Industry NewsAugust 1 -
August 7, 2005
Aug 5th: "Cheap" Genome Sequencing Now Possible
Researchers say they had found a faster and cheaper way to do
Genome sequencing and that it would cost only about $2.2 million.
George Church and colleagues at Harvard Medical School hope
eventually to reduce the cost further to $1,000 per genome -- the
entire DNA code of a person, plant or other organism. Their new
method uses color-coded beads, a microscope and a camera. It is
considerably cheaper than the current methods, which cost an
estimated $20 million for a human genome
Aug 4th: Scientists Pinpoint New Breast Cancer Genes
Scientists said on Thursday they had pinpointed four new genes
believed to be involved in the development of breast cancer. By
examining tissue from 53 breast cancer tumors and cells grown in the
laboratory, researchers at the University of Cambridge in England
narrowed down the search for the genes that that could provide a
basis for new treatments for the disease. "By using the latest in
DNA technology we've been able to pinpoint four new genes likely to
be involved in the development of breast cancer," said Professor
Carlos Caldas, who headed the research team.
Aug 3rd: Drug Companies Adopting New Ad Guidelines
New advertising guidelines being adopted by the pharmaceutical
industry Tuesday will include a requirement that televised
commercials clearly present drug risks and promote conversations
with doctors. AdAge.com published the 15-point guidelines on its web
site Tuesday ahead of their formal release later in the day by the
Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America at a meeting in
Dallas.
Aug 2nd: Master Regulatory Gene Found That Guides Fate Of
Blood-Producing Stem Cells
Researchers from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of
Medicine found that a protein called NF-Ya activates several genes
known to regulate the development of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC),
or blood-producing stem cells, in bone marrow. Knowing the details
of this pathway may one day lead to new treatments for such blood
diseases as leukemia, as well as a better understanding of how HSCs
work in the context of bone-marrow and peripheral-stem-cell
transplantation. The authors published their findings in the early
August issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Aug 1st:
Guidant received Food and Drug Administration approval to
reintroduce a line of heart devices that the company had pulled from
the market earlier this summer. The FDA decision covers Contak
Renewal 3 cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators. The
company expects to resume worldwide distribution and implants of its
CRT defibrillators by the middle of the week.
Guidant had voluntarily removed the devices from the market in
June after identifying performance and potential safety concerns
related to a magnetic switch component. After further testing the
company gained approval for a new component that resolves the
matter. In addition, Guidant received U.S. clearance to distribute
new software that's designed to help doctors better manage existing
Renewal 3 patients. The new software will be available outside the
U.S. later this year.
Last week, the Indianapolis-based medical devices maker received
European regulatory approval to restart sales of the Contak Renewal
4 defibrillator for use outside the U.S. With the approvals, the
company, which is in the process of being acquired by Johnson &
Johnson, can resume sales of its products in the fastest growth area
within cardiac rhythm management -- CRT defibrillators
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