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BG Medicine Announces Late-Breaker Oral Presentation of New Data on the BGM Galectin-3(R) Test in Heart Failure

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WALTHAM, Mass., May 28, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BG Medicine, Inc. (BGMD) today announced the presentation of new clinical research data on the BGM Galectin-3(R) test in heart disease at the 2013 European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Congress (ESC-HF) in Lisbon, Portugal. Among the highlights was a late-breaking oral presentation of results from the Aldo-DHF Biomarker Substudy which demonstrated the usefulness of galectin-3 testing for assessing functional capacity and clinical prognosis in patients diagnosed with a form of heart failure known as Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF).i Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction is the fastest growing type of clinical heart failure in the United States and Europe, disproportionately affecting women and accounting for one-third to one-half of all hospital admissions for heart failure.ii

The Aldo-DHF study findings were presented by Dr. Frank Edelmann of the Department of Cardiology and Pneumology and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research at the University of Gottingen. The title of Dr. Edelmann's late-breaking special sessions oral presentation was Galectin-3 Reflects Functional Capacity and Clinical Outcome in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (The Aldo-DHF Biomarker Substudy.)

"Galectin-3 has the potential to be a valuable test in clinical risk stratification for heart failure patients. In this study of 422 patients with diagnosed HFpEF, elevated galectin-3 levels, and particularly changes in galectin-3 over time, were statistically predictive of subsequent hospitalizations and mortality," commented Dr. Edelmann.

"The data presented at ESC-HF further demonstrate that galectin-3 may be an important determinant of heart failure risk across the clinical spectrum of disease," stated Paul Sohmer, President and CEO of BG Medicine. "Unplanned hospitalizations of patients with heart failure are a major cost burden on healthcare systems, particularly among patients with a diagnosis of HFpEF, one of the fastest growing but most difficult types of heart failure to identify and treat. The data presented at ESC-HF suggest that galectin-3 testing may help to identify HFpEF patients who are at risk of near-term adverse events."

In addition to the presentation of the Aldo-DHF Biomarker Substudy, other research on galectin-3 in heart disease presented at the ESC-HF meeting included:

- Reduction in 30 Day Death and Heart Failure Rehospitalization with Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists: An Analysis from the COACH Study, A. Maisel (San Diego, US), et. al.

- Late-breaking Research Abstract Presentation

- Galectin-3 in Heart Failure with Preserved Versus Reduced Ejection Fraction, R. Santhanakrishnan (Singapore), et al.

- Abstract P-1737

- Elevated Plasma Galectin-3 Levels Correlate with Echocardiographic Parameters of Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Stable Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF), B. Munoz Calvo (Alcala de Henares, Spain), et al.

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BG Medicine Announces Late-Breaker Oral Presentation of New Data on the BGM Galectin-3(R) Test in Heart Failure

Asia-Pacific Nuclear Medicine/Radiopharmaceuticals Market Worth $825 Million by 2017

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DALLAS, May 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Asia-Pacific Nuclear Medicine/Radiopharmaceuticals Market & Stable Isotopes [SPECT/PET Radioisotopes (Technetium, F-18)], [Beta/Alpha Radiation Therapy (I131, Y-90)], [Applications (Cancer/Oncology, Cardiac)] & (Deuterium, C-13)-Forecast to 2017" analyzes and studies the major market drivers, restraints, and opportunities in Japan, China, India, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and Rest of Asia.

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http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/asia-pacific-nuclear-medicine-radiopharmaceuticals-market-1140.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

This report studies the Asia-Pacific nuclear medicine market over the forecast period of 2012-2017.

The Asia-Pacific radiopharmaceutical market was valued at $500.8 million in 2012 and is poised to reach $824.9 million by 2017 at a CAGR of 10.5%.

