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NYT Examines Effects Of Illegal Abortion On Maternal Mortality In Tanzania
The New York Times on Tuesday examined how botched abortion procedures contribute to maternal mortality in Tanzania, in the second of a three-part series on pregnancy- and childbirth-related deaths in the country. The Times reports that the lack of abortion rights in Tanzania -- where the procedure is illegal except in cases where the woman"s life or health is at risk -- has prompted pregnant women and girls to seek the procedure from people who have not been trained to perform such procedures. In some cases, these untrained providers give the pregnant women herbs before performing abortions by punching the pregnant women"s stomachs or inserting objects into the vagina and uterus. Local hospitals in Tanzania often have to correct mistakes made by the untrained abortion providers. For example, during the month of January, 17 of the 31 minor surgical procedures performed at one Tanzanian hospital were to correct the results of "incomplete abortions."Africa has the world"s highest maternal mortality rate -- at least 100 times that of developed countries -- making pregnancy and childbirth among the most serious health dangers that African women face, according to the Times. Abortion accounts for a significant portion of those deaths. Tanzania has a maternal mortality rate of 950 deaths for every 100,000 births, a figure that is "neither the best nor the worst in Africa," the Times reports.Because most abortions in Tanzania are performed illegally, there are no reliable abortion figures for the country. However, the World Health Organization estimates that Eastern Africa, where Tanzania is located, has the world"s second-highest rate of unsafe abortions. Abortion rates typically decrease with increased contraceptive use, the Times reports. Only about one-quarter of Tanzanians use contraception in part because of misinformation that girls receive about the safety of condoms and hormonal contraceptives. By comparison, Kenya and South Africa both have higher contraception use and lower maternal mortality. However, in countries such as Sierra Leone and Nigeria, where abortion is not available on request, contraception use is lower than in Tanzania, and maternal mortality is much higher (Grady, New York Times, 6/2).
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Research Into Genetic Neurological Disorders Will Benefit From New Mouse Model
Neurosensory diseases are difficult to model in mice because their symptoms are complex and diverse. The genetic causes identified are often lethal when transferred to a mouse. The lack of animal models slows progress in understanding and treating the diseases. By strategically altering a protein-making molecule, a mouse was made to help understand nervous system diseases that impair feeling and cause paralysis of the arms and legs in humans.
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IKARIA(R) To In-License BioLineRx's BL-1040

Ikaria Holdings, Inc. and BioLineRx Ltd. (TASE: BLRX) announced that Ikaria has entered into an agreement to obtain a worldwide exclusive license to BioLineRx"s BL-1040, a potential breakthrough treatment for preventing pathological cardiac remodeling following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BL-1040, currently in a phase I/II clinical trial, is administered via the coronary artery during standard catheterization and flows into the damaged heart muscle, where it forms a protective "scaffold" that enhances the mechanical strength of the heart muscle during recovery and repair. BL-1040 is the first program to graduate from the BIJ (BioLine Innovations Jerusalem) incubator subsidized by the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist. Under the terms of the agreement, BioLineRx will receive upfront and milestone payments. BioLineRx will also receive royalties on annual net sales. Ikaria will be responsible for completing clinical development and commercialization efforts. The deal is contingent upon receipt of the approval of the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist. "The acquisition of the rights to BL-1040 reinforces our commitment to deliver novel treatments to critically ill patients around the world," commented Daniel Tasse, President and CEO of Ikaria. "Millions of patients suffer from MI each year, and BL-1040 represents the potential of an exciting solution to the problem of ventricular remodeling following AMI, for which the unmet need remains very high." "This agreement is consistent with our business model of developing early-stage programs through human Proof of Concept trials and ultimately partnering with a global therapeutics company that has the expertise and res to complete development and commercialization," said Morris C. Laster, M.D., CEO of BioLineRx. "Ikaria"s deep and singular focus on therapies for patients in acute care settings makes it an ideal party to further develop and bring BL-1040 to the global market." About BL-1040 BL-1040 was invented by Professor Smadar Cohen from Ben-Gurion University and Professor Jonathan Leor from Tel-Aviv University. BioLineRx in-licensed the technology in 2005 from Ben-Gurion University through B.G. Negev Technologies and Applications Ltd. BL-1040 is currently in a Phase I/II pilot study in Germany and Belgium to determine the safety and feasibility of BL-1040 to treat AMI. Final results are anticipated in Q4 2009. About Ikaria Holdings, Inc. Ikaria Holdings, Inc. is a biotherapeutics company whose acute care products and therapies address the significant unmet needs of critically ill patients. The company"s lead product, INOmax(R) (nitric oxide) for inhalation, is the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of hypoxic respiratory failure in term and near-term newborns, and also is marketed in Canada, Europe, Latin America and Australia. INOmax is approved for marketing in Japan and Mexico. Ikaria is engaged in new and ongoing clinical development of INOmax, carbon monoxide for inhalation and hydrogen sulfide. Ikaria also acquired the North American rights to terlipressin, which currently is under review by the FDA for the treatment of hepatorenal syndrome Type 1. Ikaria is headquartered in Clinton, NJ, with research facilities in Seattle, WA and Madison, WI, and a manufacturing facility in Port Allen, LA. Ikaria Holdings, Inc


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