ANN ARBOR - Chronic hepatitis B infects 400 million people worldwide, many of them children. Now, a new vaccine developed at the University of Michigan has moved a step closer to human trials. Health researchers hope it will make it possible to immunize efficiently and safely a large numbers of children and adults in Africa,
LANSING - The Michigan Board of State Canvassers was urged by opponents of embryonic stem cell research to point out on ballot language that proposal would effectively allow for a market in embryos and cut state government out of any regulations on embryonic research, while supporters said the proposal is narrowly written to limit the
GRAND RAPIDS - The Critical Path Institute Predictive Safety Testing Consortium, which includes Grand Rapids-based ClinXus, has identified seven new tests to assess the safety of new drugs in development, specifically to monitor the drugs' effects on the kidneys. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and its equivalent in Europe, the European Medicines Agency, recently
GRAND RAPIDS - The West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative has expanded its membership program previously known as BioTech Connect. Now it's called Connect2, a collection of more than 100 companies, corporations and organizations. WMSTI officials said the new name was selected to better reflect the wide range of industries served by the program, and
ANN ARBOR - Bioscience trade association MichBio announced details for its 2008 Expo and Conference at the Rock Financial ShowPlace in Novi this November. "This year's Expo provides a robust schedule of offerings covering two full days for the first time," said MichBio Executive Director, Stephen Rapundalo, Ph.D. "We have a number of new programs
GRAND RAPIDS - Researchers in the Laboratory of Structural Sciences at Van Andel Institute have determined how the parathyroid hormone, which is currently used to treat osteoporosis, precisely binds to its receptor. Drug developers can use this information to aid in the design of more potent therapies for osteoporosis that lack the undesired side effects
LANSING - The percentage of adults without health insurance in Michigan has increased slightly, but remains below the national average, a report issued by the Department of Community Health said. However, the report also showed that the number of uninsured children in Michigan fell and is far lower than the national average. The report reviewed
LANSING - The state could have two, rather than one, proton beam therapy facility under regulations being considered by the Certificate of Need Commission. But the new rules would make it easier to develop a collaborative to run the facility and would allow the rules to cover more technology. The commission will be taking two
LANSING - Neogen Corporation on Tuesday announced its revenues surpassed $100 million for the first time, while fiscal 2008 earnings set a new high as well. Neogen, which develops and markets products dedicated to food and animal safety, reported a 19 percent increase in revenues for its 2008 fiscal year, which ended May 31, and
ANN ARBOR - William Brinkerhoff has joined the Board of Directors at Velcura Therapeutics. Brinkerhoff was vice president of business development for Esperion Therapeutics in Ann Arbor, where he successfully negotiated multiple large potential partnering agreements prior to Esperion's acquisition by Pfizer for $1.3 billion. Velcura just completed a first-in-man clinical trial for VEL-0230, an