Content about Biology

January 3, 2013

Murad has announced the launch of Rapid Collagen Infusion, a multi-tasking formula that is designed to fight wrinkles and loss of resilience by promoting collagen and elastin production while maintaining healthy hydration levels in the skin.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Murad has announced the launch of Rapid Collagen Infusion, a multi-tasking formula that is designed to fight wrinkles and loss of resilience by promoting collagen and elastin production while maintaining healthy hydration levels in the skin.

Rapid Collagen Infusion, which is part of the company’s Age Reform line, is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in two hours, according to the company.

January 2, 2013

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug from Johnson & Johnson for patients with tuberculosis who do not respond to other treatments, the company announced.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug from Johnson & Johnson for patients with tuberculosis who do not respond to other treatments, the company announced.

Tuberculosis is an air-spread infection that usually attacks the lungs, but also affect the brain, the spine and the kidneys. The drug blocks an energy-producing enzyme the tuberculosis bacteria needs to survive and is the first drug in 40 years to attempt to cure the disease using this type of treatment.

December 28, 2012

Emergent BioSolutions announced that it has signed a license agreement with VaxInnate Corporation under which Emergent acquired the exclusive right to manufacture and sell VaxInnate’s pandemic influenza vaccine candidate in the United States.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Emergent BioSolutions on Friday announced that it has signed a license agreement with VaxInnate Corporation under which Emergent acquired the exclusive right to manufacture and sell VaxInnate’s pandemic influenza vaccine candidate in the United States. 

December 28, 2012

Watson Pharmaceuticals on Friday confirmed that Actavis, which was acquired by Watson in October, has filed an abbreviated new drug applications with the Food and Drug Administration seeking approval to market bortezomib, a generic version of Millennium Pharmaceuticals' Velcade.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals on Friday confirmed that Actavis, which was acquired by Watson in October, has filed an abbreviated new drug applications with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking approval to market bortezomib, a generic version of Millennium Pharmaceuticals' Velcade.

Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor for intravenous or subcutaneous administration, approved for treatment of patients with multiple myeloma and patients with mantle cell lymphoma who have received at least one prior therapy.

December 27, 2012

Biocodex last week sought to set the record straight regarding the use of probiotics with antibiotics.

SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Biocodex last week sought to set the record straight regarding the use of probiotics with antibiotics. 

"There is a common myth that probiotics can't be used with antibiotics," stated Kerry Neville, a registered dietitian in Seattle. "In fact, there are different probiotic options available that can be beneficial before, during, and after antibiotic use, like Florastor."

December 27, 2012

Demand for SeroVital-hgh — a proprietary amino acid compound developed by Sierra Research Labs — has spiked in the past month. To help meet demand, the company on Dec. 21 announced distribution expansion through GNC.

NEW YORK — Demand for SeroVital-hgh — a proprietary amino acid compound developed by Sierra Research Labs — has spiked in the past month, in part due to recent exposure on news channels like CNN and on news programs like "The Today Show," the company announced last week. To help meet demand, the company on Dec. 21 announced distribution expansion through GNC. 

December 27, 2012

Women deficient in vitamin D early in their pregnancies are more likely to deliver babies with lower birth weights, according to research released last week by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

PITTSBURGH — Women deficient in vitamin D early in their pregnancies are more likely to deliver babies with lower birth weights, according to research released last week by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, will be reported in the January print edition of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

December 27, 2012

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg along with the Chalmers University of Technology earlier this month demonstrated that an altered gut microbiota in humans is associated with symptomatic atherosclerosis and stroke.

GOTHENBURG, Sweden — Researchers at the University of Gothenburg along with the Chalmers University of Technology earlier this month demonstrated that an altered gut microbiota in humans is associated with symptomatic atherosclerosis and stroke. 

These findings were presented in a study published in Nature Communications on Dec. 4.

December 21, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for reducing the severity of chickenpox symptoms, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for reducing the severity of chickenpox symptoms, the agency said Friday.

The FDA announced the approval of Cangene Corp.'s Varizig (varicella zoster immune globulin [human]) for varicella zoster, the virus that causes chickenpox. The FDA said Varizig was the only FDA-approved immune globulin for the virus after exposure.

December 21, 2012

A new product from the PediaCare line is designed to keep children hydrated when they have a cold or flu.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — A new product from the PediaCare line is designed to keep children hydrated when they have a cold or flu.

Prestige Brands Holdings announced the launch of PediaCare Cold & Flu Hydration, designed to ensure children get needed fluids and electrolytes. The product replenishes nutrients lost from illness and provides immune-boosting antioxidants, with less sugar than sports drinks, soda and juices.

December 19, 2012

A single lot of a congestion-relief product has been recalled due to bacterial contamination found in a sample, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — A single lot of a congestion-relief product has been recalled due to bacterial contamination found in a sample, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday.

December 18, 2012

Supplement maker iSatori has launched a new weight-loss supplement product, the company said.

GOLDEN, Colo. — Supplement maker iSatori has launched a new weight-loss supplement product, the company said.

BioGenetic Labs, a division of the company, announced Tuesday the pending launch of Belly-Off, a combination of conjugated linoleic acid, guarana, yerba mate and damiana designed to help users reduce belly fat. The company plans to start shipping the product this month and make it available at retailers nationwide in January 2013.

December 18, 2012

The Vitamin Shoppe will buy a Pacific Northwest-based supplement chain, the New Jersey-based company said.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe will buy a Pacific Northwest-based supplement chain, the New Jersey-based company said.

The Vitamin Shoppe said it would buy Super Supplements for $50 million. Super Supplements operates 31 stores in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, and the Vitamin Shoppe said the acquisition would expand its presence in the Northwest, where it already operates 17 stores. The transaction is expected to close on Dec. 31.

