Novo Nordisk A/S, a world leader in diabetes care, Cellartis AB, a forefront stem cell biotechnology company, and Lund University Stem Cell Center today signed a collaborative research agreement for the development of insulin-producing cells from human stem cells.

The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) has announced the introduction of EMBO Molecular Medicine, a new journal dedicated to a research discipline focused on the interface between molecular biology and clinical research. The new journal, launching in 2009, will publish original research offering molecular insights into cellular and systemic processes underlying defined human diseases as well as potential clinical applications for diagnosis, prevention and therapy.

At its 60th meeting, held in London on 2 October 2008, the Management Board of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) welcomed the half-year report for 2008 presented to them by EMEA Executive Director Thomas Lönngren.

Over 145 million U.S. adults use the Internet to research health information, according to pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research. The company has just released Cybercitizen Health v8.0, a multi-client study and strategic advisory service focused on how consumers use media and technology for health information and its impact on treatment and product decisions.

The European Commission (EC), the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have affirmed their commitment to regulatory cooperation and to intensifying their interactions in several new areas.

Philips is developing an ultrasound-based drug delivery technology that is designed to increase the effectiveness and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy treatment for certain types of cancer. The system proposes the use of drug-loaded microbubbles, no larger than red blood cells, that can be injected into the patient's bloodstream, tracked via ultrasound imaging, and then ruptured by a focused ultrasound pulse to release their drug payload when they reach the desired spot.

The final report of the Pharmaceutical Forum has been presented in Brussels setting out principles and recommendations on three key challenges in the pharmaceutical landscape. Firstly, how to improve information on diseases and treatments, secondly, how to compare medicines and identify the most effective ones and thirdly how to balance access and reward for innovation within limited healthcare budgets.