Pharmacy online blog

The Royal College of Radiologists welcomes this announce, which highlights the specific problems faced by radiotherapy and breast screening services in London. Responding to the London Assembly Health and Public Service Committee’s report, Dr Michael Williams, Dean of the RCR’s Faculty of Oncology, said, “This report draws attention to highly relevant issues around staff retention due to the cost of living, varying workloads, and commissioning relationships betwixt PCTs and clear-sighted trusts.

“In particular, the College endorses the call for a pan-London coordination of services. This coordination should be backed up by substantial investment in equipment, staffing levels and training places, as laid out in the Department of Health’s Cancer Reform Strategy, so that we can continue to strive to deliver prompt and accurate treatment to altogether cancer patients, across London and the whole of the UK”.

The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) has approximately 7,500 members and Fellows worldwide representing the disciplines of clinical oncology and clinical radiology. All members and Fellows of the College are registered medical or dental practitioners.

Royal College of Radiologists

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Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC BB: RXHN), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative treatments for cancer, central nervous classification disorders, sexual dysfunction and other unmet medical needs, announced that it has been awarded a cession totaling $217,761 through the Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program (MIPS). With the grant, researchers at Rexahn and the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB), will continue their joint development of polymer-drug conjugates for cancer therapy, for the targeted elocution of cancer drugs.

This most recent MIPS funding follows a similar grant received from MIPS in 2007 which was applied toward the auspicious first phasis of this ongoing growth project between Rexahn and UMB.

The Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program is designed to accelerate the commercialization of technology in Maryland by jointly funding collaborative R&D projects between companies and University System of Maryland faculty. In addition to the grant announced today and that received in 2007, Rexahn also received a MIPS grant in 2005 because of the discovery of cancer drug candidates using cutting-edge NMR technology. That MIPS project was successfully completed.

Rexahn is one of 18 companies to receive this latest round of MIPS funding and is the only research project focused on nano-drug delivery solutions. By using water soluble nano-polymer based drug delivery systems, Rexahn’s biopharmaceutical compounds have the potential to enhance the security profile and increase the efficacy of chemotherapeutics by selectively targeting tumor cells. If successful, this would be the means of significant benefit to cancer patients and the healthcare hypothesis, alike.

Rexahn’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Chang Ahn, noted, “We are honored to be seized of received yet another grant from MIPS for our continued cancer therapy inquiry. Rexahn has the opportunity to potentially revolutionize the market for anti-cancer treatment. Our long-term represent is to develop and speak to market a range of innovative, targeted therapeutics with drastically reduced side effect profiles than current treatments — which are highly toxic and have power to be lethal - now supply. Our ability to achieve this would allow Rexahn to offer patients and the medical common of influence treatment alternatives and would result in significant improvements in patients’ quality of life. The current grant from MIPS gives us the resources we need to take our moil with the gifted research team at UMB, to the next level.”

In 2006, Rexahn and the UMB’s Center for Nanomedicine and Cellular Delivery also entered into a unique collaboration aimed at discovery novel ways of applying the Center’s research and nanomedicine expertise to improve the pharmaceutical properties of Rexahn’s drugs in development.

end for end Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its singular technology platform to discover, develop and commercialize innovative treatments for cancer, central nervous system disorders, sexual dysfunction and other unmet medical needs. Rexahn’s compounds are designed to uniquely treat various disease states while significantly minimizing lateral effects in order to allow patients to regain quality of life through therapy. For Additional knowledge about Rexahn, visit http://www.rexahn.com.

Safe Harbor

This press release contains statements (including projections and business trends) that are forward-looking statements. Rexahn’s actual results may deviate materially from the anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, Rexahn’s lack of profitability, its auditor’s going concern qualification and the need for additional capital to effect its business to develop its product candidates; the risk that Rexahn’s development efforts relating to its product candidates may not be successful; the possibility of being unable to obtain regulatory approval of Rexahn’s product candidates; the risk that the results of clinical trials may not be completed on time or support Rexahn’s claims; demand for and market acceptance of Rexahn’s drug candidates; Rexahn’s reliance in succession third party researchers and manufacturers to develop its product candidates; Rexahn’s ability to develop and obtain protection of its intellectual property; and other dare to undertake factors set forth from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the affix a date to hereof, Rexahn assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals

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The World Heart Federation is urging Geneva to vote on February 24th to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. Following recent smoking bans in France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, it is hoped Geneva will come the example set by companion Swiss cantons Ticino and Soleure and put an end to smoking in public places .

