March 8, 2012 — Transgenomic Inc. announced the publication of a new study by researchers at Vanderbilt University that further validates the role of both genes found in the company’s PGxPredict: Clopidogrel (Plavix) Panel, a comprehensive test to predict a patient’s response to clopidogrel (Plavix).

March 8, 2012 — Edwards Lifesciences Corp. reported March 3 it filed its official response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on its proposed national coverage determination (NCD) for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

March 7, 2012 — The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted biopharmaceutical development company BioLineRx for ...

March 7, 2012 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified healthcare professionals of updates to the prescribing information concerning interactions between protease inhibitors and certain statin drugs. Protease inhibitors and statins taken together may raise the blood levels of statins and increase the risk for muscle injury, or myopathy.

March 7, 2012 — Four leading heart organizations representing cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons released initial recommendations for creating and maintaining transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) programs. The recommendations are aimed at ensuring optimal care for patients with aortic stenosis, a form of valvular heart disease, as use of the new TAVR procedure grows.

March 6, 2012 — Vascular Magnetics announced it has raised $7 million to advance development of a drug delivery system using magnetically targeted nanoparticles to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD). Based in West Philadelphia, the company announced that Devon Park Bioventures, of Wayne, Pa., is the sole investor in the Series A financing agreement.