Archive for January, 2010

Health technology firm iSoft has moved into the field of life sciences after signing a marketing agreement with clinical research specialist CliniWorks.

iSoft is now developing solutions that extract and identify data from electronic medical records for clinical research and other uses.

The AccelFind solution means medical knowledge can now be extracted from any type of data. This includes free text notes, discharge summaries, or imformation contained in electronic medical records.

The deal with CliniWorks means iSOFT will market AccelFind as part of its Life Sciences Solution to hospitals and life sciences companies worldwide. Any benefits from the project will be shared between both firms.

And the Life Sciences Solution is able to integrate with standard hospital databases, allowing for collaboration during clinical research as well as effective management.

Marcus Evans presents life sciences events, created by experienced professionals and with information presented by industry experts.

A legal bid to overturn the ban on gay marriages and heterosexual civil partnerships has been launched at the European Court of Human Rights.

In the last two months four gay couples were refused marriage licences in England, while four heterosexual couples were denied civil partnerships.

As a result the activists from the Equal Love campaign are challenging the UK law, claiming that the prevention of equal treatment is contrary to the Human Rights Act.

Over 40,000 same-sex couples have taken up civil partnerships since their introduction in 2005

Campaign leader Peter Tatchell said "In a democratic society we should all be equal before the law".

The case could take as long as three years, though campaigners believe government policy could be forced to change before then.

Marcus Evans presents legal industry events, created by experienced professionals and with information presented by industry experts.

Edwards Life Sciences has said it expects to see significant growth in 2011 after a forecast in sales of heart valves.

The California-based company specialises in valves and heart monitoring systems. And the company believes sales of its transcatheter valves are expected to grow to around $300 million next year.

The product replaces faulty aortic heart valves without the need for open heart surgery. Valves can be placed between the ribs and a small incision in the heart, or passed up through a leg artery.

While the transcatheter market appears small today, its rapid growth and huge potential means that big device makers such as Johnson and Johnson have invested in research. Edwards also plans to boost its research and development spending by 20 per cent next year.

Marcus Evans presents life sciences events, created by experienced professionals and with information presented by industry experts.