Major cause of cardiac death

Heart disease and stroke is Switzerland’s number one cause of death and it is estimated that smoking increases the risk by 100 by cent, while the risk of death from undiagnosed coronary heart disease is increased by 300 per cent2. Furthermore, there is overwhelming consensus among medical and scientific authorities that passive smoking is a major cause of disease in non-smokers, including coronary heart disease and cardiac death as well as lung cancer3.

No safe level

Since 2003, when the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was unanimously adopted by World Health constitution member states4, it has been in every instance acknowledged that the only way to protect the public from second-hand smoke is comprehensive smoke-free air laws.

“There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke,” says Janet Voûte of the Geneva-based World Heart Federation. “The right of a person to breathe clean air takes precedence over any possible right of smokers to pollute the air other people breathe. This is not about whether smokers smoke, it is about where they smoke.”

Smoke-free air laws popular

Smoke-free air laws have proved popular, effective and well respected all over the world. In New Zealand support for smoke-free bars, pubs and nightclubs rose from 61 per cent in 2004 to 81 per cent in 20065. In Ireland the smoke-free law was supported by 93 per cent of the population in 2005, compared with 67 per cent immediately before the law was introduced6.

Reduction in heart attack hospital admissions

In Scotland, post-implementation studies of its ban showed a 17 per cent reduction in heart attack admissions to nine major Scottish hospitals7. One study comparing air quality before and after implementation found an 86 per cent improvement in bars and a 39 per cent reduction in second-hand smoke exposure in non-smoking adults and children8.

Three billion people

The FCTC became the world’s first international public health treaty when it came into force on 27 February, 2005. The treaty has been signed by 168 countries and is legally binding in 152 ratifying countries representing over three billion people. Recent figures for Switzerland, which has signed but not yet ratified the negotiation, show that 22 per cent of all those between 15 and 65 are regular smokers9, and on account of 35 to 74-year-olds in Geneva that figure rises to 25.7 per cent10.

The International Labour Organization estimates that each year about 200,000 workers die because of exposure to second-hand be punished in the workplace11. As an organization active in the awareness and prevention of cardiovascular disease, the World Heart Federation strongly supports any actions that wish an impact on heart disease and stroke risk factors.

About the World Heart Federation

The World Heart Federation is a nongovernmental organization based in Geneva Switzerland dedicated to the prevention and control of heart disease and stroke, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. It is comprised of 195 constituent societies of cardiology and heart foundations from over 100 countries covering the regions of Asia-Pacific, Europe, East Mediterranean, the Americas and Africa. For further information visit: http://www.world-heart-federation.org

References

1. The Ticino ban began on April 12th 2007. The Soleure ban will start in 2009. Cantons Grisons and Appenzel Rhodes-Interieur have also voted for a ban on smoking in men places albeit with a possibility for restaurants to have separate smoking rooms.

2. J Mackay, G Mensah, Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke. 2004 World Health Organization. Geneva

3. World Health Organization (2007). Protection from Exposure to Second-hand Tobacco Smoke. Policy Recommendations. Available online here.

4. World Health Organization website

5. Semple S, Creely KS, Naji A et al (2007). Secondhand smoke levels in Scottish pubs: the effect of smoke-free legislation. Tobacco Control 16:127-132

Waa A and McGough S (2006). Reducing exposure to second hand smoke: Changes associated with the implementation of the amended New Zealand Smoke-free Environments Act 1990: 2003-2006. Health Sponsorship Council Research and Evaluation Unit: Wellington. Available online here.

6. Office for Tobacco Control (2005). Smoke-free workplaces in Ireland: A one year review. Clane, Ireland: Office for Tobacco Control. Available online here.

7. Sally Haw. Scotland’s Smokefree Legislation: Results from a comprehensive evaluation. Presentation given at the “Towards a Smokefree Society Conference”, Edinburgh Scotland, 10 - 11 September 2007. Available here.

8. Semple S, Creely KS, Naji A et al (2007). Secondhand smoke levels in Scottish pubs: the effect of smoke-free legislation. Tobacco Control 16:127-132

9. WHO 2005

10. Bus Santé 2001

11. Takala J (2005). Introductory report: decent work, safe work. International Labor Organization: Geneva. Available online here.

