Maybe an ounce of prevention...

After being turned down once by the FDA, Scios Inc. is awaiting another shot at the agency this month for its Natrecor nesiritide to treat acute decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF) in hospitalized patients. In the meantime, the company is getting ready to develop Natrecor upstream to prevent acute CHF.

Last week, SCIO formed a partnership with Medtronic Inc. to develop the recombinant B-type natriuretic peptide as an outpatient medication to prevent acute decompensation with the help of MDT's Chronicle cardiac monitor...