcript
Biogen Idec, Inc. (BIIB)Q4 2009 Earnings CallFebruary 9, 2010; 8:30 am ETComplete Story »
seekingalpha.com 2010-02-10
Which Biotech ETF Is Best? Five Ideas
Michael Johnston submits:As the ETF industry has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, continued innovation has enabled investors to achieve more granular exposure than ever through exchange-traded products. Diversified ETFs targeting relatively narrow sectors of the domestic and global economy have multiplied, including funds targeting the airline, gaming, insurance, gold mining, timber, and food and beverage industries. But the expansion of the ETF industry has also presented investors with more and more options for achieving their desired exposure within a particular asset class of industry. The large cap blend equities ETFdb Category contains almost 30 ETFs, while there are more than a dozen funds targeting emerging markets.Complete Story »
seekingalpha.com 2010-02-10
Ironwood's IPO Leaves Room for Worry About Other Life Sciences
The Burrill Report submits: Investors greeted the Nasdaq debut of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (IRWD) February 2 with warm but restrained interest, allowing the company to raise $188 million to push its drug development plans ahead. At $11.25 per share, the sale fell short of the company's targeted $14 to $16 range, leaving room for worry about how other life science IPOs will fare. Underwriter Morgan Stanley planned to buy about half its 16.7 million shares. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based developer of Linaclotide, a late-stage treatment for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic constipation, is at least in good company. Cellu Tissue Holdings (CLU) and IFM Investments (CTC) both priced below expectations in January. And few other IPOs during December achieved their targeted ranges. Furthermore, because sentiment around an IPO tends to reveal itself over the few weeks following the offering, Ironwood's reception is still an unfolding story. Shares of Ironwood, which is trading under the symbol "IRWD," closed slightly up on their first full day of trading, February 3, ending the day at $11.65. Ironwood came to the market with most of the elements of a popular story: corporate maturity, a solid late-stage drug candidate and a couple of licensing agreements for Linaclotide in place. On the flip side, the company has no revenue yet and is entering the market when even the biggest pharmaceutical players are having a rough time. Next in the IPO line is Anthera Pharmaceuticals (ANTH), which focuses on inflammation-related diseases. It plans to sell 4.6 million shares for $13 to $15 per share. Complete Story »
seekingalpha.com 2010-02-10
Rexahn: The Undiscovered Biotech
M.E. Garza submits: On January 21st, 1990, the founder of Rexahn Pharmaceuticals (Amex: RNN) lost his sister to stomach cancer. What came of that tragedy has become a rare find in the space of thousands of publicly traded biotechnology and health care companies. A remarkable find that has gone almost completely undiscovered by most investors until now. In short, this is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company trading under a dollar on a major exchange (AMEX), with multiple catalysts to help its share price move significantly higher in the short term (this quarter), but as we dive deeper we see that there is so much more here. In fact it will require several articles to truly cover some of the amazing potential in the treatments and drugs in the company's pipeline. Three of those drugs have been labled potential blockbusters that have several big pharmaceutical companies lining up as interested partners.Complete Story »
seekingalpha.com 2010-02-10
UICC - World Cancer Day Feb 4 2010 - Video
World Cancer Day - 4th February 2010 to Focus on Link Between Infections and Cancer
feedproxy.google.com 2010-02-10
Drew Brees Combats Obesity - Video
New Public Service Ads are part of the First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Initiative to Combat Childhood Obesity
feedproxy.google.com 2010-02-10
DRIVE4COPD PSA - Video
CELEBRITY DRIVE4COPD TEAM TO COMPETE IN FOUR-DAY, CROSS-COUNTRY ROAD RACE TO FIND THE MISSING MILLIONS WHO MAY BE AT RISK FOR COPD
feedproxy.google.com 2010-02-10
PPD's Global Central Lab in Singapore Earns CAP Accreditation (Business Wire)
WILMINGTON, N.C.----PPD, Inc. today announced its global central lab operations in Singapore has earned accreditation by the College of American Pathologists , validating its ability to deliver high-quality, reliable data that meet the highest standard of excellence in enhancing patient safety and speeding drug development.