World feeling Federation

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The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology has once again expanded its ever-growing staff with new additions to the Health Policy and Education departments.

Stephen McNutt has been hired as the director of ASTRO’s Health Policy Department. Mr. McNutt brings 16 years of experience in hospital oncology services to ASTRO. He spent six years as a dosimitrist, therapist and radiation safety functionary at Decatur General in Decatur, Ala., and 10 years as the administrator of the cancer program at the hospital. Most recently he worked at Decatur Ambulatory Surgery Center where he was the administrator. Mr. McNutt has a bachelor’s degree in radiological information from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and a master’s degree in hospital administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, Ala. At ASTRO, Mr. McNutt will be responsible for overseeing the four committee areas of the Health Policy Department, which include code utilization and application, code development and valuation, regulation and practice management, as well since for overseeing emerging technologies.

Shana Campbell has joined the ASTRO Education Department as one breeding manager. Ms. Campbell comes to ASTRO from the American Podiatric Medical Association where she was one education and research program specialist. At APMA Ms. Campbell was responsible by reason of planning the educational content for multiple regional medical meetings a year and for coordinating the association’s research initiatives. Ms. Campbell has a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.V. She also received her MBA from the University of Maryland University College. At ASTRO, Ms. Campbell will be answerable for coordinating the Nursing Committee and all of their programs. She will also be responsible for coordinating the educational components of the Spring Refresher Course and the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium.

“Stephen and Shana bring a wealth of comprehension in their respective areas of expertise to ASTRO,” said Laura I. Thevenot, ASTRO’s chief executive officer. “ASTRO is lucky to have such talented individuals who, I know, will bring new ideas to the Society to help further our mission to advance the use of radiation oncology.”

ASTRO is the largest radiation oncology society in the world, with 9,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. because the leading organization in radiation oncology, biology and science of energy, the Society is dedicated to improving patient care through education, clinical practice, advancement of science and vindication.

American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology

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Using artificial cell-like particles, Yale biomedical engineers have devised a rapid and efficient way to produce a 45-fold enhancement of T cell activation and expansion, an immune response important for a patient’s ability to fight cancer and infectious diseases, according to an advance on line report in Molecular Therapy.

The artificial cells, developed by Tarek Fahmy, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Yale and his graduate student Erin Steenblock, are made of a material commonly used for biodegradable sutures. The authors say that the new method is the first “off-the-shelf” antigen-presenting artificial cell that can be tuned to target a specific disease or infection.

“This procedure is likely to make it to the clinic fast,” said senior author Fahmy. “All of the materials we use are natural, biodegradable before that time have FDA approval.”

Cancer, viral infections and autoimmune diseases have responded to immunotherapy that boosts a patient’s own antigen-specific T cells. In those previous procedures, a patient’s immune cells were harvested and for this reason exposed to cells that stimulate the activation and proliferation of antigen-specific T-cells. The “boosted” immune cells were then infused back into the patient to make a run at the disease.

Limitations of these procedures include costly and tedious wont. isolation of cells notwithstanding individual patients and the risk of adverse reaction to foreign cells, according to the Yale researchers. They also pointed to difficulty in obtaining and maintaining sufficient song of activated T-cells for effective therapeutic response.

In the new system, the outer surface of each particle is covered in universal adaptor molecules that serve as attachment points for antigens - molecules that activate the patient’s T-cells to recognize and fight off the targeted disease - and for stimulatory molecules. Inside of each particle, there are slowly released cytokines that further stimulate the activated T-cells to proliferate to as much despite example 45 times their prototype number.

“Our process introduces different important improvements,” said lead author Steenblock. “earliest, the universal surface adaptors allow us to add a span of targeting antigen and co-stimulatory molecules. We can besides create a sustained release of encapsulated cytokines. These enhancements mimic the regular binding and signaling events that lead to T-cell proliferation in the body. It also causes a fast and effective stimulation of the patient’s T-cells - particularly T-cells of the cytotoxic type important instead of eradicating cancer.”

