Abbott announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the company’s Absorb bioresorbable heart stent, making the first-of-its-kind medical device commercially available to treat people with coronary artery disease in the United States.
Absorb is the only fully dissolving stent approved for the treatment of coronary artery disease, which affects 15 million people in the United States and remains a leading cause of death worldwide, despite decades of therapeutic advances. While stents are traditionally made of metal, Abbott’s Absorb stent is made of a naturally dissolving material, similar to dissolving sutures. Absorb disappears completely in approximately three years, after it has done its job of keeping a clogged artery open and promoting healing of the treated artery segment. By contrast, metal stents are permanent implants that restrict vessel motion for the life of the person treated.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7826651-abbott-fda-approval-stent/
Federally funded research that provides a deep understanding of cancer is spurring advances against many types of the disease. With a strong bipartisan commitment from Congress to keep investment in biomedical research a national priority, we can accelerate our pace of progress and save more lives from cancer, according to the seventh annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Cancer Progress Report, released today.
Basic research in the fields of immunology and cancer genetics has recently been harnessed to develop two new forms of cancer treatment: immunotherapy and precision medicine. As detailed in the report, the utility of these treatments is expanding rapidly. In May 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) heralded a new dawn for precision medicine when it approved the immunotherapeutic pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for treating patients with any solid tumor harboring specific genetic characteristics. This is the first anticancer therapeutic approved based on cancer biomarkers rather than the location in the body where the cancer originated.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8155051-aacr-cancer-progress-report-2017/
Federally funded research continues to spur progress against cancer; however, accelerating the pace of progress will require robust, sustained, and predictable annual funding increases for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, strong financial support for the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative is required, according to the sixth annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Cancer Progress Report, released today.
One of the most exciting new approaches to cancer treatment is cancer immunotherapy. As detailed in the report, the utility of immunotherapy is expanding rapidly. For example, on Aug. 1, 2015, one class of immunotherapeutics, checkpoint inhibitors, was initially approved for just two types of cancer—melanoma and lung cancer. As of Sept. 1, 2016, checkpoint inhibitors have been approved for treating six types of cancer—bladder cancer, head and neck cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7911951-aacr-2016-cancer-progress-report/
Adults over the age of 60 are at the greatest risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorder. Yet, according to a recent survey conducted by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), more than 25 percent of Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 have never heard of AF. Today marks the kick-off of HRS’ second annual “A-Fib Feels Like” campaign to help educate Americans about the symptoms and warning signs associated with AF and encourage those who suffer from the disorder to talk to their doctors about their risks and potential treatment options.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57735-a-fib-feels-like-campaign-warning-signs-atrial-fibrillation
With the introduction of Abbott's iDesign Dx system, U.S. ophthalmologists now have a diagnostic tool that can capture five optical measurements in one three-second scan to determine the patient's visual abnormalities. This highly advanced diagnostic tool measures the internal optics and surface of the eye more precisely than conventional methods, allowing doctors to fully evaluate imperfections that result in poor vision. Obtaining these measurements in one three-second scan enables ophthalmologists to screen patients more efficiently to determine if they are eligible for LASIK or other refractive surgery and to assist in diagnosis of other conditions.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/64467-abbott-idesign-dx-system-available-for-opthalmologists-and-patients
SEE International, a nonprofit dedicated to providing essential vision care worldwide, is proud to announce the release of a new short film. Entitled “A Mother’s Wish,” the 7-minute documentary tells the emotional story of Nacor, a 7-year old boy living in a tiny village in Peru. Born with cataracts in both eyes, Nacor was already legally blind. If he did not receive treatment soon, he might never see again.
