Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease News and Research

Latest Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease News and Research

New Medicare rules on home-oxygen affect patients, businesses

The Wall Street Journal: "New Medicare rules designed to reduce waste and fraud in medical-equipment reimbursements are driving some home-oxygen suppliers out of business and leaving patients scrambling to find new providers." The rules - scheduled to go into effect January 1, apply to people "who rely on Medicare to pay for oxygen services, which relieve the symptoms of conditions such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease."

24 Nov 2009

Employers take action to improve medication adherence

More employers are taking steps to improve their employees' health by making sure they take their medicines as prescribed, a move that could stave off more serious and costly health consequences, according to a new report sponsored by the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC).

21 Nov 2009

Scientists explore various imaging techniques to gain new insight into lung disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a respiratory disease commonly known as chronic bronchitis or emphysema, is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. 600 million people live with COPD and while researchers have yet to find any real treatment or cure, Grace Parraga of Robarts Research Institute at The University of Western Ontario in London, Canada, is using various imaging techniques to gain new insight into the disease.

21 Nov 2009

New research studies seek to improve diagnosis and treatment for emphysema and other lung diseases

The University of Michigan Health System will try to find out, through two new multi-center research studies that seek to improve diagnosis and treatment for millions of people affected by emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other lung diseases. Together, those conditions are known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Both studies are now accepting new participants.

20 Nov 2009

Canadian comedian helps raise awareness about COPD

COPD is no joke to Canadian comedian Mary Walsh. "It's shocking that so few Canadians know about COPD considering it's the fourth leading cause of death in this country," says Mary Walsh, spokesperson for The Canadian Lung Association.

18 Nov 2009

Homecare, an important part of the solution to nation's healthcare crisis

During November -- National Homecare Month -- the American Association for Homecare celebrates the thousands of dedicated professionals who provide cost-effective and consumer-preferred homecare.

18 Nov 2009

New research may play a vital role in assisting patients with chronic lung disease

Dr Lori Calvert's research involved testing patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the laboratory at Glenfield Hospital to see how energy is delivered to the leg muscles during exercise.

18 Nov 2009

Third patent application for COPD stem cell therapy filed by Entest BioMedical

Entest BioMedical Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ENTB) announced today the filing of a third patent application relating to the area of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that affects more than 5 million patients in the United States, resulting in more than 120,000 deaths per year. The application covers an implantable medical device useful in re-directing the immune system to stop tissue inflammation.

18 Nov 2009

Occupational contact dermatitis and asthma are most common work-related health issues, says new research

Occupational contact dermatitis and asthma are two of the most common work-related health issues facing workers worldwide, according to experts presenting the latest research at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Miami Beach, Fla.

11 Nov 2009

MicroDose Therapeutx acquires potential compounds for treatment of respiratory syncytial virus

MicroDose Therapeutx Inc. (formerly MicroDose Technologies) today announced that it has acquired a portfolio of compounds for the potential treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from ViroPharma Incorporated (Exton, PA). The lead investigational compound in the portfolio is an inhalable small molecule fusion inhibitor, now called MDT-637.

10 Nov 2009

GTx reports financial results for the third quarter of 2009

GTx, Inc. today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2009. The net loss for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $12.8 million and $35.4 million, respectively, compared with a net loss of $11.9 million and $37.9 million for the same periods in 2008. At September 30, 2009 GTx had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $55.5 million.

9 Nov 2009

Tobacco smoke linked with respiratory diseases

Tobacco smoke is involved in uncontrolled asthma, a diminished response to anti-asthma drugs, rhinitis, nasal obstruction, and deregulation of the immune system according to an international expert at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Miami Beach, Fla.

9 Nov 2009

CHANTIX/CHAMPIX raises hope for quitting smoking

New study results showed that 42.3 percent of smokers with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who took CHANTIX/CHAMPIX® (varenicline) were able to quit smoking and remain abstinent during the last four weeks of treatment (weeks 9-12) compared with 8.8 percent of those given placebo (p<0.0001). These findings were presented by investigators at CHEST 2009, the 75th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

5 Nov 2009

Entest BioMedical files second patent application in the treatment of COPD

Entest BioMedical announced today it has filed a second patent application in the area of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This new patent application builds upon the Company’s previously filed COPD patent application and involves the use of photoceutical devices to target stem cells toward areas impacted by COPD in the lungs.

4 Nov 2009

Entest BioMedical and Quantum Advisors sign Letter of Intent

Entest BioMedical Inc. (OTCBB: ENTB) announced today that it has signed a Letter of Intent with Quantum Advisors, a San Diego based biotechnology consulting firm, to assist Entest with the development of its Stem Cell Therapeutic Treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

3 Nov 2009

NHLBI survey results reveal COPD awareness continues to grow in the United States

Awareness of COPD-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-continues to grow in the United States, according to national survey results released today by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.

3 Nov 2009

Pulmatrix raises $30.2 million through Series B financing

Pulmatrix, a clinical stage biotechnology company discovering and developing a new class of therapies for the treatment and prevention of infectious and progressive respiratory diseases, today announced that it has secured $30.2 million in Series B financing. ARCH Venture Partners and Novartis Bioventures Fund co-led the round with participation from existing investors Polaris Venture Partners and 5AM Ventures.

2 Nov 2009

Nonin Medical receives Medical Technology Award for Onyx II, Model 9560

Nonin Medical, Inc., a leading innovator of noninvasive physiological monitoring solutions, was awarded the Medical Technology Award and its owner and CTO, Phil Isaacson received the Technology Executive of the Year by the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA), in partnership with Enterprise Minnesota and LifeScience Alley.

30 Oct 2009

Report on health insurance reform to support women with breast cancer

As Americans mark breast cancer awareness month, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius today released a new report, Health Insurance Reform and Breast Cancer: Making the Health Care System Work for Women.

24 Oct 2009

Quality of U.S. health care was virtually stagnant in 2008, says NCQA report

A report released today by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) finds that the quality of U.S. health care was virtually stagnant in 2008, a disturbing slowdown after a decade of improvements. The across-the-board trend was seen in care provided to people with private insurance coverage as well as in Medicare and Medicaid.

23 Oct 2009