scPharmaceuticals LLC today announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership and product development agreement with Sensile Medical Holding AG of Zug, Switzerland to develop an innovative new therapeutic option for patients with heart failure.  The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Bayer HealthCare announced today that the New Drug Application (NDA) for its oral investigational compound riociguat has been accepted for filing and granted priority review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) or with persistent or recurrent CTEPH after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Of mice and men. A team from the Cleveland Clinic used animal and human studies to accumulate evidence that challenges conventional wisdom on red meat and cardiovascular disease. Red meat is still on the hook, but the culprit appears to be a byproduct of bacteria involved in the digestion of red meat. The New York Times describes the multiyear effort, including results published in Nature Medicine.

Cholesterol may play a role in the development of macular degeneration, according to a study published online in Cell Metabolism.

Terumo Cardiovascular Systems today announced that it has entered into a multi-year distribution agreement with Nonin Medical, Inc., a leader in noninvasive medical monitoring. Beginning May 1, 2013, Terumo CVS will distribute Nonin's EQUANOX™ Model 7600 Regional Oximetry System to adult and pediatric cardiovascular hospitals in the United States.

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Pfizer, Inc., are joining forces with the goal of translating biomedical discoveries into novel treatments. CHOP is announcing its participation in the Centers for Therapeutic Innovation (CTI) network, a novel collaboration model built by Pfizer that brings academic researchers together with Pfizer scientists to expedite the pace of innovation.

BIOTRONIK, a leading manufacturer of cardiovascular medical technology, announced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted final approval for the BIOTRONIK Lumax 740 DX System. This novel device is a first-in-class implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) that utilizes a single lead with atrial sensing capabilities.   

The Republic of San Marino, which is known among philatelists for its postal offerings, plans to release a stamp April 3 designed to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease.