Content about Microbiology

July 13, 2011
Studies find HIV drug treatments may reduce infection risk among heterosexual couples

Taking drugs for treating HIV might reduce the risk of infection among heterosexual couples, according to two new studies conducted in Africa.

NEW YORK — Taking drugs for treating HIV might reduce the risk of infection among heterosexual couples, according to two new studies conducted in Africa.

One study, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and conducted among 4,758 couples in Kenya and Uganda, found that when taken daily, Gilead’s Viread (tenofovir) reduced the rates of infection by at least 62% compared with placebo. Truvada (tenofovir and emtricitabine), another drug made by Gilead, reduced infection risk by 73%.

July 5, 2011
Probiotics still have room to grow in digestives

Ten years ago the word probiotics wasn’t known, and five years ago it was a new word to most Americans. But thanks to the marketing of Activia yogurt by Dannon, which started in 2006, these microorganisms have garnered national attention.

Ten years ago the word probiotics wasn’t known, and five years ago it was a new word to most Americans. But thanks to the marketing of Activia yogurt by Dannon, which started in 2006, these microorganisms have garnered national attention. After Activia took the dairy market by storm, other foods fortified with probiotics, as well as probiotic supplements, followed suit.


July 5, 2011
VMS segment gets a boost from Wall Street


The latest vindicator to the almost $3.5 billion vitamin and supplement business across all outlets isn’t positive press. It’s not even the continued consumer gravitation toward self-care. It’s Wall Street. 



The latest vindicator to the almost $3.5 billion vitamin and supplement business across all outlets isn’t positive press. It’s not even the continued consumer gravitation toward self-care. It’s Wall Street. 


June 30, 2011
Physicians urge FDA not to approve Truvada

A group of physicians is urging the Food and Drug Administration not to approve a drug made by Gilead Sciences for the prevention of HIV infection.

LOS ANGELES — A group of physicians is urging the Food and Drug Administration not to approve a drug made by Gilead Sciences for the prevention of HIV infection.

Fifty-five physicians signed a letter spearheaded by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation citing concerns about the use of Gilead’s Truvada (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine) for “pre-exposure prophylaxis,” or PrEP. Concerns included the risk of a decrease in condom use and a lack of information showing proper use in “real world” situations.

June 30, 2011
Valeant buys rights for Elidel, Xerese

Canadian drug maker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International will acquire rights to topical drugs for eczema and cold sores from Swedish drug maker Meda.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Canadian drug maker Valeant Pharmaceuticals International will acquire rights to topical drugs for eczema and cold sores from Swedish drug maker Meda.

Valeant said it would buy rights for the eczema drug Elidel (pimecrolimus) and the cold sore drug Xerese (acyclovir and hydrocortisone) for the United States, Canada and Mexico. Valeant said, however, that Xerese has not yet received regulatory approval in Canada.

June 28, 2011
New campaign seeks to teach consumers about foodborne illnesses

A new multimedia public service campaign that is designed to help families prevent food poisoning in the home has made its debut.

WASHINGTON — A new multimedia public service campaign that is designed to help families prevent food poisoning in the home has made its debut.

June 22, 2011
Genesis Today introduces GenEssentials Greens

Genesis Today on Tuesday launched its GenEssentials Greens, a concentrated vegan supplement with more than 75 plant-based ingredients.

AUSTIN, Texas — Genesis Today on Tuesday launched its GenEssentials Greens, a concentrated vegan supplement with more than 75 plant-based ingredients.

According to the company, one serving of GenEssentials Greens delivers the phytonutrients of up to five servings of dark leafy green vegetables and 173 other nutrients. The formula delivers more than 25 billion live probiotics per serving, which break down toxins and support a healthy digestive tract.

June 22, 2011
Walgreens, Ebony encourage Americans to be 'Greater Than AIDS'

Walgreens has teamed with Greater Than AIDS, a national campaign in response to HIV/AIDS in the United States, to distribute informational resources and specialized HIV-related services at more than 300 Walgreens pharmacies in heavily affected communities, the Kaiser Family Foundation announced Tuesday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has teamed with Greater Than AIDS, a national campaign in response to HIV/AIDS in the United States, to distribute informational resources and specialized HIV-related services at more than 300 Walgreens pharmacies in heavily affected communities, the Kaiser Family Foundation announced Tuesday. 

