Content about Biology

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.