Provenge Extends Life of Prostate Cancer Patients, Study Finds
Researchers found that Dendreon’s immunotherapy drug Provenge prolonged the lives of advanced prostate cancer patients by an average of 4.1 months compared to a placebo.
Profiles
Microline PENTAX Acquires Starion Instruments
Two strong players in the surgical-instrument field have joined forces. Microline PENTAX, a leading manufacturer of reposable surgical instruments for laparoscopic procedures, has acquired California-based Starion Instruments, a developer of instruments to arrest bleeding during surgical procedures.
Isto Gets Go-Ahead for Clinical Study of NuQu
ISTO Technologies has received FDA approval to begin a Phase I clinical study for NuQu, an injectable formulation of juvenile cartilage cells designed to treat chronic back pain caused by degenerative disc disease.
Major Milestone for Sunshine Heart
Sunshine Heart, a global company that develops cardiac assist devices, has successfully completed the first two implants of the company’s C-Pulse heart assist system under a 20-person clinical trial approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
First Patient Successfully Treated With Algisyl-LVR Device
Symphony Medical, a developer of novel biopolymer technologies for cardiac disorders, has successfully used its flagship Algisyl-LVR technology to treat their first human patient.
[Company Profile] ScyFix Combats Age-Related Vision Loss
The idea of putting electrodes on one’s eyelids might cause many to cringe, but ScyFIX of Minnesota is turning this odd concept into a promising treatment for age-related vision loss.
[Video Profile] AugmentRx
Many patients are left humiliated and depressed because of the daily disruptions caused by urinary or fecal incontinence. Vermont company AugmentRX is developing incontinence solutions for the 200 million-plus people worldwide who suffer from this debilitating condition.
[Video Profile] TearLab Corporation
Patients who dread traditional blood tests (and the accompanying needles) may one day have reason to rejoice. San Diego device company TearLab is developing a point-of-care diagnostic test that uses tears to identify disease-indicating protein biomarkers.
[Video Profile] Inovio Biomedical Corporation
Solid tumors represent 85 percent of all cancers, creating a huge clinical need for localized, site-specific cancer treatment. Inovio Medical Corporation of San Diego is developing DNA-based vaccines that harness the body’s immune system to prevent and treat chronic diseases such as cancer and HIV.
Two Studies Cast Doubt On Common Prostate Cancer Test
A common prostate-cancer screening test may be largely ineffective, according to two new studies. Scientists in the U.S. and Europe found that the PSA blood test saves few lives and leads to unnecessary treatments for large numbers of men.