Health

Health :: Innocoll – collaguard – a collagen-based advanced wound care product

Innocoll, Inc. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Innocoll Pharmaceuticals, has received US 510k approval for CollaGUARD(TM), an advanced wound care product based on Innocoll’s proprietary CollaRx(TM) membrane technology. CollaGUARD is indicated for the management of superficial and deep wounds, including coverage of skin ulcers and temporary dermatoplasty in the case of lesion and burns. CollaGUARD has already received CE-mark approval for marketing in Europe.

Imaging :: Tripath imaging receives fda 510(k) clearance for p53 application for ventana image analysis system

TriPath Imaging Inc. (Nasdaq: TPTH) and Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: VMSI), announced today that TriPath Imaging has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the Ventana Image Analysis System (VIAS(TM)) when used with tissues stained for p53. In 2005 and 2006, the Companies announced 510(k) clearances for VIAS when used with the Ventana Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR), Ki-67 and HER- 2/neu assays.

Cancer :: Agennix receives fda orphan drug designation for talactoferrin alfa in renal cell carcinoma

Agennix today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to the Company’s oral formulation of Talactoferrin Alfa (talactoferrin or TLF) for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Oral TLF is currently in Phase II clinical development for RCC. Results from a multi-center Phase 2 RCC trial that included six leading U.S. cancer centers were presented at the 2006 Annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Smoking :: Nabi biopharmaceuticals completes enrollment in nicvax phase iib ‘proof-of-concept’ clinical trial

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: NABI) today announced it has completed enrollment for its Phase IIB “proof-of-concept” study for NicVAX(R) (Nicotine Conjugate Vaccine), the company’s novel, innovative and proprietary investigational vaccine being developed to treat nicotine addiction and prevent smoking relapse. Enrollment for the trial was completed three months earlier than anticipated, paving the way for the release of trial results early in the second quarter of 2007.

Brain Cancer :: Peregrine receives regulatory approval for Cotara brain cancer clinical trial

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPHM), a biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio of innovative, clinical stage products for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis C virus infection, today announced that it has received regulatory approval in India for a new clinical trial of its lead tumor necrosis therapy (TNT) agent Cotara(R). The trial is designed to test the safety and efficacy of Cotara in patients with glioblastoma multiforme, a deadly form of brain cancer. Cotara is currently being studied in a multi-center U.S. glioblastoma trial. Previous studies using Cotara to treat brain cancer have produced encouraging results, and Peregrine expects that positive data from this trial in combination with data from the ongoing U.S. clinical trial should provide the foundation for planning the future development and commercialization of Cotara.

Obesity :: Manhattan pharmaceuticals – oral oleoyl-estrone clinical program to include morbidly obese

Manhattan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Amex: MHA) today announced expansion of its oral Oleoyl-estrone (OE) clinical obesity program to include the morbidly obese. A new US Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating oral OE in morbidly obese male subjects will be initiated in October 2006. The morbidly obese population in the US is estimated to be 14 million people. OE is the Company’s orally administered product candidate in development for the treatment of obesity.

Radiography :: Eklin Medical Systems – industry’s first comprehensive digital radiographic positioning guide

Eklin Medical Systems, Inc., a leader in digital radiography (DR), PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) and Practice Information Management software (PIMS) for the veterinary care market, announced the introduction of a comprehensive positioning guide for capturing diagnostic equine digital radiographs. The guide features Sheika, a petite gray Arabian mare, who was rescued by the founders of Peninsula Equine Medical Center before she was about to be euthanized by her owner. The 65-page guide provides a quick reference resource for veterinarians and technicians when imaging a horse’s feet, pasterns, fetlocks, stifles, skull, cervical spine and other pertinent anatomy.

Cancer :: Agencourt genomic services is key collaborator in new study on breast and colon cancer genes

Agencourt Bioscience Corporation, a Beckman Coulter company, has announced that its Genomic Services were integral in a breakthrough Johns Hopkins study on the genetic code for breast and colon cancers. A recent and widely publicized report on that study, published this month in Science Express, was co-authored by James Hartigan, an Agencourt project manager. The research identifies close to 200 mutated genes, now linked to these cancers, most of which were not previously recognized as associated with tumor initiation, growth, spread or control. The study provides an understanding into disease processes and is expected to drive cancer research for years to come.

Malaria :: John mcneil named scientific director of path malaria vaccine initiative

The PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative today announced the appointment of John G. McNeil, MD, MPH, as scientific director, effective immediately. Dr. McNeil will have principal responsibility for directing MVI’s early-stage vaccine development efforts and for shaping and managing MVI’s overall candidate vaccine portfolio.