WALTHAM, Mass., May 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD – News), a company focused on the development and commercialization of novel cardiovascular diagnostics, announced today that it has filed a 510(k) Premarket Notification with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for regulatory clearance of an expanded indication for its BGM Galectin-3 test. The blood test was cleared by the FDA in November 2010 and is currently indicated for use in patients with chronic heart failure who are at increased risk for hospitalizations or death based on elevated levels of galectin-3. Subject to FDA clearance, the new application would expand the indicated use to the general adult population to identify those with an elevated level of galectin-3, which is associated with an increased risk for new-onset heart failure.

The Company also announced that it has obtained CE Mark in the European Union (EU) for the expanded indication for the BGM Galectin-3 test, and is working with its partners to begin commercialization for the expanded indication in the EU.

The validation study that supports the expanded indication was conducted by the Framingham Heart Study. Led by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) is a leading, prospective, observational, family multi-generational study designed to track the development of cardiovascular disease and elucidate its common contributing factors. The study was initiated in 1948 and is a widely-used, generally-accepted, authoritative source that addresses risk factors associated with cardiovascular risks and disease. The study reported that approximately 15% of the general adult population was found to have elevated levels of galectin-3. Individuals with elevated levels of galectin-3 had a clinically important and statistically significant 47% increase in risk for the development of new-onset heart failure.

“Our initial indication pertains to progression in established heart failure,” said Pieter Muntendam, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at BG Medicine. “This new indication addresses the importance of galectin-3 in heart failure development. The two indications combined span the galectin-3 mediated disease process from subclinical disease in those who seem otherwise healthy to those who suffer from advanced heart failure disease with high mortality.”

“Heart failure today affects approximately 20 million people in the United States and Europe,” said Eric Bouvier, President and Chief Executive Officer of BG Medicine. “Subject to clearance by the FDA, the expanded indication would address a potential market of approximately 200 million people in the United States and Europe. We believe that identifying at-risk individuals before the development of heart failure would allow physicians to offer enhanced risk reduction strategies to their patients, potentially resulting in improved patient outcomes.”

About Galectin-3 and Heart Failure

Galectin-3 is a unique carbohydrate-binding lectin, or protein, that binds to carbohydrates called beta-galactosides. It has been implicated in a variety of biological processes important in heart failure, and is believed to be a primary mediator of progressive cardiac fibrosis (abnormal thickening and stiffening of the heart muscle) and adverse remodeling (changes in the structure of the heart). Higher levels of galectin-3 are associated with a more aggressive form of heart failure and 30% or more of mild to moderate heart failure patients have elevated levels of galectin-3. Heart failure affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans, with approximately 670,000 new cases occurring each year. The direct and indirect cost of heart failure in the United States for 2010 is estimated to be $39.2 billion.

About BG Medicine, Inc.

BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD – News) is a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel cardiovascular diagnostics to address significant unmet medical needs, improve patient outcomes and contain healthcare costs. The Company’s first commercialized product, the BGM Galectin-3TM test for use in patients with heart failure, is available in the United States and Europe. BG Medicine has also developed CardioSCORE, a blood test designed to identify individuals at high risk for near-term major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke. For additional information about BG Medicine, heart failure and galectin-3 testing, please visit www.bg-medicine.com and www.galectin-3.com.

The BG Medicine Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10352

Original post:
BG Medicine, Inc. Obtains CE Mark and Files 510(k) for Expanded BGM Galectin-3(TM) Indication

Chris Herren plays for the Boston Celtics at the Wachovia Center Philadelphia, PA Nov 11, 2000 (credit: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

WCBS 880 reporter Irene Cornell is doing an extended series on drug abuse, called Bad Medicine: When Painkillers Kill. The series will run through May 23. Be sure to check cbsnewyork.com for her pieces if you miss them on-air.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -One pill forever changed the life of an NBA star with a bright future, WCBS 880s Irene Cornell reported.

WCBS 880s Irene Cornell On The Story

At 21-years-old, Chris Herren was a huge talent in professional basketball, but his drug addiction proved to be even bigger.

He went from multi-million dollar contracts with the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets to sleeping in a dumpster, a disastrous downward spiral helped along by a friend from his high school days who offered him a little yellow pill.

He said Remember in high school we used to play around with Percs? We used to play around with Vicodin? I got a new pill. Its called Oxycontin. Its 40 mg. Its 20 bucks. You want one? I put out my hand. He put this little yellow pill in the palm of my hand. I threw it in my mouth. I went back to the cookout, Herren said as he told his cautionary tale to students at Wagner High School on Staten Island.

