Targanta Therapeutics Corp. is beginning efforts to develop a new version of its lead antibiotic that would treat an infection that causes severe diarrhea, even as it awaits federal regulatory approval for the original drug.

Targanta expects to begin human clinical trials for the oral version of oritavancin in early 2009. The company is already seeking regulatory approval for an intravenous version of the drug, which is designed to treat skin infections.

Skin cancer campaign in Gib

Skin Cancer continues to be a common and serious illness in Gibraltar. Knowing that prevention is always better than cure, the GHA in collaboration with others has once again this year embarked on the SMART Campaign. "Our aim is to continue to increase childrens awareness regarding the damage that sun exposure causes to the skin and to change certain behaviours regarding exposure to the sun. The SMART Campaign is a Primary Care Centre initiative, with the collaboration of the Department of Education and the Gibraltar Society for Cancer Relief," they say. And add: The GHAs team of Visiting Dermatology Consultants from the Leicester Royal Infirmary strongly support the campaign. This years Campaign has involved pupils from our schools. They have been invited to participate in various competitions which raise awareness of the inherent dangers of sun exposure to the skin: - Primary Schools - Design a Logo The winning logo will be embroidered on white caps, all children within primary and middle schools will be provided with a cap, for them to use during sports, when possible and during break time.

Briefly in Tompkins

The City of Ithaca Department of Public Works Water & Sewer Division indicated Wednesday that it will again be closing the 500 block of S. Albany St., intersecting with S. Titus Avenue and Hyers Street, at 7 a.m. today to install new water service. The street is expected to be closed all day, until work is complete.

Health Department seeks dog for rabies check The Tompkins County Health Department is trying to contact the owner of a dog that bit a person while at the Dog Park, located behind the Hangar Theater, adjacent to Treman Marina. The incident occurred about 5 p.m. Sunday, April 6.

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Boy flees Islamic school that makes beggars of African kids

On the day he decided to run away, 9-year-old Coli awoke on a filthy mat.

Like a pup, he lay curled against the cold, pressed between dozens of other children sleeping head-to-toe on the concrete floor. His T-shirt was damp with the dew that seeped through the thin walls. The older boys had yanked away the square of cloth he used to protect himself from the draft. He shivered.

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Father charged with killing kids was ‘nearly dead’

The manhunt is over for a father accused of killing his three young children in British Columbia.

Shop moves to old shoe shine parlor

Mike Carman has moved his Elite Shoe Care shop to a new downtown Decatur location with the help of local businessman Michael DelSignore.The shoe restoration service now is at 130 E. Prairie Ave., next to the Fox’s Den. The space most recently was occupied by Macon Ice Cream before it moved across the street.It once was home to Milton Shoe Shine Parlor, from which Carman is using the old bench. The shop now has a 26-inch television and serves coffee while Carman works on shoes.He uses a special mixture that is available only to professionals. The process not only polishes the shoe but restores it, Carman said."You can’t buy the stuff I’m using," Carman said.He said shoes need to be properly cared for, especially during winter."The heavy salt used in Decatur in the winter will wreak havoc on shoes," he said.The shop is open 9:30 a.m.