Carmen, the boy’s mother, desperately wished for her sons to see again, but could not afford the vision care that they needed. Thankfully, Carmen heard that SEE would be holding a free clinic in the nearby city of Tarapoto, in July 2017. Thanks to the incredible hard work of the traveling and in-country volunteer surgeons, Nacor received the cataract surgeries that he badly needed. Now he can see normally, participate in school, and play with his friends. He has a bright future ahead of him.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8282751-see-international-documentary-a-mothers-wish/
Ethicon* joins world-renowned experts in bariatric surgery to share the latest breakthroughs in science and innovation that are advancing surgery in the fight against obesity and metabolic diseases during ObesityWeek 2016, the combined annual meeting of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and The Obesity Society (TOS). Ethicon will highlight the growing body of research and evidence on the benefits of bariatric surgery, a new sleeve gastrectomy training module on the Touch Surgery app, and its comprehensive portfolio of bariatric surgery products aimed to improve patient outcomes.
“Ethicon’s mission is to lead the way in resolving the burden of obesity for both patients and healthcare systems by expanding access to care and demonstrating the critical value of treatment through research and evidence, while also enabling new technologies,” said Dr. Elliott Fegelman, Therapeutic Area Expert, Metabolics, Johnson & Johnson Innovation.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7965651-ethicon-bariatric-surgery-access-obesity-week-2016/
The National Bone Health Alliance (NBHA), a public-private partnership with 42 member organizations, is urging a simple solution to a big problem: if it’s 50+ fracture, request a test. This is the call-to-action for the NBHA’s new public and healthcare professional education campaign – 2Million2Many (www.2Million2Many.org).
The campaign reflects the two million bone breaks that occur in the U.S. each year that are caused by osteoporosis and urges the public and healthcare professionals alike to take action and request a test for osteoporosis when someone age 50 or older breaks a bone. Despite the fact that 50 percent of osteoporosis-related repeat fractures can be prevented with existing treatments, only two in 10 initial bone breaks get a follow-up test or treatment for osteoporosis.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56192-national-bone-health-alliance-nbha-prevent-osteoporosis-2million2many
23andMe, working in collaboration with the Milken Institute and Lundbeck, today announced that they have commenced enrollment for a first-of-its kind genetic study designed to gain understanding of the underlying biology of major depressive and bipolar disorders. This study will combine cognitive assessments with genetic data and survey responses to assess how genes influence brain processes – such as attention, decision-making and visual perception – in individuals who live with these serious mental health conditions.
“We know genetics play a role in the development of depression and bipolar, however there is a long pathway from our genes to the manifestation of complex diseases like these,” said Emily Drabant Conley, PhD., Vice President of Business Development at 23andMe. “We need to look at these conditions in a more comprehensive way to advance our understanding. By studying cognitive function alongside genetics and other environmental variables on a massive scale, we hope to take a significant step forward in the study of depression and bipolar.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8150951-23andme-genetic-study-depression-bipolar-disorders/
Summit Homes, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary through Clayton Properties Group, presented St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital representatives a check for $718,000 following the sale of the builder’s 2017 St. Jude Dream Home Showplace.
Summit Homes, the largest new home builder in Kansas City, built the 2017 St. Jude Dream Home Showplace as an extension of the St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway Program, to support children battling cancer and other catastrophic diseases. The builder pledged 100% of proceeds from the sale of the home to as a donation for the research hospital.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8011654-clayton-summit-homes-st-jude-dream-home-2017/
GSK Consumer Healthcare and FLONASE® Sensimist™ Allergy Relief, along with Emmy® Award-winning choreographer and entertainer Derek Hough, today announced the launch of the 2017 Greater American Road Trip featuring social media’s favorite family, the Eh Bees. On Thursday, March 16, the Eh Bee family will begin their coast-to-coast journey to rethink allergy treatment and leave each city a little bit greater than they found it.
Derek, along with Eh Bee family members Mama Bee and her son Mr. Monkey, all suffer from allergies, but are determined to be greater than their itchy, watery eyesi and congested noses with the help of new FLONASE Sensimist. After kicking off the journey together in Los Angeles, Derek will challenge the Eh Bees and their allergies as they partner with local organizations throughout some of the worst allergy cities in the country.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8061451-flonase-greater-american-road-trip-derek-hough-eh-bee/
