Solving obesity: Could manipulating microbes offer an alternative to weight loss surgery?

Already considered a global epidemic, human obesity continues to be on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 40% of the U.S. population is considered obese. The gamut of adverse health effects associated with obesity is broad, including such devastating illnesses as type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, sleep apnea and certain forms of cancer. Patients often suffer depression, loss of mobility, social isolation and inability to work.

With costs approaching $316 billion dollars annually in the U.S., understanding how to quell obesity will result not only in a healthier population, but could also help reduce runaway medical costs.Continue reading

SEC Regulatory Changes Provide Small Biotech Companies Relief from Burdensome Requirements

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted regulatory changes to provide small public companies with a temporary exemption from Sarbanes-Oxley 404(b) compliance. 404(b) requires public companies to report on the internal controls they have in place over their financial reporting. While well-intended, this regulatory requirement has proven to reduce market capitalizations, increase audit fees, force companies to exit public markets, and reduce R&D investments in pre-revenue startups that result in fewer inventions.Continue reading

Roche’s cobas SARS-CoV-2 Test to detect novel coronavirus receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization and is available in markets accepting the CE mark

First commercial test for SARS-CoV-2 will enable expedited coronavirus testing to meet urgent medical needs
Testing on widely available, high-volume cobas 6800/8800 will significantly increase available testing capacity
Roche expedites test development to support urgent need for patient testing during pandemic outbreak to avoid a further spread of the virus at an early stage of infectionContinue reading

SynCardia Systems, LLC. 50cc temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t) Now FDA Approved

With the FDA approval of the SynCardia Systems, LLC 50cc TAH-t system a greater number of cardiac transplant eligible patients at risk of imminent death from biventricular failure now have access to total artificial heart therapy.
The 50cc TAH-t is 37.5% smaller than the 70cc device while maintaining a peak cardiac output of 7.5 liters per minute making it ideally suited for smaller statured adults and pediatric patients.Continue reading

Tech Launch Arizona Kicks Off Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program

Tech Launch Arizona (TLA) recently launched the newly developed Student Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program. The fellows comprise a team of four qualified candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds who are eager to make the most of this rare opportunity. Over the course of their employment with TLA they will work closely with the venture development team and gain valuable experience in the startup assessment and launch process.Continue reading