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CDC
Latest Headlines
Latest Headlines
Researchers tout early results for bird flu vaccine
Chinese health officials are touting preclinical data for a new bird flu vaccine. A 10 microgram dose of the vaccine, which includes four antigens, created a 78.3 percent response in antibodies needed to protect people from bird flu. Beijing Sinovac Biotech Co says it is readying a second round of tests, well on the way to completing the three rounds health officials rely on for drug approvals in China. About a dozen companies are working on flu vaccines.- read the …
New research highlights dangers of bronchodilators
An analysis of 19 studies of asthma drugs like Advair and Serevent demonstrate that users run a substantially increased risk of hospitalization and death. Stanford University researcher Shelley Salpeter said that the high risks posed by bronchodilators was "unacceptable." It had been believed that only a relatively small number of people taking the drugs ran a genetic risk of an adverse reaction, but this new study raises the possibility that the drugs should be withdrawn due to …
Novagali raises €26M in VC
France's Novagali Pharma has raised €26 million in a new round of venture capital. Novagali has raised €44 million since its inception. AGF Private Equity and Bernard Chauvin joined the group of Novagali Pharma's investors: 1.2.3. Multinova, Auriga Partners, CDC Enterprises Innovation, Credit Agricole Private Equity, Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners, FCJE managed by CDC Entreprises-FP Gestion and Siparex Ventures.- here's the …
H5N1 flu virus splits into genetic subtypes
Researchers have determined that the H5N1 virus has evolved into two distinct genetic subtypes, making it harder to find a vaccine and increasing the odds of a pandemic. Researchers at the CDC have determined that the virus strain spreading in Indonesia is genetically distinct from the virus that has spread elsewhere in the world. But they add that neither subtype can pass easily among humans. People who have contracted the disease from birds have experienced a 50 percent mortality rate. …
Xytis raises $24.5M in venture funds
Irvine, CA-based Xytis--which was formed by the merger of Xytis Pharmaceuticals and the fledgling Remergent--has raised $24.5 million in its second round of venture funding. The money will go to preclinical and Phase I and II studies of experimental therapies for CNS disorders. Among its therapies in the pipeline is XY 2401 for treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Sanderling Ventures led the round with Atlas Venture, Ventech and CDC Entreprises Innovation.- read this …
NEJM study finds growing threat of deadly bacteria
A new report in the New England Journal of Medicine says that a deadly bacteria usually suffered by people taking antibiotics has grown much more common and is effecting a growing circle of victims. A sample of the bacteria--Clostridium difficile--taken from hospitals shows that it has mutated and grown increasingly resistant to antibiotics. The author, an epidemiologist for the federal CDC, says that hospitals need to improve their surveillance systems.- see this …
Agencies studying link between RU-486, bacteria infection
The FDA and the CDC are studying the deaths of four California women who had taken the controversial "morning after" pill RU-486. All four had died from a lethal bacteria infection known as Clostridium sordellii, and researchers want to find out if the drug makes women more susceptible to the infection. This new line of inquiry follows a quiet test of the drugs to see if the state's supply of RU-486 had been contaminated. It was not.- see this article from The New York Times
SPOTLIGHT: CDC reviews new quarantine proposal
Efforts to facilitate the CDC's control of a deadly pandemic have led to a proposal to significantly shake up the rules governing a quarantine. The new rules would centralize reporting, broaden definitions of a reportable disease and require airlines and shippers to keep passenger manifests for 60 days, according to a report in The New York Times. Article
Chiron falling short on vaccine supply
Hit with production delays and problems triggered by new technology and processes adopted by its flu vaccine production facility, Chiron announced that it will not be able to meet its forecast 18 million to 26 million doses of its Fluvirin vaccine for the coming season. Company officials did not estimate how much they could ship. Chiron had already cut its forecasted production of vaccine earlier in the year. Depending on just how far off the company is, the US could once again face a …
FEATURE: Health officials keeping fingers crossed on vaccine supply
Flu season is upon us, and health officials are keeping their fingers crossed that this year will play out without any of the sudden vaccination snafus that have roiled the healthcare system in years past. This year, health officials believe the US will need about 90 million doses of flu vaccine to satisfy demand, and vaccine manufacturers have assured the Centers for …
