Everest, the integrated CPAP system from AEIOMed, Minneapolis, has been approved for use on United Airlines flights.

“This is an exciting development for extended flight travelers,” says Steve Bordewick, CEO of AEIOMed. “CPAP users can now rest, relax, and comfortably fall asleep on flights. The portability of the Everest ensures that patients who lead an active lifestyle will still get the therapy they need.”

Scandinavian Airlines was the first to authorize Everest for in-flight use. AEIOMed is working with other international air carriers to secure approval for CPAP use on their flights, as well.



Respironics Donates $500,000

As part of a national partnership, Respironics Inc, Murrysville, Pa, will donate $500,000 over the next 3 years in support of the March of Dimes’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Family Support Project. Through this project, which is part of the Prematurity Campaign, the March of Dimes provides information and support to families who have a baby born early or with a medical condition. NICU Family Support addresses the needs of mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents, and the extended family of newborns throughout the NICU stay, during the transition home, and in the event of a newborn death. Respironics is one of three national sponsors for this March of Dimes project.

“Through our Children’s Medical Ventures (ChMV) business unit, part of our mission is to enhance the safety and well-being of babies and their families by providing resources that improve both the short- and long-term outcomes of neonates,” says John Miclot, president and CEO of Respironics. “We are privileged to partner with the March of Dimes and to be a national sponsor of the NICU Family Support Project.”



Ferraris Respiratory Scores High in User Satisfaction

Ferraris Respiratory, Louisville, Colo, received the highest rating for both street price and user satisfaction from MD Buyline, which maintains an online database of medical technology and informatics products, price, and performance. “We are listening to our customers, and are committed to improving the customer service experience,” says Tom Carpenter, director of marketing, pulmonary diagnostics, Ferraris Respiratory. “World-class products deserve first-class services, and Ferraris is focused on continuous improvements.”



Chad Reports Financial Results

Chad Therapeutics Inc, Chatsworth, Calif, reported financial results for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2006. For the 3 months ended Sept 30, 2005, revenue declined to $5,375,000 from $6,309,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2005.

Chad also announced that it has engaged an investment banking firm to assist management in evaluating strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value.

“As previously reported, for the past few months we have been in discussions with several parties concerning the distribution of both our Total O2 home oxygen filling system and the products we are developing for the sleep disorder market. During the course of these discussions, our board of directors decided to broaden the scope of its consideration of various strategic alternatives for the company,” says Earl L. Yager, president and CEO. “Accordingly, we have engaged Ewing Bemiss & Co, a highly respected private firm based in Richmond, Va, with substantial investment banking experience in the medical device industry, to assist in evaluating these opportunities and considering alternatives to maximize value for Chad’s shareholders.”



Pulmicort Respules Well Tolerated

Long-term treatment with Pulmicort Respules (budesonide inhalation suspension), a product of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Wilmington, Del, was well tolerated in children with severe, oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma inadequately controlled on previous therapy, according to a new study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting.

“Identifying an asthma therapy that is well tolerated over a long-term period of use can be a challenging step in continuing the health of children with asthma, particularly those with severe asthma who are not controlled on other treatments,” says Bradley Chipps, MD, medical director at the Capital Allergy and Respiratory Disease Center in Folsom, Calif. “This study showed that nebulized therapy with Pulmicort Respules may be an important long-term treatment to help manage children with severe asthma.”



Adams Respiratory Offers Common Stock

Adams Respiratory Therapeutics Inc, Chester, NJ, filed a registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission relating to an offering of common stock by certain stockholders of the company. The selling stockholders are offering 5,645,980 shares of common stock and have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 846,873 shares to cover overallotments, if any. The company will not receive any proceeds from the transaction.



Natus Acquires Bio-logic Systems Corp

Natus Medical Inc, San Carlos, Calif, and Bio-logic Systems Corp, Mundelein, Ill, have entered into a definitive agreement for Natus to acquire Bio-logic in a cash merger.

“This acquisition will further strengthen our position as a market leader in the development of products for the detection, treatment, monitoring, and tracking of common disorders in newborns and children,” says Jim Hawkins, president and CEO of Natus. “At the same time, this will open up new market opportunities for Natus in the areas of EEG monitoring for neurology and in the growing diagnostic sleep market.”



Cystic Fibrosis Study Commences

In a Phase II clinical trial in patients with cystic fibrosis, Pharmaxis Ltd, Sydney, Australia, has dosed its first patients. The study is designed to determine the optimal dose of the mucus-clearing agent, Bronchitol and is being conducted in seven hospitals throughout Canada.

