Heart Imaging launches free imaging web site

Heart Imaging Technologies (HeartIT; Durham, North Carolina) reported the launch of a free web site allowing patients to upload and share diagnostic-quality medical images using nothing but a standard web browser, www.webpax.com.

The industry-standard format for medical images is DICOM. Viewing of DICOM-formatted medical images traditionally requires dedicated workstations costing thousands of dollars, which in turn are connected to picture archiving communications and storage (PACS) systems costing hundreds of thousands more.

Advanced Life Sciences to remain on Nasdaq

Advanced Life Sciences Holdings (Chicago) said it has received a letter from the Nasdaq listing qualifications panel informing the company that the panel has granted the company's request to remain listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The panel granted the company through May 4 to evidence compliance with the listing requirements of the Nasdaq market.

The panel's determination follows a hearing held on Dec. 18 at which it considered the company's plan to regain compliance with the $2.5 million stockholders' equity listing requirement.

Minrad receives notice from NYSE

Minrad International (Orchard Park, New York) received notice from NYSE Alternext US exchange on Feb. 2 stating that the exchange intends to strike the common stock of the company by filing a delisting application with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 1009(d) of the NYSE Alternext US Company Guide.

By letter dated Dec. 11, 2008, the exchange had advised the company that it was not in compliance with several provisions of the Company Guide, including having stockholders' equity of less than $2 million and losses from continuing operations and net losses in two out of its three most recent fiscal years, and in that it has sustained losses which are so substantial in relation to its overall operations or its existing financial resources, or its financial condition has become so impaired that it appears questionable, in the opinion of the exchange, as to whether it will be able to continue operations and/or meet its obligations as they mature.

Bjorksten, bit 7 now one company

Two product design and development consulting firms from Madison, Wisconsin – Bjorksten Research Laboratories and bit 7 – with more than 75 years of combined experience, said they will officially rebrand themselves as Bjorksten | bit 7.

"We've always focused on providing the best design and engineering offerings to our clients," said President James Frater. "As our clients' needs evolve, our services will evolve too. Bjorksten | bit 7 will continue to offer the best development capabilities – and a variety of new ones – helping us to bridge the critical client continuum between strategic innovation and product introduction."

The Madison companies formally merged in 2000 but continued to operate under separate names. The new brand encompasses both the new services and those offered under the previous Bit 7 and Bjorksten names.

Roche reduces pricepoints for diabetes products

Roche (Basel, Switzerland) reported that people with diabetes will see a significant price reduction on the price of both the Accu-Chek Aviva and Accu-Chek Compact Plus Meter Care Kits, effective immediately.

"We are pleased to be able to provide our customers with diabetes two of the leading blood glucose meters on the market at a significantly reduced price," said Roche Vice President of Marketing Dan Kane. "In today's economic environment, we know it's becoming considerably harder for people to make ends meet. Yet it is so important to continue to effectively manage health issues like diabetes by monitoring blood glucose."