us.rd.yahoo.com 2010-02-10
Clarient Launches New Lung Cancer Test (PR Newswire)
Clarient, Inc. , a premier technology and services resource for pathologists, oncologists and the pharmaceutical industry, today announced the commercial launch of a new lung cancer test, Clarient Insight® Dx Pulmotype® Test, that helps physicians classify specific types of lung cancer to identify which therapies may be most effective.
us.rd.yahoo.com 2010-02-10
MEDTOX Scientific Announces Results for Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2009 (GlobeNewswire)
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- MEDTOX Scientific, Inc. today announced fourth quarter and year-end results for the periods ended December 31, 2009.
us.rd.yahoo.com 2010-02-10
BioClinica Announces Fourth Quarter and Year End 2009 Financial Results (Business Wire)
NEWTOWN, Pa.----BioClinicaâ„¢, Inc. , a global provider of clinical trial services, today announced its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. The operating results of Phoenix Data Systems are included in the financial results following the acquisition of PDS that was completed March 24, 2008.
us.rd.yahoo.com 2010-02-10
Inverness Medical Innovations Schedules Conference Call for 10:00 a.m. ET February 17, 2010 to Discuss Fourth Quarter 2009 Results (PR Newswire)
Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc. , a global leader in enabling individuals to take charge of their health at home through the merger of rapid diagnostics and health management, today announced that it will release its fourth quarter 2009 earnings on Wednesday, February 17, 2010.
us.rd.yahoo.com 2010-02-10
Pepsi, Coke Support Calorie-Labeling Effort
The beverage industry, including Pepsi and Coke, unveiled new labeling plans that will move the calorie content to the front of containers by the end of 2012.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-10
Weight-Loss Surgery Gets a Lift
Obese teens who underwent weight-loss surgery shed significantly more pounds than those who tried just dieting and exercise in a new study.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-10
Becton Part Isn't Linked to Death
The medical-device maker said the recently recalled part that hospitals use to deliver fluids intravenously wasn't responsible for a death it was investigating for possible links to the device.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-10
Mental Health 'Bible' Gets Revamp
Draft revisions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders could have effects that ripple through mental health care.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-10
Boston Scientific Loss Narrows
Boston Scientific posted a narrower fourth-quarter loss despite a big settlement payment, but the medical-device maker unveiled steps to shake up management and streamline operations.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-10
Merck Agrees to Drug-Safety Changes
Merck will pay up to $12.15 million in legal fees and bolster its monitoring of drug safety in a settlement of shareholder litigation connected to the former pain drug Vioxx.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-10
Key Drug Sales, Vaccines Boost Sanofi
The French drug maker reported a better-than-expected 10% rise in net profit, spurred by sales of key drugs Lantus and Lovenox, as well as an extra boost from vaccines
online.wsj.com 2010-02-10
Large Pharma and Small Biotech Deals Expected to Increase in 2010
R.J Steffens submits:Andrew Baum, a health care investment analyst from Morgan Stanley, issued a report last week titled "Exit Research and Create Value" advising large pharma companies to drastically cut back on their in house R and D spending in favor of in-licensing drugs from biotech firms that have reached later stage studies. The report mentioned large pharma firms such as AstraZeneca (AZN) and Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) which he believes should turn from the costly high failure rates of their experimental drugs by expanding the pace of licensing agreements with biotech firms that often provide experimental products at a fraction of the cost.From the Morgan Stanley report:Complete Story »
seekingalpha.com 2010-02-09
Biotech Deal-Making Crosses Borders as Capital Markets Slide
The Burrill Report submits: By MARIE DAGHLIANTwo noteworthy events and a possible trend shaped the past week in life sciences. First Ironwood Pharmaceuticals (IRWD) became the first biotech to go public in 2010 [see story]. The company had hoped to raise upwards of $270 million through the sale of 16.7 million shares in the range of $14 to $16 a share. In the end, however, it priced its shares at $11.25 raising just $187.5 million. While this was a significant price cut, it managed to get its IPO done. How the company fares in the aftermarket will be a sign for other companies in the queue. This happened during a dismal week for the U.S. capital markets, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipping into negative territory, falling below 10,000, down 2 percent for the week and 6 percent since the beginning of the year. The Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 1.5 percent during the week, down 7 percent year-to-date. It was the third straight week of declines as investors become increasingly wary of an economic recovery amid weak jobs data and continuing high unemployment numbers. Deal activity was mostly cross border. In the biggest deal of the week, Cephalon (CEPH) expanded into the generic drug business with its acquisition of Swiss drugmaker Mepha for $590 million. Mepha is owned by Germany's Merckle family that also owns Ratiopharm, another generic drug company currently a potential acquisition target. With the Mepha acquisition, Cephalon gains access to more than 120 products sold in 50 countries, potentially doubling Cephalon's global business. According to Reuters, Cephalon is looking for other acquisitions, especially in China. There were two noteworthy cross-border partnering deals during the week. Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (SPPI) entered into a licensing and collaboration agreement with Danish biotech TopoTarget for Belinostat, a novel histone deacetylase or HDAC inhibitor, currently in a registrational trial as a monotherapy for relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma, an indication in which it has been granted Orphan Drug and Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Belinostat is also being studied in multiple phase 2 trials for various oncology indications as both a monotherapy and a combination therapy. Under terms of the agreement, Spectrum licensed the rights to Belinostat for North America and India, and an option for China, in exchange for an upfront cash payment of $30 million, potential milestone payments of up to $320 million, and one million shares of Spectrum common stock based upon the successful achievement of certain development, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as double-digit royalties on net sales of Belinostat. Spectrum and TopoTarget will jointly fund development activities, whereby clinical trial costs will be 70 percent borne by Spectrum and 30 percent by TopoTarget for new trials to be initiated. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) entered into an exclusive licensing deal with private Austrian biotech Apeiron Biologics worth potentially $330 million. Under the terms of the deal, GSK gains exclusive rights to APN01, an early stage drug for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Apeiron will get approximately $17.5 million upfront in cash and equity investments, and could receive as much as $330 million in developmental milestones plus royalties on any future sales. APN01 is a recombinant human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 or ACE2. There were also a couple of interesting financings. UK genomics firm Oxford Nanopore Technologies raised $28 million from existing investors Lansdowne Partners, IP Group and Invesco Perpetual, new undisclosed U.S. institutions, and the company's DNA sequencing marketing partner Illumina UK, a subsidiary of U.S. genomics company Illumina (ILMN). This is Illumina's second investment in Oxford Nanopore in the past two years, having invested $18 million last year. Illumina is betting that Oxford Nanopore, which is developing a disruptive technology platform for the electronic, label-free analysis of single molecules, will help it succeed in the race to $1,000 human genome. Personal genomics company Navigenics raised approximately $18 million of funding. Procter and Gamble joined existing investors Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers and Mohr Davidow Ventures in the series C financing round. The Foster City, California-based company offers direct-to-consumer genetic tests that assess predisposition to various diseases. The tests are not for whole genome sequencing and have been the subject of a lot of controversy as to their usefulness. Medco Health Solutions (MHS), a leading provider of pharmacy and clinical research support solutions, announced that they were acquiring DNA Direct, based in San Francisco and another DTC genetic testing company. Financial terms were not disclosed. Click to enlarge Complete Story »
seekingalpha.com 2010-02-09
Some Small-Cap Biotech Stocks Worth Watching
M.E. Garza submits: There are a number of stocks we've been monitoring since we did both trade and watch-list alerts for our subscribers about them. Now is the time you really want to play close attention to them. The first is one you keep hearing me talk about: NeoStem (AMEX:NBS). The company, of course, is set to raise some money (as noted by their recent Securities Registration Statement filing) and that will enable them to grow revenues and start trading at a completely different level than where they are today.Complete Story »
seekingalpha.com 2010-02-09
Adoption of Cerus' Technology Makes Its Valuation Look Ridiculous
Michael Shulman submits: Shorting is a state of mind - and I know someday there will be a crisis with the blood supply in the US, or in a developed nation, that rivals the problems of the 1980s and HIV contamination. How do you play this? Cerus (CERS).Complete Story »
seekingalpha.com 2010-02-09
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Osteoarthritis PSAs Promote Moving - Video
National Public Awareness Campaign with Arthritis Foundation and Ad Council to Communicate that "Moving is the Best Medicine"
feedproxy.google.com 2010-02-09
PPD Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Financial Results (Business Wire)
WILMINGTON, N.C.----PPD, Inc. today reported its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009.
