Genmab Completes Recruitment Of Patients In The Phase II Study Of Ofatumumab In Combination With CHOP Chemotherapy

Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) announced it has completed recruitment of 56 previously untreated follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients in the Phase II study of ofatumumab (HuMax-CD20(R)) in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (CHOP). "We are happy to finish enrolment in this first study with ofatumumab in front line follicular NHL patients," said Lisa N. Drakeman, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at Genmab.

Healthy Blood Vessels May Prevent Fat Growth

The cells lining blood vessels are known to be important for maintaining health, but researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine believe these cells may perform an unsuspected task - controlling the development of fat cells. Their findings are reported in the September issue of the journal Stem Cells.

Iron-Moving Malfunction May Underlie Neurodegenerative Diseases, Aging

A glitch in the ability to move iron around in cells may underlie a disease known as Type IV mucolipidosis (ML4) and the suite of symptoms---mental retardation, poor vision and diminished motor abilities---that accompany it, new research at the University of Michigan shows.

NIH Fast Track Grant Awarded To Arteriocyte For Critical Limb Ischemia Research

Arteriocyte, a clinical stage biotechnology company announced today the receipt of a fast track Phase I/II Small Business Innovation Research Grant Award (R44HL092706-01) from National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant award, is the first installment of the combined $2.

Potential Cure For Children With Sickle Cell Disease Evaluated In Nationwide Research Study

A first-of-its-kind clinical trial may provide new treatment options to children with sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder that affects 70,000 people in the United States. The Sickle Cell Unrelated Transplant (SCURT) research study is a Phase II, multi-site clinical trial that will start accepting qualified patients later this month. Currently, marrow or blood stem cell transplantation is the only potential cure for severe SCD.

Omrix Completes Enrollment Of Initial 90 Patients Needed To Conduct Interim Analysis In Fibrin Pad U.S. Phase II Clinical Trial

Omrix Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Omrix") (NASDAQ: OMRI), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company that develops and markets biosurgical and immunotherapy products, announced today that it has completed enrollment of the first 90 patients in its Phase II clinical trial for the Fibrin Pad in mild to moderate bleeding. The Company expects to release 90 patient interim efficacy analysis by the end of October 2008.

AVEO Pharmaceuticals Initiates First Clinical Trial Of Novel HGF Antagonist In Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors And Lymphomas

AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced that it has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability and recommended dose of SCH900105 (AV-299), its novel, highly potent antibody to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), administered intravenously in patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors or lymphoma. SCH900105 (AV-299) is being developed in collaboration with Schering-Plough (NYSE: SGP).

Beaumont Doctor Invents Device To Improve Blood Clot Treatment Outcomes

The Beaumont Commercialization Center, a medical device development company within Beaumont Hospitals, has a new surgical instrument available for licensing. Paul J. Arpasi, M.D., a Beaumont radiologist, developed a device that will help reduce the risk for excessive bleeding and infection by allowing multiple catheters or other devices to be connected to a patient from a single puncture site.

Maisonneuve Rosemont Hospital To Become Leader In Stem Cell Research, Canada

Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital (MRH), which is affiliated to the UniversitsY de MontrsYal, plans to open the Centre d'excellence en thsYrapie cellulaire (CETC) in 2010. The CETC will focus on stem cell research, regenerative medicine and different types of blood cancers. "Our hope is to have a world class hemo-oncology center such as the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York," says hematologist Dr.

Nice Approves Pradaxa(R)(Dabigatran Etexilate) - 1st New Oral Anticoagulant In UK For Over 50 Years

Clinicians and patient groups have welcomed today's announcement by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommending Pradaxa(R) (dabigatran etexilate) as an option for the primary prevention of venous thrombembolic events in adults who have undergone elective total hip or total knee replacement surgery.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - Recruitment Completed In Ofatumumab NHL Pivotal Study

Genmab A/S (OMX: GEN) announced it has completed recruitment of patients in the pivotal Phase III study of ofatumumab (HuMax-CD20(R)) in rituximab refractory follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Eighty-one patients receiving treatment at the 1000 mg dose level of ofatumumab have been recruited in the study. Data from these patients will be included in the primary efficacy analysis.

AdvanDx Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance For Yeast Traffic Light PNA FISH

AdvanDx announced it received FDA 510(k) clearance of the Yeast Traffic Light PNA FISHв„ў to identify Candida yeast species directly from positive blood cultures. The Yeast Traffic Lightв„ў is the latest addition to AdvanDx's easy-to-use, molecular-based PNA FISHв„ў diagnostics platform that provides rapid identification of bloodstream pathogens in hours instead of days.