“This Canadian trial builds on our previously reported Australian study with Bronchitol, which demonstrated a significant clinical benefit for people with cystic fibrosis,” says Alan Robertson, Pharmaxis CEO. “Our objective is to find the most suitable dose of Bronchitol for the important Phase III clinical trials, which are scheduled to commence in mid 2006.”



Viasys Receives Zenith Award

Viasys Healthcare, Conshohocken, Pa, was presented with the Zenith Award by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) at the 51st International Respiratory Congress in San Antonio. The Zenith Award recognizes five companies from more than 400 chosen by over 38,000 members of the AARC, that exemplify the utmost standards in excellence in the respiratory care industry. Zenith Awards were also presented to Cardinal Health, Maquet, Nellcor Puritan Bennett, and Respironics.



Sabato Awarded Fellowship

Viasys is not only in the business of receiving awards, but also distributing them.The company recently presented Mary K. (Katie) Sabato, MS, RRT, of Children’s Hospital & Research Center, Oakland, Calif, the 2005 Viasys Healthcare Neonatal and Pediatric Fellowship Award on behalf of the American Respiratory Care Foundation (ARCF) and Viasys Healthcare. The fellowship is designed to foster projects in the field of neonatal and pediatric critical care.



Sunrise Strengthens Management Team

Sunrise Medical, Longmont, Colo, has made several important additions to its management team designed to strengthen its position in North America. Tiago da Silva has been promoted and will assume the position of vice president of sales for North America.

“Tiago has a proven track record of leading diverse sales forces in complex environments,” says Carey Winkel, president of North American commercial operations. “We look forward to having Tiago lead our sales organization and finding the same success that he achieved since he joined our European and international operation.” The company also announced that Roxane Cromwell has been appointed to the position of senior vice president of quality and supply chain management for North America.



Therapy May Slow Decline of Health in AAT Patients

Ongoing treatment with alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (A1PI) augmentation therapy may slow decline of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, according to preliminary results presented by the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy at the annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians. The study, funded by Baxter Healthcare Corp, Deerfield, Ill, and conducted by Coram Inc, evaluates HRQoL in AAT-deficient patients receiving augmentation therapy.

“This study was designed to determine the impact of augmentation therapy with regard to health-related quality of life,” says Matthew Borrego, PhD, associate professor at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy. “Initial results suggest the importance of augmentation therapy in slowing further decline in health-related quality of life. As this study progresses, we will have a better understanding of the long-term HRQoL of patients with AAT deficiency and clinically evident emphysema who are receiving augmentation therapy.”



Radiometer Acquires Linde Medical Sensors

Radiometer, Copenhagen, has acquired the Swiss company, Linde Medical Sensors. This acquisition will broaden Radiometer’s own transcutaneous product line, a system used for monitoring of premature babies, patients suffering from sleep disorders, and diabetic patients with chronic nonhealing wounds.

According to Peter Kürstein, CEO of Radiometer, the acquisition of Linde Medical Sensors “is a fine match to Radiometer’s transcutaneous business area and furthermore supports Radiometer’s commitment to growing in this attractive segment.” Linde Medical Sensors has more than 30 years’ experience in the field of transcutaneous blood gas monitoring. Its newly introduced combined earlobe sensor, which measures oxygen and carbon dioxide, is suitable for patients suffering from sleep disorders and patients with respiratory problems—often caused by smoking.



Teleflex Medical Expands Respiratory Offering

Teleflex Medical, Bannockburn, Ill, entered an exclusive US distribution agreement for the Nasal-Aire II Critical Care patient interface developed by InnoMed Technologies Inc, Coconut Creek, Fla. “We are very pleased with our new relationship with Teleflex Medical,” says Sanjay Chandran, CEO of InnoMed Technologies. “It is the ideal business partner to bring the patented Nasal-Aire technology into the critical care marketplace.”



Dräger Medical Obtains FDA Clearance For SmartCare

The Dräger Medical, Telford, Pa/Lübeck, Germany, SmartCareTM/PS option for the EvitaXL ventilator has received 510(k) market clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration and is available for sales in the United States. SmartCare is a knowledge-based ventilation system developed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the weaning process. The product can reduce patient intensive care days as well as ventilator days by integrating protocolized care into ventilation weaning.



Dräger Medical Granted Frost & Sullivan Award

Frost & Sullivan has presented Dräger Medical, Telford, Pa/Lübeck, Germany, with the 2005 Product Line Strategy Award for the world mechanical ventilators markets. The award recognizes Dräger Medical’s ability to perceive customer insight in its product portfolio.