Staten Island leads New York City in Oxycontin overdose deaths.

I had no idea that thatdecision, that afternoon, that $20, was going to lead to 25 Gs a month, in four months. That I was going from one 40 mg. pill to 1600 mg. a day. When it was time to go back to training camp, I was a full blown junkie, he said.

He told the students how his drug problem drove him out of the country. He had to go to Italy to play basketball.

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WCBS 880 Special Series: Bad Medicine – Part 3 – NBA Star’s Downward Spiral

WALTHAM, Mass., May 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD – News) today announced its consolidated results of operations for the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 and provided a business update. The Company will host a conference call and webcast today, May 15, 2012, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (details follow below).

At March 31, 2012, the Company had consolidated cash and cash equivalents totaling approximately $28.5 million.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company reported a consolidated net loss of $7.7 million compared to a consolidated net loss of $3.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Business Update

“Our accomplishments over the past several months have created strong momentum toward achieving our goals for the BGM Galectin-3 TM test, CardioSCORE, and the Company as a whole,” said Eric Bouvier, president and CEO of BG Medicine. “First, in May 2012, we filed a 510(k) to extend the approved labeling indication for the BGM Galectin-3 test to include individuals in the general adult population who are at risk for developing heart failure based on elevated levels of galectin-3. Second, we obtained CE Mark in the European Union for the expanded indication for the BGM Galectin-3 test and we are working with our partners to begin commercialization. Third, results from a sub-study of the CORONA trial, demonstrating the ability to use galectin-3 levels to identify heart failure patients who might benefit from therapy with a common statin drug, Crestor(R) (rosuvastatin), were recently published online in the European Heart Journal. Finally, we recently announced that Mayo Medical Laboratories is now making galectin-3 testing available to their networks, further demonstration of the increasing interest and demand for the BGM Galectin-3 test.

“In February, we entered into a $15.0 million secured loan facility with General Electric and Comerica and drew down $10.0 million,” continued Mr. Bouvier. “This financing provides us with additional capital to fund our commercialization activities for both Galectin-3 and CardioSCORE.

“In addition to these recent accomplishments, several upcoming milestones will impact the success of BG Medicine in 2012 and beyond,” concluded Mr. Bouvier. “We are focused on the achievement of these milestones and on making both Galectin-3 and CardioSCORE medical and commercial successes.”

Upcoming milestones include:

Financial Results

Product revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 increased to $416,000 from $12,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2011, reflecting increasing demand for the BGM Galectin-3 test. On a sequential quarterly basis, product revenue increased 36% to $416,000 from $307,000 in the quarter ended December 31, 2011. Service revenue decreased to $64,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2012 from $843,000 in the corresponding period in 2011. In the quarter ended March 31, 2011, service revenue consisted primarily of $700,000 related to an agreement under the HRP initiative. On a sequential quarterly basis, service revenue decreased to $64,000 from $72,000 in the quarter ended December 31, 2011.

The rest is here:
BG Medicine Announces Fiscal 2012 First Quarter Results

Public release date: 15-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Peter Vietti onrcsc@onr.navy.mil 703-588-2167 Office of Naval Research

ARLINGTON, Va.U.S. Navy divers take on dangerous tasks every dayand starting this week, they will be part of a multinational effort near Estonia to help clear the Baltic Sea of underwater mines left over from as long ago as the First and Second World Wars.

“Open Spirit” will be among the biggest naval exercises in the Baltic Sea this year, where more than 150,000 naval mines were planted during the two world wars. It’s all part of a day’s work for U.S. Navy divers, who in addition to hazardous missions face natural perils like oxygen toxicity and decompression sickness every day.

A video, released May 15, highlights how Office of Naval Research (ONR) scientists are working with medical experts to protect America’s undersea warriors.

The field is called Undersea Medicineand it is designated a National Naval Responsibility by the Chief of Naval Research. Viewers can get an inside look at this remarkable world of the deep in “Protecting Navy Divers: The Undersea Medicine Solution”a look at the groundbreaking work being done by the divers beneath the waves, and the scientists improving their ability to perform missions.

“There is no such thing as a pure 100 percent safe dive,” said Cmdr. Matthew Swiergosz, a program manager with ONR. “Navy divers take on jobs that are extraordinarily dangerous, and they do them with a poise and professionalism that would inspire every American who could see it.”

