Archives for January 2009
Fireside Chat with SF Mayor Gavin Newsom
In this clip, captured at the OneMedForum, Brett Johnson discusses the state of the healthcare industry with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, during his weekly radio address.
Study Links Smoking to Most Male Cancer Deaths, Not Just those from Lung Cancer
A new study links smoking to a much greater percentage of deaths among men from all types cancer including lung cancer, suggesting that increased tobacco control efforts could save more lives than previously estimated. The epidemiological analysis, published online in BMC Cancer, linked smoking to more than 70 percent of the cancer death burden among Massachusetts men in 2003. This percentage is much higher than the previous estimate of 34 percent in 2001, according to work by a researcher from the University of California, Davis.
“This study provides support for the growing understanding among researchers that smoking is a cause of many more cancer deaths besides lung cancer,” says lead author Bruce Leistikow, a UC Davis associate adjunct professor of public health sciences. “The full impacts of tobacco smoke, including secondhand smoke, have been overlooked in the rush to examine such
Pfizer in Talks to Buy Wyeth for $60 billion
By Marie Daghlian, The Burrill Report
With Pfizer’s business dependent on sales of drugs facing near-term patent expiration, speculation has swirled as to what the drug giant might do in the near future. As recently as January 11, a Goldman Sachs analysts wrote “the imperative for radical change is higher than ever, and we believe that pressure is mounting on management to do something big and soon.” Now the cat is out of the bag. The Wall Street Journal reported that Pfizer is in talks to acquire rival drug maker Wyeth in a deal that could be worth $60 billion, citing “people familiar with the matter.” Spokespeople for both companies say that they would not comment on market speculation.
The rival drug makers have been in discussions for several months. A combined company will change the global pharmaceutical landscape, creating a global powerhouse with
Spectranetics Releases 12-Month CELLO Study Data
Spectranetics has released 12-month follow-up data from its CELLO study. The data validates the strengths of the company’s Turbo-Booster as demonstrated by an excellent safety profile and high procedural success.
Turbo-Booster functions as a guide catheter facilitating the laser ablation of blockages in arteries. The device removes arterial plaque using ultraviolet energy; the energy ablates blockages into particles, most of which are smaller than a red blood cell. The CELLO study enrolled 65 patients with blockages at or above-the-knee.
The primary endpoint of the study was the percentage reduction in the stenosis (an abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel) prior to adjunctive therapy of either balloon angioplasty or balloon angioplasty and stenting.
- Prior to treatment with Turbo-Booster, the mean stenosis was 77%.
- After treatment, the mean stenosis was 42% (and 21% after adjunctive therapy).
- One-year following the procedure, 78% of treated patients were free from target lesion
Candela to Remain Independent
Candela Corp. has released second quarter results. Revenues totaled $28.8 million, a decrease of 19 percent compared to the $35.7 million reported last year, but a 7.3 percent improvement over the first quarter.
In light of the stock’s precipitous decline, the company had recruited Houlihan Lokey, an international investment bank, to explore strategic alternatives including a potential merger. Such explorations appear to be at an end. Says CEO Gerald Puorro, “following an extensive review of the strategic options available to the company, Candela will remain independent.”
Independent or not, Candela continues to hemorrhage cash. The company reported a net loss of $25.3 million or $1.11 per share (this includes a loss of $18.2 million from discontinuing operations).
In light of the continued economic uncertainty, the company will take steps to reduce its expenses and preserve the remainder of its $27 million in cash. Candela
Aethlon Medical to Study Hemopurifier in HIV Treatment
Aethlon Medical is nearing completion of the “first-in-man” study of a medical device to treat HIV; an HIV-infected individual has initiated treatment with the company’s Hemopurifier as part of a 30-day study now underway in Punjab, India.
The study’s protocol, which calls for the administration of up to twelve Hemopurifier treatments, is scheduled to be completed on January 23rd. The goal is to demonstrate that Hemopurifier can safely and effectively reduce viral load and trigger replenishment of CD4 immune cells in the absence of drug therapy.
