Perceptive Infomatics launches RECIST web site

Perceptive Informatics (Boston) reported the launch of a web site designed to help investigators apply the new 1.1 version of RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) in medical imaging-based oncology trials. Perceptive Informatics, which participated in the RECIST Working Group, has incorporated into its RECIST web site at www.recist.com, a comparison between RECIST 1.0 and 1.1, as well as instructions on how to effectively use the new criteria. Perceptive Informatics, a subsidiary of Parexel, is an eClinical solutions provider.

Northstar Neuroscience to delist from Nasdaq

Northstar Neuroscience (Seattle) said that is has provided written notice to the Nasdaq Stock Market of its intention to voluntarily delist its common stock from the Nasdaq Global Market. Northstar expects that trading in its common stock will be permanently suspended by Nasddaq effective at the open of trading on June 22, with official delisting of the common stock effective 10 days thereafter, on July 2, at which time Northstar's transfer agent will close the stock transfer records and discontinue recording transfers of the common stock.

Northstar's actions to delist its common stock from Nasdaq and file the Articles of Dissolution are pursuant to the plan of complete liquidation and dissolution approved by Northstar's shareholders on May 14.

VUNS: varicose vein treatments reach 500,000

VNUS Medical Technologies (San Jose, California), a maker of devices for the minimally invasive treatment of venous reflux disease, the underlying cause of varicose veins, said that it estimates the number of patients treated with the VNUS Closure radio frequency vein ablation system has surpassed 500,000 worldwide.

"Achieving the physician, patient and insurer acceptance that has led to 500,000 patients treated with our VNUS Closure procedure is a tremendous milestone both for our company and for the field of minimally invasive vein treatment," said Brian Farley, VNUS' first employee in 1995 and president/CEO. "Although this accomplishment is notable, we expect that in the future our Closure products will ultimately help millions of patients suffering from venous reflux. We also believe that our success emanates from a strong commitment to product quality supported by clinical and comparative effectiveness trials of our products."

He added, "The results of these trials have proven to the medical and payor community that the VNUS Closure catheter offers superior clinical benefits to patients compared to alternative therapies. We believe our physician customers and employees gain a deep sense of satisfaction from providing such high quality medical care and products to our most important constituents – the patients treated with VNUS Closure products."