• BD Diagnostics (San Diego) reported the CE marking of the BD GeneOhm VanR assay for the rapid detection of vanA and vanB genes, which are associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).The BD GeneOhm VanR assay is a qualitative, in vitro polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the detection of vancomycin-resistant genes directly from perianal and rectal swabs. This molecular assay is designed to directly test clinical specimens, and allows hospitals and reference laboratories to identify patients colonized with the resistant organisms associated with VRE. The new test will help enable earlier implementation of infection control measures to prevent VRE transmission and infection, leading to decreased length of stay and reduced healthcare costs. BD is focused on improving drug therapy, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases, and advancing research and discovery of new drugs and vaccines.

• CoreSpine Technologies (Minneapolis) reported the expansion of its platform technology for spinal implant procedures to include an application for minimally invasive fusion. The development of CoreSpine's initial prototype concentrated on generating a complete and selective nucleus removal device. The technology was recently expanded to incorporate a cartilage removal device for endplate preparation. CoreSpine is focused on developing a platform technology to produce surgical devices for the complete or selective removal of material from the lumbar disc space.

• Luna Innovations (Roanoke, Virginia) said the product development team at its NanoWorks Division has produced a class of molecules designed to provide a new approach to improve the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Luna's molecules have initially proven to be more effective at enhancing images and are potentially safer than current MRI agents. This new class of molecules provides a platform upon which Luna plans to build a portfolio of nanomedicines aimed at disease targeting and diagnostic imaging. The new class of molecules discovered by Luna is called Hydrochalarone —Hydro, meaning water, combined with Chalaro, the Greek word for relax. The level of relaxivity is the characteristic of molecules that provides the image enhancement. Luna Innovations makes products for the healthcare, telecommunications, energy and defense markets.