Similar to the global nuclear medicine market, the Asia-Pacific region is also minimizing its dependency on nuclear reactor by introducing hospital-based cyclotron facilities. This paves the way for novel isotopes such as Tl-201, F-18, and Rb-82 to capitalize on opportunities in the growing diagnostics market. Besides the gigantic Tc-99m market, florbetapir F 18 and F18-FDG are gaining popularity through their applications for Alzheimers disease and diagnosis of brain tumors. Nihon Medi Physics, Covidien, Fujifilm, and ANSTO contributed more than 75% to the Asia-Pacific NuclearMedicine/RadiopharmaceuticalsMarket in 2012.

It is estimated that Tc-99m diagnostic procedures are expected to increase by more than 30% in the developing markets of the Asia-Pacific region, including India, Australia, and South Korea, between 2010 and 2030. The scheduled shutdown of the NRU reactor in Canada in 2016 and OSIRIS in France in 2018 will not have any major impact in the near future, since demand in this geographic region is compensated by local reactors such as ANSTO. Radiopharmaceuticals are under clinical trials to extend applications. For instance, preference for radiopharmaceuticals in neurological indications such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and dementia are increasing besides conventional applications such as cardiology and oncology. Furthermore, upcoming radioisotopes such as Ra-223 (Alpharadin) and Ga-68 possess huge potential for clinical applications.

Japan is the dominant Market for Diagnostic Radioisotopes with almost 40% share and has around 1,600 gamma cameras, installed in about 1,120 institutions; PET diagnosis has increased dramatically after 2002. The total number of PET institutes in Japan has increased around 6-7 times in the last 10 years. Among Asia-Pacific countries, India, South Korea, and Australia will be significant markets due to rising healthcare budgets and increasing popularity of different radiopharmaceuticals in various clinical indications. Processors such as ANSTO and other players from different geographies run reactors that are involved in the irradiation of U-235 to make crude isotopes. They follow various strategies to achieve sustainable growth, one of which is shifting to Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) from High Enriched Uranium (HEU). These key players were mainly involved in strategic agreements and contracts with other institutes and players, while generator manufacturers followed several strategies to maintain a sustainable supply chain.

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Asia-Pacific Nuclear Medicine/Radiopharmaceuticals Market Worth $825 Million by 2017

PeaceHealth, UW Medicine pursue potential healthcare 'alliance'

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By STEVE WEHRLY Journal of the San Juans Reporter May 26, 2013 Updated 8:48 PM

UW Medicine and PeaceHealth on May 20 signed a letter of intent to create a strategic affiliation to provide patients with access to comprehensive care in the Pacific Northwest and to cooperate on medical training at UW and PeaceHealth locations.

The letter of intent, dated May 20, is expected to be followed up by definitive agreements by Sept. 30, 2013. According to the press release, the two organizations will remain legally separate and independent; system governance will not be affected; and government regulatory approval is not required.

PeaceHealth is the owner and operator of Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor. Peace Island Medical Center, which opened in November, 2012, was constructed with a $20 million capital contribution from PeaceHealth and $10 million in private donations, mostly from island residents. The San Juan County Hospital District contributes $1 million per year from property taxes to PIMC operations.

The strategic affiliation between PeaceHealth and UW Medicine offers significant benefits to people in our geographic region due to the opportunity to provide the full continuum of care primary through quaternary levels more seamlessly and with a unique patient experience, said Peter Adler, Chief Strategy Officer for PeaceHealth. Quaternary care is the highest level of care for services that are the most advanced and specialized.

According to the joint press release, the organizations will also work together to develop and expand community-based training sites for UW School of Medicine students and trainees in communities served by PeaceHealth. The affiliation intends to improve care delivery and respond changes needed to implement health care reform.

Neither the joint press release nor Adler referred to current disputes PeaceHealth and other Catholic-based health care systems are facing regarding restrictions on the provision of reproductive services and end-of-life services addressed in the Catholic bishops Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. UW Medicine, as a public institution, does not subscribe to or follow the Ethical and Religious Directives.

