Healthcare updates, April 30

Oncos Therapeutics Raises € 4 Million From Healthcap to Develop Oncolytic Viruses Into Cancer Treatments
The Finnish biotech film Oncos Therapeutics is doing research on next generation of oncolytic viruses and has just received a new capital input of 4 million Euros from Healthcap, one of the largest venture capitalists specialized in life sciences. Oncos’ modified oncolytic adenovirus CGTG-102 is showing promise as cancer treatment in clinical trials.

According to research Professor Akseli Hemminki

“The results have been strong for late stage solid tumor cancers where routine therapies have failed. Time is critical in the treatment of cancer. We are confident that when treating earlier stage patients, our oncolytic virus therapy will prove even more significant.”

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Growing List of Insurers That Will Provide Coverage for Young Adults under Age 26
According to a statement by Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius:

I welcome the Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, Kaiser Permanente, and Humana to the growing list of insurers who are offering to continue health insurance for young adults graduating from college or aging out of their parents’ plan.  This initiative, complementing the permanent policy in the Affordable Care Act, will enable young people to retain insurance coverage at an important moment as they begin their adult lives and launch their careers.
Many young adults under the age of 26 have traditionally had a difficult time getting access to – and affording – health coverage.  The Affordable Care Act, and the voluntary actions of insurers to eliminate the coverage gap for young adults on their parents plans, will give greater health security to millions of American families.
Insuring younger Americans is a top priority for the Administration and we will continue working to expand the opportunity for children and young adults to have access to quality, affordable, care.

FDA Approves New Device for Adults with Severe and Persistent Asthma
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first medical device that uses radiofrequency energy to treat severe and persistent asthma in certain adults.
The Alair Bronchial Thermoplasty System is intended for patients ages 18 and older whose severe and persistent asthma is not well-controlled with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonist medications.

Statement of NIH Director on Federal Funding for Embryonic Stem Cell Lines
The March 2009 Executive Order 13505: Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells is bearing fruit. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., announced today that 13 additional human embryonic stem cell lines have been approved for federal funding and added to the NIH Stem Cell Registry.