For patients with acute decompensated heart failure, Nile Therapeutics is developing a drug related to known natriuretic peptides, which addresses three important mechanisms. CD-NP shows promise in fluid unloading, but without the side effect of low blood pressure that often accompanies other medications; it as the potential to reduce filling pressure; and it may also preserve, or possibly enhance, renal function.

Each month, Start-Up presents a comprehensive review of young, private life science companies that have recieved venture funding during the month, including companies in the pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic and research instrumentation & reagent sectors.

St. Jude Medical's recent announcement that it will acquire Endocardial Solutions represents the latest step in St. Jude's aggressive strategy to become a dominant player in the atrial fibrillation (AF) market.