• Cytomyx (Cambridge, UK) reported that it has launched new biomarker tools from its earlier collaboration with OriGene Technologies (Rockville, Maryland). Cytomyx said it supplied hundreds of highly characterized RNA samples from a wide range of major cancers from its extensive Biorepository. OriGene has used these samples to develop human tissue Real-Time PCR Panels covering prostate, breast, colon, lung, ovarian, thyroid and kidney cancers allowing scientists to validate biomarkers across hundreds of tissues in less than two hours. Each unique tissue is linked to “highly annotated” pathology reports and tissue images. The TissueScan Panels are designed to enable researchers to profile gene expression levels in these patient derived samples to determine linkages between gene expression and tumor occurrence and development.

• Delcath Systems (Stamford, Connecticut) reported “encouraging” interim results from its ongoing Phase II multi-histology trial of the treatment of unresectable primary and metastatic cancers of the liver using the Delcath system with melphalan. The results, presented at the International Symposium on Regional Cancer Therapies, revealed that of the 14 patients for which data is available, 12 were evaluable, and that objective tumor responses, including partial and complete responses, were observed in nine of the 12 patients treated using the Delcath system with melphalan. The results also revealed that a significant and durable tumor response was observed in patients with large volume, unresectable hepatic metastases. Delcath develops percutaneous perfusion technology for organ or region-specific delivery of therapeutic agents.

• Epocrates (San Mateo, California) reported the launch of two new mobile applications to provide clinical information at the point of care. The ICD-9/CPT reference helps clinicians identify procedural and diagnostic billing codes, while the medical dictionary enables users to reference over 100,000 medical terms within seconds. Physicians receive financial reimbursement based on designated diagnostic (ICD-9) and procedural (CPT) codes. The Epocrates allows clinicians to access over 20,000 routinely updated ICD-9 and CPT billing codes. Instant access to these codes at the point of care can help clinicians more accurately identify the appropriate codes needed for service reimbursement. The Epocrates medical dictionary allows healthcare professionals to quickly access medical terms and eponyms on their mobile devices.

• Haemonetics (Braintree, Massachusetts) reported FDA clearance and U.S. launch of the Cymbal system, a portable system for collecting two units of red blood cells from one blood donor in a single donation. At half the size of Haemonetics’ first generation technology, the Cymbal system can be battery operated, and meets blood collectors’ need to cost effectively collect more blood on community blood drives. The consumable used with the device is designed to allow blood collectors to leuko-reduce the red cells during the collection process, saving processing time and cost. Leuko-reduction removes white blood cells that can potentially be harmful if transfused to a patient.

• Zonare Medical Systems (Mountain View, California) reported the introduction of the z.one ultra system, the next generation in Zone Sonography technology for what the company said is the first Convertible Ultrasound platform at the Society of Interventional Radiology conference that began Thursday and continues through today in Seattle. The new z.one ultra system uses Zone Sonography technology, building upon the precedence set by the first z.one system. Zonare makes compact sonography devices.