Zibor(R), A Second-generation Low Molecular Weight Heparin, Only One Licensed In The UK

Archimedes Pharma UK Limited, the UK based, pan-European specialty pharmaceutical company, announces the launch of Zibor^ (bemiparin sodium) to the UK market. A second-generation low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), Zibor is the only LMWH licensed in the UK for post-operative initiation of thromboprophylaxis in any patients undergoing orthopaedic and general surgery. Already used by over 5 million patients worldwide, Zibor enters the UK market as the lowest priced LMWH.

DKMS And The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's New York City Chapter Announce Partnership

DKMS, the world's largest bone marrow donor center, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's New York City Chapter will team up at this year's Light The Night Walk(R) to pay homage to patients battling cancer and to recruit bone marrow donors needed to give hope to more patients suffering from life-threatening blood diseases, such as leukemia and lymphoma.

PolyMedix Initiates Dosing In Phase I Clinical Study Of Novel Anticoagulant Antagonist Compound

PolyMedix, Inc., an emerging biotechnology company developing new therapeutic drug products to treat infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders based on biomimetics, has initiated dosing and commenced a Phase I clinical study in the U.S. with its anticoagulant reversing agent PMX-60056 under an Investigational New Drug application (IND) filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Joint Commission Alert: Prevent Blood Thinner Deaths And Overdoses

A number of recent high profile errors related to commonly used blood thinners highlight a safety issue that too frequently results in harm or even death to patients, according to a Joint Commission alert issued that offers solutions to this medication safety issue.

Joint Commission Alert: Prevent Blood Thinner Deaths And Overdoses - Anticoagulant Therapy Linked To High Rate Of Errors

A number of recent high profile errors related to commonly used blood thinners highlight a safety issue that too frequently results in harm or even death to patients, according to a Joint Commission alert issued today that offers solutions to this medication safety issue.

Chinese Officials Announce Stricter Punishment For Contaminated Blood Sales

The Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate of China recently released details of a new law regarding illegal blood sales, which state that any agent collecting or supplying blood that causes at least five people to become infected with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, hepatitis C or syphilis could face a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, the

NICE Issues Guidance On The Prevention Of Venous Thromboembolism, UK

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published final guidance on the use of dabigatran etexilate for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events after elective total hip or elective total knee replacement surgery in adults. NICE produced the guidance as part of its rapid single technology appraisal (STA) work programme.

Novartis' Once Daily Iron Chelator, Exjade(R) (deferasirox) Awarded Prestigious UK Prix Galien Medicines Prize

Exjade (deferasirox) has been awarded a prestigious Prix Galien award for innovative research and development in orphan drugs. The once-daily oral iron chelator from Novartis treats patients with transfusion iron overload. Novartis' new anti-cancer targeted agent, Tasigna (nilotinib) was also commended by judges, including Sir Michael Rawlins of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Nottingham Scientists To Develop Blood Test For Alzheimer's

Researchers from Nottingham's two universities are joining forces to develop a simple blood test to diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The rS200,000 study, funded by the leading charity the Alzheimer's Research Trust, will aim to find out whether 'biomarkers' in blood could be used to identify someone with Alzheimer's. A biomarker is a term for something present in the body which can indicate disease, such as a certain protein or molecule.

Core Needle Breast Biopsies Safe For Patients Taking Blood Thinners

It is safe to take anticoagulants (blood thinners) before core needle breast biopsies, according to a study performed at the Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic in Rochester, NY. Core needle biopsies are offered as an alternative to surgical biopsy when a tissue sample of an irregular area in the breast is found by mammogram or sonogram. "They are safer than surgical procedures, require fewer anesthetics, and are accurate," according to Patricia Somerville, MD, lead author of the study.

Survey Shows General Public More Worried About Cancer Today Than 10 Years Ago

New research has revealed we are more concerned about cancer now than we were 10 years ago - even though we know the outlook for anyone diagnosed with cancer today is more positive than ever1.

Do You Know Your Nodes? Message From The Lymphoma Association And Leukaemia CARE, UK

Know Your Nodes! That's the message the Lymphoma Association and Leukaemia CARE are spreading ahead of World Lymphoma Awareness Day (WLAD), an event held annually on September 15th which aims to inform the public about lymphoma; the sixth most common cancer in the UK.