Continued domination of the undersea domain, officials say, is a vital component of national security.

“The Earth is mostly water,” said Swiergosz. “Most people live within a handful of miles of our oceans, seas, rivers. So any military force that’s supposed to provide national security must have underwater capabilities.”

The new video offers viewers unique insights into the hazards that await divers every time they splash into the waterand the progress being made to lessen the dangers.

Continued here:
Undersea warriors, undersea medicine: The future force

PASADENA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Just as athletes are training for the upcoming May 20, 2012 Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Marathon so, too, are the physicians and health professionals who are responsible for providing medical care for the events walkers, runners and cyclists.

Kaiser Permanente takes these events very seriously, says Thad Woodward, MD, a Family Practice and Sports Medicine physician at the Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center, who has supervised medical response for the Pasadena Marathon for the past four years. We try to bring the same level of care for our athletes in the field as we do for our patients in the emergency room.

About 40 to 60 Kaiser Permanente physicians, health professionals and other community volunteers are expected onsite to meet the basic medical needs of participants for the entire course. Leading their efforts will be James Hwang, MD, and Joel Ramirez, MD, sports medicine fellows at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center.

To ensure their health care team is ready for nearly anything, the pair will bring Kaiser Permanente Southern Californias 25-bed disaster medical tent. Equipped with solid floors and air conditioning, the tent can double as a command post. Future plans call for installing wireless Internet and satellite phones.

Its like a MASH tent with cots, IVs, and medical supplies, says Dr. Hwang. Its very well stocked. You can do basic triage and stabilize patients before transferring them to the nearest hospital.

Use of the tent, which can expand to 1,700 square feet, ranges from medical center emergencies to area sporting events. Once the tent is fully equipped and operational, it can potentially be used for regional and out-of-state emergencies. During the Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Marathon, the disaster medical tent will be set up near the finish line while smaller tents will be erected along the event route.

Sports medicine physicians say they are especially well-suited to responding to medical emergencies at sporting events such as the Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Marathon. We cover the whole gamut of health issues, from primary care to musculature skeletal issues, says Dr. Hwang. Its nice that the Pasadena Marathon showcases our skills set; it lets the community know what sports medicine is really about.

Dr. Ramirez, who routinely gives community talks on the importance of education, says the Pasadena Marathon is an excellent opportunity for high school and college students who are considering medicine as a career.

They can see injuries and they can help us with cleaning abrasions or lacerations, says Dr. Ramirez. Its a great opportunity to learn whether medicine is the right career for you.

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Sports Medicine Skills Come Into Play at Pasadena Marathon

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/05/gannett-research-combat-medicine-record-051412/

By Gregg Zoroya – USA Today Posted : Monday May 14, 2012 17:40:43 EDT

With the Afghanistan War winding down and the chance to study troops in combat running out, military scientists are conducting record amounts of research on everything from blast effects on the brain to stanching blood loss.

At least 47 medical studies are slated for this year, up from 40 last year and 20 in 2010, according to Army Lt. Col. Kevin Chung, who is coordinating the efforts. This is the largest number of total projects weve had going, he says.

The studies look at the process of battlefield care, test new forms of treatment and diagnosis, or attempt to enhance understanding of brain injury.

Proponents of battlefield research cite a storied history of breakthroughs that included field ambulances in the Civil War and the discovery of the causes of yellow fever following the Spanish-American War.

Its a real opportunity, says Maj. Gen. Richard Thomas, a doctor who returned from Afghanistan in February. Combat is the greatest catalyst to medical innovation.

This year, hundreds of soldiers and Marines off the front lines are carefully being asked for consent to have their brains scanned, blood taken or reaction time monitored.

They have to volunteer to participate, says Navy Lt. Cmdr. Octavian Adam, a neurologist leading efforts at a military hospital in Kandahar that involve imaging the brains of troops exposed to blasts. Most of them want to help.

Adams research uses advanced techniques for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to, for the first time, actually see evidence of mild traumatic brain injury or concussion caused by exposure to the many buried explosives that detonate during foot patrols by troops in Afghanistan.

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Research on combat medicine at record amounts

LAS VEGAS, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –Dr. Patrick S. McNulty, M.D. is recognized by Continental Who’s Who as a Pinnacle Professional in the field of Medicine. Dr. McNulty is an accomplished Spine and Orthopedic Surgeon affiliated with Nevada Orthopedic and Spine Center.

