HIV :: Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise names Alan Bernstein as Inaugural Executive Director

At the Keystone Symposium in Cape Town, the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise announced the appointment of its first executive director and the opening of a new secretariat in New York City. Dr. Alan Bernstein, founding president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, will lead the international alliance of researchers, funders and advocates dedicated to speeding the search for an HIV vaccine.

AHF’s Innovative – Stay Negative – HIV Prevention Campaign

A post-campaign survey of AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s (AHF) innovative “Stay Negative” social marketing campaign recently revealed the initiative’s success at breaking through to its target audience and reaching its objective to create an effective health education and risk reduction campaign to raise awareness among gay males in Los Angeles County that HIV infection is still a serious threat.

Orthopedic :: Ossur leading orthopedic pioneer expands network to Asia

Ossur, a leading provider of noninvasive orthopedic products and services, today announced the inauguration of its Asia Pacific operations in Shanghai, China. Ossur, renowned for its pioneering work in lower-limb prosthetics and a comprehensive range of braces and supports, established its China office as the regional headquarters catering to customers not just in China but across Asia including Japan, South Korea and Australia.

Drug Safety :: Lilly’s CEO Calls for Reform of Nation’s Drug Safety System

Sidney Taurel, chairman and chief executive officer, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), in a speech at the Cleveland Clinic, called on the health care industry, medical community and U.S. government to actively collaborate on a health information technology system that would provide more rapid and useful insights on the effectiveness of medicines while improving drug safety.

Addiction :: Leaders in addiction treatment announce national ACTION campaign

A cadre of private and public entities in the addiction treatment field announced the launch of the National Adopting Changes to Improve Outcomes Now (ACTION) Campaign for the improvement of addiction treatment services. The ACTION Campaign goals are to increase access to addiction treatment for individuals in need and to keep clients engaged in treatment.

Pharmaceutical :: MIT and Novartis in new partnership aimed at transforming pharmaceutical manufacturing

Novartis and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have launched a long-term research collaboration aimed at transforming the way pharmaceuticals are produced. The 10-year partnership, known as the Novartis-MIT Center for Continuous Manufacturing, will work to develop new technologies that could replace the conventional batch-based system in the pharmaceuticals industry – which often includes many interruptions and work at separate sites – with continuous manufacturing processes from start to finish.

Cancer :: Oncolytics Biotech Inc. reports positive interim results of UK phase Ia/Ib trials

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (“Oncolytics”) (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) announced that an oral presentation covering interim results from a U.K. Phase Ia/Ib combination REOLYSIN® and radiation clinical trial for patients with advanced or metastatic cancers is scheduled to be presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) conference on October 2, 2007 in Birmingham, U.K.

Weight Loss :: New drug makes weight loss safer

More than 60 percent of American women are overweight, with nearly a third falling into the category of obese and at greater risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Until now, there has been no safe, long-term medical remedy that tackles unwanted weight gain.