“Safe and efficient T-cell stimulation and proliferation in response to specific antigens is a goal of immunotherapy against infectious disease and cancer,” said Fahmy. “Our aptitude to manipulate this response so rapidly and naturally with an “off the shelf” reproducible biomaterial is a big step forward.”

Fahmy was recently awarded a five-year National Science Foundation (NSF) Career Award for work on this projection and ways of engineering biomaterials to manipulate immune responses to fight cancer and other diseases. His approach incorporates signals important for T-cell stimulation in biocompatible polymer particulates, and integrates all the signals needed on the side of efficient T-cell stimulation.

According to the NSF, devices as such these offer ease and flexibility in targeting different types of T-cells, and is expected to lead to state of the guile improvements in the making ready of a new generation of therapeutic systems.

The US Department of Homeland Security provided partial funding as being this operate.

Citation: Molecular Therapy (advance online February 26, 2008)

http://www.yale.edu

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India is to be commended conducive to its successful efforts to control the recent worst-ever outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the state of West Bengal, FAO said. The intervention warned, however, that intensive surveillance should continue in high-risk areas as the possibility of new outbreaks remains high.

“Intensive culling in the predominantly backyard poultry sector appears to have stopped the ailment in its tracks,” said FAO veterinary expert Mohinder Oberoi after a recent field trip to the affected areas.

“The political and pecuniary commitment from the government of India and the state of Bengal to stamp out the disease was instrumental in this success. Public awareness campaigns, a strong command chain from districts to villages, compensation payments and an effective collaboration between animal and human health departments at field etc., have been the key factors for the success,” Oberoi said.

No new disease outbreaks have been discovered since 2 February 2008.

FAO’s Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech urged to maintain intensive surveillance in high risk areas as the potentiality of new outbreaks remains high. “The virus could still be present in the environment despite heavy slaughtering and extensive disinfection of affected areas, or it could be reintroduced from other countries,” he said.

In order to achieve rapid control, prevent virus spread to other states and to avoid the risk of human corruption the government of India had to cull over 3.9 million chickens and ducks, mainly belonging to poor backyard poultry farmers.

The socio-economic impact of this control campaign should be urgently assessed in order to better define and apply the necessary mitigation measures regarding the negative impacts of massive culling on poor feeble-minded holders, FAO said. Live synoptical view markets, migration of wild birds and transportation routes of birds and poultry products should be mapped to better understand and superintend the spread of the ailment.

Public awareness campaigns should continue over the next months introducing rural communities to safe poultry production and basic biosecurity measures with the ultimate goal of reducing the danger of human infections.

The fresh outbreak of avian influenza in West Bengal, and the ongoing spread of the disease in Bangladesh require close collaboration between affected countries, FAO said. FAO, in collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), has invited India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar to participate in a regional meeting to better coordinate avian influenza control campaigns. The Government of Nepal has agreed to host the meeting in Kathmandu.

http://www.fao.org

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New figures published by the European Society of Cardiology1 and the European Heart Network2 this month, highlighted the significant differences in cardiovascular disease across Europe. One fact, nevertheless, remains the same: cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the vital cause of death in the European Union, killing over 2 million people per year. CVD costs the EU economy over 192 billion Euros annually. Many of these deaths could have existence averted with proper prevention policies.

These new statistics were the main focus of the meeting of the Members of the European Parliament Heart Group which took place in Brussels yesterday, 26 February 2008.

“These latest figures show that cardiovascular disease is a critical health problem for Europe and must be taken seriously. High risk countries should take urgent steps to implement measures to reduce the burden of CVD. The elevated mortality rates in some European countries are also unacceptable from both a human and economical point of view” declared Dr Andrejevs co-chair of the MEP Heart Group.

Aware of this critical health problem, members of the European Parliament voted with one overwhelming majority a Resolution on action to tackle cardiovascular disease on 12 July 2007. Last October, the MEP Heart Group was officially created. The group works together with the European Heart Network3and the European Society of Cardiology4 to gather and exchange information on cardiovascular health and to stir up initiatives thwart Europe on cardiovascular disease prevention.

EHN statistics show that CVD costs European economy 192 billion Euros a year, which results in a per capita cost of 391 Euros. 57% of this is forthwith linked to health care, 21% to productivity losses and 22 % to the cost of informal care provided through relatives and friends.