Dr. McNulty focuses his practice on Spinal Disorders, Complex Spinal Reconstruction, as well as Scoliosis. He prides himself on keeping up on new, innovative techniques, but maintaining the perspective of well-established, successful time-proven methods. He is also committed to reasonable conservative methods prior to embarking upon surgical options. The goal is always to effectively move towards less pain, more function, and better health, with or without surgery.

Additionally, Dr. McNulty’s dedication to the field of Orthopedics is reflected by his role as a valued member of many prestigious professional organizations. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and a member of the Scoliosis Research Society, North American Spine Society, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi Honor Society for Engineers, and the Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society for Electrical Engineers.

Dr. McNulty graduated first in his class with his M.D. from the University of Miami. In addition, he also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering with majors in electrical engineering, chemistry, and computers, Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami. He completed his Orthopedic Surgical Residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, affiliated with Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, in Dallas, Texas. Dr. McNulty then completed his Spine Fellowship at the Scoliosis and Spine Center, affiliated with Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Towson, Maryland in 1994. After his Fellowship, Dr. McNulty was active duty at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia for three and one half years. He was head of the Division of Spine Surgery and was involved full-time with orthopedic residency training.

Dr. McNulty is Board-Certified by both the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and the American Board of Spine Surgery. He achieved the top percentile scores in the country on his board certification exams and maintains his current board certifications.

For more information about Dr. McNulty please visit www.nevadaorthopedic.com

About Us

Continental Who’s Who has become one of the most respected and trusted publishers around the globe. We spotlight thousands of professional individuals and organizations each year who “stand-out” in their specific field. Included are executives and officials in business, science, education, philanthropy, religion, government, the fourth estate, finance, law, engineering, authors, the musically talented elite as well as numerous additional industries.

Our mission at Continental Who’s Who is to provide an exclusive internationally recognized world-class forum where members can create social, professional and business relationships. We provide resources, information and represent an atmosphere and opportunity to network, consult, showcase, educate, and empower, allowing for establishing new business relations to increase future success. We are committed to delivering the highest quality service to all our established members.

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Dr. Patrick S. McNulty, M.D. is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Professional in the field of Medicine

Lifesaving drugs under disputed patents could become more easily available in future depending on the outcome of a case before the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

The case revolves around a Sanofi-Aventis cancer drug docetaxel, an important drug used to treat many forms of cancer. It has the potential to save lives or improve the quality of life of cancer patients, but remains expensive as it is under patent.

The Treatment Action Campaign, represented by SECTION27, has intervened in the dispute between Indian generic manufacturer Cipla and Sanofi-Aventis as amicus curiae (friend of the court) to argue that the court has an obligation to consider the the public interest and the right to have access to healthcare services in disputes of this kind.

The validity of the patent is at the centre of the dispute with Cipla alleging it is invalid because it is essentially not a new drug.

The product patent on the medicine has expired. The outstanding patent relates “to a composition of unpatented products, which – when mixed – facilitate the intravenous administration of Docetaxel.” Cipla is saying the patent is not valid, as it is unclear and what is patented is not new.

Unlike many other countries where patents can only be registered following substantive examinations, in South Africa it is relatively easy to register patents under the Patents Act, 57 of 1978.

Arguing on behalf of the TAC, SECTION27 makes the case that the Patents Act, like any other statute, must be interpreted in light of provisions of the Constitution, and requires the Court to balance the rights of any patentee with the rights of those who need access to medicines, which are protected in section 27 of the Constitution.

In other words, the Court needs to consider the public interest factors that arise and the impact of an interdict on cancer patients.

Sanofi-Aventis sought an interim interdict from the Commissioner of Patents to stop Cipla from selling the drug in South Africa. However, the Commissioner refused to grant the interdict, ruling in respect of Sanofi-Aventis’s claim, “their prospects of success at a trial are so slender that interim relief must be refused”.

Sanofi-Aventis appealed the Patent Commissioner’s decision to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

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South Africa: Patents Versus Access to Drugs

WALTHAM, Mass., May 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD – News), a company focused on the development and commercialization of novel cardiovascular diagnostics, announced today that Mayo Medical Laboratory (Mayo) now offers galectin-3 testing services to its laboratory customers and physicians. Mayo will offer the BGM Galectin-3TM test, which was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November 2010, as an aid in assessing the prognosis of patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure. Galectin-3 testing provides physicians with clinical information on fibrosis formation and cardiac remodeling, which are important biological processes in the development and progression of heart failure. BG Medicine plans to continue to expand commercial availability of its BGM Galectin-3 test through major U.S. laboratories.

