Innovation, influence and business in America's medical cities.

Sponge-safety company ClearCount Medical Solutions has hired a new chief financial officer.In his new role, David Haffner will oversee the day-to-day financial operations of the company and will be responsible for its financial strategy, according to a statement from Pittsburgh-based [...]

Aastrom Biosciences Inc. has finished treating patients in a Phase 2 clinical trial of its cardiac-repair stem cells.The milestone clears the way for Aastrom to report six-month interim results of the trial later this year, according to a statement from the company.In the trial, Aastrom treated 40 patients suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, a severe form [...]

Radiopharmaceuticals company Cellectar Inc. has enrolled the last of eight patients in a Phase 1 trial of its cancer-treating drug candidate.The trial is designed to measure drug safety and dosimetry of Cellectar’s lead compound, called CLR1404. Dosimetry refers to the measurement of doses, which also allows investigators to understand how a drug will affect non-tumor [...]

Health care investor WFD Ventures has raised $116 million for its second fund, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.WFD typically invests between $2 million and $15 million in therapeutic, diagnostic and drug-delivery companies at any stage of development.It’s unclear whether WFD will seek to raise more cash for its latest fund. Managing Director [...]

Highlights of the important and the interesting from the world of health care:Meet the new boss: Potentially feeling pressure from the recession, turnover among hospital chief executives last year equaled the highest on record. In 2009, 18 percent of nonfederal acute-care hospitals saw turnover in their top job, up from 14 percent the year [...]

Device maker Synovis Life Technologies Inc. said its board of directors has authorized the company to repurchase up to 1 million shares of its common stock.Synovis’ board gave it plenty of leeway for the buyback. There’s no expiration date and no minimum purchase amount, according to a statement from the company.The company seeks to buy [...]

ThermalTherapeutic Systems Inc. has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin selling its flagship portable perfusion device, which is used to pump fluid into the abdomen or chest cavity of patients suffering from hyperthermia.Obtaining FDA clearance of the Veratherm Portable Hyperthermic Perfusion System is a “critical step,” for the company, which [...]

Highlights of the important and the interesting from the world of health care:A look into a primary care doctor’s finances: For anyone who’s ever wondered about the finances of running a doctor’s office, CNN takes somewhat of a glimpse into the books of an upstate New York primary carephysician. Although more detail would be nice, [...]

A bill that would expand insurance coverage for off-label drug usage has unanimously passed a vote in the Ohio House of Representatives.The House voted 97-0 in favor of House Bill 384, which would bring Ohio law up to federal standards regarding when insurers would be required to cover the use of off-label drugs, according [...]

Aastrom Biosciences, once in danger of being deslisted from the Nasdaq, has regained compliance with the stock exchange’s $1 minimum share price requirement.In December, the stem cell company was granted an extension until March 31 from being delisted. The company said its stock would have to trade above $1 for 10 consecutive days [...]