Heart Damage Can Be Reversed with Early Treatment Aug 29, 2007
The 10 tests in the Rasmussen Disease Score include: large and small artery elasticity; resting and treadmill exercise blood pressure; carotid artery initial-media thickness; retinal vascular photography; micro-albuminuria; electrocardiography; echocardiography; and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide blood levels. This battery of tests together with a medical exam and counseling is performed in two hours in one location. (Science Daily)
ACC/AHA release revised UA/NSTEMI guidelines Aug 7, 2007
Additional updates to the guidelines include recommendations to discontinue the use of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women; add troponin biomarkers as markers of cardiac damage and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) markers as potentially useful for cardiac risk assessment; and stop the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) for all UA/NSTEMI patients during hospitalization. . (EurekAlert!)
New Study Demonstrates Significant Economic and Clinical Value of NT-proBNP Testing for the Management of Heart Failure Jun 19, 2007
The multi-center, randomized-controlled trial conducted on 500 patients in seven hospitals, shows that NT-proBNP (N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide) guided strategy in the management of suspected acute HF in the emergency department (ED) reduced the duration of emergency department (ED) visits by 21 percent (6 ... NT-proBNP and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been shown to provide incremental value in the rapid diagnosis of HF in the emergency room. (PR Newswire)
Blood Test Predicts Mortality In Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients, Says Researcher May 10, 2007
Published in the May 15 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study findings show that the blood level of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a neurohormone released by the heart when it is stressed or damaged, provided a direct relationship with in-hospital mortality. Researchers found that higher BNP levels at admission were predictive of higher in-hospital mortality rates. (Science Daily)
Beckman Coulter and Biosite Amend Definitive Acquisition Agreement May 2, 2007
Scott Garrett, Beckman Coulter's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our priority is to create sustainable value for Beckman Coulter's shareholders. The compelling strategic rationale and economics of this transaction should enable us to achieve this objective at the revised price. Immunoassay testing is a primary growth driver for Beckman Coulter, and we have been expanding this business at 15% to 20% per year -- more than twice the market's growth rate -- for the past several years.... (PR Newswire)
Beckman likely to increase bid for Biosite; Inverness unlikely to withdraw, industry sources say May 1, 2007
Moreover, Biosites market-leading B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) test, would provide Inverness with a base into the cardiovascular testing market in which it plans to expand, said Simpson ... Like Inverness, Beckman Coulter also wants Biosites major cardiovascular diagnostic product, the B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) test, in which Biosite currently owns a 40% market share. (FT.com -- Markets)
Inverness Sparks Bidding War for Biosite Apr 6, 2007
Biosite s primary revenue source is a line of products that measures the level of hormone B-type Natriuretic Peptide in hospitalized patients to assess the severity of their heart disease. Inverness markets consumer diagnostics including pregnancy and ovulation as well as a line of cardiac diagnostics. (BusinessWeek)
First Step In Developing Heart Hormone-based Pill To Control High Blood Pressure Mar 28, 2007
The first advance supports the feasibility of developing a peptide-based drug that can be given in pill form to lower high blood pressure, and that is based on a hormone originating in the heart, called B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). "Our formulation of an oral peptide is a technological accomplishment that really can advance the field," says John Burnett, Jr., M.D., director of Mayo Clinic's Cardiorenal Research Lab who led both studies. (Science Daily)
A Hefty Price for Biosite Mar 27, 2007
By measuring the level of the hormone, B-type natriuretic peptide, or BNP, the test is designed to help doctors gauge the severity of a patient's heart failure and to guide doctors in future treatment. The machine is a small device that resembles a desktop phone. (BusinessWeek)
Beckman Coulter to Acquire Biosite Incorporated Mar 26, 2007
(Logo: ) Scott Garrett, Beckman Coulter's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "This is an exciting transaction that grew out of our successful relationship with Biosite over the past four years in the area of B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), a test that aids in the diagnosis, risk stratification and assessment of severity of heart failure and the risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes. It will position Beckman Coulter as a leading provider of immunoassay tests,... (PR Newswire)
Beckman Coulter to buy Biosite for $1.55 billion Mar 26, 2007
The deal grew out of a relationship the two companies had over the past four years in the area of B-type Natriuretic Peptide BNP , a test that aids in the diagnosis and severity-assessment of heart problems, said Scott Garrett, Beckman's president and chief executive officer. Beckman said it would use its global presence to broaden the sales of Biosite's immunoassay tests. (ABC News -- Wire)
Beckman to acquire Biosite for $1.5B Mar 26, 2007
The deal grew out of a relationship the two companies had over the past four years in the area of B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), a test that aids in the diagnosis and severity-assessment of heart problems, said Scott Garrett, Beckman's president and chief executive officer. Related to this article. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Biomarker Predicts Risk in Stable Coronary Heart Disease Jan 10, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 9 -- B-type natriuretic peptide, a marker of myocardial stretch, predicted adverse coronary outcomes and mortality in patients with stable coronary heart disease, researchers reported ... These findings seem to conflict with those of a Framingham study reported a month ago in which Harvard researchers found that B-type natriuretic peptide, evaluated along with other biomarkers, added little substance to standard cardiovascular risk factors. (MedPage Today)