About BG Medicine, Inc.

BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD – News) is a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel cardiovascular diagnostics to address significant unmet medical needs, improve patient outcomes and contain healthcare costs. The Company’s first commercialized product, the BGM Galectin-3TM test for use in patients with heart failure, is available in the United States and Europe. BG Medicine has also developed CardioSCORE, a blood test designed to identify individuals at high risk for near-term major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke. For additional information about BG Medicine, heart failure and galectin-3 testing, please visit www.bg-medicine.com and www.galectin-3.com.

The BG Medicine Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10352

Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements made in this news release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements in this news release address our beliefs regarding the clinical utility of galectin-3 testing and our plans to expand commercial availability of galectin-3 testing services. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, as a result of various factors including those risks and uncertainties described in the Risk Factors and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of our recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We urge you to consider those risks and uncertainties in evaluating our forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein (or elsewhere) to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Originally posted here:
BG Medicine, Inc. Announces Availability of Galectin-3 Diagnostic Testing Through Mayo Medical Laboratories

WALTHAM, Mass., May 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD – News), a company focused on the development and commercialization of novel cardiovascular diagnostics, announced today that results from a sub-study of the Controlled Rosuvastatin Multinational Trial in Heart Failure (CORONA) trial were published online in the current issue of the European Heart Journal.1 Study results demonstrated that patients with blood levels of galectin-3 below 19.0 ng/mL at the start of the trial derived significant clinical benefit from rosuvastatin (statin) treatment. By contrast, no clinical benefit from rosuvastatin treatment was observed among participants with higher levels of galectin-3.

The galectin-3 CORONA study was designed to assess whether baseline galectin-3 levels could distinguish a group of patients with heart failure who would derive a clinical benefit from rosuvastatin treatment. Rosuvastatin, known under the brand name CRESTOR(R), is a statin medication indicated for the treatment of high cholesterol and related lipid disorders to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. The sub-study involved 1,462 trial participants (approximately one-third of all CORONA trial subjects). Results demonstrated that patients with plasma levels of galectin-3 less than 19.0 ng/mL derived a 35% reduction in primary adverse cardiovascular events while on rosuvastatin treatment compared to placebo, while no comparable benefit was observed in subjects with plasma levels of galectin-3 above 19.0 ng/mL (p=0.036). The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular mortality, non fatal myocardial infarction and non fatal stroke, which were analyzed as time to first event.

“Heart failure is a leading cause of death, and galectin-3 is increasingly recognized as a factor in promoting cardiac fibrosis and poor clinical outcomes in many heart failure patients,” said Dr. Lars Gullestad, MD, PhD, Professor of Cardiology in the Department of Cardiology at Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway, who led the study.

“This important study reaffirms a key premise of our galectin-3 research, namely that galectin-3 identifies heart failure patients with a distinct form of the disease,” said Pieter Muntendam, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of BG Medicine. “We expected that the benefit of certain drugs may be limited to patient groups defined by their level of galectin-3 and this is an excellent example of such differential benefit.”

The original CORONA study was designed to evaluate the utility of rosuvastatin treatment for patients with advanced heart failure. Results from that trial, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2007, demonstrated no rosuvastatin benefit on the primary coronary endpoint or on cardiovascular death.2

About BG Medicine, Inc.

BG Medicine, Inc. (Nasdaq:BGMD – News) is a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel cardiovascular diagnostics to address significant unmet medical needs, improve patient outcomes and contain healthcare costs. The Company’s first commercialized product, the BGM Galectin-3TM test for use in patients with heart failure, is available in the United States and Europe. BG Medicine has also developed CardioSCORE, a blood test designed to identify individuals at high risk for near-term major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke. For additional information about BG Medicine, heart failure and galectin-3 testing, please visit www.bg-medicine.com and www.galectin-3.com.

