Most Clicked BIO SmartBrief Stories
1. Report: Life sciences firms garnered $1.9B in Q4 venture funding
BIO SmartBrief | Mar 16, 2010
Venture capitalists invested $1.9 billion in life sciences firms during the fourth quarter, with $871 million going to 69 biotech firms and $460 million going to 45 pharmaceutical companies, according to a report by VentureDeal. The report notes that the amount, practically unchanged from the third quarter, represents funding stability for biotech, drug and medical-device firms. American City Business Journals (03/15)
2. Large study aims to advance personalized breast cancer drugs
BIO SmartBrief | Mar 18, 2010
The University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic are taking part in a study to identify which drug candidates for breast cancer would best benefit different groups of patients. The research, conducted at 17 centers nationwide, might reduce by 10 years the time it takes to get a new drug approved, said Dr. Tufia Haddad, head of the research at the university. Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.) (03/17)
3. Tekmira forms research partnership with Pfizer
BIO SmartBrief | Mar 17, 2010
Tekmira Pharmaceuticals agreed to partner with Pfizer to test the ability of its stable nucleic acid-lipid particle technology in delivering Pfizer's RNAi drug candidates to targeted areas. Tekmira, which also is collaborating with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Roche Holding, hopes to sign more partnerships this year, said CEO Mark Murray. Reuters (03/16)
4. Ethics policy on embryonic stem cell studies frustrates researchers
BIO SmartBrief | Mar 15, 2010
Some scientists are complaining that ethical requirements set by the NIH are impeding research on embryonic stem cell lines despite President Barack Obama's decision to loosen funding restrictions on the field. Researchers are primarily concerned about wasting time on studies in the event that they are forced to switch to a new line if the lines they are using fail to meet the policy. The NIH, however, said the rules are intended to aid the transition to broader research without violating ethical boundaries. Washington Post, The (03/15)
5. HGS and BioInvent form partnership to research antibodies
BIO SmartBrief | Mar 12, 2010
Human Genome Sciences will collaborate with BioInvent International to develop and market monoclonal antibodies for inflammation using BioInvent's discovery technology. The companies will share research, development and marketing costs as well as future revenue. American City Business Journals (03/11)
6. Pfizer reports disappointing trial results on 2 cancer drugs
BIO SmartBrief | Mar 12, 2010
Pfizer announced that its two late-stage trials of advanced breast cancer drug Stutent did not meet their main endpoints. The company also said it discontinued testing figitumumab as second- or third-line therapy for lung cancer because of unfavorable results. Wall Street Journal, The (03/11)
7. Green alga holds promise for pharmaceutical production
BIO SmartBrief | Mar 18, 2010
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, found that the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is capable of producing therapeutic proteins at a level ample for commercial production and with qualities comparable to those produced by bacterial and mammalian cell systems. They said algae could serve as an easy and cost-effective approach for drug manufacturing. MIT Technology Review (03/17)
8. Researchers find serious problems in studies of lung cancer gene tests
BIO SmartBrief | Mar 17, 2010
An analysis of 16 published studies on genetic tests for nonsmall-cell lung cancer showed major problems in the studies' designs and analyses and found little evidence about the ability of such tests in helping doctors assess the spread of cancer and predict the response of patients to treatment. Scientists should adopt a clear guidance with regard to the use of gene signatures in tailoring treatments, the authors of the review said. Reuters (03/16)
9. Roche is under pressure to get positive results from pipeline
BIO SmartBrief | Mar 15, 2010
Roche Holding is under pressure to impress investors with its pipeline after cancer drug Avastin and arthritis treatment ocrelizumab missed clinical-trial goals. Michael Nawrath, an analyst at Zuercher Kantonalbank, said the company's stock "will be under pressure" if its experimental medicines fail to meet expectations at a time when "the market is assessing its potential according to the higher multiples used for biotechs." Wall Street Journal, The (03/15)
10. GVAX pancreatic cancer vaccine gains FDA orphan-drug status
BIO SmartBrief | Mar 16, 2010
GVAX, a pancreatic cancer vaccine from BioSante Pharmaceuticals, received orphan-drug designation from the FDA. The vaccine was developed by Cell Genesys, which was purchased by BioSante last year. Reuters (03/15)
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