June 20, 2011
ReportersNotebook — Chain Pharmacy, 6/27/11

A generic drug maker has been granted approval from the Food and Drug Administration to manufacture its version of a urinary tract infection treatment.

SUPPLIER NEWS — A generic drug maker has been granted approval from the Food and Drug Administration to manufacture its version of a urinary tract infection treatment. Amneal Pharmaceuticals said that its nitrofurantoin oral suspension in the 25-mg/5-mL strength is the first-to-market generic version of Furadantin, made by Shionogi Pharma. Amneal will sell its generic in 8-oz. (230-mL) size bottles, the company said. Annual U.S. sales of nitrofurantoin oral suspension totaled $40 million for the year ended in January, according to IMS Health data.


June 20, 2011
Schiff looks to probiotics acquisition for growth

Schiff Nutrition president and CEO Tarang Amin promised to infuse some new energy into the company with his appointment earlier this spring, and he wasted no time with the Schiff acquisition of two probiotic brands — Sustenex and Digestive Advantage — in June. 


SALT LAKE CITY — Schiff Nutrition president and CEO Tarang Amin promised to infuse some new energy into the company with his appointment earlier this spring, and he wasted no time with the Schiff acquisition of two probiotic brands — Sustenex and Digestive Advantage — in June. 


June 17, 2011
CDC: Retail settings become popular alternative for flu shots

Many adults across the United States opted to visit their local drug store or supermarket to receive their flu shot during the 2010-2011 influenza season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report."

ATLANTA — Many adults across the United States opted to visit their local drug store or supermarket to receive their flu shot during the 2010-2011 influenza season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report."

June 10, 2011
H1N1 flu variant may be resistant to certain treatments

A new strain of swine flu has emerged that appears somewhat resistant to flu drugs, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A new strain of swine flu has emerged that appears somewhat resistant to flu drugs, according to published reports.

Reuters reported that scientists in Australia and Singapore had found a variant of the H1N1 flu that showed some resistance to Roche’s Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) and GlaxoSmithKline’s Relenza (zanamivir), though drug maker BioCryst currently is developing a drug called peramivir, to which the strain was not resistant.

June 7, 2011
FDA seizes probiotic products from UAS Labs

The Food and Drug Administration reported Tuesday that U.S. marshals seized probiotic products from UAS Labs that were being marketed as drugs.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration reported Tuesday that U.S. marshals seized probiotic products from UAS Labs that were being marketed as drugs.

June 6, 2011
FDA issues statement on E. coli outbreak in Europe

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday addressed the current outbreak of E. coli O104 in Europe.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday addressed the current outbreak of E. coli O104 in Europe.

The U.S. regulatory agency said that it has been in "routine contact" with the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the European Union to monitor the current outbreak of E. coli O104 and to track any illnesses in the United States that may be related to the outbreak.

June 6, 2011
Sanofi Pasteur donates tetanus-containing vaccine doses to storm victims

The vaccines division of drug maker Sanofi donated vaccine doses on behalf of the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation to Direct Relief International, which will aid victims of the recent storms in the Southeast and Midwest.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — The vaccines division of drug maker Sanofi donated vaccine doses on behalf of the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation to Direct Relief International, which will aid victims of the recent storms in the Southeast and Midwest.

June 3, 2011
New flu vaccine will mirror this past season's

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the Food and Drug Administration has recommended that the flu vaccine for the 2011-2012 season protect against the same strains as it did this year.

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the Food and Drug Administration has recommended that the flu vaccine for the 2011-2012 season protect against the same strains as it did this year.

The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee recommended that the vaccine will protect those immunized against H1N1, H3N2 and a type of influenza-B virus, the same formulation as this past season's vaccine.

June 2, 2011
Schiff buys into probiotic business

Schiff Nutrition on Tuesday announced its $40 million acquisition from Ganeden Biotech of the worldwide exclusive rights to use the probiotic technology GanedenBC30 in the over-the-counter and dietary supplement space, along with the brands Sustenex and Digestive Advantage, under which GanedenBC30 currently is sold.

SALT LAKE CITY — Schiff Nutrition on Tuesday announced its $40 million acquisition from Ganeden Biotech of the worldwide exclusive rights to use the probiotic technology GanedenBC30 in the over-the-counter and dietary supplement space, along with the brands Sustenex and Digestive Advantage, under which GanedenBC30 currently is sold.