“Premature death and suffering from CVD is largely avoidable, declared Ms Susanne Logstrup from the European Heart Network. These recent studies show how great number western European countries have managed to reduce mortality linked to CVD. It is the duty of the EU to expand these successful policies to completely Member States”. As Dr William Wijns, chair of the ESC Committee for European Relations underlines: “to those who think prevention is expensive, I say … try disease!”

Researchers found that mortality rates to be paid to CVD were high in some Mediterranean countries such a Greece, Portugal and regions in southern Spain and Italy. They also found that many countries had changed from being high to low risk and that current classifications did not take into reason the considerable regional variations. These disparities are associated with differences in diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, the quality of medical care and environmental factors. Western European countries show a trend towards lower mortality rates linked to CVD. Finland appears to be an example of how public health interventions can make a big difference to reduce death caused by heart disease.

Several projects are already underway aiming to cater Member States with adequate tools to help reduce the burden of CVD. These include the European Heart Health Charter5; the EuroHeart Project6 and the revised European Guidelines on CVD prevention in clinical practice7. The challenge for Member States today is to implement all these recommendations taking into account local economic and cultural realities. Statistics have confirmed the alarming cost of not doing so.

“As a cardiologist, says Dr William Wijns of the European Society of Cardiology, I am confronted every day with the terrible consequences of heart disease. People who normally wouldn’t study examine themselves as peril takers, nevertheless take daily risks by smoking or eating unhealthily. As specialists we get to see people as patients, whenever the damage is done. To see Members of the European Parliament actually focus on Cardiovascular health is extremely important for the ESC as they can help Europe take further action, in strict in the field of prevention, by educating populations and by providing supportive environments helping people to choose a healthy lifestyle.”

—————————-
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
—————————-

1 European centre Journal, flagship journal of the European Society of Cardiology. Click to this place to access the full report.

2 European Heart Network (2008) European cardiovascular disease statistics 2008. Brussels. European Heart Network. beneficial to the full report go to: http://www.ehnheart.org/ (statistics)

3The European Heart Network (EHN) is a Brussels based alliance of 31 heart foundations and likeminded nongovernmental organisations throughout Europe, with member organisations in 26 countries, distinguish http://www.ehnheart.org/

4The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) represents more than 50,000 cardiology professionals across Europe and the Mediterranean. The ESC comprises 4 Councils for Cardiology Practice, 5 Associations, 19 Working Groups and 50 National Cardiac Societies Its mission is to master the burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe, see http://www.escardio.org/

5 http://www.heartcharter.eu/

6 http://www.escardio.org/initiatives/EuroHeart/ or EuroHeart Project

7 CVD prevention in clinical practice

Source: Jacqueline Partarrieu
European Society of Cardiology

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As many as half of patients with superficial bladder cancer do not respond to the ensign first-line chemotherapy placed into the bladder, according to current multi-center outcomes given conditions. When this happens, typically, their only option is surgical withdrawal of the bladder. Now, researchers at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center are investigating any FDA approved metastatic breast cancer drug called Abraxane® that may prove a safe and effective alternative to surgery for these patients.

Bladder cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer in men and the ninth leading cause of cancer in women in the United States. In a given year, more than 60,000 new cases are diagnosed, and 13,000 will die from the disease.

“When the standard manipulation does not work, currently the only option is surgical removal of the bladder — something that, for all patients, is unappealing, and for some sicker patients is not even feasible. With this study, we hope to find an effective second line of medicine option for these patients,” says Dr. James McKiernan, director of urologic oncology at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center, and vice chairman of the Department of Urology and assistant professor of urology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The Phase I/II study elect follow 18 patients for six weeks to assess dosage safety, followed by a second group of 19 patients who will be followed for six weeks to measure the effectiveness of the therapy.

The study is open to patients with recurrent bladder cancer that has not responded to standard therapy — BCG (bacillus Calmette-Guerin) treatment.

In 2006, Dr. McKiernan, together with departmental chair Dr. Mitchell C Benson, led a phase I study of the drug Taxotere, also used to treat breast cancer, on a similar patient population, finding the drug to be safe by 12 of 18 patients responding (results were published in the July 1, 2006, Journal of Clinical Oncology). Since then, a favorable percentage of patients have survived with intact bladders.