The BG Medicine Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10352

Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements made in this news release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements in this news release address our expectations concerning the role that galectin-3 plays in heart failure and how therapeutic treatment decisions will be influenced by classification of heart failure patients according to galectin-3 levels, our expectations regarding the importance of the galectin-3 data published in the European Heart Journal, and the impact of the galectin-3 data on the sales and marketing of our galectin-3 diagnostic tests. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, as a result of various factors including those risks and uncertainties described in the Risk Factors and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of our recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We urge you to consider those risks and uncertainties in evaluating our forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein (or elsewhere) to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

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BG Medicine Announces Publication of First Study on Use of Galectin-3 in Selection of Drug Therapy in Heart Failure

I am very excited to announce the latest addition to the #SciAmBlogs network Molecules to Medicine, by Dr. Judy Stone.

Judy Stone, MD is an infectious disease specialist, experienced in conducting clinical research. She is the author of Conducting Clinical Research, the essential guide to the topic. As she says, she survived 25 years in solo practice in rural Cumberland, Maryland, and is now broadening her horizons. She particularly loves writing about ethical issues, and tilting at windmills in her advocacy for social justice. As part of her overall desire to save the world when she grows up, she has become especially interested in neglected tropical diseases. When not slaving over hot patients, she can be found playing with photography, friends dogs, or in her garden.

You can check out many years worth of archives on her old blog Politics, Science, and Other Assorted Musings, or follow her on Twitter @drjudystone.

If you are a regular reader of the Scientific American Guest Blog, you have probably read several of Dr.Stones previous posts:

Molecules to Medicine: Clinical Trials for Beginners Molecules to Medicine: From Test-Tube to Medicine Chest Lillys Shocker, or the Post-Marketing Blues Molecules to Medicine: Pharma Trumps HIPAA? Molecules to Medicine: Should pepper spray be put on (clinical) trial? Molecules to Medicine: FDA at a Crossroadsa Tough Place to Be Molecules to Medicine: Plan B: The Tradition of Politics at the FDA Molecules to Medicine: Conscience Clauses versus Refusal: An Historical Perspective Molecules to Medicine: When Religion Collides with Medical Care: Who Decides What Is Right for You? A Taste of #TEDMED 2012: Appetizers A Taste of #TEDMED 2012: Main Course Molecules to Medicine: Have You Thanked a Clinical Researcher Today? Molecules to Medicine: Public Health or Impaired Penises?

Now go and say Hi to Judy in the comments on her first post, then subscribe to or bookmark her blog so you dont miss the future posts.

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Welcome Molecules to Medicine the newest blog at #SciAmBlogs

Is it possible that health care can become more effective, more personalized, more attuned to real health and wellness in a manner that truly benefits you the customer?

At the recent health and wellness conference celebrating the 20th anniversary of the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine there was a panel discussion moderated by Center director Brian Berman, MD on the topic of health care of the future. Here are some excerpts from the comments made by Dr. Delia Chiaramonte, Dr. Jeff Bland and myself.

The first question was what are the problems with the health care system today? Here are some of the responses: There is excellent research and innovation along with superb providers in this country. But the delivery system is dysfunctional and to date America has tolerated this dysfunction. Its a medical care not a health care system. The emphasis is strongly on disease management and not disease prevention or health promotion. American medical care is very expensive, about $8,000 per capita and yet outcomes are not what they could or should be. For example, America does not have the lowest infant mortality rate nor the longest life span. Other developed countries beat us on both counts. Medical care of acute illness is generally quite good in the United States but chronic diseases of which there are more and more occurring are not well cared for. The system is provider oriented rather than patient oriented and the patient is not the real customer.

There is a shortage of primary care physicians and this is getting worse every year. Only 30% of American physicians are primary care physicians compared to about 70% in most other developed countries. Those still in primary care practice have inadequate understanding of the causes and prevention of chronic diseases. And too few appreciate the importance of care coordination nor the full range of non-pharmacologic options for care.

The second question was what can patients do to get the best possible health care? Among the responses, here are a few: Since today the patient is largely not the customer of the doctor, a good place to start is to change that paradigm. A high deductible health policy means that the patient will now be paying the primary care physician directly for care and thus this changes the professional-client relationship to a more normal occurrence. The physician will now become more attentive, allocate more time, offer more preventive care and will coordinate the care of chronic illnesses.

Individuals also need to take more responsibility for their health and wellness directly. Attention to nutrition, exercise, stress and tobacco are key first steps. Work place wellness programs can materially assist. They can offer a health care premium deduction in return for engaging in added educational programs to improve lifestyles.

Social networking can have an increasingly beneficial effect. Lifestyle changes are easier to accomplish in a peer group setting. Usually we think of this as a physical group setting but it can also be done through the use of social media. Groups help give a positive reinforcement for behavior change.