us.rd.yahoo.com 2010-02-09
PPD cancellations take toll on 4Q profit (AP)
Drug development contractor Pharmaceutical Product Development Inc. said late Monday that its profit shrank 60 percent in the fourth quarter on canceled contracts and other impairments.
us.rd.yahoo.com 2010-02-09
Pacific Biomarkers, Inc. Schedules Second Quarter Conference Call for Friday, February 12, 2010 (PR Newswire)
Pacific Biomarkers, Inc. , which provides specialty reference biomarker services to support pharmaceutical and laboratory diagnostic manufacturers in the conduct of human clinical research, today announced that it has scheduled an investor conference call for 11:15 a.m.
us.rd.yahoo.com 2010-02-09
Sweet: We'll Wait for Our Reward
New medical findings on blood sugar and the perception of rewards; autism; arthritis; weight loss; ear infections; nicotine patches; diabetes and kidney damage.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-09
FDA Widens Crestor Approval
The Food and Drug Administration Monday approved wider use of Crestor, AstraZeneca PLC's cholesterol-lowering drug, allowing the company to market the drug to patients who don't have signs of heart disease.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-09
Insurer Plays Judge on Cancer Care
UnitedHealth group sends doctors reports assessing their treatment of breast, lung and colorectal cancer patients.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-09
First Lady to Fight Childhood Obesity
Michelle Obama launches a campaign to fight childhood obesity, a cause that is becoming her top policy priority.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-09
FDA Move May Bolster Crestor
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of AstraZeneca's cholesterol drug Crestor for a new group of patients could open a large new market for the drug.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-09
Leverage Sought In Health Summit
Republicans ruled out any health legislation that doesn't start from scratch in response to Obama's plans for a bipartisan health summit.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-09
Hearts Actually Can Break
Broken-heart syndrome mimics a heart attack but is brought on by acute emotion or physical trauma. Patients usually fully recover with no lasting heart damage.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-09
GlaxoSmithKline, Poniard, Protalix Provide Biotech's Latest Mishaps
The Burrill Report submits: GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will cut up to 4,000 jobs as the drug giant seeks to cut costs in the face of the loss of revenue from generic competition, The Sunday Times reported. The latest job cuts come as the company puts greater focus on fast-growing emerging markets, the newspaper said. GlaxoSmithKline, which has just under 100,000 employees, declined to comment on the report. Poniard Pharmaceuticals (PARD) said it is eliminating nearly 60 percent of its workforce as it seeks to slash operating costs and focus its resources on the ongoing development of picoplatin in solid tumors. The reduction in force will reduce the number of employees to a total of 21. The cuts come a little more than two weeks after the company reported disappointing mid-stage clinical data on its drug picoplatin for metastatic colon cancer. Poniard expects the reduction in force to result in approximately $4 million in reduced annualized operating expenses in 2010. The Company also expects to incur a charge in the first quarter of 2010 of approximately $1 million related to the workforce reduction. Poniard also said it appointed Ronald Martell to the position of chief executive officer. He succeeds Jerry McMahon, who will remain as non-executive chairman of the board of directors. In addition, Michael Perry has been named president and chief medical officer. Protalix BioTherapeutics (PLX) said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants additional data on its treatment for Gaucher disease before it would consider its application to begin marketing the drug. The agency wants information primarily pertaining to the validation of the manufacturing process in the company's upgraded manufacturing facility for the drug known as taliglucerase alfa. The agency did not request additional clinical or preclinical information. Protalix says it is working to provide the requested data to the FDA and anticipates submitting the requested data during the second quarter of 2010.Complete Story »
seekingalpha.com 2010-02-08
Cord Blood America Finalizes Cord Blood Stem Cell Processing and Storage Agreement with BioCells, a Major South American Company (PR Newswire)
Cord Blood America, Inc. , the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells, a biological insurance policy, to families nationwide and internationally, said today that it has finalized an agreement to process and store cord blood specimens for BioCells, Inc., headquartered in Argentina, and its affiliates in Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Panama and Puerto Rico.
