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"Priceless" serum collection advances understanding of disease
The U.S. government has taken charge of the Warren Serum Collection, which includes 40,000 tubes of blood serum. The blood samples were collected from 9,000 airmen from 1948 to 1954 for rheumatic fever research. Samples from the collection have been used to study hepatitis C and celiac disease, and it is one of many biological repositories that are becoming increasingly valuable as research tools. The Washington Post (4/23)

Science & Health

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Protein regulates conversion of stem cells into fat, bone tissue
Reducing the amount of endoglin protein on the surface of stem cells curbs the production of fat cells and spurs the growth of bone tissue, according to a study presented at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's annual meeting. Research on osteoporosis led to the discovery, which could have applications in treatments for obesity, researchers said. Examiner.com (4/23)

Coating for joint implants stimulates stem cells
Chemical engineers at MIT have created a coating that attracts mesenchymal stem cells to stimulate the production of bone and improve the way joint implants attach, reducing the risk of infection or failure. The coating, made of a thin film measuring from 100 nanometers to one micron, draws the cells from bone marrow. The work was reported in the journal Advanced Materials. Mass High Tech (Boston) (4/19)

U.S. clears publication of bird flu transmission studies
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins announced the U.S. government has decided to allow the publication of bird flu research involving the creation of a strain that is easily transmissible among ferrets. "This information has clear value to national and international public health preparedness efforts and must be shared," Collins said. Bloomberg (4/20)

Combination treatment to be introduced on World Malaria Day
Ranbaxy Laboratories and India's health ministry will introduce a synthetic malaria treatment that combines arterolane and piperaquine. The drug, administered once daily for three days, could be an alternative to the plant-based medication artemisinin. The launch is planned for Wednesday, which is World Malaria Day. The Times of India (4/24)

Industry News & Practice

FDA OKs device that can prevent needlestick injuries
Smiths Medical has received FDA clearance for its ViaValve Safety I.V. Catheter, a device that can help prevent needlestick injuries and transmission of blood-borne infections. The device features a tiny valve that blocks the backflow of blood from a patient's vein after the first puncture. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (4/23)

Orphan-drug status is sought for hepatitis D treatment
Medgenics sought orphan-drug status from the FDA for its hepatitis D treatment Infradure. The firm expects the designation to be confirmed next quarter. Proactive Investors (4/23)

Government & Regulatory

EMA panel recommends approval of myelofibrosis drug
Incyte and Novartis' myelofibrosis drug ruxolitinib was recommended for approval by the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use as an enlarged spleen therapy in myelofibrosis patients. The recommendation will bring Incyte a $40 million milestone payment from Novartis. The drug is called Jakavi in Europe and Jakafi in the U.S., where it was approved by the FDA in November. Bloomberg Businessweek/The Associated Press (4/20) Pharmaceutical Business Review Online (4/23)

Health IT panel addresses clinical quality measures in stage 2 MU
A Health Information Technology Policy Committee work group met Monday to discuss how best to integrate clinical quality measures in the second stage of meaningful use criteria for electronic health records. One option would allow eligible providers to choose 12 out of 125 proposed measures, with at least one standard addressing each of six domains for care improvement. The group will meet again Friday before submitting its final thoughts to the full committee May 4. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (4/23)

Association News

AABB audioconference will highlight autologous blood management
The AABB audioconference on Wednesday, April 25, will feature a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of autologous blood compared to banked blood, expected economic outcomes of an autologous blood program, as well as guidance on how to develop and implement an autologous blood program. The audioconference also will highlight ways to encourage participation by both clinicians and administrators. Sign up here.

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