Since June of 2001 Aethlon has focused exclusively on the development of the Hemopurifier. The device, which resembles a modified kidney dialysis cartridge, exploits the pre-existing global infrastructure of dialysis and continuous renal replacement machines already present in hospitals and clinics.
Hemopurifier targets all circulating strains of infectious HIV, including those varieties that cause patients to fail antiviral drug
Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2009
The Cleveland Clinic has unveiled its latest Top 10 Medical Innovations list, highlighting technologies that are expected to have a big impact in 2009. Announced during Cleveland Clinic’s 2008 Medical Innovation Summit,, the list was determined by a panel of Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists.
10. Private Sector National Health Information Exchange: A comprehensive system of electronic health records that link consumers, general practitioners, specialists, hospitals, pharmacies, nursing homes, and insurance companies is in the process of being established. Primarily a private-sector effort, this computerized system has the potential to replace paper-based medical files with digitized records of patients’ complete medical history.
9. Doppler-Guided Uterine Artery Occlusion: Fibroid tumors occur in upwards of 40% of women older than 35, triggering pelvic pain, pregnancy complications, and heavy bleeding. There is a new, non-invasive approach to treat fibroids called Doppler-guided uterine artery occlusion, or DUAO.
8.
Cynosure Revenues Fall, Disappointing But Not Unexpected
Cynosure released preliminary fourth quarter results this week: the company expects revenues of $25 million to $26 million; in the same quarter last year, Cynosure reported revenues of $36.6 million.
The company had been profitable for eight consecutive quarters, but will report a $2.2 - $2.7 million loss in Q4. Financial results include a charge of $2.5 million related to uncollectible accounts from customers affected by the economic downturn and tightening credit markets.
It’s disappointing but not unexpected news. Investors have priced a bad quarter into the share price since October when signs of a deteriorating aesthetics industry began to manifest.
“The effect of the global economic crisis on the aesthetic laser industry has been swift and severe, hampering the ability of many prospective customers to obtain financing and prompting others to delay their capital equipment purchases until conditions improve,” said President and CEO Michael
Arbios Systems’ SEPET Going to the Highest Bidder
In August, Arbios Systems suspended operations and laid-off employees as it tried – unsuccessfully – to raise capital. The company has now filed for bankruptcy protection.
Given the economy and Arbios’ dire cash position, the company’s board concluded that a Chapter 11 filing was the best course of action. Arbios will sell its assets, principally SEPET, a blood purification device, through a bid solicitation plan.
Shawn Cain, Interim President and CEO, expressed caution in a statement, “There can be no assurances that we will generate any substantive offers through a proposed bid solicitation process, or that any such offers will be acceptable to the Bankruptcy Court.”
SEPET uses sterile, single-use, disposable cartridges to filter a patient’s blood and remove harmful impurities like ammonia. These substances would otherwise accumulate in the patient’s bloodstream during liver failure, accelerating damage to the liver and other organs.
In May,
First CTO Crossing with Stereotaxis’ RF PowerAssert Magnetic Guidewire
The first crossing of a chronic total occlusion (CTO) using Stereotaxis’ RF PowerAssert Magnetic Guidewire occurred this week. PowerAssert, FDA cleared in 2008, is the only magnetically controlled device available for crossing peripheral occlusions, including CTOs.
Conventional catheters are operated from their back end. To accommodate the cables needed to steer the device, they are often stiff. In contrast, Stereotaxis’ catheters are controlled directly at their working end by a magnetic field and are extremely soft and flexible. The atraumatic design may reduce the risk of perforation or damage to vessel walls. Stereotaxis’ systems are currently used in the cardiac catheterization lab.
Interventional cardiologist Frank Zidar, performed the most recent procedure:
“This new magnetic guidewire technology provided great control and improved accuracy over traditional, manual guidewires,” said Zidar. “Once we reached the blockage, the tip of the guidewire burned a tiny passage through
