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FDA Holding Workshop on Nanotech and Medical Devices
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to learn more about the safety and effectiveness of medical devices made with or from nanotechnology, and has scheduled a public workshop to find out. The session is set for Wednesday, 23 September 2010 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. According to the notice of the meeting … FDA would…
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Patent Awarded for Drug Spray/Dispersion Technology
Bend Research Inc., a developer of drug formulation technology in Bend, Oregon, says it received a U.S. patent covering a process for making spray-dried solid amorphous dispersions of drugs using pressure nozzles. The patent — No. 7,780,988 assigned by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office — covers a spray-drying process for producing solid amorphous dispersions…
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Collaboration Finds Cryptography Flaw, Creates Countermeasure
Two European universities, one research institute, and a computer security company developed a technique to exploit imperfections in quantum cryptography systems, then created a countermeasure for it. Quantum cryptography allows the distribution of a cryptographic key across an optical network, then applies the laws of quantum physics to guarantee its secrecy. The technique uses the…
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Worldwide Semiconductor Sales Rise in July
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reports today that global sales of semiconductors grew in value to $25.2 billion in July, an increase of 1.2 percent from June when sales were $24.9 billion. This level also represents an increase of 37 percent over July 2009’s sales of $18.4 billion. SIA says that year to date chip…
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FDA Clears Catheter Guidance System
SonoSite Inc. of Bothell, Washington, a maker of ultrasound medical devices, says it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for its LumenVu Catheter Guidance System, designed to direct the placement of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC). The company says LumenVu combines near-infrared technology with a fiber optic stylet, which replaces a traditional guide wire,…
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FDA Approves New Blood Pressure Drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug Tekamlo to treat high blood pressure, made by pharmaceutical manufacturer Novartis of East Hanover, New Jersey. Tekamlo tablets combine the renin inhibitor aliskiren with the calcium channel blocker amlodipine. FDA approved Tekamlo as an initial therapy for patients who are likely to need multiple drugs…
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Slow Uptake for Green Tech Patent Fast Track
Martin LaMonica reports today in CNet that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) accelerated review program for green technology patent applications has not had the anticipated overwhelming response. In December 2009, USPTO announced it would bump up to the front of the queue for appraisal patent petitions for environmental technologies. Under the accelerated review,…
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Patent Allowance Granted for Microwave Peptide Synthesis
CEM Corporation, a maker of microwave lab instruments in Matthews, North Carolina, says the European Patent Office now allows the company’s patent claims for its process of microwave peptide synthesis. Peptides are amino acid compounds found in proteins. The company says allowance covers the process of using microwave energy to accelerate two key steps in…
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University, Oil Company Partner on Infrastructure Corrosion
University of Oklahoma (OU) in Norman and the oil company ConocoPhillips will establish a new program to conduct research on biocorrosion affecting petroleum pipelines, storage facilities, tankers, and refineries. The new Biocorrosion Center will be part of OU’s Institute for Energy and Environment. Researchers in the program will explore scientific issues to better understand and…
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Foundation Funds R&D for Alzheimer’s Precursor Treatment
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) has awarded a grant of $240,000 to AgeneBio Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana to develop a new class of small molecules that have promise in treating amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), a neurological condition that often progresses to Alzheimer’s disease. About 15 percent of aMCI patients progress to Alzheimer’s disease.…