HEALTH

NEW YORK — Investment firm J. Burke Capital Partners has increased its strategic investment into Leading Edge Innovations, a Branchburg, N.J., company that develops cosmetic formulas in skin care, sun care, hair care and other related categories for use in over-the-counter drugs and personal care products.

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration's New Dietary Ingredient Draft Guidance should not give the agency pre-market approval over new dietary supplement products, the Council for Responsible Nutrition claimed Monday in a commentary published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, the official journal of the International Society of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology.

ITHACA, N.Y. — Obesity now accounts for almost 21% of U.S. healthcare costs — more than twice the previous estimates — according to a new Cornell University study released Monday.

The research, one of the first to show a causal effect of obesity on medical care costs, utilized new methods and makes a stronger case for government intervention to prevent obesity, the authors wrote in the January issue of the Journal of Health Economics.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Monday referred advertising for Serranol dietary supplement, marketed by Good Health Naturally, to the Federal Trade Commission for further review after the company declined to fully participate in a National Advertising Division review of its advertising claims.

PITTSBURGH — GNC has introduced a new, free mobile application for Android and iPhone devices.

Designed to extend the store experience, GNC said its app, which first debuted last March for iPhone devices, includes such new features as:

• Updated design: The main menu now is organized with nine user-friendly buttons so users can quickly and easily access the information they want to find;

WASHINGTON — Idaho on Monday became state No. 21 to adopt the real-time, stop-sale technology National Precursor Log Exchange in its battle against the diversion of the cough-cold ingredient pseudoephedrine to methamphetamine.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a change to the label of a Novo Nordisk drug stating that it offers superior blood-sugar control to a competing drug made by Merck, based on results of two clinical studies, Novo Nordisk said Monday.

MILWAUKEE — Carma Labs earlier this year teamed with mixed media artist Lisa Pavelka to launch 365 Days of Lip Service, a collection of artwork created on the lids of 366 Carmex lip balm jars.

“We were thrilled to learn about the project and Lisa’s long-held preference for using the Carmex jar in her artistic creations,” stated Paul Woelbing, president of Carma Labs. “Carmex fans know that, in addition to being a great lip balm, we are dedicated to fun and inspiration. This is a great way to help us celebrate Carmex’s 75th anniversary.”