Back in 2004, shares of Rita Medical surged as much as 67 percent after it reported positive results for its radio-frequency ablation (RFA) technology in a trial of lung cancer patients. The RFA system, which uses radio-frequency energy to heat tissue to a high enough temperature to kill cells, achieved a 91 percent survival rate in a trial of patients with primary nonsmall-cell lung cancer after both 12 months and 18 months. AngioDynamics, having acquired Rita in early 2007, continues to pursue expanded indications for Rita’s RFA tools. RFA is currently an option for inoperable tumors. The Rapture study was…
Author: Global Cancer Consortium
Aureon Laboratories is developing predictive and personalized cancer treatment options. Aureon employs a unique ‘systems pathology’ approach to provide personalized test results by analyzing a patient’s existing biopsy sample using molecular diagnostics, tissue-based image analysis and mathematics. Prostate Px, Aureon’s principal product, provides objective analysis of the patient’s biopsy tissue, enabling more-informed, actionable decisions prior to prostate cancer treatment.
Citing synergies, Inovio Biomedical and VGX Pharmaceuticals have announced merger plans. Inovio’s electroporation technology uses brief, controlled electrical pulses to increase cellular uptake of gene expression in DNA-based treatments; this enhances the potency of DNA-based immunotherapies against cancers and infectious diseases. Merging with VGX immediately adds a pipeline of DNA vaccine candidates and a team of scientists with strong DNA vaccine expertise. The combined pipeline of therapeutic and preventive DNA vaccine candidates includes one wholly owned agent for HIV and one partly owned agent for hepatitis C (both in phase I clinical trials). Investigational new drug applications are open for…
Bostwick Laboratories is a full-service laboratory specializing in uropathology. The company’s pathologists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and subsequent management of prostate cancer, kidney disease, cancer of the bladder and other urologic conditions. Bostwick offer complete histologic services, including tissue processing with routine and special stains. DNA ploidy analysis is offered on prostate biopsies with cancer. Bostwick also render second opinions on challenging cases referred by physicians and patients. The company’s laboratory is actively involved in clinical and basic research.
Colon cancer is among the most preventable cancers when caught early. More than 82 million Americans are eligible for colorectal cancer screening. Currently, diagnostics are underutilized due in part to the invasive nature of screening procedures. The most common diagnostic procedures is the oft-dreaded colonoscopy. It’s recommended that individuals 50 and up get one – some 90% of colon cancers occur in this age group. During the exam, a colonoscope, a long, slender, flexible tube attached to a video camera is used to view the colon and rectum. Polyps found during the procedure are typically biospied and analyzed. A less-invasive…
Maple Leaf HIFU Co. offers Ablatherm High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for localized prostate cancer. During the procedure, a probe is placed into the rectum after spinal or epidural anesthesia has been administered. This probe emits a beam of high intensity focused ultrasound. At the point where the ultrasound is focused the sudden and intense absorption of the ultrasound beam raises the temperature which destroys targeted cells. The area destroyed by each beam is very small and precise. By repeating the process and moving the focal point it is possible to destroy the prostate tissue. The treatment takes from…
Veridex, LLC, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, will acquire Immunicon for $31 million in cash. Immunicon filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday; the announcement sent shares tumbling to from $.27 to $.09. Since 2000, Veridex and Immunicon have collaborated in the development and commercialization of cancer diagnostics. Veridex was responsible for all marketing, sales and distribution; revenues were shared, except for reagents for which Immunicon received 30%. In May 2007, Immunicon sought to end this exclusive (20-year) arrangement with Veridex. Immunicon alleged, among other things, that Veridex failed to use its “best efforts” in the marketing of Immunicon products by…
Hologic, an established provider of diagnostic products and therapeutic devices, will acquire Third Wave Technologies in a $580 million deal. Third Wave develops molecular diagnostic reagents for a wide variety of DNA and RNA analysis applications. The company’s offerings include a range of diagnostic products for conditions such as Cystic Fibrosis, Hepatitis C, cardiovascular risk and other diseases. The company had revenues of $31 million in 2007. Particularly promising are Third Wave’s HPV diagnostics. Third Wave uses a patented molecular diagnostic platform designed to help identify cervical cancer at an early stage. In April, the company submitted pre-market approval applications…