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BioVeris Corporation Completes Additional Vaccine License for Neisseria meningitidis group Y and Haemophilus influenzae type b

BioVeris Corporation (NASDAQ:BIOV) has entered into a new Technology License Agreement with Baxter Healthcare Corporation. BioVeris received an exclusive, worldwide license to certain patent rights and know-how to use Neisseria meningitidis group Y and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) components in new vaccine candidates for the prevention of invasive disease, ...

Chopping Off Protein Puts Immune Cells Into High Gear

The complex task of launching a well-organized, effective immune system attack on specific targets is thrown into high gear when either of two specific enzymes chop a protein called LAG-3 off the immune cells leading that battle, according to investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. These cells, called T lymphocytes, ...

Newer Class of Antidepressants Similar in Effectiveness But Have Side Effects

According to information released today, today's most commonly prescribed antidepressants are similar in effectiveness to each other but differ when it comes to possible side effects. This is according to an analysis released by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The findings, based on a review of nearly 300 published ...

State of the Union’s Healthcare Is Stronger Thanks to Homecare

Today, the American Association for Homecare reminds Congress and the president that medical care provided in the home is cost-effective, clinically effective, and preferred by seniors, disabled Americans, and their families who benefit from it.

Texas Department of Insurance and Division of Workers Compensation Selects The Medical Disability Advisor

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation adopted its final rule on December 29, 2006 establishing the state-wide adoption of return-to-work guidelines; the DWC selected Reed Group's The Medical Disability Advisor: Workplace Guidelines for Disability Duration, Fifth Edition, by Presley Reed, MD. This rule establishes that beginning May ...

AMERIGROUP Offers Medicare Plan in Maryland

AMERIGROUP Community Care of Maryland has won federal approval to offer a health plan that addresses the specialized needs of people enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare. The plan began serving members on January 1, 2007. The health plan, which is called AMERIVANTAGE, is a Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP) ...

CMPMedica Expands SearchMedica.com With Free Primary Care Search Engine

CMPMedica, a leading global provider of healthcare information and education, today unveiled SearchMedica Primary Care, the second vertical or specialty-specific search engine offered through SearchMedica.com, a free Web-based service that connects physicians and other medical professionals to credible, medical Web sites, online journals and other clinical resources. CMPMedica plans to ...

FDA Approves 18-Month Shelf Life for TAXUS Stent System by Boston Scientific Corporation

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) has recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved extending the shelf life of its TAXUS(R) Express(2)(TM) paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system in the United States to 18 months from the current shelf life of 12 months. The decision was based on data ...

Metabolex Shows MBX-102 JNJ-39659100 Reduces Inflammation in Preclinical Models of Diabetes

Metabolex, Inc., a biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for diabetes and related metabolic disorders, announced the results from a preclinical program that showed that MBX-102/JNJ-39659100, the company's lead insulin sensitizer, potently reduces inflammation in mouse and rat models of diabetes. (MBX-102/JNJ-39659100 was previously referred ...

SEIU President Andy Stern Says Partnership with AARP and Business Roundtable is Evidence of Growing Demand

At a press conference held today to announce a new partnership between SEIU, AARP and the Business Roundtable, SEIU's International President Andy Stern called the new effort an example of the momentum growing across the nation for action on the health care crisis.

Synova Healthcare Group Acquires Allendale Pharmaceuticals and Rights to Today Sponge

Synova Healthcare Group, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: SNVH) , today announced it has acquired Allendale Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (API), and the exclusive worldwide rights to the Today(R) brand contraceptive sponge. Under the terms of the transaction, API will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Synova Healthcare Group, Inc.

PayFlex and Wal-Mart Offer Tracking System for Flexible Spending Account Debit Cards

PayFlex Systems USA, Inc., a leading administrator for employee benefit programs, has announced that Wal-Mart has implemented an Inventory Information Approval System that automatically identifies and verifies "FSA eligible" purchased items at the point of sale. The announcement comes on the heels of a Revenue Ruling by the IRS that ...

