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January 25, 2013

News for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging professionals

The news summaries appearing in SNMMI SmartBrief are based on original information from multiple internet sources and are produced by SmartBrief, Inc., an independent e-mail newsletter publisher. The items below are not selected or reviewed by SNMMI prior to publication. Questions and comments may be directed to SmartBrief at snmmi@smartbrief.com.

Top Story

Experts mull effect of isotope bill on diagnostic imaging industry
President Barack Obama recently signed the American Medical Isotope Production Act of 2011, which promotes domestic production of low-enriched uranium-based isotopes, and industry experts are weighing the effect of this on the diagnostic imaging field. Colleen Glynn, senior marketing director for the Nuclear Pharmacy Services Business of Cardinal Health, said the use of LEU is not new, as it has long been the normal practice to use a blend of LEU- and highly enriched uranium-based molybdenum-99. Lynn Phillips of Covidien's pharmaceutical unit Mallinckrodt said the subsidiary can produce LEU-derived technetium-99m generators that comply with CMS criteria, but clients have yet to ask for them. Diagnostic Imaging (1/24)

Clinical News & Research

Salk Institute to establish center for genomic medicine
A $42 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust will allow the Salk Institute for Biological Studies to open a center devoted to the study of genomic medicine, which will concentrate on new treatments for illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease and cancer. American City Business Journals/New York (1/24)

Industry Report

Premier Micronutrient starts distribution of BioShield
Premier Micronutrient said it has started commercial distribution of BioShield, a pill that helps prevent DNA damage following radiation exposure. The drug can be taken orally before imaging tests with radiation exposure. Tests in people showed the drug limited DNA damage following exposure. AuntMinnie.com (free registration) (1/24)

News from the Field

Federal grant supports Epic Sciences' lung cancer test
The NIH and the National Cancer Institute awarded Epic Sciences a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research grant to develop a test to detect and specify circulating tumor cells in patients with lung cancer. Epic previously won a Phase I grant. The grants total $1.2 million. GenomeWeb Daily News (free registration) (1/24)

International Developments

Nordion files new statement of claim involving MAPLE project
Nordion is now seeking damages worth $242 million from Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. -- an amount 85% less than the company originally sought from AECL for damages involving the cancellation of the MAPLE nuclear reactor project. Nordion lost its previous arbitration battle with the agency in September, and this new filing is anticipated to go to trial in 2014. Ottawa Business Journal (Ontario) (1/21)

Health Policy

Senator urges action on final Sunshine Act regulations
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has asked the Obama administration to issue the long-awaited final rules on the Sunshine Act, saying the delays "are disrupting the considerable efforts of the pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers that are already investing in systems to comply with the law." The law requires device and drug firms to report financial ties with doctors. MassDevice.com (Boston) (1/24)

Advancing Health Care

ONC issues memo on EHR test software problems
A memorandum about problems with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's Transport Test Tool for EHRs was issued by the agency to five independent groups involved in the testing and certification of EHR systems for stage 2 meaningful use. The ONC listed its efforts to solve the problems, such as the launch of a helpline to address inquiries about the software. A fix is expected by mid-February. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (1/24)

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