Abraxane, he believes, will show similar or better results. “Abraxane has an analogous structure to Taxotere, but has the advantage of being more soluble due to its solvent-free formulation allowing because of administration at higher concentrations,” says Dr. McKiernan. “In one study of Abraxane for metastatic breast cancer, the drug successfully shrank tumors and had few side furniture.”

The study is funded by Abraxis Bioscience of Los Angeles, California.

Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital encompasses pre-clinical and clinical research, treatment, prevention and education efforts in cancer. The Cancer Center was initially funded by the NCI in 1972 and became an National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center in 1979. The designation recognizes the Center’s collaborative environment and expertise in harnessing translational research to bridge scientific discovery to clinical delivery, with the ultimate goal of successfully introducing novel distinguishing, therapeutic and preventive approaches to cancer. For more information, examine http://www.hiccc.columbia.edu.

NewYork Presbyterian Hospital

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital — based in New York City — is the nation’s largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian hospital, with 2,242 beds. It provides state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive heed in all areas of medicine at five major centers: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Allen Pavilion and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division. common of the largest and most comprehensive health-care institutions in the world, the Hospital is committed to excellence in patient care, inquiry, education and community service. It ranks sixth in U.S.News & World Report’s director to “America’s Best Hospitals,” ranks first on New York magazine’s “Best Hospitals” survey, has the greatest number of physicians listed in New York magazine’s “Best Doctors” issue, and is included amid Solucient’s top 15 major teaching hospitals. The Hospital is ranked with amidst the lowest mortality rates for heart attack and heart failure in the country, according to a 2007 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report card. The Hospital has academic affiliations by two of the nation’s leading medical colleges: Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. For more information, visit http://www.nyp.org.

Columbia University Medical Center

Columbia University Medical Center provides international leadership in pre-clinical and clinical research, in medical and health sciences education, and in patient concern. The medical center trains future leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, public health professionals, dentists, nurses, and scientists at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. For again notice, examine http://www.cumc.columbia.edu.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
627 West 165th St., SB-621
New York, NY 10032
United States
http://www.nyp.org

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Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSIR) announced that interim results at the one year occasion point for the Company’s Phase I trial evaluating Prochymal™ for the treatment of heart attack patients continued to demonstrate a strong safety profile and statistically significant improvement in heart function. Based upon the positive results from this 53-patient, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the Company has believed approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase II trial.

“This early stage trial exceeded our expectations for both safety and efficacy,” said C. Randal Mills, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Osiris. “These data support our pre-clinical results and suggest that in acute myocardial infarction, early management with Prochymal can alter the course of disease. Based on this encouraging data, we look forward to promptly advancing Prochymal in this exciting, multi-billion dollar market.”

Prochymal for Heart Attack Patients: every Interim Analysis at One Year

The trial collected one-year magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), what one. reflects the fraction of blood pumped through of a ventricle with each heart beat. This is a commonly used measurement of overall heart function and typically declines after injury to the heart, as often occurs in heart attack patients. Patients with significantly compromised LVEF progress to heart failure.

Key results include:

- The Prochymal treatment group achieved a statistically significant 5.2 matter increase in LVEF over baseline (P = 0.021). The placebo group experienced a 1.8 point improvement in LVEF over baseline, which was not statistically significant.

- Patients with more cutting myocardial infarction, defined as a baseline LVEF of 45 or less, demonstrated even greater effects. The Prochymal-treatment group showed a 6.5 point improvement one-year post-treatment, compared to a 1.9 promontory increase in the placebo group.

- Prochymal treated patients continued to experience fewer calamitous events, at a rate of 6.1 per patient, compared to 8.0 per placebo-group passive.

- No serious adverse events were attributed to Prochymal.

“First and foremost, the safety data generated in this trial were outstanding and add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that Prochymal be able to be used to use patients in the acute setting,” said Joshua Hare, M.D., lead investigator toward the Prochymal cardiac consider attentively. Dr. Hare is the Louis Lemberg Professor of Medicine at the Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami; Chief of the Cardiovascular Division; and Director of the School’s Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute. “The data further suggest that the greater the cardiac damage, the greater the potential benefit from Prochymal. We are very excited about advancing Prochymal into Phase II, and the prospect of ushering in a new series in the treatment of myocardial infarction.”