December 17, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new biotech drug from GlaxoSmithKline for anthrax, the drug maker said.

LONDON — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new biotech drug from GlaxoSmithKline for anthrax, the drug maker said.

GSK announced the approval of raxibacumab for adults and children who have inhaled Bacillus anthracis. The drug is designed for combination with antibiotics and for preventing inhalational anthrax when alternative therapies aren't available. The drug is the result of a project that Human Genome Sciences, now owned by GSK, began working on in 2001 in response to terrorist anthrax attacks in the United States.

December 17, 2012

Target has launched new products and a co-pay assistance program for customers with diabetes, the mass merchandise retailer said.

NEW YORK — Target has launched new products and a co-pay assistance program for customers with diabetes, the mass merchandise retailer said.

Target announced the release of new blood glucose meters and test strips. The retailer also offers products like alternative site lancets, alcohol prep pads and diabetic nutritional shakes.

The company also announced the launch of a $4 co-pay assistance program, as well as a free private-label blood glucose meter for customers who qualify for the program.

December 14, 2012

Diabetes patients at Kroger pharmacies who have private insurance can pay $4 for blood-glucose test strips, the supermarket operator said.

CINCINNATI — Diabetes patients at Kroger pharmacies who have private insurance can pay $4 for blood-glucose test strips, the supermarket operator said.

Kroger said insured patients could pay a $4 co-pay for Kroger Premium test strips. People with diabetes can spend as much as $1,000 per year out of pocket on test strips alone, Kroger said.

December 11, 2012

Biotech and vaccines company Nuron Biotech has bought rights from Pfizer for a vaccine to prevent infection by a bacteria that is a major cause of infectious disease around the world.

EXTON, Pa. — Biotech and vaccines company Nuron Biotech has bought rights from Pfizer for a vaccine to prevent infection by a bacteria that is a major cause of infectious disease around the world.

December 10, 2012

Caribou Coffee, originally founded by Kim and John Puckett, is celebrating its 20th anniversary on Dec. 14.

MINNEAPOLIS — Caribou Coffee, originally founded by Kim and John Puckett, is celebrating its 20th anniversary on Dec. 14. To commemorate 20 years of roasting exceptional coffee, Caribou released their Anniversary Blend coffee on Nov. 25 featuring the original Caribou Blend recipe, as well as thanking their loyal fans with a 20-day anniversary celebration.

December 7, 2012

More than five-dozen Albertsons stores in the West will start selling gluten-free frozen pizzas this month.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — More than five-dozen Albertsons stores in the West will start selling gluten-free frozen pizzas this month.

Better4U Foods said Friday that 63 stores in Albertsons' Intermountain West Division — which includes Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming — would stock the pizzas. Pizza varieties will include Gluten-Free Four Cheese, Gluten-Free Uncured Pepperoni and the vegan Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Roasted Vegetable.

December 6, 2012

Humidity may be the common denominator to help explain why flu viruses are most prevalent during the winter months in temperate climates like the United States and most prevalent during the rainy season in many tropical regions close to the equator, according to a study released Tuesday by Virginia Tech researchers.

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Humidity may be the common denominator to help explain why flu viruses are most prevalent during the winter months in temperate climates like the United States, and most prevalent during the rainy season in many tropical regions close to the equator, according to a study released Tuesday by Virginia Tech researchers.

December 5, 2012

Ecosentials on Monday launched Vitamin Squeeze Powder Water Enhancers, which are packaged in squeezable bottles that add vitamins and customizable flavors to water.

PHOENIX — Ecosentials on Monday launched Vitamin Squeeze™ Powder Water Enhancers, which is packaged in a squeezable bottle that provides vitamins and customizable flavors. The Vitamin Squeeze Powder Water Enhancers are available in a variety of eight flavors among three supplement products — multi-vitamin, energy and weight control.

December 5, 2012

Nordic Naturals on Tuesday added Vitamin D3 Vegan to its professional product line.

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — Nordic Naturals on Tuesday added Vitamin D3 Vegan to its professional product line. The liquid formulation is naturally sourced from lichen and was developed to provide healthcare practitioners with an alternative for their clients who are vegans, strict vegetarians or who prefer a non-lanolin form of vitamin D3. 

December 5, 2012

Even though many baby care products are manufactured "BPA-free," researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health found that bisphenol A, a chemical used in many consumer products, including plastic bottles and metal food and beverage cans, is common in fetal liver tissue, demonstrating that there is considerable exposure to the chemical during pregnancy.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Even though many baby care products are manufactured "BPA-free," researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health found that bisphenol A, a chemical used in many consumer products, including plastic bottles and metal food and beverage cans, is common in fetal liver tissue, demonstrating that there is considerable exposure to the chemical during pregnancy.

December 5, 2012

Rice-A-Roni has introduced single-serve, microwavable, flavored rice cups for people in search of a quick meal.

CHICAGO — Rice-A-Roni has introduced single-serve, microwavable, flavored rice cups for people in search of a quick meal.

The instant food brand announced Wednesday the introduction of the new cups, which include long-grain rice, toasted vermicelli and others, and require only water and microwaving for three-an-a-half minutes.

December 5, 2012

Patients once considered "aspirin resistant" may not be resistant to aspirin after all, according to a study published online by Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association. Rather, the protective coating around the aspirin to prevent stomach issues may be delaying the absorption of aspirin, leading clinicians to believe that patients are aspirin resistant.

PHILADELPHIA — Patients once considered "aspirin resistant" may not be resistant to aspirin after all, according to a study published online by Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association. Rather, the protective coating around the aspirin to prevent stomach issues may be delaying the absorption of aspirin, leading clinicians to believe that patients are aspirin resistant.