GLG News(sm): Healthcare

Succesful new treatment for Lupus

GLG Expert Contributor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:04:04 EST

Human Genome Sciences has a potential new and successful therapy for Lupus.

Ozurdex (Allergan) Uses Billing Structure That May Prevent Acceptance

GLG Expert Contributor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:06:03 EST

Ozurdex (Allergan) is now on the market and available for ophthalmologists to treat patients with retinal vascular occlusions (RVO).While the technology and treatment may be sound, there may be significant hurdles to overcome from a billing standpoint.Ozurdex may follow the same fate as Lucentis (Genetech). It must compete with a much cheaper drug which has comparable efficacy.

Solar-Powered Portable Medical Imaging Devices Are Coming Soon

GLG Expert Contributor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:42:19 EST

GE Healthcare appears to be serious in exploring the potential to create portable solar-powered medical imaging devices. The value of this type of technology in helping to save lives and detect early potential life-threatening medical and surgical conditions affecting people who live in the rural and most remote areas and who are unable to readily obtain access to healthcare services is discussed.

What is potential future for Sequenom in prenatal testing.

Robert Boorstein — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:20:26 EST

The historic but minimally supported enthusiasm for the Sequenom prenatal test has previously been reported in this space previously. Even in the absence of data retractions, leading to termination of much of senior management, problems in the rollout of the product should have been anticipated.Remarkably, this article asserts that industry insiders remain optimistic about the development of a successful diagnostic product.

Quest Diagnostics to Offer New Colorectal Cancer Test

Ken Powell — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:12:07 EST

Quest Diagnostics senior spokesperson Jay Wohlgemuth said that Quest plans to launch a new Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) for colorectal cancer based on Epigenomics’ mSEPT9 DNA-methylation biomarker. Many companies have searched for a blood-based marker as an effective diagnostic alternative to colonoscopy, which would encourage the 90 million adults over 50 to be screened for colorectal cancer.

Critical thinking and creativity in AD research

GLG Expert Contributor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:06:29 EST

The recetn clinical results suggest that plaque removal is not enough to halt progressive neurodegeneration in Alzheimer Disease and prompt some intriguing challenges to the amyloid hypothesis.

Health Tourism in Ghana a reality or a dream?

GLG Expert Contributor — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:37:01 EST

Due to the increasing costs or health care in the U.S and the perception that health care is cheaper in other countries, even with the travel and housing expenses, patients are succumbing to the foreign markets.India, Indonesia and other countries, with lower costs of labor and less expenses overall are getting into the market of delivering surgical services such as cardiac and cosmetic surgery at bargain prices.The question is this really a bargain and what are the real issues?

What's Next for Sequenom?

Ken Powell — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:41:53 EST

Those following the Sequenom saga continue their seemingly endless attempts to decipher a clear direction for the company. Amid data mishandling, executive terminations and a stunning $300 million dollar lawsuit, there could be options for the company to revive and survive.

Novartis, Sleeping Giant Wakes-Up in China

GLG Expert Contributor — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:02:16 EST

Novartis to grow its China presence, late.Novartis has a slow response to market opportunities.GlaxoSmithKline and other big pharma players are perhaps too large to compete in the world's changing markets.

Is GE Global Research Developing a Portable Solar-Powered Ultrasound Device?

GLG Expert Contributor — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:24:25 EST

As the recipient of a new NIH grant, GE Healthcare should create and design new innovative features as a way to differentiate its products in the nascent point-of-care portable ultrasound marketplace. Reasons why GE Healthcare should pursue a risk-taking strategy, such as developing a portable solar-powered ultrasound device and background information supportive of this strategy is offered in the following analysis.

Potential impact of large clinical trial on Liquid based cytology market

Robert Boorstein — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:45:41 EST

The data confirms what has long been known. There has never been definitive evidence for a benefit for Liquid based cytology screening compared with conventional screening, especially when sample collection is standardized and the laboratory meets reasonable standards.Objectively, liquid based cytology has essentially replaced conventional Pat testing in this country, and it is unlikely that there is evidence that would reverse this. However, it is possible such studies will put downward pricing pressures on reimbursments, both in amounts and frequencies.