The letter of intent outlines opportunities the organizations could pursue together, including performance improvement initiatives to reduce costs and clinical programming to increase access to specialized services such as cardiovascular care, high-risk obstetrics and neonatology, cancer care, behavioral health and neurosciences.

PeaceHealth selected UW Medicine to be its preferred health system for complex tertiary and quaternary care in the Seattle area, said Alan Yordy, President and Chief Mission Officer for PeaceHealth. This will give our patients enhanced access to services that we do not provide.

The press release says the affiliation is a huge step forward in meeting the needs of the whole patient as well as whole communities more effectively. In its role as the regions only fully comprehensive health care organization covering all levels of patient care and serving as the educational institution for a five-state region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho), UW Medicine will continue to serve patients from all communities, hospitals and clinics to meet their needs for complex tertiary and quaternary care.

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PeaceHealth, UW Medicine pursue potential healthcare 'alliance'

Are e-Cigarettes A Medicine By Presentation Or Function? Totally Wicked Explores The Facts

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BLACKBURN, England, May 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --The EU Tobacco Product Directive (TPD) is currently passing through EU parliamentary committees, morphing with each amendment and polarising opinions as it moves towards its goal of regulating electronic cigarettes.

However, what is increasingly frustrating for users of e-cigarettes is the continued desire by the EU to force e-cigs into medicinal regulation by any means possible. MEPs, including the Rapporteur Linda McAvan seem incapable of understanding the EU's definition of a medicine.

A medicine, as defined by the EU is based upon two defining criteria, as shown in this EU Document: Orientation Note, Electronic Cigarettes and the EC Legislation, dated Brussels, 22.05.2008.

The electronic cigarette can be regarded as a human medicine by presentation if it is presented as a remedy to get rid of nicotine addiction.

The electronic cigarette can be regarded as a human medicine by function in so far as it qualifies as "restoring, correcting or modifying physiological functions" in a significant manner.

The presentation; Electronic Cigarettes do NOT present themselves as a remedy to get rid of nicotine addiction. Electronic cigarettes are an alternative to tobacco cigarettes, where vapers can have their nicotine without ingesting the known toxins that are in cigarettes. This is pretty straightforward.

However, with the function, one enters a world of 'pick and mix'. Nicotine does not restore or correct, but it does have a modifying physiological effect. Many have felt this when experiencing that first puff on a cigarette, yet cigarettes are not considered medicinal. Coffee has a modifying physiological effect, as does alcohol and a myriad of other substances that are not classed as medicinal.

And this is where the MEPs are obviously getting confused. Here there are two products; e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes, both of which contain nicotine, both have a physiological effect on the body, yet they are to be regulated in completely different ways?

http://www.totallywicked-eliquid.co.uk

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Are e-Cigarettes A Medicine By Presentation Or Function? Totally Wicked Explores The Facts

UW Medicine tries to calm critics of link to Catholic health system

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Originally published May 26, 2013 at 5:38 PM | Page modified May 26, 2013 at 9:17 PM

Leaders of UW Medicine, surprised by a barrage of criticism over a plan to affiliate with a Catholic system, are attempting to assure critics that the arrangement would not limit its services, particularly reproductive care or end-of-life services barred by Catholic ethical directives.

In a letter to UW Medicine board members late last week, Dr. Paul Ramsey, CEO of UW Medicine and dean of the University of Washington School of Medicine, referred to confusion over the proposal.

In the letter, which was quickly circulated among UW hospitals and employees, Ramsey said the planned strategic affiliation with PeaceHealth, a three-state system founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, was not like the merger of Providence (Health & Services) and Swedish (Medical Center), under which Providence is now responsible for the governance of Swedish.

Instead, he said, the UW-PeaceHealth arrangement would simply provide a more seamless referral network for PeaceHealth patients with complicated health issues to get care at UW Medicine, which includes the University of Washington and Harborview medical centers, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center and Valley Medical Center.

