Chembio to Develop Tests for Leishmaniasis and Leprosy

Chembio Diagnostic Systems, of Medford, NY, is teaming up with the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) to develop rapid diagnostic tests for two neglected diseases, Leishmaniasis and Leprosy. Chembio will develop the tests using its Dual Path Platform (DPP) technology, for which it was awarded a...

Inovio’s Delivery Technology Boosts Cancer Vax Potency

Data released yesterday from a study of an experimental prostate cancer vaccine showed that Inovio Biomedical‘s delivery system significantly enhanced the vaccine’s potency. In the Phase I/II study, some patients received the vaccine through Inovio’s electroporation technology, which uses...

DOWs (Devices of War)

In a time of war, the medical technology industry, like many others, is rethinking product lines to meet unfortunate circumstantial demands. The San Antonio Business Journal reported yesterday that Vidacare, a med tech firm whose technology penetrates bone to administer IVs, has developed two new devices...

Follica Chases Cut-Above Hair Growth Treatment

A new startup called Follica seeks to one-up pharma powerhouses Johnson & Johnson and Merck by developing a new hair-growth treatment that helps form new hair follicles. Red Herring reported last week findings from a study that shows this is possible through a common protein called WNT,...

‘Near Impossible’ for Entrepreneurs to Raise Seed Money

According to an article that ran last week in Boston Business Journal, angel investors are looking the other way when entrepreneurs come a-knockin’ for seed money. ”Angels are moving upstream, looking to dole out more money and take fewer risks,” says the Journal. “Meanwhile venture...

Champions Biotechnology to Buy Biomerk

Champions Biotechnology, of Arlington, VA, announced today plans to buy Biomerk, a private company formed just last year to develop its trademark Tumorgrafts, a preclinical platform of human cancer tumor immune-deficient mice xenografts. Biomerk Tumorgrafts, unlike standard cell line derived xenografts, are...

ReAble to Acquire IOMED for $22 Million

ReAble, a privately held rehabilitation and orthopedic device company based on Austin, TX, announced today that it would acquire drug-delivery firm IOMED for $22 million in cash. Following the acquisition, expected to close in July 2007 subject to the approval of IOMED shareholders, the company will be...

Neurotech Investments on the Rise

Venture capitalists pumped nearly $1.7 billion into neurotechnology in 2006, according to a report released today that paints the field as a frontier industry on the rise. Designed to help investors quantify opportunities in this growing area of medicine, the report by San Francisco consulting firm...