The single in kind year interim analysis was performed as part of the full two year follow-up period to the temptation, and as a issue, contains only limited data. A more comprehensive data set will be turn to account at the two year time-point, which marks the conclusion of the trial.

Prochymal, a patented formulation of adult stem cells, is currently in Phase III clinical trials with regard to the treatment of Graft vs. Host Disease and Crohn’s disorder and is in a Phase II trial for type 1 diabetes. Osiris was recently awarded a $224.7 million get for the development and stockpile of Prochymal by the Defense Department for the treatment of acute radiation syndrome. The visitor recently regained exclusive world-wide rights to cardiovascular indications for the product and as a result, discontinued using the cardiac specific brand name Provacel.

About Osiris Therapeutics

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. is a leading stem cell therapeutic company focused on developing and marketing products to treat medical conditions in the inflammatory, orthopedic and cardiovascular areas. Osiris currently markets and sells Osteocel® for regenerating bone in orthopedic indications. Prochymal™ is being evaluated in Phase III clinical trials for three indications, including astute and steroid refractory Graft versus Host Disease and also Crohn’s disease, and is the only stem cell therapeutic currently designated by FDA as both an Orphan Drug and Fast Track product. Osiris also has partnered with Genzyme Corporation to develop Prochymal™ as a medical countermeasure to nuclear terrorism and other radiological emergencies. Prochymal is also being developed for the repair of heart tissue following a heart assault and for the buckler of pancreatic islet cells in patients with type 1 diabetes. The Company’s pipeline of internally developed biologic drug candidates under evaluation also includes Chondrogen™ for arthritis in the knee. Osiris is a fully integrated company, having developed capabilities in research, development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of stem cell products. Osiris has developed an extensive intellectual property portfolio to foster the company’s technology in the United States and a number of foreign countries including 47 U.S. and 253 foreign patents owned or licensed. More information can be found on the company’s website, http://www.Osiris.com. (OSIR-G)

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. talk or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project” or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements respecting the following: our product development efforts; our clinical trials and anticipated regulatory requirements; the prosperity of our product candidates in development; status of the regulatory process for our biologic drug candidates; implementation of our incorporated strategy; our financial performance; our product research and development activities and projected expenditures, including our anticipated timeline and clinical strategy for mesenchymal stem cells and biologic drug candidates; our cash needs; patents and proprietary rights; ability of our potential products to treat disease; our plans for sales and marketing; our plans regarding our facilities; types of regulatory frameworks we expect will be applicable to our potential products; and results of our philosophical research.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our genuine results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. We pledge one’s word no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to throw back circumstances or events after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

http://www.Osiris.com

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The following summarizes research from the February 2008 edition of the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health.

• “Korean Immigrants’ cognition of Heart Attack Symptoms and Risk Factors”: The study examines the knowledge of heart attack symptoms and risk factors amid Korean immigrants and evaluates whether knowledge is based on demographic characteristics such for example age, time in the U.S., training and family history of cardiovascular disease. According to the data, about three-fourths of the thought sample had at least one self-reported risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and 50% of the subjects could only identify one heart attack symptom in an open-ended questionnaire. Subjects who had a low knowledge of risk factors were more likely to be older than 65, to have lower education, to not know how to use 911 when a heart attack occurred and to not have a family history of seat of life invade. The researchers write that Korean immigrants’ knowledge of heart attack symptoms and risk factors vary and suggest that the elderly and those who have heart attack exposure to harm factors would gain the most benefit from cardiovascular disease education (Hwang et al, Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, February 2008).

• “Hmong Adults Self-Rated Oral Health: A Pilot reflect upon”: The study assessed self-perception of oral health in the midst of the Hmong population, an ethnic minority group originally from Laos, and examined how their self-perception of oral health is related to that of their general health. Using given conditions from a sampling of 118 Hmong adults ages 18-50+, researchers found that almost moiety of the study population rated their nuncupative health and access to dental care as fair or poor. Subjects associated dental insurance, access to dental care and reason for previous dental or physician visits with their general health. The researchers also rest that cultural beliefs and values affected the likelihood that some participants would seek dental care. According to the study, further inquiry is needed to acquire more information in all parts of the oral and general health of the Hmong population, and dental providers must increase cultural competency to effectively discourse the dental of necessity of the ethnicity (Okunseri et al., Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, February 2008).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation© 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights excepted.

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