The proposed plan, which has not yet been formalized, will be designed to build programs in rural communities that would increase the range of care available to patients close to home, Ramsey said.

Peter Adler, chief strategy officer for PeaceHealth, said the UW Medicine-PeaceHealth affiliation would bring a full continuum of care, from primary to extremely complex, to more people in the region.

In a Q & A, UW Medicine said both it and PeaceHealth are transforming to become accountable care organizations, the HMO-like arrangements allowed by the new federal health law to give providers incentives for coordination of care and cost control.

Since the plan was announced May 20, critics of the arrangement, which comes amid a series of Catholic-secular health system affiliations, have contacted the UW alumni association, the School of Medicine and the office of Gov. Jay Inslee, who noted his concern about religious-secular mergers last week.

Some critics said they remain concerned that while the arrangement would help provide complex care at UW Medicine for PeaceHealth patients, those in rural communities where PeaceHealth is the sole health system still wont be able to access reproductive and end-of-life options barred by Catholic directives.

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UW Medicine tries to calm critics of link to Catholic health system

International Space Medicine Summit 2013 — Tereshkova Video Presentation – Video

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International Space Medicine Summit 2013 -- Tereshkova Video Presentation
May 17, 2013 Physicians and biomedical scientists gather to discuss space medicine research at this annual conference organized by the Baker Institute and Ba...

By: Rice University #39;s Baker Institute

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International Space Medicine Summit 2013 -- Tereshkova Video Presentation - Video

Student Spotlight: Medicine Lake

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Peace Gardens Restoration Peace Garden Restoration Peace Garden Restoration

Updated: Saturday, May 25 2013 11:45 PM EDT2013-05-26 03:45:01 GMT

2012 marked 200 years of peace between Canada and the US. In honor of this, the International Peace Garden decided to replicate the "Hands of Peace" sculpture that deteriorated years ago. In 1975, the

2012 marked 200 years of peace between Canada and the US. In honor of this, the International Peace Garden decided to replicate the "Hands of Peace" sculpture that deteriorated years ago. In 1975, the

Updated: Saturday, May 25 2013 11:43 PM EDT2013-05-26 03:43:34 GMT

After six months of training, Williston resident Mark Amondson took on what was supposed to be the race of a lifetime on April 15, 2013. Shortly after crossing the finish line, the experience changed

After six months of training, Williston resident Mark Amondson took on what was supposed to be the race of a lifetime on April 15, 2013. Shortly after crossing the finish line, the experience changed

Updated: Saturday, May 25 2013 11:41 PM EDT2013-05-26 03:41:53 GMT

Time for tonight's Student Spotlight, we're in Medicine Lake, Montana to meet Emerson Engstrom. (Emerson Engstrom, Medicine Lake Graduate) "I like the school and attending here because it's small and

Time for tonight's Student Spotlight, we're in Medicine Lake, Montana to meet Emerson Engstrom. (Emerson Engstrom, Medicine Lake Graduate) "I like the school and attending here because it's small and

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Student Spotlight: Medicine Lake

School of Medicine — M.D.

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School of Medicine -- M.D. Ph.D., 144th Commencement, West Virginia University
Sunday, May 19, 2013 - This 144th Commencement Event at West Virginia University features a keynote address from William R. Sigmund, II. See Commencement fro...

By: West Virginia University

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School of Medicine -- M.D.

FOX Sports Supports: Johns Hopkins Medicine – Troy Aikman, Regis Philbin and Michael Waltrip – Video

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FOX Sports Supports: Johns Hopkins Medicine - Troy Aikman, Regis Philbin and Michael Waltrip
FOX Sports Supports proudly teams up with Johns Hopkins Medicine. Johns Hopkins conducts extensive research into the causes of autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, lupus, arthritis...

By: FOX Sports

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FOX Sports Supports: Johns Hopkins Medicine - Troy Aikman, Regis Philbin and Michael Waltrip - Video


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