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IBM dedicates $100 million for global initiative to improve healthcare quality and costs

IBM today announced plans to enlist some of the company's leading scientists and technologists to help medical practitioners and insurance companies provide high-quality, evidence-based care to patients. As part of this initiative, IBM is collaborating with clinicians in medical institutions and hiring medical doctors to work alongside its researchers to develop new technologies, scientific advancements and business processes for healthcare and insurance providers.

15 Jul 2010

Eban-based HIV/STD risk-reduction intervention improves safe-sex habits among high-risk African-American couples

A new study has found that heterosexual African American couples in which only one partner is HIV-positive practiced safer sexual behaviors after participating in a culturally specific intervention program designed to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

14 Jul 2010

Metamark Genetics closes $22M Series B financing

Metamark Genetics, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company addressing a major challenge in cancer medicine, has completed a $22 million Series B financing. Metamark's Prognosis Determinants platform has illuminated the genetic drivers governing the lethal metastatic progression of major cancers and is now focused on pivotal translational and commercialization efforts to bring these breakthrough discoveries to cancer patients worldwide.

14 Jul 2010

New study on impact of bortezomib on mantle cell lymphoma

A new study by researchers from the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center sheds light on how bortezomib (VELCADE-), the first in a new class of cancer drugs known as proteasome inhibitors, works in mantle cell lymphoma. The study also provides preliminary evidence for which patients might benefit most from bortezomib.

13 Jul 2010

Researchers examine impact of genetic ancestry on measures of lung function

Americans with lung disease may face a far greater level of lung damage than either they or their doctor suspect, depending on their individual genetic heritage, according to research published online July 7 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The research implications range from diagnosing the severity of asthma, to disability decisions or eligibility for lung transplants, researchers say.

13 Jul 2010

Asuragen, Life Technologies announce European launch of BCR/ABL1 Quant Test

Asuragen, Inc. and Life Technologies Corporation announced today that they have achieved CE-marking and commercial launch in Europe of the BCR/ABL1 Quant™ Test, Asuragen's clinically validated and cGMP manufactured test intended to aid clinicians in the monitoring and treatment of individuals afflicted with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Asuragen manufacturers the monitoring test, which is exclusively distributed by Life Technologies and runs on the company's Applied Biosystems CE-marked 7500 Fast Dx Real-Time PCR Instrument™.

13 Jul 2010

WaferGen Biosystems announces closing of $7.2M registered direct offering

WaferGen Biosystems, Inc., a leading developer of state-of-the-art genomic analysis systems, today announced the closing of a $7.2 million registered direct offering. The amount raised includes $1 million from the Chairman and CEO, Alnoor Shivji, and approximately $500,000 in the aggregate from four other members of the board of directors of WaferGen.

9 Jul 2010

First US forum gathers doctors and children who no longer need insulin

Twenty-five families who have overcome diabetes caused by a defect in a single gene will gather at "Celebrating the Miracles," a University of Chicago symposium for patients, parents and physicians. The first Monogenic Diabetes Forum is designed to review scientific studies, celebrate treatment successes, stress the importance of a genetic diagnosis for children diagnosed before age one, and exchange tips on how to make the most of a new concept--life without insulin injections.

3 Jul 2010

BIDMC calls for new training program for personalized healthcare

The Department of Pathology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) have issued "A Call to Action" for the medical profession to catch up with the technology and business communities in the application of genomics to personalized health care.

2 Jul 2010

Cancer stem cells may vary from tumor to tumor, say researchers

Cancer stem cells have enticed scientists because of the potential to provide more durable and widespread cancer cures by identifying and targeting the tumor's most voracious cells.

2 Jul 2010

BioImagene, KUMC partner to develop Companion Algorithms for digital pathology

BioImagene, Inc., the leading provider of innovative digital pathology solutions, announced a collaboration with the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine to develop Companion Algorithms™ for next generation companion diagnostics for digital pathology.

1 Jul 2010

Gene diagnosis to be featured at 9th INT'L BIO FORUM & BIO EXPO JAPAN

9th INT'L BIO FORUM & BIO EXPO JAPAN, organized by Reed Exhibitions Japan, will come back again as Asia's largest bio-event from June 30 - July 2, 2010. "Gene diagnosis" is one of the featured topics for this year.

30 Jun 2010

Aeterna Zentaris, Almac collaborate on study of AEZS-108 doxorubicin LHRH targeted conjugate compound

Aeterna Zentaris Inc., a late-stage drug development company specialized in oncology and endocrine therapy, today announced a collaborative study with Almac's Diagnostics division for the Company's doxorubicin luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) targeted conjugate compound, AEZS-108, aimed at determining LHRH receptor expression through the development of a companion diagnostic tool.

28 Jun 2010

PGXL announces new contractual agreement with GH

PGXL, a Louisville-based molecular diagnostics laboratory, announced a new contractual agreement with Generation Health, Inc. The agreement makes PGXL a preferred genetic testing lab for GH. The lab will provide molecular diagnostic tests for GH, which will help physicians make therapeutic decisions and facilitate what has come to be known as "personalized medicine."

25 Jun 2010

Personalized medicine holds promise for the future of healthcare

With the accelerating pace of scientific discovery in life sciences, coupled with our ability to process and analyze enormous amounts of genetic information, the field of personalized medicine holds great promise for the future of healthcare.

24 Jun 2010

NaturalNano nanotubes improve targeting of circulating tumor cells: Study

NaturalNano, Inc. announced today that Dr. Michael King, a researcher at Cornell University, has published a new study demonstrating how NaturalNano nanotubes can improve targeting of circulating tumor cells (CTC's). These nanotubes, when added to the surface where cancer cells are attracted, enhance the natural rolling mechanism that Dr. King believes will allow them to be exposed to specific drugs or other therapeutic agents, or isolated for diagnostic and research purposes.

23 Jun 2010

Biodesix awarded US patent for VeriStrat serum test

Biodesix, Inc., a company developing and commercializing molecular diagnostics for personalized medicine, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has awarded to the Company patent number 7,736,905. The patent provides coverage for the Company's first product, VeriStrat®, which is used by physicians to help guide therapy for patients with advanced lung cancer. The allowed claims are directed towards the serum-based identification of patients likely to benefit from epidermal growth factor targeted therapy.

22 Jun 2010

9th INT'L BIO FORUM & BIO EXPO JAPAN from June 30 - July 2, 2010

18 Jun 2010

Serotonin transporter gene appears to increase one's risk for depression, PTSD: Study

There is a great deal of interest in factors that contribute to the vulnerability to developing post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. One factor that appears to contribute to the heritable vulnerability to PTSD is a variation in the gene that codes for the serotonin transporter, also known as the serotonin uptake site. Having a shorter version of the serotonin transporter gene appears to increase one's risk for depression and PTSD after exposure to extremely stressful situations.

18 Jun 2010

Identification of key player in signaling pathway offers hope for new targeted melanoma therapies

Identification of a key player in a signaling pathway involved in the development of melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer - may offer hope for new targeted melanoma therapies.

16 Jun 2010