Intel has entered the healthcare market with a handheld device for patients to use at home. The idea is to help doctors stay abreast of health changes using technology. The new device isn’t specifically targeted for clinical trials, and Intel does not have any track record of developing user interfaces that ordinary humans can understand. But it’s still interesting that the the computer chip company believes there is a business opportunity in the electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) sector. Here’s a PDF.

Octagon Research Solutions appointed Terek Peterson director of clinical programming. He will oversee all statistical programming projects and initiatives. Paul Lupinacci, senior director, clinical data operations, stated, “We are seeing the industry rapidly moving toward implementation of data standards and associated best practices. We feel confident that Terek’s knowledge and experience in statistical programming will be a great asset to our clients.”

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CeeTox, a contract research organization (CRO), Unifab and Forensic Fluids, three Kalamazoo, Michigan-area companies, will receive $450,000 in state loans to hire three former Pfizer scientists each. According to the Michigan Economic Development Corp., the loans will be provided from the state’s Pfizer Retention Fund of $8 million, created last year to help the state hold on to some of the jobs lost when Pfizer decided to cut about 250 research jobs in downtown Kalamazoo and about 2,100 in Ann Arbor. Here’s the story.

ClinicAid and Universal Care Medical Group are pleased to announce an alliance for the conduct of clinical research trials. “This is a tremendous opportunity for both organizations,” says Dwight Tapp, CEO and founder of ClinicAid. Here’s the release.

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Datafarm has announced eCTDViewer version 4.0.1, a web-based viewing application that can be used as a primary or secondary viewing tool for electronic common technical document review. Users can be assigned permissions to review eCTD and non-eCTD electronic submissions from anywhere in the world. The software was engineered using recognized technology standards such as Adobe Flex, HTML, XML, and Java.

Dissident FDA reviewers have established their own website, Thoreau-FDA.com. “Thoreau” stands for “thorough high objectivity review ends are us.” Most of the posts appear to be anonymous. The site was inspired by a statement by FDA head Andrew von Eschenbach, who told FDA employees they are free to speak with the media. The group feels that some current FDA policies violate federal civil service regulations as well as sound scientific practice. Hat tip to NJ.com.

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