In addition, 250 nationwide laboratories are allowed public access to clinical services, especially CD4 monitoring for HIV/AIDS patients using anti retrovirals (ARVs).

RAD001 (everolimus) is a macrolide antibiotic derived from rapamycin that is being investigated by Novartis as a potential treatment for various solid tumours, including advanced kidney cancer."Novartis hopes to submit an NDA in 2008 for the use of RAD001 as

The major drug makers are restructuring their sales force by cutting down jobs and other marketing costs in a bid to save money and reconfigure business, according to FiercePharma.

Accucaps Industries Ltd is a contract manufacturer for the soft gelatine encapsulation of pharmaceutical and nutritional compounds based in North America. The company has been in operation since 1989."The two Canada operations together make Accucaps the largest soft gel contract

Nutrition 21, a provider of chromium picolinate-based and omega-3 fish oil-based supplements, has appointed Michael Zeher as its new president and CEO and as a member of the board.

Spineology, a provider of minimally invasive spinal surgery devices, has closed on $7.5 million financing.

SpineWorks Medical has received CE-Mark authorization for commercialization of its SpineAlign vertebral body replacement system in the EU and all countries recognizing the CE-Mark.

Ingenuity Systems, a provider of information solutions for life science researchers, and CHDI Foundation have announced a multi-year agreement for CHDI to use IPA as a platform to integrate Ingenuity-curated information relevant to Huntington's disease.

Medtronic has received Japanese regulatory approval for the Reveal DX insertable cardiac monitor.

Rib-X Pharmaceuticals has initiated a Phase II clinical trial for an intravenous form of antibiotic compound RX-3341 in the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections.

Abeome has announced a strategic equity investment by Cato BioVentures and collaboration with Cato Research, its global contract R&D organization.

MedX Health has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Technology4Medicine, a newly formed laser company based in San Clemente, California, for the US dental, dermatology, plastic surgery and anti-aging markets.

Alfacell has entered into a distribution agreement with Megapharm for the commercialization of Onconase in Israel.

Dor BioPharma has executed a definitive collaborative agreement with IDIS, for the supply and distribution within the EU of the company's investigational drug orBec for the treatment of gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease via a named patient program.

Neoprobe and Draximage, a division of Draxis Specialty Pharmaceuticals, have executed a non-binding letter of intent, whereby Draximage would market and distribute Lymphoseek on an exclusive basis in the EU, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Turkey, Canada and India.

Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, a division of Wyeth, has signed an agreement to purchase ThermaCare, an over-the-counter heat wrap, from Procter & Gamble. The transaction is expected to close within the next few months.

Metabolon has announced the continuation and expansion of a multi-study agreement with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, a global and research-driven pharmaceutical company.

Remedi SeniorCare, a provider of pharmacy services for senior healthcare facilities, has acquired HealthCare Pharmacy of Covington, Ohio.

InTouch Technologies, doing business as InTouch Health, has entered into a memorandum of agreement with Genentech, to facilitate Activase education for its growing telestroke customer base.

Orthocrat has announced that Duke University Hospital, in Durham, North Carolina, has purchased TraumaCad.