Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Connexin Software announces updated EMR software version to support H1N1 vaccine administration

With initial shipments of the much anticipated H1N1 vaccine arriving in doctors’ offices last week, Connexin Software today announced it is delivering an expedited update of its Office Practicum pediatric EMR with features to support the special forecasting, administration, and billing requirements of the new vaccine.

14 Oct 2009

NIBIB awards $1M grant to develop a rapid test for sepsis-related pathogens

Smiths Detection today announces the award of a $1m, two-year grant from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) to develop a rapid test for eight micro-organisms that commonly cause burn/wound infections leading to septicemia (blood-poisoning).

14 Oct 2009

Nobilon initiates a clinical Proof of Concept trial with SCH 900795 vaccine

Nobilon, the human vaccine business unit of Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP), today announced that it has initiated a clinical Proof of Concept trial with SCH 900795, a new intranasal Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) for annual seasonal use.

14 Oct 2009

Inovio Biomedical's proprietary DNA vaccine development platform introduced

Inovio Biomedical Corporation (NYSE Amex:INO), a leader in DNA vaccine design, development and delivery, announced today that Dr. J. Joseph Kim, president and CEO, presented at the invitation-only World Knowledge Forum being held in Seoul, South Korea.

14 Oct 2009

Imaging as a tool to identify severe cases of H1N1

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have found that imaging can now be used as a tool for identifying severe cases of H1N1 and may play a key role in understanding the pathogenesis of the virus, possibly leading to earlier diagnoses of severe cases in the future, according to a study published online today in the American Journal of Roentgenology. The study will be published in the December issue of AJR.

14 Oct 2009

NIH awards Novavax a SBIR grant for respiratory syncytial virus vaccine research

Novavax, Inc. announced today that it has received a Small Business and Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant from the NIAID is to support a segment of the Company's preclinical research program for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) particle-based vaccine.

14 Oct 2009

H1N1 patients with ARDS survive illness when treated with ECMO

Despite the severity of disease and the intensity of treatment, most patients in Australia and New Zealand who experienced respiratory failure as a result of 2009 influenza A(H1N1) and were treated with a system that adds oxygen to the patient's blood survived the disease, according to a study to appear in the November 4 issue of JAMA.

14 Oct 2009

Statewide H1N1 Vaccine Provider Registration System from Upp Technology

Supporting directives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Upp Software, a business unit of Upp Technology, Inc., has developed, delivered and now offers a Statewide H1N1 Vaccine Provider Registration System to accommodate thousands of vaccine providers' ordering and reporting needs.

14 Oct 2009

Vanda Pharmaceuticals announces its agreement with Novartis Pharma AG

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Novartis Pharma AG to commercialize and develop Fanapt(TM) (iloperidone), Vanda's anti-psychotic, in the U.S. and Canada. Fanapt(TM) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on May 6, 2009 for the acute treatment of schizophrenia in adults.

14 Oct 2009

NanoBio to receive a $4.1M subcontract for developing nanoemulsion-based mucosal vaccine adjuvants

NanoBio Corporation today announced an award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a Division of The National Institute of Health, to fund vaccine research associated with “Innate Immune Receptors and Adjuvant Discovery.” NanoBio is the principal subcontractor for the $9.3 million contract awarded to the University of Michigan.

14 Oct 2009

Do not underestimate the serious impact of the H1N1 virus, say researchers

A research team has warned medical experts in the Northern Hemisphere not to underestimate the serious impact of the H1N1 (Swine flu) virus with a new report showing that many patients who were critically ill with the virus required prolonged life support treatment with heart-lung machines.

14 Oct 2009

Patients at highly rated hospitals have a 52% lower chance of dying: Study

The largest annual study of patient outcomes at each of the nation’s 5,000 nonfederal hospitals found a wide gap in quality between the nation’s best hospitals and all others. According to the study, issued today by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization, patients at highly rated hospitals have a 52 percent lower chance of dying compared with the U.S. hospital average, a quality chasm that has persisted for the last decade even as mortality rates, in general, have declined.

14 Oct 2009

Rapid rollout of H1N1 vaccines is effective in reducing infection rates according to simulation model

Early action, especially rapid rollout of vaccines, is extremely effective in reducing the attack rate of the H1N1 influenza virus, according to a simulation model of a pandemic outbreak reported in a new study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) www.cmaj.ca.

14 Oct 2009

American Lung Association to raise awareness about the seriousness of seasonal influenza

In the spirit of "healthy competition," the American Lung Association in Minnesota is teaming up with the Minneapolis and St. Paul Fire Departments to raise awareness about the seriousness of seasonal influenza and the importance of vaccination this year.

14 Oct 2009

New Ultra Sensitive facemasks to protect against seasonal and swine flu

BIOSAFE, Inc., a company that manufactures and sells a novel antimicrobial polymer, has announced that they are launching in specific markets outside the United States through a unique facemask treated with BIOSAFE(®). Crosstex' new BIOSAFE-treated Ultra Sensitive facemasks begin to reduce microorganisms such as MRSA, VRE, and Staph immediately upon contact, and have further proven to be effective against Influenza A strains such as seasonal flu and the novel H1N1 virus.

14 Oct 2009

Studies examine H1N1 treatment, outcome differences in Mexico, Canada

New studies suggest that "[d]eveloping countries with limited access to advanced health-care facilities may be in for a rough ride with swine [H1N1] flu and even countries with high-tech ICUs may find themselves pushed to the limit as their hospitals struggle to save gravely ill H1N1 patients," the Canadian Press reports.

14 Oct 2009

NIH awards $2.2m grant to Smiths Detection to develop a test for multiple types of influenza

Smiths Detection today announces the award of a $2.2m, two-year grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), to develop a test for multiple types of influenza.

14 Oct 2009

Market Street's initiative to combat cold and flu season

As a complimentary service, Market Street pharmacies are expanding the grocer’s whole-health commitment to its guests by offering free antibiotics and prenatal vitamins to North Texans to help weather the cold and flu season through its “Free to Feel Better” program. Additionally, Market Street’s new partnership with Dallas-based MedicalEdge has transformed the Living Well ExpressCare Centers into more than just walk-in clinics.

14 Oct 2009

Study says critical illness among Canadian patients with H1N1 occurred rapidly after hospital admission

Critical illness among Canadian patients with 2009 influenza A(H1N1) occurred rapidly after hospital admission, often in young adults, and was associated with severely low levels of oxygen in the blood, multi-system organ failure, a need for prolonged mechanical ventilation, and frequent use of rescue therapies, according to a study to appear in the November 4 issue of JAMA.

13 Oct 2009

Johnson & Johnson announces financial results for the third quarter of 2009

Johnson & Johnson today announced sales of $15.1 billion for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of 5.3% as compared to the third quarter of 2008. Operational results declined 2.8% and the negative impact of currency was 2.5%. Domestic sales declined 8.1%, while international sales declined 2.5%, reflecting operational growth of 2.4% and a negative currency impact of 4.9%.

13 Oct 2009