Healthcare News by GLG Council Members

New molecular markers for prostate cancer identified by Health Discovery Corporation (OTC BB: HDVY.OB) could prove to me more specific and sensitive than conventional serum assays for prostrate cancer.  In addition, since this urine-based test is non-invasive, it could increase compliance in men that should have routine tests for prostate cancer.  The non-invasive nature of...

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a terrible diease with little chance of long term survival and few advancements in over the last few decades. While the recent study of Avastin in GBM was not a definitive study, data presented in the press release suggest that Avastin has clear activity in relapsed GBM patients that would normally have few available options, and it is likely that physicians will quickly...

Little additional sales will be gained by growth in the statin market.

The FDA's recent warning letter to Labcorp regarding the sale of OvaSure, a molecular diagnostic test for ovarian cancer, demonstrates the FDA's intent to step up their oversight of molecular diagnostic tests.  Diagnostic companies involved in developing novel molecular diagnostic tests and commercial reference labs involved in marketing these tests to clinicians need to be factor...

The high cost of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) is drawing new competitors into this fast growing In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) market segment.  New entrants such as Q Chip Ltd and others will accelerate market awareness of HAIs, solutions and enable global market expansion.  New reimbursement decisions from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) now exclude...

A recent study by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan showed that screening of patients in the Emergency Department (ED) found that 1 on 50 patients tested for sexually transmitted diseases were infected with HIV.  Screening programs such as these and CDC recommendations to screen patients in all healthcare settings should benefit In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) test manufacturers...

A just-published article in Drug Benefit News provides new details about the Wal-Mart’s (WMT) $0 generic co-pay program with Caterpillar (CAT). Anyone involved in the pharmacy channel – pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), insurers, payers, drug wholesalers – should be paying attention to the Wal-Mart/Caterpillar arrangement. Pharmacy channel margins on generic drugs will be increasingly...

"As part of the restructuring, the company plans to group its sales staff around specific treatment areas" including oncology, probably

Genetech is seeking FDA approval for use in the most malignant of brain tumors, Glioblastomas.

Vaccine manufacturers should rush for a seat at the table as this issue gets discussed. While the formulation of Tamiflu makes it easy to take, pandemic vaccines now in development should be considered for similar treatment.