May 31, 2011
Dificid gets nod as CDAD treatment

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for diarrhea caused by a bacterial infection.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment for diarrhea caused by a bacterial infection.

The agency announced the approval of Optimer Pharmaceuticals’ Dificid (fidaxomicin) tablets for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, also known as CDAD.

May 24, 2011
Report: States scale back funding to HIV, AIDS medication programs

Several states are cutting funding to programs that provide HIV medications to people who can’t afford them in an effort to reduce spending, according to a published report.

NEW YORK — Several states are cutting funding to programs that provide HIV medications to people who can’t afford them in an effort to reduce spending, according to a published report.

The Washington Post reported that more than 8,300 people are on waiting lists to obtain antiretrovirals and other drugs that treat HIV, AIDS and related conditions. The Post article highlighted particularly large program cuts in Illinois and Georgia, as well as one proposed for Florida.

May 20, 2011
Edurant OKed as HIV treatment by FDA

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new antiretroviral treatment for HIV made by Johnson & Johnson, the agency said Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new antiretroviral treatment for HIV made by Johnson & Johnson, the agency said Friday.

The FDA approved J&J subsidiary Tibotec Therapeutics’ Edurant (rilpivirine) as a treatment for use in combination with other HIV drugs in adults who have not been treated before.

May 12, 2011
Study: Antiretroviral therapy cuts HIV transmission risk by 96%

Patients with HIV who immediately started antiretroviral therapy significantly reduced the risk of spreading the virus to an uninfected partner, compared with those who delayed therapy, according to results of a multinational study. The study also found that antiretroviral therapy reduced the risk of transmission by 96%.

WASHINGTON — Patients with HIV who immediately started antiretroviral therapy significantly reduced the risk of spreading the virus to an uninfected partner, compared with those who delayed therapy, according to results of a multinational study. The study also found that antiretroviral therapy reduced the risk of transmission by 96%.

May 10, 2011
FDA OKs Sanofi Pasteur's Fluzone Intradermal

Sanofi’s vaccines division has won Food and Drug Administration approval for a vaccine designed for injection into the skin, the company said Tuesday.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi’s vaccines division has won Food and Drug Administration approval for a vaccine designed for injection into the skin, the company said Tuesday.

Sanofi Pasteur announced the FDA approval of Fluzone Intradermal (influenza virus vaccine), which injects the vaccine into the skin via a short, fine needle, also known as a microinjection.

May 9, 2011
Merck kicks off Hope Against Hepatitis C initiative

Drug maker Merck announced that it has kicked off an initiative that includes a wide range of public education and patient support programs, as well as research efforts to help improve care for people living with chronic hepatitis C virus infections.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Drug maker Merck announced that it has kicked off an initiative that includes a wide range of public education and patient support programs, as well as research efforts to help improve care for people living with chronic hepatitis C virus infections.

Merck's Hope Against Hepatitis C initiative includes a variety of public-private partnerships, educational programs and collaborative research efforts aimed at supporting the hepatitis C community.

May 9, 2011
Napo sues Salix over breach of collaboration agreement commitments

Napo Pharmaceuticals has filed a lawsuit against Salix Pharmaceuticals, alleging that the latter breached commitments under an agreement to develop and commercialize a proprietary gastrointestinal compound.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Napo Pharmaceuticals has filed a lawsuit against Salix Pharmaceuticals, alleging that the latter breached commitments under an agreement to develop and commercialize a proprietary gastrointestinal compound.

Salix said that Napo's claims over its collaboration agreement concerning the development of crofelemer are without merit, adding that the drug maker plans to continue with the development and commercialization of crofelemer, in accordance with its past guidance and the terms of its collaboration agreement with Napo.

May 4, 2011
FDA warns consumers over fake products that claim to treat STDs

The Food and Drug Administration is cracking down on companies that it accuses of selling fake products for sexually transmitted diseases, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is cracking down on companies that it accuses of selling fake products for sexually transmitted diseases, the agency said.

The FDA said at least 15 products — some sold as dietary supplements — that claim to treat, prevent or cure such STDs as herpes, Chlamydia, genital warts and HIV/AIDS, were being sold online and at some retail stores. Brands include MedaVir, which claims to treat herpes; Gene-Eden, which claims to treat a range of STDs, as well as flu and mononucleosis; and several others.