Health Care

An international group of scientists led by Dr. Gang Han of UMass Medical School (UMMS) has combined a new type of nanoparticle with an FDA-approved photodynamic therapy to effectively kill deep-set cancer cells with minimal damage to surrounding tissue and fewer side effects than chemotherapy.

A stem cell-derived eye treatment from Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) of Marlborough has been found to have long-term safety in a study where some patients showed improved vision. The study, published in “The Lancet,” followed 18 patients to evaluate the safety and tolerability of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) cells following sub-retinal transplantation into patients, according to a release from ACT. The proprietary cells from ACT were implanted for the treatment of Stargardt's macular degeneration (SMD) and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study demonstrated positive long-term safety results, according to ACT.

A team led by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSM) has identified a genetic pathway that could lead to better drugs for treating bipolar affective disorder, as well as depression and other related mood disorders.

The Marist Fathers of Boston and Walden Behavioral Care of Waltham have agreed to part ways after more than a year of efforts to develop an inpatient treatment center for patients with eating disorders at the former Marist Retreat Center in Framingham.

A Holliston-based clinical research organization will be providing services to a Texas biopharmaceutical company.

As the deadline to launch the state's new health insurance exchange website approaches, the Patrick administration said it has it a "high level of confidence" the new site will be ready for consumers.

The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts has announces five grants to support a range of projects throughout the region — all of which are expected to improve the health of the area population.

Dr. Oliver Rando, a professor of biochemistry and molecular pharmacology at UMass Medical School, has received one of 10 Pioneer Awards granted to researchers by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the medical school announced.

Reliant Medical Group of Worcester and Southboro Medical Group will become one at the start of next year as the two healthcare provider organizations complete their withdrawal from Atrius Health. Reliant announced Wednesday that the two organizations have reached an agreement to merge effective Jan. 1. Together, the two medical groups will employ more than 2,500, including 300 physicians and hundreds of other healthcare professionals, serving about 300,000 patients throughout Central Massachusetts and MetroWest.

Precision Optics of Gardner closed its fiscal year by reaching a sales record while reducing losses, the company said Tuesday.