FDA Publishes H1N1 Diagnostic Test Guidance

Ken Powell — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:58:02 EST

The FDA published document designed to help diagnostic test manufactures develop H1N1 tests and data that would accompany a FDA application to market them. This follows on the recent issuance of CDC guidelines for H1N1 tests.

Genomic Health Posts a 41% Q3 Revenue Increase

Ken Powell — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:48:50 EST

Genomic Health (NASDAQ: GHDX) posted Q3 revenues that were 41% greater than Q3 08. Virtually all of the revenue out performance was due to sales of the company's Oncotype Dx molecular diagnostic test for breast cancer used in developing a therapeutic strategy and assessing risk of recurrence.

Should we use 3D imaging for “routine orthodontic cases”?

GLG Expert Contributor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:30:20 EST

When 3D imaging became available for practitioners in Orthodontics, Oral Surgery and Dentistry, the question most often asked is: "Does 3D imaging really make any difference in my treatment planning and treatment of my patients?" The information gained with 3D imaging is obvious, but does it really make any difference, especially in 'routine cases'?

Court Denies Lawsuit Dismissal Motion by Myriad Genetics and Others

Ken Powell — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:39:23 EST

The US District Court for the Southern District of New York denied a motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought against Myriad Genetics, the US Patent and Trademark Office and the University of Utah Research Foundation by the Association for Molecular Pathology, the American Civil Liberties Union and Public Patent Foundation at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and others. This outcome of this lawsuit will significantly impact the patent landscape and business models for companies engaging in genetic testing.

What Will Help The Poor?

GLG Expert Contributor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:20:49 EST

There is no doubt that a great deal of time, efforts and resources have gone into trying to find a solution to the healthcare problems and concerns that we deal with today. What is not as clear to those who really need these problems solved are the answers thus far. A lot of very smart people seem to have forgotten the actual value of a person. What ever numbers show up on the balance sheet hardly provides any direction to those who care more about dollars and cents than common sense.

Synta Drug for Metastatic Melanoma Not Dead Yet (?)

Eric Whitman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:57:21 EST

Updated data presented at an annual Melanoma conference suggests the drug Elesclomol may benefit a subset of patients treated on a Phase III trial. This Synta Pharmaceuticals-sponsored trial in metastatic melanoma patients was stopped for safety (survival) concerns in February 2009, but the updated analysis suggests that a commonly available biomarker may identify patients who appear to benefit from Elesclomol treatment.This news is important because it may allow Synta to continue to pursue approval for Elesclomol in either melanoma patients or in other cancers. They will report an updated survival analysis twelve months after the protocol was stopped, after February 2010. Further info from Synta is expected soon.

Pharma Outsourcing: Where Will it End?

GLG Expert Contributor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:19:57 EST

A major supplier of clinical development services has just been awarded all of Astra Zeneca's clinical pharmacology work. Such work was traditionally performed internally but is now one of many stages of development being outsourced. This follows similar trends in research, where pharma companies are forging external relationships. We question where the pharma industry is headed and how much of its core business will remain in-house.

Delcath Phase III trial for metastatic melanoma completes enrollment

Eric Whitman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:02:11 EST

The Delcath Systems Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP) trial to treat patients with metastatic melanoma has completed enrollment and now must track patients, record data, and analyze results.This trial was apparently enrolled on schedule and the company is targeting 2010 for FDA regulatory submission.

Liquid-Based Cytology Found Not Superior to Conventional PAP

Ken Powell — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:54:51 EST

A recent 90,000 patient, randomized Dutch study published in the Journal of American Medicine's October 28 issue found that liquid-based cytology is not superior to conventional Pap methods in sensitivity and specificity for cervical cancer detection. There are two leading US companies that provide liquid-based sample collection, transport and processing systems for cervical cancer screening.