Social networking through sites such as Facebook, Twitter or You Tube or others can be used to leverage the medical care delivery system to become more patient centered, more effective at the coordination of chronic illness, more attuned to prevention and responsive to true integrated medicine.

Everyone should have a primary care physician, one well schooled in the most current evidence-based care approaches yet who is attuned to the full gamut of integrative medical approaches such as chiropractic, nutrition, personal training, massage therapy, and acupuncture. You need to be sure that your primary care physician will spend the time needed to deal with health and wellness and not just disease. You may well need to pay your primary care physician directly rather than buy insurance but the primary care physician will then be financially able to offer you the time you really need and deserve.

The third question was what will the health care provider of the future be like and how will integrative medicine contribute to health care in the future? This question was addressed in an earlier post; go to this link.

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Integrative Medicine Part II — Health Care of the Future

Original post:
Evolution of medicine at St. Cloud Hospital

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MyMedLab Pins Pinterest with a Mother's Day Women’s Hormone Infographic

ATLANTA, May 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –Older patients with high cholesterol or high blood pressure are at particular risk for unnecessary hospitalizations if they don’t follow doctor’s orders on taking their medications, according to new research from Express Scripts (ESRX) presented this week.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080827/EXPRESSSCRIPTSLOGO)

Data from two studies show that patients 65 and older who did not take their medicines as prescribed had around a 30 percent higher risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular disease when compared to patients who took their medications as prescribed. The two studies were presented at the American Heart Association’s Quality of Care and Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke 2012 Scientific Sessions.

“Many hospitalizations and emergency room visits may be avoided if you take your statin and blood pressure medications as prescribed,” said Donald Pittman, PharmD, national practice leader of the Cardiovascular Therapeutic Resource Center at Express Scripts and the lead researcher for both studies. “Conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure are usually asymptomatic, so patients often forget how important it is to take these medicines. The failure to remain on treatment can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular-related death.”

High cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart failure and heart attack are more prevalent conditions among the 65 and older population. These conditions can be well-managed with affordable prescription medications.

One study, looking at patients age 65 and older using cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins, found that the least-adherent patients had a 28 percent increased risk of cardiovascular hospitalizations compared with the adherent patients. The second study, looking at the 65 and older population using high blood pressure medications, showed that the least-adherent patients had a 31 percent higher cardiovascular hospitalization rate during the one-year follow-up period.

The risk of emergency room visits was also highest among the least-adherent patients in both studies, with a 43 percent higher rate for those using statin medications and a 29 percent higher rate for those using antihypertensive medications.

Additionally, the study focused on antihypertensive medications found that the greatest risk of cardiovascular hospitalizations and emergency room visits within the least-adherent group were Medicare Part D plan patients, with a 42 percent increased risk of hospitalization and a 49 percent higher risk for an emergency room visit. In both studies, patients covered by Medicare Part D had higher prevalence of hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure and diabetes than those in other prescription benefit plans.

“Even when you account for unique attributes of the Medicare population such as a higher prevalence of co-morbidities it’s still resoundingly clear that improving adherence to these medications can help keep people healthier and avoid unnecessary cardiovascular hospitalizations,” said Pittman.

Past data suggest, on average, one-third to one-half of all patients do not comply with prescribed treatment regimens. In the two new studies, one-in-four of the study subjects were nonadherent to statins, and one-in-seven members were not adherent to their hypertension medications.

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Failure to Take Medicine Linked to Unnecessary Hospital Visits, Especially for Medicare Patients Taking High Blood …

by Jenne Lajiun. Posted on May 12, 2012, Saturday

KOTA KINABALU: Forensic pathology or forensic medicine is becoming a popular career option for many doctors.

There is a good number of doctors interested to take up the field of forensic pathology or forensic medicine as their future career, said Hospital Kuala Lumpur forensic pathologist, Dr Siew Sheue Feng when sharing his experiences in managing of sexual assault cases in One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) during the State-level Violence Prevention Awareness Seminar here yesterday.

To gain entry into forensic pathology or forensic medicine, a doctor must have the basic Bachelor in Medicine (MBBS), have completed his or her housemanship training and undergone the compulsory medical officer service before he or she is entitled to apply to undergo the four-year Masters Degree in Pathology programme, locally, he explained.