us.rd.yahoo.com 2010-02-08
Covance To Present At The 20th Annual Global Healthcare Services Conference (PR Newswire)
Covance Inc. today announced that it will present at the 20th Annual Global Healthcare Services Conference on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. ET. Â Investors may access a live webcast of the presentation at www.covance.com. Â In order to register and download any necessary software, please log on 10 minutes early.
us.rd.yahoo.com 2010-02-08
Becton Dickinson Recalls Catheter, IV Products
Becton Dickinson voluntarily recalled some 5.7 million products related to catheters and administering fluids intravenously, saying their use may cause serious injury or death.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-08
Obama Seeks Health-Care Summit
Obama says he has invited Republican and Democratic leaders to discuss health care legislation later this month.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-08
How Big Pharma Got in This Fix
Derek Lowe submits: I hate to do another post on this subject, after a good part of the week has been devoted to layoff news and the like, but this one is too much to ignore. A reader sent along this link, which quotes a Morgan Stanley appraisal of the pharma industry as an investment. Here's what they're telling their clients: . . .Still significant value in Pharma - we see material upside to ROIC [return on invested capital], earnings and multiples as Pharma withdraws from most internal small-molecule research and reallocates capital to in-licensing and other non-pharma assets. Worsening generic pressure and R&D management changes lead us to expect material cuts to internal small research spend (~40% total R&D) in 2010/11, after a decade of dismal internal R&D returns. We expect AstraZeneca (AZN) and Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) to be among the leaders in externalizing research, and this is a key driver of our upgrade of AstraZeneca today to Overweight.Complete Story »
seekingalpha.com 2010-02-07
Rehabilitation at St. Jude - Video
Announces fulfillment of $16 million commitment for the expansion of Rehabilitation Services Center at Memphis-based St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® through the hospital's annual Thanks and Giving® campaign
feedproxy.google.com 2010-02-06
Make Friends with Autism - Video
Children's Specialized Hospital and Kohl's Department Stores Collaborate to Launch This New Comprehensive Autism Awareness Campaign
feedproxy.google.com 2010-02-06
Danica Patrick Stars in New DRIVE4COPD campaign - Video
DRIVE4COPD Sheds Light on the Nation's 4th Leading Killer Through Unprecedented Public Health Initiative
feedproxy.google.com 2010-02-06
Quest Diagnostics to Speak at the UBS Global Healthcare Services Conference (PR Newswire)
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated , the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, announced that it is scheduled to speak at the UBS 2010 Global Healthcare Services Conference in New York City. Â The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
us.rd.yahoo.com 2010-02-06
Spread of Swine Flu Slows
The spread of the H1N1 influenza virus continues to slow across the U.S.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-06
FDA Clears Drug Chief of Conflict
The inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services has cleared the chief of the drug division at the FDA of allegations of conflict of interest.
online.wsj.com 2010-02-06
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