Menorah Home and Hospital Joins Metropolitan Jewish Health System MJHS

Metropolitan Jewish Health System (MJHS) is has announced that Menorah Home and Hospital has joined the participating agencies and programs of MJHS, effective December 14, 2006. Jane Rosenthal will continue in her current leadership position at Menorah and has been named Executive Vice President of Menorah's operations.

Lux Biosciences Receives Orphan Drug Designation from FDA

Lux Biosciences, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company specialized in the field of ophthalmic diseases, has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to two of the company's investigational therapeutics. The first, LX211, is a next-generation calcineurin inhibitor intended for the treatment of ...

CIGNA Donates $1 Million to Help Build Martin Luther King National Memorial

CIGNA, a leader in health and related benefits, has donated $1 million to help build a lasting memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Washington, D.C. The announcement will be made tomorrow on Martin Luther King Day by Harry E. Johnson, Sr., president of the Washington, D.C. Martin Luther ...

Kmart Expands 90-Day Generic Drug Program

Kmart Pharmacy has added 22 products to its convenient 90-Day Generic Drug Program, which now offers customers a total of 225 prescription medications. The additions include drugs used in the treatment of pain, depression, high blood pressure, under-active thyroid and high cholesterol. The most notable addition includes Simvastatin, the generic ...

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Files Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PPHM) has recently announced that it has filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which will permit the company, from time to time, to offer and sell up to $30 million of its common stock.

Connecticut Employers Commit to National Initiative for Improving Healthcare

In a meeting today with HHS Deputy Secretary Alex Azar, leading Connecticut employers committed to a national initiative aimed at improving health care quality, information and cost-effectiveness for employees and their families. Employers making the commitment today in Hartford were Aetna, Xerox, CIGNA, United Health Group, Connecticut Business and Industry ...

CIGNA HealthCare Announces Assistance for Members With Medical Disabilities

CIGNA HealthCare has announced that it has engaged the expertise of Social Service Coordinators Disability Services to assist CIGNA HealthCare members who become newly disabled in obtaining eligible Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). The program is targeted to CIGNA HealthCare members working for smaller employers, who often lack the resources ...

WebMD Expects Fourth Quarter Financial Results to Exceed Guidance

WebMD Health Corp. (NASDAQ:WBMD) , a leading provider of health information services, has announced that its financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2006 are expected to be above the high end of its previously announced range of financial guidance primarily due to higher than anticipated revenue from ...


August 21st 2008
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Fairview and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Reach Contract Agreement for Clinics and Hospitals

MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairview and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota have reached an agreement on a contract that allows Fairview clinics to remain as participating providers in all of Blue Cross' provider networks. The Fairview clinic contract was set to expire at ...
August 13th 2008
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Kronos Longevity Research Institute Study Proves Benefits of a High Omega-3 Diet

A study conducted by the Kronos Longevity Research Institute (KLRI) has found that a diet high in omega-3 fat will improve your insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammatory markers. But, a diet high in omega-3 fat will not alter endocrine responsiveness. The study was recently published in Hormones and Metabolic Research. Omega-3 ...
August 5th 2008
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HealthSouth Reports Results for Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2008

According to its financial results released today, HealthSouth is reporting strong results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2008. Net cash provided by operating activities was $67.0 million for the first six months of 2008. The results showed income from continuing operations of $47.2 million for the second quarter ...
August 2nd 2008
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Featured Product: Cholesterol Test Meter

From time to time, Health Plan News features a few products that we believe are worthwhile. Many health-conscious people like us are concerned about our cholesterol. Typically, it has been a little difficult to go have your cholesterol checked. Especially if you want to have your cholesterol checked on a ...
July 24th 2008
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AMERIGROUP Adds 3 Executives with Healthcare and Government Experience to Team

AMERIGROUP Corporation (NYSE:AGP) has appointed three senior executives to three key senior management positions within AMERIGROUP Corporation. Steven B. Larsen has been named Senior Vice President for State Government Relations; Tunde Sotunde, M.D., has been named Chief Executive Officer of AMERIGROUP Community Care of Georgia; and Robert A. Wychulis has been ...

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