He added that there are overseas programmes available. These include the Member/Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (MRCPath (Forensic)) and the Diploma in Medical Jurisprudence (Pathology), both of which are recognised.

The length of training duration for the two overseas programmes is between two years and seven years. The average years spent by one intending to become a specialist is between 121/2 years and 13 years from the day of entering medical school, he said.

And after that, there are sub-specialty courses that one could take to improve on ones knowledge on the newest technologies and so on, he said.

During his talk, he mentioned the importance of properly managing forensic specimens as these will be used to convict person(s) of their crime(s) while in court.

The evidence is, of course, very important in any medical legal case, as you all know, he said.

He urged those in the field of collecting forensic specimens to practise care when handling them, as these aspects will be scrutinized when the case is brought to court.

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Forensic medicine increasingly popular career option

Latest Diet & Weight Management News

20-Year Estimate Predicts 2.2-Fold Bulge in Extreme Obesity

By Daniel J. DeNoon WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD

May 7, 2012 — By 2030, 42% of Americans will be obese and 11% of Americans will be severely obese, Duke University and CDC researchers predict.

These shocking numbers actually are conservative, note study researchers Eric A. Finkelstein, PhD, and colleagues.

Finkelstein’s team based its calculations on self-reported weight and height from people participating in the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Obesity is defined by body mass index (BMI). People tend to underestimate their weight and overestimate their height. The researchers corrected for this. They also factored in state-by-state trends in factors affecting obesity, such as the number of fast-food restaurants per person and the cost of unhealthy, calorie-dense foods vs. healthy foods.

There’s some good news. The study suggests that adult obesity in the U.S. is leveling off, albeit at an unacceptably high level. Previous estimates suggested that 51% of Americans would be obese in 2030. But that figure may be too full, the new study finds.

Whatever comfort that good news may bring is more than made up for by the finding that severe obesity — BMI of 40 or more — is skyrocketing. Severely obese people are at the highest risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other obesity-related conditions.

Once rare, severe obesity now afflicts 1 in 20 Americans. By 2030, the study suggests, more than 1 in 10 Americans will be severely obese.

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Fat Future: 42% of Americans May Be Obese by 2030

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It IS Brain Surgery: The Art and Business of Medicine, featuring Dr. Lauren Schwartz

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Pay changes the right medicine for Ontario: OUR OPINION

Dell:

WHAT The team of parents, genetic and translational medicine scientists and pediatric oncologists trailblazing personalized medicine in the treatment of deadly pediatric cancers is convening in Austin to discuss the status of the worlds first personalized medicine clinical trial for pediatric cancer and plan next steps at the NMTRC Symposium 2012. Neuroblastoma affects 1 in 100,000 children and is responsible for 1 in 7 pediatric cancer deaths.

WHO Parents, advocates, oncologists from the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium (NMTRC) and biomedical researchers from the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), who are using high performance computing and cloud technology from Dell to identify targeted treatments based on the specific genetic vulnerabilities of each childs tumoran approach that could be used to treat all pediatric and adult cancers in the future.

WHY Personalized medicinetreatment based on the specific vulnerabilities of each tumor is overcoming longstanding barriers to treatment of pediatric cancer. There has been only one new treatment for pediatric cancer approved by the FDA since the 1980s, compared to 50 treatments approved for adult cancer in this same timeframe. As a result, pediatric oncologists use treatments designed for adults to treat children, with toxic side effects that are frequently as physically detrimental to the child as the cancer itself.

WHEN The following events will be available via live-stream: May 16 1-2 pm CT: Keynote: Molecular-Profiling for Optimized Precision Therapy, Dr. Timothy Triche, University of Southern California/ Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

2-4 pm CT: Panel Discussion: Kids Cloud: Access to Data Boundaries Dr. Melinda Merchant – National Cancer Institute Dr. Gary Marchant – Arizona State University Nancy Goodman – Kids V. Cancer Foundation Patrick Lacey – Friends of Will Foundation Andy Mikulak – Maxs Ring of Fire Foundation Dr. Giselle Sholler – Van Andel Institute Dr. Spyro Mousses – Translational Genomics Research Institute Dr. James Coffin – Dell

WHERE Participate and join the conversation via the #HealthCloud hashtag on Twitter. Tune in via Live-Stream here: http://www.fittotweet.com/live/nmtrc/.

Excerpt from:
Innovators in Pediatric Cancer to Share Progress on Ground-Breaking Personalized Medicine Clinical Trial